Aves Western Cape Birding Tour / Safari, includes De Hoop Nature Reserve in its itinerary.

This beautiful Fynbos and Marine Reserve is situated in the Overberg region of the Western Cape, near the southern tip of Africa and covers an area of about 36 000ha.

Birding De Hoop Nature Reserve. IBA

The De Hoop vlei/wetland is famous for its variety and large numbers of migratory waders and water birds.  More than 260 species have been recorded on the reserve and the only remaining Western Cape breeding colony of the rare Cape vulture occurs at Potberg on the north eastern boundary of the reserve.

De Hoop Specials

Cape Vulture, Hottentot Buttonquail, Southern Tchagra, Knysna Woodpecker, Black Harrier and Agulhas Lark.

Mammals

The reserve has 86 mammal species, most notably the rare Bontebok

and Cape Mountain Zebra.

The marine reserve has at least 250 fish and Southern Right Whales calve and mate in the sheltered bays of De Hoop each year between May and December.

Vegetation

De Hoop reserve is the largest conserved area for the lowland Fynbos and has an estimated 1500 plant species.

• 108 species are rare or threatened

• 34 species occur only on De Hoop Nature Reserve.

• 14 species were recently discovered and are still to be described.