The De Hoop Nature Reserve is one of the flagships of the Western Cape Nature Conservation Board reserves. Seven different ecosystems are protected on this 36000-hectare. The reserve also extends five kilometres out to sea, which ensures an abundance of marine life (more than 150 fish species!) along the coastline. At the western section of the park, game viewing is possible on foot or by car. The 68 mammal species on the reserve include bontebok, eland, grey rhebok, klipspringer and Cape mountain zebra and the occasional leopard. Bird enthusiasts will be kept fascinated at the De Hoop Vlei, an internationally important wetland for migratory waterbirds. De Hoop is home to more than 260 bird species, including the rare Cape vulture of which the last remaining breeding colony in the Western Cape. This can be seen at Potberg, at the eastern section of the reserve. Besides the diverse animal life, the reserve also boasts 1500 plant species of which 50 is endemic to the area.
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