Morukuru Ocean House

Halfway between Cape Town and Knysna lies the Overberg region, home to the pristine De Hoop Nature Reserve. The innovative off-the-grid eco-design luxury four-bedroomed villa is perfectly situated within the heart of this 36 000-ha Reserve. Allowing exclusive encounters of Southern Africa’s wilderness while maintaining five-star luxury and a fine ecological balance with the lightest footprint possible.Fifty-one kilometres of white dune fields and sandy beaches are lapped by the Indian Ocean. Home to Africa’s Southern Right whale nursery and offering rare sightings from mid July-November during calving season.

The accomplished team,  delight in tailoring your seaside wilderness adventure to your liking while on holiday. A Chef that prepares delicious gastronomy and a dedicated hospitality team to attend to your holiday needs. Experience guided marine walks, mountain-biking as well as sandboarding, alternatively relax at the pool, along with endless, uninterrupted views.

De Hoop Nature Reserve is the ultimate place in South Africa to see southern right whales. July to end of September is best for whale watching, but you stand a very good chance of a sighting from June to early November. Rare or endangered animal species in the reserve include whales, dolphins, sharks and seals as well as the Bontebok and Cape Mountain Zebra. Other animals you may see are Eland, the Cape clawless otter, baboons, rock dassies and the occasional rooikat (caracal) and Cape leopard. The reserve is particularly known for its bird population, many of which – such as the endangered African Black Oystercatcher – breed within the reserve. The flora and fauna are impressive too – the fynbos floral kingdom dominates with 1500 species of plants in the reserve alone – also 86 species of mammal, 260 or more different birds, 14 amphibians and 50 reptile species. 

Accommodation: 

The luxury villa rental accommodates eight adults and four children (under 16) in four, beautiful en-suite rooms, inspired by the sand dunes of South Africa and all ocean-facing.  

• ACCESS BY ROAD The De Hoop Reserve is situated just over three hour’s drive from Cape Town on the world renowned Garden and Whale Routes – an ideal stop en route from the Cape Winelands to Plettenberg Bay. It is in the Overberg region near the southern tip of Africa and can be reached from either Bredasdorp or Swellendam. The Reserve gates open at 7am and close at 6pm. Gate closes at 7pm on Fridays. Late or early arrivals need to be pre-booked and arranged with management. 2WD with higher ground clearance is recommended for the gravel roads to and inside De Hoop Nature Reserve. 

• MORUKURU KIDS Morukuru Ocean House is very child friendly, we welcome children of all ages. We have based our whole ethos around hosting families or groups of close friends. Our junior guests are allowed on nature drives throughout the De Hoop Nature Reserve and are able to enjoy every magical aspect with their parents. Kids receive a Morukuru Family shell bag which they can use to store their collected shells in for the duration of their stay. Children are kept busy with baking, kiddie adventures, swimming and much more. We offer limited babysitting service as well.

• ACCESS BY ROAD The De Hoop Reserve is situated just over three hour’s drive from Cape Town on the world renowned Garden and Whale Routes – an ideal stop en route from the Cape Winelands to Plettenberg Bay. It is in the Overberg region near the southern tip of Africa and can be reached from either Bredasdorp or Swellendam. The Reserve gates open at 7am and close at 6pm. Gate closes at 7pm on Fridays. Late or early arrivals need to be pre-booked and arranged with management. 2WD with higher ground clearance is recommended for the gravel roads to and inside De Hoop Nature Reserve.

• MORUKURU KIDS Morukuru Ocean House is very child friendly, we welcome children of all ages. We have based our whole ethos around hosting families or groups of close friends. Our junior guests are allowed on nature drives throughout the De Hoop Nature Reserve and are able to enjoy every magical aspect with their parents. Kids receive a Morukuru Family shell bag which they can use to store their collected shells in for the duration of their stay. Children are kept busy with baking, kiddie adventures, swimming and much more. We offer limited babysitting service as well.

Halfway between Cape Town and Knysna lies the Overberg region, home to the pristine De Hoop Nature Reserve.

Cape Town International Airport->233 km

Price on Request

INCLUDED:

During your stay you can choose to enjoy any of the following complimentary activities, completely tailored to your requirements:

• Guided marine walks (1-3 hours), allowing you an insight in the amazing marine life in the rock pools in the immediate vicinity of Ocean House. Great for kids as well as parents!
• Guided fynbos walks and hikes (1-3 hours), showing the incredible diversity and beauty of the fynbos vegetation that is found in De Hoop Nature Reserve.
• (Guided) Mountain biking (1-3 hours), offering you an overview of the diversity of the area around Ocean House. Different routes are possible.
• Private vehicle for guided 4×4 fynbos nature drives, which allow you to explore areas of De Hoop Nature Reserve which are situated a little further from Ocean House. These nature drives also offer a good opportunity to see some of the local wildlife in the park.
• Land based whale watching from the house and the surrounding sand dunes (JulyOctober)
• Sundowners on the sand dunes, overlooking the Indian Ocean with possibly a glimpse of a pod of dolphins
• Guided Sand boarding on the white sand dunes
• Various beach games like volleyball, cricket and croquet
• Snorkelling in the protected rock pools (Ocean house has masks, snorkels and water shoes in all sizes)
• Kids activities like kite making and flying them
• Star gazing, using the telescope at Ocean House
• Tennis (at De Opstal, approximately 30 minutes from Morukuru Ocean House)
• All activities can be combined with a tasty picnic lunch and if you just feel like relaxing, we can offer a nice picnic down on the beach where you can spend a few hours lazing around, swimming and enjoying the views.
• FOOD AND WINES: Our chefs are meticulously trained and can provide a wide array of catering options from traditional, formal and nouvelle cuisine to utterly relaxed and casual snacks on demand and everything in between. All meals are included. We encourage our guests to eat ‘al fresco’ as much as our beautiful South African weather allows and we believe that every meal is an occasion. Guests are also able to personally select wines from the wine cellar to accompany and complement their meals. All drinks are included, with the exception of the ‘Reserve List’.
• 8 staff including a private guide, chef, host, butler and housekeeping, as well as a babysitting service

NOT INCLUDED

Besides the included activities mentioned above, you can also select some other exciting optional activities at Morukuru Ocean House, however these are not included in the rate and need to be arranged prior to arrival.

• ACCESS BY AIR We offer our guests the possibility of getting to and from De Hoop Nature Reserve by private charter flight. The flight from Cape Town International Airport to De Hoop Nature Reserve takes ± 45 minutes. On arrival at the De Hoop airstrip, your Morukuru Ocean House team will be waiting to take you through to your exclusive use house. Helicopter transfers can also be arranged, should this be required. We have a helicopter platform close to Morukuru Ocean House.
• Birdwatching boat cruise on De Hoop vlei
• Visit the Cape Vulture colony in the Potberg mountains
• Whale watching & scenic flights by helicopter