A Day with a Difference – Digging De Hoop 2026

The De Hoop Collection offers unique accommodation and outdoor experiences, including one of South Africa’s best land-based whale-watching spots, a 19 km Ramsar-listed vlei, rare indigenous plants, and abundant wildlife and birdlife. It also features the Origins of Early Southern Sapiens Behaviour exhibition.

Join us for a day of discovery with guided exhibition tours, short talks by SapienCE scientists, and hands-on archaeological activities. Guests can also enjoy biking, tennis, eco-boat cruises on the vlei (pre-booking required), coastal fynbos walks, guided marine walks at Koppie Alleen, and close encounters with bontebok, antelope, and other wildlife.

The Itinerary 

10h00–17h00 (Boma):
Fire experiments (heat-treating ochre, ostrich eggshell, stone); Bare Bones (animal identification from bones); prehistoric stone tool-making; tool and ornament analysis under the microscope; and exploring how the Klein Karoo landscape shaped early human mobility.

12h00–13h00 (Exhibition):
Guided tour of Origins of Early Southern Sapiens Behaviour – Mother Africa – Welcome Home, with Q&A.

14h30–15h00 (Origins Room):
Lecture: Food for the Braai – coastal life and changing diets during the Later Stone Age (11 000–17 000 years ago).

17h00 (Origins Room):
Lecture by Prof Christopher Henshilwood.

18h00 (Vlei Deck):
Boma Dinner (R325 for non-inclusive guests).

Digging De Hoop 2026 Weekend Package
Dates: 6–7 March 2026

Guests can book accommodation for the weekend; non-inclusive guests may join the Saturday Boma Dinner (R325 per person).

Terms and conditions apply. Booking is essential. To reserve, email Samantha at res@dehoopcollection.co.za