Lekkerwater Beach Lodge: Our full report

Opened at the end of April 2019 Lekkerwater Beach Lodge at De Hoop is a smart, new eco-lodge with a grand history.

Located just over 3 hours from Cape Town, in a remote part of the beautiful De Hoop Nature Reserve, the lodge backs onto unique fynbos vegetation and overlooks a stunning beach and the Indian Ocean beyond.

Built on the site of South African President F.W. de Klerk’s retreat, Lekkerwater (which means ‘good water’) is privately run by one of the new generation of sustainable safari operators who also own great camps in both Namibia and Botswana.

None of the Expert Africa have visit this lodge yet, though we know the De Hoop Reserve very well from personal experience.

We are in the process of updating this page with all the information on this recently opened gem; however, in the meantime, please contact for further information.

Our view

Our expectations are high for Lekkerwater Beach Lodge, due to the impressive track record at its sister camps in Namibia and Botswana. We anticipate a modern classic camp, well designed, comfortable and relaxed, as well as great service. The experience here will be all about the big outdoors - come here for a magical setting where you can explore this pristine environment and also enjoy fantastic land-based whale watching opportunities (between May and November).

Tracy Lederer

Country manager: South Africa

Geographics

Location: De Hoop Nature Reserve, South Africa
Ideal length of stay: 2 nights
Directions: Lekkerwater Beach Lodge is about halfway between Cape Town and Plettenberg Bay/Knysna on the Garden Route. The drive takes just over three hours from Cape Town, via Bredasdorp or Swellendam - the lodge is around 65 kilometres from each of these.

Access to Lekkerwater is via the Potberg Park entrance (not the Morukuru and De Hoop collection entrance gate). De Hoop Nature Reserve Gates open 07h30 and close at exactly 16h00.

Alternatively, De Hoop is around an hour’s flight from Cape Town in a Cessna Caravan.
Accessible by: Self-drive or Fly-and-Transfer

Food & drink

Usual board basis: Full Board & Activities
Food quality: We understand that meals will be cooked in front of guests and if the quality is as good as at its sister camps in Namibia and Botswana, we would expect the food to be excellent.
Dining style: Mixture of group dining and individual tables
Dining locations: Indoor Dining
Drinks included: All local beverages are included (bottled water, soft drinks, local beers, spirits and a limited selection of generally South African wines). Champagne and premium or imported wines and spirits cost extra.

Children

Attitude towards children: Children of aged 6 years and older are welcome at Lekkerwater Beach Lodge.
Property’s age restrictions: Children aged 6 years and older are able to stay at Lekkerwater Beach Lodge.
Notes: Children must be supervised by an adult at all times due to the nature of the terrain around the lodge.

Communications

Power supply notes: All tents have plug points and hairdryers are available on request.
Communications: WiFi is only available in the guest rooms and there is only limited phone signal at Lekkerwater Beach Lodge.
TV & radio: There is no television or radio at Lekkerwater.
Water supply: Other
Water supply notes: Lekkerwater use the latest and cleanest grey water treatment.

Health & safety

Malarial protection recommended: No
Medical care: Doctors are available in both Bredasdorp or Swellendam 65km away.
Dangerous animals: Low Risk
Fire safety

Extras

Disabled access: Not Possible
Laundry facilities: Lekkerwater are unable to offer laundry facilities in camp as all laundry is done off site.
Money: No exchange facilities are offered at Lekkerwater Beach Lodge.
Accepted payment on location: Mastercard and Visa credit cards are accepted, but Diners and Amex are not. Cash in the form of South African rand, GB sterling, US dollars, euros is accepted.