Day Tours - Cederberg Conservancy, West Coast
The Cederberg Area lies some 200km north of Cape Town. This vast region, encompasses some 162 000 hectare of rugged, mountainous terrain, stretching from the Pakhuis Pass in the north to Grootrivier in the south.The Cederberg is famous for its spectacular rock formations. The best known are the Wolfberg Cracks, Wolfberg Arch, Maltese Cross and Stadsaal Caves. These rocks are composed of sandstone and shale formations of the Cape Supergroup.
The enchanting town of Citrusdal is at the foot of the Piekenierskloof and the majestic Cederberg peaks. It is one of the largest citrus growing areas in South Africa. Visit the Citrusdal Museumwhere tools and utensils used by the Bushmen are on display.
Clanwilliam is situated on one of the most spectacular dams (18 km long) in South Africa. The Pakhuis Pass, just outside of the town, is set in a magnificent landscape and is gateway toWupperthal - a Moravian mission village. Bushman Rock Paintings are to be found in and around Clanwilliam.
The Cederberg Wilderness Area is 18 km from Clanwilliam over the Nieuwoud Pass. The Ramskop Nature Reserve on the southern outskirts of town boast 200 indigenous species of wild flowers. Cederberg Wilderness Area was recently proclaimed one of eight World Heritage Sites within the Cape Floristic Region, South Africa. The high altitude mountain peaks provide not only stunning scenery and rock formations, but also unusual sub alpine habitats. This mountainous nature reserve in South Africa hosts indigenous Fynbos, succulent Karoo plants and endemic freshwater fish.
The Oliphant’s River system, part of which runs through the Cederberg, has a wealth of endemic fish species - the richest variety south of the Zambezi River. Some of these fish species are highly endangered and not found anywhere else. Bird watchers can view more than 100 bird species at this nature reserve in South Africa, such as Rock Kestrel and Jackal Buzzard.
Follow in the footsteps of the ancient San and Khoi to the Stadsaal Caves in the Koue Bokkeveld, on the rock art trail, where some sites date back around 8000 years. The area is a celebrated hiking and climbing destination, loved for its solitude and rugged mountain beauty that’s rich with endemic plant life including fynbos, the rooibos tea plant, threatened Clanwilliam Cedar trees and the rare Snow Protea, found only along the snow line of the Sneeuberg.
Hike up to the Wolfberg Arch via the Wolfberg Cracks or make your way to the Maltese Cross.Wildlife that can be viewed at this South African nature reserve includes Baboon, Dassie, Grey Rhebok, Klipspringers, Duiker and Grysbok to name a few. Although Porcupine, Honey Badger, Cape clawless Otter and Aardvark occur in the reserve, they are seldom seen.
At an altitude of more than 1000 m above sea level, Cederberg Private Cellar is South Africa’s highest winery. A cool continental climate, with snow in winter and northwesterly breezes in the hot summers, combined with several different soil types, unpolluted air and crystal clear waters, make this dramatic landscape the ideal terroir for a wide range of noble wines, most notably its prize reds. |
