Best hotels in De Hoop

De Hoop Nature Reserve on South Africa's southern shoreline (about halfway between Cape Town and Plettenberg Bay) is undoubtedly one of the country's best kept secrets. The reserve is probably most famous for its incredible land-based whale and dolphin watching, but it's also one of the most spectacularly beautiful areas on the continent: a melee of fynbos, pristine white beaches and wetlands, all framed by towering mountains to one side and the Indian Ocean to the other. And there's a picture-perfect spot from which to enjoy it all - Lekkerwater Beach Lodge.

A three-hour drive from Cape Town, through some of most picturesque winelands imaginable, the brand-new Morukuru Beach Lodge lies in the 36,000-hectare De Hoop Nature Reserve, a pristine coastal fynbos region with World Heritage Site status. Not only is this unique region near South Africa's southernmost tip of Cape Agulhas, it's also one of the best places to see southern right whales (from July to Sept). The artfully constructed ecolodge is a sprawl of glass and natural rocks, capitalising on the scenery: limestone cliffs, secluded bays, and fynbos-shrouded white dunes. Expect African wildlife (marine and terrestrial), and a private beach.

Set just metres from the sea, five-star Morukuru Ocean House is the perfect getaway retreat for a family wanting its own private slice of the wildly beautiful De Hoop Nature Reserve. The reserve itself is one of the Western Cape's most beloved wilderness areas, and the villa – well, it's five-star fabulous, with sleek accommodation (it sleeps 12), amazing views, outstanding service and top-class meals prepared by your private chef. There's plenty to do – take a guided, insightful marine walk, explore the dunes and rock pools and, between July and November, watch the whales and their calves.