Built on land once housing former South African President FW De Klerk’s beachside retreat, Lekkerwater Beach Lodge is Natural Selection’s first South African property with the concept of ‘clean and green’ held firmly in mind. This eco-conscious accommodation, meaning ‘good water’ in Afrikaans, promises an exclusive and undisturbed getaway in one of Africa’s most superb coastal reserves.
Awarded: Bronze
Location
The lodge is located in the eastern area of the 34,000-hectare De Hoop Nature Reserve on a six kilometre stretch of private beach with all rooms facing the Indian Ocean. De Hoop is just three hours from Cape Town and preserves a glorious landscape of fynbos and white sands. From July to November, Southern Right Whales flock to the area from Antarctica in their thousands. With a backdrop of the dramatic Potberg Mountains, a protected marine area is located just offshore which inhibits fishing or marine exploitation, guaranteeing a wild and free ocean vista where guests might see dolphins and other marine life inhabiting the waves. This untouched area is a World Heritage Site and forms part of the Cape Floral Kingdom, hosting an array of plant and flower species and all manner of ecosystems.
Rooms
Seven cosy rooms are positioned along a stretch of sand overlooking three and a half miles of peaceful coastline. With wood-burning stoves and floor-to-ceiling windows leading onto verandas for perfect beach viewing, rooms will be decorated in earthy and blue tones in keeping with the natural surroundings.
Communal Areas
Guests can enjoy the glorious sea views from the wraparound deck and large glass sliding doors will extend the communal areas for uninterrupted views of the coastline. An open, interactive kitchen lies at the very heart of the space where guests can dine at long, communal tables or out on the sand by lantern light. The modern lounge area will have the same colour palette as the rooms with wicker stools and lampshades, cosy sofas and yet more superb ocean views.
Activities
Guests will have the opportunity to explore the pristine beach and visit the nearby rock pools and caves lining the shore. From this private location, whale and dolphin watching is possible from the comfort of your own veranda. Take a host of beautiful walks through the Cape Floral Kingdom with experienced naturalists or journey to the Potberg Mountains to witness the Cape vulture colony.
Fully inclusive
When to go
Find out when is best to visit
- Excellent
- Good
- Poor
SUMMER
Ideal weather with mainly clear skies, very little rainfall and little wind. Midday temperatures will generally reach highs of around 25°C/77°F, occasionally going over 32°C/90°F. Nights are warm but comfortable.
As with the rest of the Western Cape, the Overberg can be best described as having a Mediterranean climate with warm, dry summers and mild and wet winters. Ideally, we would recommend visiting in the Spring, Summer or Autumn when the weather is at it’s best within the area. Winter weather is cooler, wetter and often much windier; there are however still a huge number of activities possible and accommodation prices are more competitive.
SUMMER
Ideal weather with mainly clear skies, very little rainfall and little wind. Midday temperatures will generally reach highs of around 25°C/77°F, occasionally going over 32°C/90°F. Nights are warm but comfortable.
As with the rest of the Western Cape, the Overberg can be best described as having a Mediterranean climate with warm, dry summers and mild and wet winters. Ideally, we would recommend visiting in the Spring, Summer or Autumn when the weather is at it’s best within the area. Winter weather is cooler, wetter and often much windier; there are however still a huge number of activities possible and accommodation prices are more competitive.
AUTUMN
This can be a fantastic time of year to visit as the summer's heat subsides, the wind settles and autumn casts its brightly coloured mantle over the vineyards, generating red, burnished vistas spreading from the mountain tops to the sea. Midday temperatures of around 24°C/75°F, mornings can be a little chilly at times, so do pack a warm jumper.
As with the rest of the Western Cape, the Overberg can be best described as having a Mediterranean climate with warm, dry summers and mild and wet winters. Ideally, we would recommend visiting in the Spring, Summer or Autumn when the weather is at it’s best within the area. Winter weather is cooler, wetter and often much windier; there are however still a huge number of activities possible and accommodation prices are more competitive.
AUTUMN
This can be a fantastic time of year to visit as the summer's heat subsides, the wind settles and autumn casts its brightly coloured mantle over the vineyards, generating red, burnished vistas spreading from the mountain tops to the sea. Midday temperatures of around 24°C/75°F, mornings can be a little chilly at times, so do pack a warm jumper.
As with the rest of the Western Cape, the Overberg can be best described as having a Mediterranean climate with warm, dry summers and mild and wet winters. Ideally, we would recommend visiting in the Spring, Summer or Autumn when the weather is at it’s best within the area. Winter weather is cooler, wetter and often much windier; there are however still a huge number of activities possible and accommodation prices are more competitive.
WINTER
The arrival of Winter signifies cooler weather, increased rainfall with weather front often rolling in off the Atlantic Ocean, accompanied by strong winds. In between the weather fronts, the weather can be surprisingly pleasant, these days are just less frequent. This is a spectacular time to see the Western Cape in all of its glory, but just be prepared for any weather! The end of May also marks the start of whale season as Southern Right whales arrive in large numbers to breed, give birth and playfully frolic in the sea.
As with the rest of the Western Cape, the Overberg can be best described as having a Mediterranean climate with warm, dry summers and mild and wet winters. Ideally, we would recommend visiting in the Spring, Summer or Autumn when the weather is at it’s best within the area. Winter weather is cooler, wetter and often much windier; there are however still a huge number of activities possible and accommodation prices are more competitive.
WINTER - WHALE SEASON
Winter signifies cooler weather, increased rainfall with weather front often rolling in off the Atlantic Ocean, accompanied by strong winds. In between the weather fronts, the weather can be surprisingly pleasant, these days are just less frequent. This is a spectacular time to see the Western Cape in all of its glory, but just be prepared for any weather! Southern Right whales arrive in large numbers to breed, give birth and playfully frolic in the sea.
As with the rest of the Western Cape, the Overberg can be best described as having a Mediterranean climate with warm, dry summers and mild and wet winters. Ideally, we would recommend visiting in the Spring, Summer or Autumn when the weather is at it’s best within the area. Winter weather is cooler, wetter and often much windier; there are however still a huge number of activities possible and accommodation prices are more competitive.
WINTER - WHALE SEASON
Winter signifies cooler weather, increased rainfall with weather front often rolling in off the Atlantic Ocean, accompanied by strong winds. In between the weather fronts, the weather can be surprisingly pleasant, these days are just less frequent. This is a spectacular time to see the Western Cape in all of its glory, but just be prepared for any weather! Southern Right whales arrive in large numbers to breed, give birth and playfully frolic in the sea.
As with the rest of the Western Cape, the Overberg can be best described as having a Mediterranean climate with warm, dry summers and mild and wet winters. Ideally, we would recommend visiting in the Spring, Summer or Autumn when the weather is at it’s best within the area. Winter weather is cooler, wetter and often much windier; there are however still a huge number of activities possible and accommodation prices are more competitive.
WINTER - WHALE SEASON
Winter signifies cooler weather, increased rainfall with weather front often rolling in off the Atlantic Ocean, accompanied by strong winds. In between the weather fronts, the weather can be surprisingly pleasant, these days are just less frequent. This is a spectacular time to see the Western Cape in all of its glory, but just be prepared for any weather! Southern Right whales can be found off the coast in large numbers to breed, give birth and playfully frolic in the sea.
As with the rest of the Western Cape, the Overberg can be best described as having a Mediterranean climate with warm, dry summers and mild and wet winters. Ideally, we would recommend visiting in the Spring, Summer or Autumn when the weather is at it’s best within the area. Winter weather is cooler, wetter and often much windier; there are however still a huge number of activities possible and accommodation prices are more competitive.
SPRING - WHALE SEASON
With a flora and fauna as biodiverse as the Western Cape it is no surprise that spring can be spectacular period to visit. Temperatures remain fairly cool, with a maximum average high of around 20°C/67°F, though the number of clear calm days is almost as high as the summer. Southern Right whales can be found off the coast in large numbers to breed, give birth and playfully frolic in the sea.
As with the rest of the Western Cape, the Overberg can be best described as having a Mediterranean climate with warm, dry summers and mild and wet winters. Ideally, we would recommend visiting in the Spring, Summer or Autumn when the weather is at it’s best within the area. Winter weather is cooler, wetter and often much windier; there are however still a huge number of activities possible and accommodation prices are more competitive.
SPRING
With a flora and fauna as biodiverse as the Western Cape it is no surprise that spring can be spectacular period to visit. Temperatures remain fairly cool, with a maximum average high of around 22°C/71°F, though the number of clear calm days is almost as high as the summer. The end of the whale season, as the Southern Right whales depart for other waters.
As with the rest of the Western Cape, the Overberg can be best described as having a Mediterranean climate with warm, dry summers and mild and wet winters. Ideally, we would recommend visiting in the Spring, Summer or Autumn when the weather is at it’s best within the area. Winter weather is cooler, wetter and often much windier; there are however still a huge number of activities possible and accommodation prices are more competitive.
SUMMER
The arrival of the summer, clear skies, very little rainfall and little wind make this a wonderful time to visit. Middy temperatures are comfortable with midday highs generally reaching around 23°C/73°F. Nights are still on the cool side.
As with the rest of the Western Cape, the Overberg can be best described as having a Mediterranean climate with warm, dry summers and mild and wet winters. Ideally, we would recommend visiting in the Spring, Summer or Autumn when the weather is at it’s best within the area. Winter weather is cooler, wetter and often much windier; there are however still a huge number of activities possible and accommodation prices are more competitive.
SUMMER
The arrival of the summer, clear skies, very little rainfall and little wind make this a wonderful time to visit. Middy temperatures are comfortable with midday highs generally reaching around 24°C/76°F. Nights are warm but pleasent.
As with the rest of the Western Cape, the Overberg can be best described as having a Mediterranean climate with warm, dry summers and mild and wet winters. Ideally, we would recommend visiting in the Spring, Summer or Autumn when the weather is at it’s best within the area. Winter weather is cooler, wetter and often much windier; there are however still a huge number of activities possible and accommodation prices are more competitive.