Desert meets sea in the Nature Reserve

After this last night in the Game Reserve, we continued a good distance west through the 'breadbasket' of South Africa - so called because of the many fields for agriculture.

If you want to stock up on skincare products based on Aloe Vera, you should stop at one of the shops in Albertina. We were at Alcare Aloe back then, and it still looks the most inviting.

On the way, I also made a stop in Swellendam because I had good memories of it from my last trip. With its whitewashed Cape Dutch buildings and impressive church, it is still worth a visit.

Afterwards, we drove for about an hour on the gravel road to De Hoop Nature Reserve. I had heard a lot of positive things about it, so I was very excited. Honestly, the start with a welcoming party of biting flies right at the entrance was not ideal.

But with the beautiful nature, the animals, and the delicious food, it was love at second sight, and I really enjoyed the solitude on a hike along the Vlei and afterwards by the sea.

Another highlight was the guided beach walk the next morning, which only takes place at low tide so that the underwater wildlife can be better explored.

PS: If you spot the octopus, you get 100 points ;)