Birds

Inspired by the work being done to conserve the seahorses in Knysna, I headed along the Garden Route to De Hoop Reserve.

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It is situated near the town of Bredasdorp, about 230km south-east of Cape Town.

The eco-tourism destination, which is about half the size of Singapore at 340 sq km, sits on land that used to be owned by the Dutch East India Company, and offers activities such as hiking, birdwatching and whale-watching.

Its wildlife and marine protected area is home to 260 bird species and 1,500 plant species, as well as zebras, elands, deer and other mammals.

At the reserve, I stayed in a cottage by De Hoop Collection (dehoopcollection.com). The family-owned eco-resort has been restored over the years on a disused Dutch homestead, which was declared a South African monument in 1979.

The resort has 10 air-conditioned suites (from 2,700 rand or S$190 a night, includes breakfast and dinner) close to facilities like swimming pools, a tennis court, the reception and main dining area, as well as 15 cottages without air-con and Wi-Fi.