Properties
FIND YOUR PERFECT VILLA
Morukuru Ocean House | De Hoop Nature Reserve | South Africa
Overberg District
Morukuru Ocean House is situated in one of Africa’s most beautiful coastal reserves: De Hoop Nature Reserve, just south of Swellendam along the Garden Route in the Overberg region. The Overberg is characterized by quaint towns, a blossoming wine industry and delicious local dishes. The 36 000 hectares of De Hoop conservation area is a World Heritage Site comprising rich biodiversity and over 50 kilometres of pristine coastline. A 19 km vlei (wetland) stretches across the reserve, which is on the Ramsar list of Wetlands of International Importance, established by UNESCO. De Hoop Nature Reserve also offers towering white sand dunes lapped by the Indian Ocean, limestone cliffs, rock pools and coastal fynbos. Our sister property Morukuru Beach Lodge is located 1 km further west along the beach.
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.
De Hoop Nature Reserve is reckoned to be 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.
A typical Mediterranean climate prevails in the region. Daytime temperatures range from 20-30°C in summer to 14-18°C in winter. The annual rainfall is about 380 mm and August is usually the wettest month. Sea mists also occur. The most frequent summer winds are east, west and southeast, while westerly and south-westerly winds prevail in winter.
We encourage all our guests to complete the Wish List which will be send to you, prior to your arrival. The more we know about any specific preferences or requirements, the better the service we can provide. Because of the exclusive-use nature of Morukuru Ocean House, we are able to tailor make each stay.
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 a babysitting service as well.
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 in the daily rate. 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 our wine cellar to accompany and complement their meals. All drinks are included, with the exception of our ‘Reserve List’.
SUSTAINABLE ENERGY
Sustainable energy is the sustainable provision of energy that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs. Technologies that promote sustainable energy include renewable energy sources, such as hydro-electricity, solar energy, wind energy, wave power, geothermal energy, artificial photosynthesis, and tidal power, and also technologies designed to improve energy efficiency. Morukuru Ocean House has been built under the highest care and supports the environment. Our electricity is 100% generated by solar panels and hot water is produced by a pellet burner.
THE MORUKURU HOUSES
Morukuru Ocean House is part of the unique Morukuru Family experience, just like Owner’s House, River House and Farm House in Madikwe Game Reserve. The Houses as we call them, all operate on an exclusive use basis, so there are never any other guests besides you and those you choose to accompany you. You’ll not only have the entire property to yourself, but personal staff to attend to your every whim. Even more wonderful are the utterly private nature drives – including a private vehicle and your personal guide – to bring you the very best that there is to offer in De Hoop Nature Reserve. There are no set schedules at Morukuru Ocean House, you are the masters of your stay with us and have complete freedom to do as you wish, when you wish!
- Exclusive use of the house
- Maximum 8 adults + 4 children
- Children of all ages welcome
- 4 spacious bedrooms en-suite
- Study / kids bedroom
- Fireplaces
- Electronic safe in each bedroom
- Complimentary WiFi
- Television
- Dining room
- Living room
- Library
- Wine cellar
- Large sheltered patio
- Bar and lounge area upstairs
- Viewing deck upstairs
- Telescope for stargazing
- Dutch tub with ocean view
- Heated private pool (10 meter)
- Ocean front location
- 8 staff including private guide, chef, host, butler and housekeeping
- Babysitting service
- Private vehicle
- All meals included
- All drinks included, with the exception of wines on the ‘Reserve list’.
- Activities included
INCLUDED ACTIVITIES
- 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.
- Guided 4x4 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 (July- October)
- Sundowners on the sand dunes, overlooking the Indian Ocean with possibly a glimpse of a pod of dolphins
- Sand boarding on the white sand dunes
- Various beach games like volleyball, cricket and croquet
- Snorkelling in the protected rock pools (Morukuru 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.
OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES
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:
- Spa treatments
- Yoga
- Boat trip on the Vlei late morning or afternoon.
- Whale watching by helicopter and scenic flights by helicopter.
Check Availability
Please contact us for availability and pricing details