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
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
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Things To Do in Clanwilliam
Admire Rock Art in the Cederberg
Where: Clanwilliam
How much (per person): On Request
Plan a day trip from Cape Town and walk the Sevilla Rock Art Trail in the Cederberg. You can expect to see ten rock art sites along ... more information
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Events and/or Festivals in Clanwilliam
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On Holiday in Clanwilliam
• Clanwilliam Map
• Clanwilliam Accommodation
• Clanwilliam Hotels
• Cederberg Accommodation
• Cederberg Hotels
• The Cederberg - A Visitors Perspective
• Cederberg Family Friendly
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