Lekkerwater Beach Lodge | Best South Africa Safari Lodges

The place

Our drive from Cape Town takes just over three hours (we had the option to fly in a Cessna Caravan but wanted to experience the coastal scenery of the Garden Route up close). In contrast to many other coastal destinations, De Hoop Nature Reserve is little known. Not that we mind the detachment – after the vibey hustle of the Mother City, it’s a real delight to find ourselves somewhere so secluded. We find Lekkerwater Beach Lodge between the unique fynbos vegetation and the Indian Ocean. There’s much more to the setting of this luxury South African beach lodge than just sand: the mountains provide a dramatic backdrop, while in each direction along the coast, our eyes are drawn by a seemingly endless ribbon of white beach. Rolling dunes mirror the shapes of the waves, and we instantly feel that we’re in some sort of third dimension between the land and the sea. It’s wonderfully relaxing to feel both grounded and energised at the same time, as we gaze out in search of our first whales and dolphins.

Our drive from Cape Town takes just over three hours (we had the option to fly in a Cessna Caravan but wanted to experience the coastal scenery of the Garden Route up close). In contrast to many other coastal destinations, De Hoop Nature Reserve is little known. Not that we mind the detachment – after the vibey hustle of the Mother City, it’s a real delight to find ourselves somewhere so secluded.

We find Lekkerwater Beach Lodge between the unique fynbos vegetation and the Indian Ocean. There’s much more to the setting of this luxury South African beach lodge than just sand: the mountains provide a dramatic backdrop, while in each direction along the coast, our eyes are drawn by a seemingly endless ribbon of white beach. Rolling dunes mirror the shapes of the waves, and we instantly feel that we’re in some sort of third dimension between the land and the sea. It’s wonderfully relaxing to feel both grounded and energised at the same time, as we gaze out in search of our first whales and dolphins.

The room

Our room couldn’t be more perfect. It’s orientated towards the ocean, naturally, and the first thing we do is to step out onto our private verandah to breathe in the sea air and enjoy unbroken views. I notice that there are floor-to-ceiling windows looking out over the same view – we’ll be able to enjoy this vista from our bed, should we choose. There’s a light, airy freshness to our room. We learn that humans have lived on this coast for tens of thousands of years, but none will have been as comfortable as us! Touches of blue and white nod to the maritime setting without being overbearing, and there’s a reassuringly solid-looking wood-burning stove which can be fired up should the temperatures drop. I allow my eyes to travel over the green of the dunes, down to the dazzling white dunes and then out to sea. As I do so, I spot a V of spray – my first whale! My partner hasn’t seen it, so I decide that this will be my little secret, as I’d rather not rob them of the opportunity to discover it on their own. After all, in a location as secluded as this, why give everything away?

Our room couldn’t be more perfect. It’s orientated towards the ocean, naturally, and the first thing we do is to step out onto our private verandah to breathe in the sea air and enjoy unbroken views. I notice that there are floor-to-ceiling windows looking out over the same view – we’ll be able to enjoy this vista from our bed, should we choose.

There’s a light, airy freshness to our room. We learn that humans have lived on this coast for tens of thousands of years, but none will have been as comfortable as us! Touches of blue and white nod to the maritime setting without being overbearing, and there’s a reassuringly solid-looking wood-burning stove which can be fired up should the temperatures drop.

I allow my eyes to travel over the green of the dunes, down to the dazzling white dunes and then out to sea. As I do so, I spot a V of spray – my first whale! My partner hasn’t seen it, so I decide that this will be my little secret, as I’d rather not rob them of the opportunity to discover it on their own. After all, in a location as secluded as this, why give everything away?

What sets it apart

It’s the sense of seclusion that sets Lekkerwater Beach Lodge apart, in every way. But it’s not simply remote; rather, there’s a benevolence to its isolation: this is a place to come to when you need time and space to yourself. This luxury South African beach lodge offers a perfect balance between the invigorating energy of the ocean, and the warm comforts of a beach-cottage setting. The main area exemplifies this perfectly: we walk past the fireplace to reach the wraparound deck, which gives us the sense of being on the prow of a ship as the waves roll in, and we look out for whales and dolphins. Just arriving here is an experience, and that’s before we’ve begun to explore.

It’s the sense of seclusion that sets Lekkerwater Beach Lodge apart, in every way. But it’s not simply remote; rather, there’s a benevolence to its isolation: this is a place to come to when you need time and space to yourself.

This luxury South African beach lodge offers a perfect balance between the invigorating energy of the ocean, and the warm comforts of a beach-cottage setting. The main area exemplifies this perfectly: we walk past the fireplace to reach the wraparound deck, which gives us the sense of being on the prow of a ship as the waves roll in, and we look out for whales and dolphins. Just arriving here is an experience, and that’s before we’ve begun to explore.

At a glance

Seven guest rooms arrayed along an Indian Ocean beach, with fynbos behind and a broad sweep of sand leading down to the sea. Welcoming, nautically themed main area with communal dining table, open, interactive kitchen and swimming pool.
Some 6km of private beach, private activities, flexible schedules and private dining available.
Whale and dolphin watching (whale watching is seasonal), beach walks, beach sundowners, beach picnics and dinners, fynbos nature walks, birdwatching and visits to the Cape Vulture colony in the Potberg Mountains.
Children over six are welcome. One of the seven rooms is a family suite.

Seven guest rooms arrayed along an Indian Ocean beach, with fynbos behind and a broad sweep of sand leading down to the sea. Welcoming, nautically themed main area with communal dining table, open, interactive kitchen and swimming pool.
Some 6km of private beach, private activities, flexible schedules and private dining available.
Whale and dolphin watching (whale watching is seasonal), beach walks, beach sundowners, beach picnics and dinners, fynbos nature walks, birdwatching and visits to the Cape Vulture colony in the Potberg Mountains.
Children over six are welcome. One of the seven rooms is a family suite.