By Roxanne Reid
It was the end of July, a grey, wet and cold day. But we were as happy as clams, snugged up at the 3-star self-catering Duinepos chalets on the Cape West Coast, fire burning in the grate, warming wine in our glasses.
It was the end of July, a grey, wet and cold day. But we were as happy as clams, snugged up at the 3-star self-catering Duinepos chalets on the Cape West Coast, fire burning in the grate, warming wine in our glasses.
These privately run chalets are inside the West Coast National Park, about 15km from the town of Langebaan. It makes them a perfect place to stay while exploring the park (see 5 things to do, below) and taking in the views of Langebaan Lagoon at Kraalbaai or Seeberg, or over the Atlantic Ocean at Tsaarsbank.
The Duinepos chalets are painted outside in upbeat ochre tones from reddish-brown to mustard yellow. Inside they’re lovely, with a bright open-plan lounge-dining-kitchen area and two bedrooms. The kitchen is well equipped with stove, oven and microwave as well as all utensils, even an ice bucket and coffee press. Outside on a small stoep is a picnic table made from recycled plastic, a portable braai and a bird bath where Cape bunting, bokmakierie and Cape robin came to visit.
The Duinepos chalets are painted outside in upbeat ochre tones from reddish-brown to mustard yellow. Inside they’re lovely, with a bright open-plan lounge-dining-kitchen area and two bedrooms. The kitchen is well equipped with stove, oven and microwave as well as all utensils, even an ice bucket and coffee press. Outside on a small stoep is a picnic table made from recycled plastic, a portable braai and a bird bath where Cape bunting, bokmakierie and Cape robin came to visit.
White wood and bright cushions in the living room, with lots of windows so you can watch the birds outside
An exceptionally well-equipped kitchen, with more work space than many people have at home
There are 11 chalets, with a central communal braai area sheltered from the coastal winds, a swimming pool and a play area for kids. Rock-lined paths through the natural bush connect the chalets and communal areas, and you might encounter a greater mongoose or steenbok.
Clockwise from left: the indoor fireplace and dining area; the swimming pool; a window into the wall of the reception building to show its sandbag structure; easy-as-pie recycling in your chalet; and the kiddies' play area
I was impressed with the recycling system in the chalet. Mostly, environmentally conscious accommodation expects you to open and shut four different bins to separate waste. Here there was one big bin with three openings on top that led to partitioned buckets beneath for recycling paper, plastic and glass. Making it this easy for visitors to do the right thing is a great way to improve compliance. There was also a separate bin for food waste in the kitchen, and a bin outside for metal containers.
Each chalet is surrounded by indigenous bush
We loved Duinepos and can’t wait to visit again when the weather is warmer. Then we can put the complimentary bundle of firewood to use in the braai instead of the fireplace in the living room. They’ve catered for hot summers by providing a standing fan, but our winter visit was romantic, fire burning merrily inside as we watched the blue moon rise over the fynbos. (A blue moon, for those who don’t know, is a second full moon in any calendar month.)
The story behind Duinepos
The story behind Duinepos is a special one, a story of community tourism and empowerment. A story of responsible travel that benefits the environment and local communities at the same time as providing something tourists want.
The story behind Duinepos
The story behind Duinepos is a special one, a story of community tourism and empowerment. A story of responsible travel that benefits the environment and local communities at the same time as providing something tourists want.
Two of the owners, Janine Fortuin (left) and Hildegarde Valentyn; Augusta Pretorius was on leave the day we visited
The community of nearby Langebaan was invited to participate in the venture, which was backed by the Sustainable Coastal Livelihoods Programme of the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism. African Development Options implemented, managed and mentored the three people who were finally chosen to take the project forward.
‘We had to submit a business plan,’ said Hildegarde Valentyn, one of the final three, who was working at reception the day we arrived. ‘Thirty-eight people applied and 15 were called in for interviews, then five were shortlisted.’ The first phase opened at the end of 2005 and now Hildegarde, Janine Fortuin and Augusta Pretorius own the business and are still running it successfully.
‘We had to submit a business plan,’ said Hildegarde Valentyn, one of the final three, who was working at reception the day we arrived. ‘Thirty-eight people applied and 15 were called in for interviews, then five were shortlisted.’ The first phase opened at the end of 2005 and now Hildegarde, Janine Fortuin and Augusta Pretorius own the business and are still running it successfully.
The colourful reception building
In the first phase, local workmen restored eight old West Coast National Park staff houses. Later they built the reception building and another three chalets using the labour-intensive sandbag method. Thirty previously disadvantaged people learnt the building skills on site, with local women employed to stitch and fill the bags. The sandbag method was chosen to minimise environmental impact and give thermal insulation. There’s a little window at the reception building so you can see what the wall looks like under the plaster.
‘Our philosophy at Duinepos is to live in harmony with the natural environment,’ Hildegarde told me. That means minimising the use of water, using eco-friendly products for laundry, and natural landscaping with indigenous plants. Visitors recycle waste from their chalets, and a water recycling system is on the to-do list when funds allow. Duinepos is a member of the GreenLine Responsible Tourism Certification programme, whose principles include using local products, supporting local communities and minimising environmental impact.
‘Our philosophy at Duinepos is to live in harmony with the natural environment,’ Hildegarde told me. That means minimising the use of water, using eco-friendly products for laundry, and natural landscaping with indigenous plants. Visitors recycle waste from their chalets, and a water recycling system is on the to-do list when funds allow. Duinepos is a member of the GreenLine Responsible Tourism Certification programme, whose principles include using local products, supporting local communities and minimising environmental impact.
Hand-painted throws and window blinds add colour in the bedrooms
All the fabric painting on throws and curtains in the chalets was the work of women from the local community, while an artist from Mamre nearby created the wall painting behind the reception desk. Disabled people in Stellenbosch made the benches and a place for deaf people in Vredenburg made the upholstery cushions for the chairs in the living room.
Janine, Hildegarde and Augusta are still hands on in the business and now employ four permanent staff from the local community and another two in high season.
‘A percentage of our profit also goes back to the local community each year,’ said the bubbly Janine, who obviously feels passionately about this social responsibility project. ‘We thought long and hard because we wanted our efforts to really make a difference. Eventually we chose the local primary school and two crèches. Each year we find out what’s on their wish list. Then we source and donate those things that will have a positive impact on learning development because that’s so important.’
Janine, Hildegarde and Augusta are still hands on in the business and now employ four permanent staff from the local community and another two in high season.
‘A percentage of our profit also goes back to the local community each year,’ said the bubbly Janine, who obviously feels passionately about this social responsibility project. ‘We thought long and hard because we wanted our efforts to really make a difference. Eventually we chose the local primary school and two crèches. Each year we find out what’s on their wish list. Then we source and donate those things that will have a positive impact on learning development because that’s so important.’
Each chalet has a stoep with picnic table and portable braai - perfect for summer days
5 things to do when you stay at Duinepos
1. Staying at Duinepos gives you access to the West Coast National Park (for which you pay a daily conservation fee, unless of course you have a Wild Card). The park is a Ramsar wetland of global importance, so go birding along the lagoon or at one of the four bird hides in the park. You’ll find lots of water birds and waders.
2. Visit the Postberg Nature Reserve to see the spring flowers during August and September, which are the only months of the year when the reserve opens to the public.
3. If you visit between August and October you might also spot some whales from Tsaarsbank picnic/braai spot in the park.
1. Staying at Duinepos gives you access to the West Coast National Park (for which you pay a daily conservation fee, unless of course you have a Wild Card). The park is a Ramsar wetland of global importance, so go birding along the lagoon or at one of the four bird hides in the park. You’ll find lots of water birds and waders.
2. Visit the Postberg Nature Reserve to see the spring flowers during August and September, which are the only months of the year when the reserve opens to the public.
3. If you visit between August and October you might also spot some whales from Tsaarsbank picnic/braai spot in the park.
Geelbek Restaurant
4. Have breakfast or lunch at the Geelbek restaurant alongside the lagoon in the park. Curries and bobotie are specialities and their Lift Me Up (LMU) breakfast of roast baby tomatoes, and a tower of sweet potato toast, rocket, bacon, basil pesto and poached egg is a delightful twist on the usual. There are two bird hides within walking distance of the restaurant.
5. Go hiking or mountain biking along trails in the park, or visit the town of Langebaan just outside the park for kite surfing or kayaking.
Note: If you don't have a Wild Card you will pay a daily conservation fee to the park.
[Update: Sadly, Duinepos closed its doors when the concession expired and SANParks has not appointed a new concession holder.]
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West Coast National Park: the ultimate guide
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5. Go hiking or mountain biking along trails in the park, or visit the town of Langebaan just outside the park for kite surfing or kayaking.
Note: If you don't have a Wild Card you will pay a daily conservation fee to the park.
[Update: Sadly, Duinepos closed its doors when the concession expired and SANParks has not appointed a new concession holder.]
You may also enjoy
West Coast National Park: the ultimate guide
Like it? Pin this image!
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