Dolphins leaping playfully through gently rolling waves, breaking upon deserted beaches. White sand stretching to the horizon, without a footstep marring its perfection. Can you believe such a place exists, outside of a movie featuring a lightly clothed Tom Hanks and a ball? Well, I can assure you there is, in the remote De Hoop Nature Reserve about 3-4 hours drive from Cape Town (depending on how fast you zip down those gravel roads).
Mark and I were lucky enough to spend 2 glorious nights at the Lekkerwater Beach Lodge, in the De Hoop Nature Reserve. South African slang for anything from tasty to cool, lekker is a widely used word. A lekker place, a lekker plate of food, a lekker person. And Lekkerwater really is a lekker place.
The stand-alone chalets fan out along the dunes, with uninterrupted views of the beach and Indian ocean. The footprint in this nature reserve has to be kept small to preserve the pristine natural environment, so the chalets are fairly close together. Ocean views are the order of the day and you can see the whales and dolphins from your bed or your perch on the veranda. Its all very stylish and beachy with chic accessories and a fireplace for the cooler months.
The heart of Lekkerwater Beach Lodge is the main lounge and dining room, with 360 degree views of the sea. The décor is something out of a fancy magazine, but without being overdone, it invites you to relax and kick off your shoes. I had an ounce of style myself, this is what I would dream of! Meals are served family style, around a huge dining table and you can expect simple, tasty, homecooked food with a flair.
De Hoop Nature Reserve has a fascinating history, having once been a private farm before being taken over by the government for military testing. Luckily enough, the original owner’s family was at Lekkerwater at the same time as me and it was fascinating hearing the childhood stories and memories of the children and grandchildren of their time spent in this remote area. Stories of endless journeys by horse and cart, sleeping under the stars, finding ancient bushman paintings on their bumbles through the bush.
So what is there to do at Lekkerwater Beach Lodge? For me, the best part was long walks on the beach, relaxing, swimming and watching the sea-life, followed by a picnic on the dunes. The lodge naturalist will take you on walks to learn about the creatures inhabiting the rockpools, to learn about the fynbos and the Cape Floral Kingdom, as well as teach you about the first inhabitants of the area.
I look forward to seeing you there and sharing a glass of Sauvignon Blanc on the veranda!