Clanwilliam, Cederberg
Resting at the foot of the Cederberg Mountain range, a little over two hours’ drive from Cape Town, lies the little hamlet of Clanwilliam. Regarded as the only town in the world where rooibos is planted and cultivated, it is also famous for its locally made veldskoens or leather shoes.
Clanwilliam is one of the ten oldest towns in South Africa and historical walks through the town centre take in seven national monuments that include the original farmhouse of Jan Disselsvalleij - the town was initially his namesake before it became Clanwilliam in 1814 - the old jail building, now a museum, and an 1820 Settlers house. Pertinent to the town’s history is the Clanwilliam cedar, after which the Cederberg Mountain range is named. This magnificent tree, with its durable wood and particular fragrance, is now on the brink of extinction due largely to global warming and the increase in the frequency of fires in the area - few saplings every reach seed-bearing maturity.
To experience first-hand the paintings and motifs of the Bushmen, the Clanwilliam Living Landscape Project, a local empowerment programme, offers a rock art trail on which trained guides facilitate an exploration of the paintings as a journey across the landscape.
The annual Wild Flower show in August/September is renowned, the Cederberg Wine Cellar definitely worth a visit and both the Clanwilliam and Bulshoek Dams offer a number of water sports opportunities. Don’t forget to stop off at the Die Kunshuis art gallery to scout out some local talent. Wuppertal, just 72 km southeast of Clanwilliam, has been a Moravian mission station since 1865 and the little village today is little changed with an old thatched church, a store and neat little cottages lining the main street, making a visit worthwhile.
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Featured Attractions in (or near) Clanwilliam
Beaverlac Nature Reserve
This little talked about gem lies just 25 kilometres outside of Porterville, roughly 2 hours from Cape Town, in the Olifants River Mountains in the Cederberg. Over 5 000 hectares of wilderness gives one the opportunity to completely unwind amidst beautiful specimens of fynbos, naturally occurring waterfalls ... more information
Bushmanskloof Wilderness
Bushmanskloof Wilderness, lying in the northern Cederberg wilderness roughly 270 kilometres from Cape Town, is a South African Natural Heritage Site and it is not difficult to understand why it deserved this label. Not only does it form part of the Cape Floral Region, itself a world heritage site, but it is also pretty ... more information
Cape Flower Route
The southern section of the famous Cape Flower Route falls within the Olifants River Valley. Following good rains, Lutzville, Vredendal, Vanrhynsdorp, Klawer and Clanwilliam are all renowned for the extravagance of their wild flowers in August and September after the right amount of rainfall.
Cederberg Wilderness Area
The Cederberg Wilderness Area lies some 200 km north of Cape Town. This vast area stretches from the Middelberg Pass at Citrusdal to north of the Pakhuis Pass at Clanwilliam, encompassing some 71 000 ha of rugged, mountainous terrain. The Cederberg was proclaimed a wilderness area ... more information
Matjiesrivier Nature Reserve
The beautiful Matjiesrivier Nature Reserve lies on the eastern edge of the Cederberg Mountains, managed as part of the greater Cederberg conservation area, roughly three hours from Cape Town and 35 kilometres beyond Algeria. This arid part of the world that falls in a transitional zone between the ... more information
Nieuwoudt Pass
The Nieuwoudt Pass is a dirt road that occurs roughly halfway between Citrusdal and Clanwilliam, off the N7. It is actually an alternative route to Clanwilliam and takes one past two well known and loved holiday camping sites – Algeria and Jamaka. It is indicated by a road sign that says 'Algeria Cederberg' that ... more information
Olifants River Valley Wine Route
The Olifants River wine route starts at Citrusdal, 180 km outside of Cape Town and meanders along the river for 120 km until it reaches Lutzville and the country’s most westerly vineyards. This area around Lutzville is regarded as one of the most ideal wine growing areas due to its mild climate, misty ... more information
Pakhuis Conservancy
Set on the northern edge of the Cederberg Wilderness area, roughly 300 kilometres from Cape Town and close to the town of Clanwilliam, the Pakhuis Conservancy is a project initiated by farmers in the area. They have banded together to convert degraded farm land into burgeoning conservation areas ... more information
Pakhuis Pass
The drive from Clanwilliam to Wuppertal in the Cederberg, the incredible wild and mountainous region that attracts hikers and lies roughly three hours' from Cape Town, takes one across three wonderful mountain passes, one of which is the Pakhuis Pass. The other two are Hoek Se Berg and Kouberg Pass, possibly not as ... more information
Piekenierskloof Pass
Find the Piekenierskloof Pass on the N7 from Cape Town. Its descent takes one into the town of Citrusdal, and leaves behind the Swartland, a tapestry of wheat farms. It is one of the most scenic and easy to drive passes in the Western Cape, with views from the summit that are worth stopping for. The Piekerneerskloof ... more information
Ramskop Nature Reserve
The Cederberg has some of the most incredible wild flowers during the flower season that usually happens around August/September. Particularly for those travellers who can't make it all the way up to Garies and other gems like Nieuwoudtville, the Cederberg is as wonderful an option. And a lot closer to Cape Town ... more information
West Coast 5 Day Itinerary
Anyone with any knowledge of the flowers will tell you that to see them at their best, you need to drive with the sun at your back. What this means is that you should drive all the way up to at least Vanrhynsdorp or Nieuwoudtville to start your route. The flowers are best viewed between 11h00 and 15h00 ... more information
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Things To Do in Clanwilliam
Freshwater Fishing
Where: Clanwilliam
How much (per person): R1 to R100
Freshwater angling in the Olifants River is one of the many reasons why Clanwilliam has gained such popularity over the years as a holiday d ... more information
The Khoisan Kitchen
Where: Clanwilliam
How much (per person): On Request
The Khoisan Kitchen is situated on the banks of the Brandewyn River, and is based on the Rock Art Trail through the Cederberg. Specialis ... more information
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Events and/or Festivals in Clanwilliam
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On Holiday in Clanwilliam
• Things to Do in Clanwilliam
• Clanwilliam Map
• Clanwilliam - A Visitors Perspective
• Clanwilliam Accommodation
• Clanwilliam Hotels
• Cederberg Accommodation
• Cederberg Hotels
• The Cederberg - A Visitors Perspective
• Cederberg Family Friendly
• Western Cape Accommodation
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