Hottentots Holland Nature Reserve
Hottentots Holland Nature Reserve
Fynbos biome · Common duiker · Red hartebeest
From R 340 a night
Inside park
Where to stay in and near Hottentots Holland Nature Reserve
Mountain wilderness area
Western Cape, South Africa
Malaria-free
About Hottentots Holland Nature Reserve
The Hottentots Holland reserve covers the high mountains between Somerset West, Grabouw and Franschhoek, an hour from Cape Town, and is a component of the Cape Floral Region World Heritage Site. It is a hiking reserve: the Boland Trail, day walks in the mountain fynbos, the Palmiet River, and the Landdroskop hut for overnight routes. Proteas and ericas cover the slopes and the reserve is a stronghold for the Cape mountain leopard, rarely seen. Access is from the Sir Lowry's Pass and Grabouw sides, with Elgin's apple farms and wine estates providing the accommodation.
Read the guide: Sleeping in the Fynbos: The CapeNature Guide
Things to do: Hiking · Mountain biking
Where you can stay: Camping · Chalets · Nearby B&Bs
Wildlife near Hottentots Holland Nature Reserve
What people record most across Western Cape. Past sightings, never a guarantee.
From iNaturalist records across Western Cape, not confirmed sightings inside this reserve.
Stay in & near Hottentots Holland Nature Reserve
Inside-park stays and nearby lodges, sorted by distance.
Getting there
One stay we sell in Hottentots Holland Nature Reserve. Tap the pin for the listing.
34.0272° S, 19.0354° E50 km from Cape TownOpen in Maps (opens in a new tab)
Why book here
Your stay helps keep Hottentots Holland Nature Reserve wild
Wild places survive when the communities around them earn more from protecting wildlife than from anything that would replace it. Every stay you book through Spekboom carries a conservation contribution built into the price, never added on top, so choosing where you sleep becomes a way to fund the people and projects keeping this landscape intact.
- Built into every booking
- A conservation share
- Where it goes
- Local causes & communities
Hottentots Holland Nature Reserve: your questions
Where is Hottentots Holland Nature Reserve?
Hottentots Holland Nature Reserve is in Western Cape, South Africa.
Is Hottentots Holland Nature Reserve malaria-free?
Yes. Hottentots Holland Nature Reserve is in an area recorded as malaria-free, which is why it is a common choice for families with young children and for a first safari. Malaria risk can shift with the season and the year, so confirm current advice with a travel clinic before you go.
What wildlife can you see near Hottentots Holland Nature Reserve?
In Western Cape, commonly recorded species include animals such as Cape Dwarf Chameleon, Cape Fur Seal, Southern Right Whale, Cape Grysbok and birds including Agulhas Long-billed Lark, Red-necked Phalarope, Northern Giant Petrel, based on iNaturalist occurrence data. These reflect the wider province, not confirmed sightings inside the reserve.
Do you need a permit to visit Hottentots Holland Nature Reserve?
Day visitors need a permit for most CapeNature reserves, and CapeNature encourages buying permits in advance to avoid disappointment at the gate. If you are staying overnight, your accommodation booking covers your stay, but check your confirmation for any extra permit requirements such as hiking trails.
How do you book a stay at Hottentots Holland Nature Reserve?
Request CapeNature cottages and campsites on Spekboom. We confirm with CapeNature, then you pay on Spekboom.
When is the best time to visit Hottentots Holland Nature Reserve?
The best time to visit Hottentots Holland Nature Reserve is Sep-Apr (flowers Aug-Oct).
What is there to do at Hottentots Holland Nature Reserve?
Popular activities at Hottentots Holland Nature Reserve include hiking, mountain biking.
Where can you stay in Hottentots Holland Nature Reserve?
Places to stay inside Hottentots Holland Nature Reserve include Hottentots Holland Nature Reserve. Request them on Spekboom and pay once your dates are confirmed. Every booking funds conservation.
Parks near Hottentots Holland Nature Reserve
The closest parks and reserves. Distances run centre to centre, as the crow flies.
Kogelberg Nature Reserve
Western Cape, South Africa
Kogelberg Nature ReserveProvincial Nature Reserve · 28 km
Heart of Cape Floral Kingdom
Malaria-free
Limietberg Nature Reserve
Western Cape, South Africa
Limietberg Nature ReserveProvincial Nature Reserve · 34 km
Mountain fynbos and river pools behind the Cape Winelands
Malaria-free
Table Mountain National Park
Western Cape, South Africa
Table Mountain National ParkNational Park · 57 km
Cape Peninsula icon
World Heritage · Malaria-free
Part of
Other parks and reserves that share something with Hottentots Holland Nature Reserve.
Malaria-free parks and game reservesNational parks and reserves in South AfricaNature reserves and parks in the Western CapeAll protected areas
