Reviews of The Opstal
Wildlife sightings and reviews
25 independent comments and wildlife information from our travellers who have visited The Opstal and kindly agreed to share their thoughts. They do not necessarily represent the views of Expert Africa
Wildlife sightings by our travellers
Starting in Apr-2019, 5 of our travellers have recorded their wildlife sightings at The Opstal.
Leopard
0% success
Eland
100% success
Zebra
80% success
Ms & Mr T
London
"De Hoop Opstal review"
3 nights Arrived 29 Dec 2014
"Our arrival was badly handled in contrast to the efficient warm welcome that we'd enjoyed at our previous stops.
No one bothered with us much, only one intern and another girl who seemed rather hostile were on duty and they didn't take any notice of us for a while. Finally we were shown our room, there was a fuss over lost keys and we found that a group of German tourists were using our room as a way to their car! We had to chuck them out and establish ownership! having done that, we were fine.
We enjoyed the walks and the beach, got up early and had lots of exercise. We are quite happy on our own but this is probably not the place for people who want more guidance. No one suggested anything, we just followed their map. Food was adequate and quite hearty but they obviously had a problem with fresh fruit and veg.
I would caution anyone going to take masses of sunscreen and a hat as De Hoop is VERY exposed at this time of the year. We were well equipped but you could get badly burned as the light is very bright and the Vlei and beach super exposed. In all we enjoyed De Hoop but were glad that we had some luxury worked into our trip too!" See all these reviews: 18n in South Africa
No one bothered with us much, only one intern and another girl who seemed rather hostile were on duty and they didn't take any notice of us for a while. Finally we were shown our room, there was a fuss over lost keys and we found that a group of German tourists were using our room as a way to their car! We had to chuck them out and establish ownership! having done that, we were fine.
We enjoyed the walks and the beach, got up early and had lots of exercise. We are quite happy on our own but this is probably not the place for people who want more guidance. No one suggested anything, we just followed their map. Food was adequate and quite hearty but they obviously had a problem with fresh fruit and veg.
I would caution anyone going to take masses of sunscreen and a hat as De Hoop is VERY exposed at this time of the year. We were well equipped but you could get badly burned as the light is very bright and the Vlei and beach super exposed. In all we enjoyed De Hoop but were glad that we had some luxury worked into our trip too!" See all these reviews: 18n in South Africa
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Average
Activities:
Good
Rooms:
Good
Food:
Average
Facilities:
Average
Feedback Response
De Hoop were very sorry to hear about the lack of professional service on arrival and were grateful for the feedback. They had a temporary team in over December who were clearly lacking, however there is now a new team in place at reception.
"Southern Africa Manager"
Mr & Mrs K
Crewe
"De Hoop Opstal review"
3 nights Arrived 3 Nov 2014
"Only worth a 2 night stay as once you've done the river walk and seen the beach (beautiful) there is not much else to do and you are 1 hour down a dirt road. Seeing Whales from the beach was a highlight.
The restaurant burnt down a few months ago and both myself and my wife got gastroenteritis form their efforts - I would not return until this is sorted out.
Our accommodation was very basic - the worst of our visit - there were higher standard units available and these should be offered instead - Village rooms were also a mile from the restaurant and you were clpse to the staff quarters." See all these reviews: 13n in South Africa
The restaurant burnt down a few months ago and both myself and my wife got gastroenteritis form their efforts - I would not return until this is sorted out.
Our accommodation was very basic - the worst of our visit - there were higher standard units available and these should be offered instead - Village rooms were also a mile from the restaurant and you were clpse to the staff quarters." See all these reviews: 13n in South Africa
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Poor
Location:
Average
Service:
Average
Activities:
Average
Rooms:
Poor
Food:
Terrible
Facilities:
Average
Mr & Mrs F
UK
"Great wildlife at De Hoop Opstal"
3 nights Arrived 23 Oct 2014
"The best wildlife viewing, especially birds, we experienced outside of a game park. Walking good although not many tracks.
Accommodation in our cottage (a Vlei Cottage) had a very rural feel to it, was private and was ideally positioned just above the blocked river estuary.
Very isolated and not much to do if weather not good, but it is well worth accepting that risk.
Quality of food and service in the on site restaurant was very good but service could be slow if they were busy." See all these reviews: 34n in South Africa
Accommodation in our cottage (a Vlei Cottage) had a very rural feel to it, was private and was ideally positioned just above the blocked river estuary.
Very isolated and not much to do if weather not good, but it is well worth accepting that risk.
Quality of food and service in the on site restaurant was very good but service could be slow if they were busy." See all these reviews: 34n in South Africa
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Good
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Good
Mr & Mrs Craig
UK
"Could not bear to leave De Hoop Opstal"
3 nights Arrived 28 Sep 2014
"Possibly one of the most incredible places I've ever been. Amazing sand dunes, complete peace, brilliant staff. Couldn't tear my eyes away from the sea when we had to leave, didn't know we could just hang out as a family watching the water for whales.
I have no complaints but wish Id known: that you can have brekkie, lunch and dinner in the restaurant. I wouldn't have bothered with self catering for such a short time (3 nights) if we'd known this. The only other small thing was no cot for the infant. It didn't bother us but might be a problem for other travellers with a baby - good to flag up in advance. We also arrived very late and the gates were open but reception closed immediately after checking us in and we didn't realise until we'd seen our accommodation that we needed wood for heating. By which time it was too late to pick any wood up - just advance info about this would have been great.
The available activities were not so good for our age ranges (two adults, a 3 year old and 1 year old) - we couldn't do any walks (too long for the 3 year old who won't be confined) and there were no child seats/trailers for the mountain bikes and they are obviously too young for the quad bikes. We just about managed some bird watching without too much whinging and we were very happy just hanging out on the dunes and paddling for the two days that we had but again its just things you might want to advise any travellers with young children. Might also have been good to know in advance that once we were there it was still quite a journey down to the beach from our accommodation.
Just a note on self catering options that we used as well - I wish I'd been advised that there would be a braai everywhere. I'm so used to 'no fires' and 'no BBQs' locations here that I'd forgotten the South African love of cooking outdoors. Easiest thing in the world when you are self catering to just pick up some meat and get the fire on." See all these reviews: 12n in South Africa
I have no complaints but wish Id known: that you can have brekkie, lunch and dinner in the restaurant. I wouldn't have bothered with self catering for such a short time (3 nights) if we'd known this. The only other small thing was no cot for the infant. It didn't bother us but might be a problem for other travellers with a baby - good to flag up in advance. We also arrived very late and the gates were open but reception closed immediately after checking us in and we didn't realise until we'd seen our accommodation that we needed wood for heating. By which time it was too late to pick any wood up - just advance info about this would have been great.
The available activities were not so good for our age ranges (two adults, a 3 year old and 1 year old) - we couldn't do any walks (too long for the 3 year old who won't be confined) and there were no child seats/trailers for the mountain bikes and they are obviously too young for the quad bikes. We just about managed some bird watching without too much whinging and we were very happy just hanging out on the dunes and paddling for the two days that we had but again its just things you might want to advise any travellers with young children. Might also have been good to know in advance that once we were there it was still quite a journey down to the beach from our accommodation.
Just a note on self catering options that we used as well - I wish I'd been advised that there would be a braai everywhere. I'm so used to 'no fires' and 'no BBQs' locations here that I'd forgotten the South African love of cooking outdoors. Easiest thing in the world when you are self catering to just pick up some meat and get the fire on." See all these reviews: 12n in South Africa
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Good
Rooms:
Good
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Feedback Response
We often have numerous, quite lengthy, discussions with our travellers and as such there is a lot of information to absorb. We do mention, as a matter of course, that although the rooms are self-catering you can eat all meals in the restaurant on site. We are sorry if this was not made clear to these travellers. We have also taken note to specifically mention the BBQ facilities in our chats.
"Southern Africa Manager"
Mr & Mrs A
Hants
"De Hoop Opstal a wonderful surprise"
2 nights Arrived 3 Feb 2014
"Your "wild card" came up trumps! This place ought to publicize itself better. Birding on the vlei (lagoon), game viewing, beaches, and we were encouraged to walk anywhere we liked! But it's a long way from anywhere down a gravel road and across a pontoon ferry if you approach directly from the East.
We occupied a self catering bungalow as nothing else was available, although we chose to eat in the restaurant. Service in the restaurant was variable depending upon who was on duty. Our bungalow could have been a little inconvenient if all six beds were occupied as the only loo was in the bathroom." See all these reviews: 13n in South Africa
We occupied a self catering bungalow as nothing else was available, although we chose to eat in the restaurant. Service in the restaurant was variable depending upon who was on duty. Our bungalow could have been a little inconvenient if all six beds were occupied as the only loo was in the bathroom." See all these reviews: 13n in South Africa
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent
Location:
Excellent
Service:
Good
Activities:
Good
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Good
Holiday styles & special interests in South Africa
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Other lodges in De Hoop Nature Reserve
Alternative places to stay in this same area.
Lekkerwater Beach Lodge
Overlooking a stunning beach and the Indian Ocean, Lekkerwater Beach Lodge is a modern camp with very comfortable rooms in a little known yet beautiful reserve.
