Lekkerwater Beach Lodge
The Garden Route

Lying just a scenic three hour drive away from Cape Town, lies the beautiful De Hoop Game Reserve. The Lekkerwater Beach Lodge is situated in the most remote Eastern reaches of this reserve and offers both exclusive and unique experiences. 

Its name translates as ‘the good water’ so it's not exactly surprising that this property has a complete respect for its surroundings. The power used by the property is solar and wind generated, and the masterminds behind its creation has made sure that plastic is kept to an absolute minimum. All in all, Lekkerwater Beach Lodge makes little impact on the earth and adheres to an ethos of sustainability.

The seven rooms are spread across 6 kilometres on the pristine beach front, with expansive views of the warm Indian Ocean. The rooms blend into the landscape with floor to ceiling glass windows, verandas and their blue hued interior design. Each room also comes with a wood-burner stove, so you are sure to be snug during the cooler winter nights.

Its simple and minimalist design ensures that nature is kept the main focus of the lodge, which is also clear within the communal areas: not only do they feature wraparound decks but most of the spaces are open-plan. Dining is a relaxed affair at both the indoor interactive kitchen and the outside dining room, meaning that this experience also remains true to Lekkerwater's love for its wild surroundings.

Lekkerwater offers the option to just relax and take in the restful ambience of this glorious destination as well as be an active destination for the energetic nature lovers. The lodge is a hive of activities: the experienced guides are a wealth of information and offer a myriad of excursions to suit all types of travellers, from guided walks within the Cape Floral Kingdom in the fynbos to see hundreds of endemic plant species - including the national flower of South Africa, the King Protea; guided drives to the Potberg Mountains to see the incredible Vulture Colony and even informative guided historical talks. For those after marine safaris, you're in luck, for the southern right whales flock in their hundreds from Antarctica to the Eastern Cape shores from July to November, alongside pods of dolphins and other marine species.

De Hoop Game Reserve was declared a World Heritage Site in 2004 and for nature lovers a tour along the Garden Route should absolutely include this glorious combination of beach, wetlands, fauna and flora kingdoms – and, above all, the impressive marine sightings that await you at this hotly-anticipated property.

You either get the point of Africa or you don’t. What draws me backyear after year is that it is like the world with the lid off.
AA Gill