Morukuru Beach Lodge is a luxury boutique style 5-suite lodge in the De Hoop Nature Reserve, offering endless ocean views. We are situated just a few 100 meters from the pristine beach, surrounded by fynbos. The reserve is perfect for land-based whale watching (July-October). We recommend to spend at least 2 nights to be able to enjoy the various activities on offer including tidal walks, mountain biking and dune boarding. For those that want to relax, we also offer a pool and a hottub at the lodge. Down at the beach protected rock pools offer great snorkelling and swimming opportunities as well. Morukuru Beach Lodge has been built with the greatest sensitivity to the environment. Due to our remote location we are fully off the grid. Our electricity is generated entirely by solar panels, for the odd longer cloudy periods we do have a backup generator however. Our hot water is produced by pellet burners and the whole lodge has water based underfloor heating.
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to Giata.
HOTEL STYLE
Family
Trendy
Languages Spoken
English, Afrikaans
Location
De Hoop Avenue, Malagas, De Hoop Nature Reserve 6740 South Africa
Absolutely stunning location, perched 100m from the ocean, with (when we went, and presumably throughout the season) countless whales gliding and splashing past. No sooner have you spotted one than you keep counting, and are kicking off your shoes (if you've bothered to put them on) to use your toes to keep up. The rooms are glorious, bathrooms superb, beds amazing and, with the vistas out to the ocean, very difficult to leave. Leave you shall though as the food is magnificent, almost worth the visit on its own. Within the lodge are a bar upstairs with table tennis table and access out to the roof for more stunning views. In the courtyard downstairs is an unheated pool (which the sensible members of our party didn't go in) plus hot tub (where I stayed). We had our 10th anniversary whilst there, and the team happily served our children’s supper early, so we could have a quieter evening, as well as making up decorating our room wonderfully.
We did, however, feel like the overall experience could have been even better. There are two guided activities per day, which are understandably weather dependent, but we were slightly disappointed by them on the whole. This tied in with a feeling that, given the area, we weren't pushed as much as we should have been to enjoy/experience it all. We were on site for 5 guided activities- a vehicle safari first afternoon (which was fine, if tame given the animals in the reserve), a nature walk- which was brilliant, and the sort of thing we (family of four, kids of 4 and 7) were after-, and then whale watching (which one can do from anywhere in lodge...), another vehicle safari, and then sandboarding, I suspect only because we insisted. We would have loved to have done a guided marine walk (and said as much in our pre visit questionnaire) but did it by ourselves in the end. Which was great, but would have been even better with someone to show us what we were finding (and help us find more stuff). And the lodge did provide, when we asked, snorkels, wet suits, beach shoes and even bikes (although sadly none small enough for our 4 year old), but it felt very much like us asking rather than the lodge pushing these on us to make sure we made the most of our time there. Particularly with young kids, there's a need to get them outside and be active, and it felt like this could have been made more easy, or been encouraged more, by those who know the area best and want to show it off.
Still an incredible stay, and would definitely recommend to anyone. Felt could have been a 6 out of 5 stay, but absolutely still 5 out of 5.
Read more
Date of stay: August 2022Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Rinse Wassenaar, Marketing at Morukuru Family De Hoop
Responded 27 Sept 2022
Thank you so much for your truly elaborate and detailed review and feedback, which we appreciate so much! It's this kind of feedback that allows us to further improve and fine-tune the overall guest experience. Most of our activities are very much weather and tide dependant. This is particularly true for the guided marine walk, which we only do at low tide, when the rocks (and marine life) are exposed and when it is safe to explore. During your stay it was neap tide unfortunately (lower high tides and higher low tides), which means that there isn’t any low tide or high tide. During neap tide it is not 100% safe to go on a marine walk, as freaky waves appear without notice and they can sweep you off your feet as you wade through the water. In general you were a little unlucky with the weather, as strong winds impacted the activities as well. The nature drives in De Hoop Nature Reserve are not focussing on the wildlife, but are allowing us to cover greater distances in the reserve showcasing the variety of landscapes, plants and flowers, as well as birdlife. As an added bonus you may also see herds of eland and bontebok antelopes, as well as cape mountain zebras, ostrich and baboons, but those are not the primary focus. We are very happy to read that you very much enjoyed your stay and we hope to welcome you back one day. Warmest regards from all of us at Morukuru Family
Read more
Report response as inappropriate
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
One of the tenants of good customer service is to make people feel special and important. The staff at Morukuru Beach Lodge achieved that and more! Spent an unforgettable 3 nights here for our honeymoon and were blown away by the care and attention to detail. Beautiful setting, views and wildlife but what set it apart were the people. Kayleigh and Corne along with all staff were amazing- it felt like visiting your friends fancy house rather than a lodge. Having only 5 rooms really allows a level of personalization I haven’t seen anywhere else. Food was awesome (pastries were bomb) and cleaning staff were so efficient and even prepared a bubble bath for us with champagne and candles on our last night. I could probably write a novel about how great it was, but just go, you won’t regret it. Only down side is you have to drive on a bumpy gravel road for an hour before reaching the lodge (we got a flat tire on our way out of the reserve) but you could always charter a helicopter in Ha. Already dreaming of my next trip back...
Read more
Date of stay: January 2020Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Rinse W, Guest Relations Manager at Morukuru Family De Hoop
Responded 22 Jan 2020
Thank you so much for this wonderful review! We are happy to hear that our team at Morukuru Beach Lodge managed to exceed expectations and that you enjoyed your honeymoon stay with us. We look forward to welcoming you back for a second visit! Warmest regards from all of us at Morukuru Family.
Read more
Report response as inappropriate
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Morukuru Ocean House was beyond our expectations. From the moment we arrived to a welcoming staff to the time we left, we were cared for by an incredible team. Rain and Mari are excellent hosts, having a great sense of what we all were keen to experience as guests. Toni was a star caring for all my ur food and beverage needs and nothing was too much to ask of him. KG provided unbelievable meals and took our high praise every time he wowed us with his culinary skills. Roney was charming in doing our fires , Dutch tub and so much more.House keeping ladies were discreet and rooms, laundry and turndown seemed to happen seamlessly. Accommodation was indulgent yet homely and we felt completely pampered. Privacy of the location was amazing. Our beach experiences were breathtaking and whale watching exceptional with so many whales in the bay. Our boat trip was also excellent and honestly we could not fault this wonderful experience in any way. Morukuru Ocean House is brilliant and highly recommended for an unforgettable get away.
Read more
Date of stay: September 2022
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Room Tip:Â All rooms are brilliant with sea views
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Rinse Wassenaar, Marketing at Morukuru Family De Hoop
Responded 19 Sept 2022
Thank you so much for your review and wonderful feedback after your stay at the exclusive-use Morukuru Ocean House. This is the perfect time for land-based whale watching. The team very much enjoyed hosting you all and spending time with you. Given the fact that some of you had a lot of experience staying at other 5-star properties, this feedback means a lot to us. We look forward to welcoming you back at one of our properties one day. Warmest regards from all of us at Morukuru Family.
Read more
Report response as inappropriate
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
We stayed at the Beach Lodge with our 4-year old daughter for almost a week and it was a fantastic stay! We have stayed in many top hotels but this one is very special and feels more like visiting a friend.
To put this first: this is a great place for families as well as couples seeking peace and quiet. Our daughter felt at home here (as did all the other kids during our stay), it was amazing.
All of the staff were genuinely warm and welcoming, the food was of very good quality and always well presented, the rooms are clean, large and very well appointed with great views of the ocean and a beautiful and spacious bathroom. All of this is already a reason for rating this hotel with five points but adding the beautiful surroundings was over the top! It is a very special place which will instantly relax and unwind you. We were either outside or had a spectacular view from the inside, so nature is always present. In addition this hotel is a certified eco-lodge.
We went on all of the offered activities (marine walk, safari, sandboarding, nature walk) at least twice. They were always informative, a lot of fun and relaxing at the same time and the people working at the hotel will make it a perfect experience. Fireplaces are lit, after turndown you will find little presents on your pillow, after each activity a drink is waiting for you and the car is magically washed. We really did not want to leave!
We can nothing but highly recommend staying here. 3 nights are perfect for enjoying everything this hotel has to offer but more nights will give you time to explore the hiking trails and the near endless beach.
Read more
Date of stay: April 2022Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Rinse Wassenaar, Marketing at Morukuru Family De Hoop
Responded 24 Apr 2022
Thank you so much for your extensive and wonderful review of your recent stay at Morukuru Beach Lodge. We are very happy to hear that you felt like staying with friends, that is exactly what we are all about. We are in a very privileged location indeed, overlooking the ocean and the sand dunes. The setting is perfect to relax, but at the same time you can also enjoy many activities. Fabulous to hear that you also enjoyed the many different activities that are included in the stay. We look forward to welcoming you back one day. Warmest regards from all of us at Morukuru Family
Read more
Report response as inappropriate
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
From the moment you arrive you are made to feel like part of the Morukuru family. The setting is just outstanding, and the accommodation is to match. We travelled with two young children and were very impressed when we arrived to see that the team had thought of everything - baby monitor, nappy bin, baby carrier, baby bath towel, snacks, children's slippers and dressing gowns all waiting for us in the room. The activities that change on a daily basis make this place extra special - we had the pleasure of a guided marine walk through the rock pools in the morning, meeting everything from starfish to Octopus. The afternoon we enjoyed some sandboarding and sundowners on the dunes - spectacular. A little gem that we are already looking forward to booking for our return trip next year. Thank you to the team at Morukuru for making our holiday so special.
Read more
Date of stay: January 2020
Location
Service
Sleep Quality
Room Tip:Â All rooms are incredible
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Rinse W, Guest Relations Manager at Morukuru Family De Hoop
Responded 16 Jan 2020
Thank you so much for sharing this wonderful feedback. We are very happy that you enjoyed your stay at Morukuru Beach Lodge. We welcome families with children of all ages and want to make all guests feel at home, therefor we also provide some necessary amenities. The guided marine walk at low tide is a firm favourite by many of our guests, as well as the sundowners and sandboarding, great to hear that you enjoyed both too. We look forward to welcoming you back for your second stay next year. Warmest regards from all of us at Morukuru Family.
Read more
Report response as inappropriate
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Graciously tucked away in the De Hoop Nature Reserve, this dream destination offers more than an escape, or a relaxing break away. When you visit Morukuru Family De Hoop you feel like you’re home, at one with nature and as if time stands still, and really none of your trivial daily stress feels relevant anymore. Perhaps it’s the beautifully scenic winding sand road that leads you to this hidden gem along the most beautiful shoreline and fynbos covered landscape. Perhaps it’s the peacefulness that captures you, but let me tell you, it’a something you only feel when you experience it for yourself.
Everything about this place is beyond 5 star! From the staffs’ warm and enthusiast spirits, that exhibit that no request is too much trouble, to the superb service and cleanliness all round. We loved how kitted out the activities room was with all the marine shoes and equipment, and sand boards you could ask for. The boys sand boarded for hours on end and had their boards waxed by the staff many times over, with no objection or need to hurry them along. Every effort is made to ensure that each activity is enjoyable and fascinating, led by our guide Corne who is impressively knowledgeable about all things fauna and flora surrounding the resort.
The food is a culinary journey of flavours that keeps you wondering what they’ll whip up for the next meal, and you’re never disappointed. The dining areas are so well decorated and extremely cozy, flaunting the most magnificent views, and alfresco dining for breakfast and lunch. Your daily schedule is carefully curated factoring in weather, tides and the wind so that you experience the best that Morukuru has to offer. Every detail is thought of with small gifts and extra special touches, and at the hint of the boys asking when they can sand board again, Corne promised to take them to the long dunes, which believe me is no easy feat for the guide (or parents), entailing long, steep walks up a dune, straight into strong winds, carrying all the equipment, but yet again, nothing is too much effort for this incredible team. The boys said it was the best weekend of their lives and if they could time travel they would keep going back to the day they arrived so they could live here forever! I must agree, I would be a very happy person living in this little piece of paradise too.
Read more
Date of stay: January 2022Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Rinse Wassenaar, Marketing at Morukuru Family De Hoop
Responded 20 Feb 2022
Thank you so very much for this amazingly detailed and very extensive feedback and review. We are very happy to hear how much you all enjoyed your time at Morukuru Beach Lodge. Sandboarding is really one of the highlights for many guests (young and old) and our team love to teach the guests and assist. We are also happy to hear that you also appreciated the food as well as the service from our team. We hope to welcome you back one day!
Read more
Report response as inappropriate
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
We had the pleasure of staying in the Morukuru Beach Loge for four nights. After a long and adventurous drive directly from Grahamstown, we were greeted by a beautiful Lodge in the middle of paradise. Kayleith, Cornè, Elliot and the rest of the staff were so warm-hearted and friendly, making us feel at home straight away. After a delicious welcome drink and a tour through the Lodge we were brought to our Honeymoon suite. WOW, absolutely stunning.!! The Suite is gorgeous, filled with little extras like personalised waterbottles, fruit, biscuits and a little present on your pillow every evening. It has a huge secluded private wooden patio, complete with a stone bath, sun loungers and seating area. True, you only have a partial view of the ocean, BUT the fynbos stops where your patio starts. You have first row in watching birds building their nests and catching insects, often spying a little fynbos inhabitant flitting about and you can watch the most amazing sunrise from your bed or patio whilst sipping your pre-morning tea and coffee. The huge slidingdoors opening onto you patio can be kept open as screendoors prevent anything from crawing or flying into your suit, even at night. All you hear are the sounds of the fynbos and the waves breaking. The marine walks, sandboarding, fynbos walks and nature drives were a pleasure to take part of. Cornè taught us a lot about the fynbos and the little creatures that we saw in the low-tide pools. The meals were delicious and beautifully served and the new little restaurant Bites, where we had lunch twice, a delight. Watching whales breaching whilst having breakfast or lunch or even just a drink is truly an amazing experience. The food and hospitality in second to none, we enjoyed every minute of it. Thank you to the entire Morukuru Beach Lodge staff for making our stay so relaxing and perfect. A big highlight was the beautifully decorated Suite on our last evening. We were celebrating our wedding annivesary, and the Staff went out of their way, decorating our suite with hearts and candles, filling our bathtub and placing chocolate covered strawberries and champagne next to it. A trully memorable stay in every way.
Read more
Date of stay: October 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Rinse Wassenaar, Marketing at Morukuru Family De Hoop
Responded 29 Oct 2023
Thank you so much for your wonderful review and detailed feedback after your recent stay at Morukuru Beach Lodge, celebrating your wedding anniversary. We are very happy to hear that you had such an amazing time and that you appreciated the privacy and seclusion of the Honeymoon Suite, with the private deck, outdoor bath and sun loungers. Our team loved hosting you and we hope you will cherish these memories for a long time! Warmest regards from all of us at Morukuru Family
Read more
Report response as inappropriate
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
The beach lodge is a long drive down unsurfaced roads but it is well worth it. The lodge overlooks the sea and in the right season you can see whales and dolphins from the lodge. The accommodation is exceptional with large luxurious rooms. The meals are beautifully served in the restaurant or outside depending on the weather and the cuisine is excellent. There is a good choice of wine to go with your meal. There are at least two organized activities each day, we greatly enjoyed the nature walks, game drives and sand boarding. If you are looking for absolute luxury and a very high standard of service from friendly staff combined with a beautiful seaside location this is the place to go.
Read more
Date of stay: November 2022
Value
Rooms
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Rinse Wassenaar, Marketing at Morukuru Family De Hoop
Responded 13 Dec 2022
Thank you so much for your review and glowing feedback. Being located on the beach in the De Hoop Nature Reserve means that we are in a very privileged location, which does indeed involve driving on gravel roads from either Bredasdorp or Swellendam in order to get to us. But once you arrive you can enjoy endless views and various activities that are included in your stay. Glad to hear that you enjoyed the nature walk, the nature drive and the sand boarding, as well as the food and the service from the team. We hope to welcome you back for another stay, perhaps during whale season (July - November) for some of the best land-based whale watching anywhere in Africa. Warmest regards from all of us at Morukuru Family
Read more
Report response as inappropriate
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
This is an incredible place, hard to believe it exists given thes ecluded and unique location in the beautifully protected De Hoop reserve.
It is luxurious without being suffocating. It is beautifully designed with lovely touches (the tableware is like artwork). Its a big site for such a small number of rooms, so there is loads of space to relax. There are lots of different activities provided as well - the marine walk is particularly special.
The staff are lovely, from the knowledgeable guides and the managers right through to the kitchen team. There were so many nice touches throughout our stay, but the best one was that we were welcome to stick around and continue to enjoy all of the luxuries and a full lunch even after we had checked out.
The food is outstanding (huge choice at every meal) and they made a huge effort to cater for allergies. Everything on site seems to be homemade and they went the extra mile by making every single option gluten free for us as well.
Read more
Date of stay: November 2022
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Rinse Wassenaar, Marketing at Morukuru Family De Hoop
Responded 01 Dec 2022
Thank you very, very much for your wonderful and extensive review and feedback. We are happy to hear that you so much enjoyed your time at Morukuru Beach Lodge, including the different activities. And it is true, the marine is a favourite for many of our guests. Our team was happy to host you and we look forward to welcoming you back! Warmest regards from all of us at Morukuru Family
Read more
Report response as inappropriate
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Situated right on the water's edge of the Indian Ocean within the 36000ha De Hoop Nature Reserve, the Morukuru Beach Lodge is the perfect destination for a proper spoil in these challenging times (or any time for that matter!). All of the activities are out in the open air and the fabulous staff here take such wonderful care of you. I travelled here with my 9 year old daughter and we had an absolutely fantastic stay. To really make the most of all that is on offer here, I would suggest a 3 night stay and if you can find a gap in the whale season between late July and September, then I can only imagine the views of the Southern Right Whales one could expect. Summer visits too are exceptional as you have access to stunning beaches and coastal walks, and swims in the sea provide welcome relief from the hot days. It is worth doing a bit of checking on tide times before booking and good to avoid going when the tides are unusually high (Spring / Neap tides) as you can then really enjoy marvelling at the Intertidal Zones of this Marine Protected Reserve. The staff here are fantastic, working tirelessly to ensure that every need is catered for and are attentive without being over-baring - a tough balancing act, but well achieved here. The lodge is intimate and welcoming and exquisitely decorated. The rooms are supremely comfortable too, lending themselves to ultimate relaxation. We can't wait to return!
Read more
Date of stay: March 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Rinse Wassenaar, Marketing at Morukuru Family De Hoop
Responded 13 Mar 2021
Thank you so much for this wonderful feedback and extensive review after your recent stay at Morukuru Beach Lodge. We are truly happy with your detailed comments and suggestions, as they all make perfect sense. Your daughter truly seemed to have enjoyed the sandboarding as well as the nature drive with our guide Admire. Our team loved hosting you both and we look forward to welcoming you back. Warmest regards from all of us at Morukuru Family.
Read more
Report response as inappropriate
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
There are more places to choose from in the De Hoop Nature Reserve area.
LOCATION
South AfricaWestern CapeOverberg DistrictMalagasDe Hoop Nature Reserve
NUMBER OF ROOMS
9
Prices are provided by our partners, and reflect average nightly room rates, including taxes and fees that are fixed, known to our partners, and due at time of booking. Please see our partners for more details.
Is This Your Tripadvisor Listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
