De Hoop reserve is absolutely wonderful, and staying in the reserve (rather than outside) is highly recommended so you can appreciate the sunsets especially. The views over the river are spectacular! The Rondavels are the most affordable option (apart from camping) and ultimately worth it, just for the chance to stay in the reserve. Having said that, I thought it was overpriced for what you get. The rondavels are very comfortable, the outside showers are wonderful, the toilets were immaculate - there are even Charlotte Rhys toiletries. But not having any cooking facilities apart from a kettle, toaster and a braai, and no washing up facilities apart from a plastic bowl with no hot running water, means that you're pretty much forced to eat at the restaurant (unless you have picnic food). At R450 per head for a set dinner menu, that felt like a total ripoff. I'm glad I went, glad I stayed in the reserve, loved the day spent hiking, bird watching and soaking up the views - but was also glad only to stay and pay for 2 nights.

I loved this place! If you’re a nature lover, it’s the perfect spot. There’s a great restaurant with a fixed price of €25 per person, but you also have the option to barbecue outside your bungalow. I recommend stocking up on groceries beforehand, as the nearest supermarket is about an hour away. The property offers both indoor and outdoor bathrooms. I tried the outdoor shower, and I highly recommend it for the experience! Even though the property is located within a reserve, we were pleasantly surprised by how few insects bothered us during the barbecue. However, it’s worth noting that, even of the bungalows are a very nice and well manteined, being surrounded by nature, it’s possible for a few insects to make their way inside the little house.

We didn’t realize that the road to get there is quite rough, and unfortunately, we didn’t have a suitable car for it. The area around the bungalows is well-structured but relatively small compared to the rest of the reserve. Exploring the entire reserve requires a larger, more robust vehicle. If we had known this beforehand, we would have rented a higher-clearance car to fully enjoy the trails and the beauty of the reserve.

The De Hoop Nature Reserve is absolutely breathtaking, particularly the sand dunes, which feel as though you’re walking through a movie set. The sheer size and beauty of the landscape are awe-inspiring, and the serenity is unmatched. Although De Hoop isn’t a game reserve, you still get the incredible experience of seeing wildlife up close. During our stay, we encountered a variety of animals, including Cape mountain zebras, bontebok, eland, ostriches, and baboons, all in their natural habitat. It’s a truly immersive experience that highlights the magic of South Africa’s biodiversity. We booked last minute and were only able to secure a stay in the Campsite Rondavels. However, the term “campsite” doesn’t do them justice—it’s an understatement that might mislead future guests. These rooms are more like luxury bungalows; in fact, they wouldn’t be out of place in a 5-star Maldivian resort. The outdoor shower and toilet facilities can be a bit challenging if the temperatures dip, but it’s more than worth it for the stunning views over the (insert river name) at sunset. The atmosphere is incredibly peaceful, and it’s the perfect place to unwind and reconnect with nature.

There were only a couple of areas where we felt improvements could be made. First, the drive from reception to the sand dunes is around 20–25 minutes, and it’s not entirely straightforward. A more detailed run-through of the property and its facilities during check-in would have saved us some time and confusion. Second, while the overall experience was excellent, the dinner at the restaurant didn’t meet the high standard we’ve come to expect from South African hospitality. The limited menu (two starters and two mains) isn’t a problem in itself, but the dishes felt a little basic and could have benefitted from more attention to detail and care in their preparation.

Loved the riverside view, the quiet, the friendly staff, the tours. Also the outdoor showers and the peacefulness of getting away to tranquillity.

We did the vulture tour which was both interesting and fun. I'd suggest the staff enquire re picnics if there are any vegetarians in the group . Unpleasant smell of sewerage near reception (I know this might be difficult to fix ). Not sure if there was an oven/stove available in communal facilities for rondawels (we couldn't find one )? Would make self-catering a lot easier.

We really enjoyed our stay at De Hoop Nature Reserve on our South Africa round trip. The Rondawels were cosy, very clean and in a great location, right on the river. Each rondawel has its own washbasin. We didn't mind using the shared toilets and showers as they were well maintained and clean. Showering in the outdoor shower was a great experience. You have a view over the river but can't be watched by other people. The staff was very friendly and we would recommend a stay like this to anyone who likes animals and nature. We were able to watch whales from the shore!

Very clean and secure.very short walk to dining facilities. Location great for exploring the park. Great for birdwatching and the local guides are very knowledgable.

Rondawels quite close together but as these were not all occupied it was ok. I would suggest anyone flying drone at a NP is fined heavily and banned. Some occupants not leaving a small enough footprint at this extraordinary National Park

The rooms are cozy, well equipped and we felt very safe. No problems at all to use outside toilet/shower even at night. Everything was very clean and we can only recommend the nearby restaurant in walking distance. Great food, exceptional wine cellar (ask for Brandon) and unbeatable views. We stayed three nights and there was a lot to see and do (also organised tours) in this wonderful reserve.

Breakfast was not part of the deal. Liked the situation, though the view over the vlei is actually very limited and needed to go to main area for sunset views. Game density in open areas impressive, though not very diverse, and March not a good time for fynbos flora.

Didn't like distance from ablutions. No hot water in rondavel. Cannot understand absence of washing up facility for after braai or self catering. For the amount asked we received much better at a number of other overnight stay places. Restaurant meal prices were exorbitant with no alternative offered.

Being so close to nature - peaceful and tranquil with unbeatable views, makes De Hoop such a special destination. The staff are very friendly and helpful. It was our 50th wedding anniversary, and a bottle sparkling wine with glasses welcomed us in our rondawel! It was such a nice gesture! We were impressed with the daily maintanance of the rondawel and braai area.

Unfortunately the outside ablution facilities was a bit neglected - the toilet leaked and floor was wet. We loved using the roofless shower in nature, but the mixer tap broke and the repair only lasted a day. De Hoop is still a fabulous destination, butperhaps in need of some TLC.

Absolutely amazing staff! Melanie is a joy! The rondavels are lovely, cleaned daily and good value. I loved the outdoor shower. Inquisitive dassies visiting daily and plains game all around were a bonus. Food at the restaurant was really good. We didn’t preorder meals and arrived late without supplies, but they made a plan for us! Thank you wonderful team!