ACTIVITIES
There is no shortage of things to keep the family entertained at Tides Lodge - whether it's relaxing by the fire or cycling over the Potberg Mountains - there is something for everyone.
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Fishing - Grunter and Cob are common in the river
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Mountain Biking - 100s of Km of single track running over mountains, farms and game reserves. The scenery is stunning
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De Hoop Nature reserve - https://www.dehoopcollection.com/
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Birdwatching - See 100s of different bird species and the famous endangered blue crane endemic to the region
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The Pont - travel back to a time on what was South Africas only human powered pont.
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Fire Powered Hot Tub - Soak your bones under the stars in our fire powered hot tub
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Hiking and MTB Trails - https://www.trailforks.com and search Potberg Trail network. All trails are off the main road to Cape Infanta except De Hoop trails.
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Canoeing (Free canoes available)
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Boating / Waterskiing
DE HOOP NATURE RESERVE
De Hoop Nature Reserve is open from sunrise to sunset. Covered in limestone fynbos, the De Hoop coast is a marine reserve which extends 3 kilometres out to sea. Along the coast you will see the finest examples of intertidal ecosystems in the Cape. Snorkelling in large clear pools is one of the best ways to appreciate this inter tidal world.
The Reserve forms part of the world’s smallest and most threatened plant kingdom – the Cape Floral Kingdom. Fynbos is the dominant vegetation group and is largely confined to nutrient-poor soils in the winter rainfall areas of the Western Cape.
It is adapted to fire and drought and is defined by four growth forms:
Proteas – tall shrubs with large leaves
Ericas – heath-like shrubs
Restios – wiry, reed-like plants which are always present in fynbos
Geophytes – bulbs that store moisture in fleshy underground organs.
De Hoop has several mountain bike trails as well as the 5 day Whale Trail.
With more than 260 species of bird, the De Hoop Vlei also attracts a large number or water birds. The only remaining breeding colony of the rare Cape Vulture in the Western Cape occurs at Potberg.
The reserve has 86 mammals species. Most notable are the rare Bontebok and Cape Mountain Zebra as well as Eland, Grey Rhebuck, Baboon, Yellow Mongoose, Caracal and the occasional leopard.
Marina mammals such as Dolphins and Seals are in abundance with the Southern Right Wales calving and mating in the sheltered bays each year between May and December. There are over 250 species of fish in the marine protected area.
Covered in limestone fynbos, the De Hoop coast is a marine reserve which extends 3 miles out to sea. Along the coast you will see the finest examples of intertidal ecosystems in the Cape. Snorkelling in large clear pools is one of the best ways to appreciate this inter tidal world.
De Hoop is also a world heritage site and a short drive from Tides Lodge.
THE FYNBOS BIRDING EXPERIENCE
The Overberg has a number of different eco-systems and offers enthusiasts an opportunity of birding in mountain, coastal, river and estuarine habitats. Tides Lodge is centrally situated for exploring the overberg region and its associated bird life.
The cape floral kingdom with 9000 plant species (almost 70% of which are endemic) ranks among the wonders of the natural world. The bird species attracted by its best known vegetation type, Fynbos “fine bush” cab be relatively easily found around the Overberg.
Several estuaries give birders direct access to a variety of water birds. Two significant locations are the Breede River and De Hoop Vlei. All three Grebes are often encountered and Flamingo’s and Pelicans move through the region. Substantial numbers of Herons, Egrets and Ralians plus a diversity of Ducks and Teals are usually found. Ospreys are often seen in summer.
