The place
Although we live on three different continents, my family is soon sitting together as if we’d never been apart, sipping tea as we admire the contrasting colours outside: green, orange and brown fynbos carpeting white sand dunes, the aquamarine ocean and the impossibly blue skies of South Africa's De Hoop Nature Reserve.
My youngest daughter clambers into her big half-brother’s lap, relaxing into his embrace as he points out an oystercatcher on the shore. We laugh in delight as my partner spots a bontebok grazing among the fynbos-covered sands, but it’s whales that we really want to see, and De Hoop (the hope) offers us good chances.
The rooms
Earlier we’d all raced around, eager to see which of the four ocean-facing rooms had the best views. It was an impossible choice – each room opens to the same magnificent vistas – leaving us milling around indecisively. My eldest son, newly qualified from law school, decisively took charge: his two half-siblings in one room, us parents next door and his sister and him as neighbours on the other side of the house.
An excited shout from my younger son brings me to the telescope in the lounge, where we take turns watching the sprays of ocean water that signify whales passing. Zooming in, we can even see several mother-baby pairs! It’s not long before the rest of the troop are muscling in for their turns. We only separate when our butler comes to let us know that lunch is nearly ready, and we realise we still haven’t unpacked!
Back at our designated room, I read out the welcome note to my partner from our reading nook, pleased at the nice touch. Our quarters are truly lovely, and we take a moment to enjoy their light airy feel, which pays tribute to De Hoop’s natural palette. The view from the tub is too good not to share, so we jump in together, knowing that with a full staff, we have more than enough time for just the two of us.
Ocean House, a private South African safari house, has a full team of staff accommodating your needs, so you can spend quality time with your family. Set in De Hoop Nature Reserve, with stunning ocean views, you might even spot southern right whales from your window.
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by Melissa Andrews
seaside
mansion