Olifants River Valley, Western Cape
Once you've booked your hotel or Olifants River Valley accommodation explore our destination pages below for info on attractions and what to do in the Olifants River Valley.
The Olifant's River meanders through the valley bringing life to the surrounding area. Without the water this beautiful world of green, the heavy fragrance of the citrus groves that greet you as you drive along, the proud farming community with the renowned Groen Vallei wines would cease to exist. There are many beautiful villages hidden away, that offer warm hospitality to visitors. You can travel around the region for days and days and never get bored.
The majestic Cederberg mountain range towers over Citrusdal; the hub of the citrus growing industry in South Africa. Only two hours drive from Cape Town, this town seems worlds apart with its old-world charm and values. Citrusdal is unique in that it is surrounded by mountains; the Koue Bokkeveld, Swartberg and Cederberg form a ring around the town with its far stretching orchards that become a wonder world when the orange trees are heavily laden with ripe oranges (also see Cederberg Attractions).
Driving along the farm roads in the Olifants River Valley at this time of year is a surreal experience, no matter where you look, you are surrounded by the heavy smell and the bright orange that make the trees look like they are hung with Christmas decorations. The valley produce high-quality honey, rooibos tea and excellent wines, but the oranges are the real treat. By the time you get to your destination at the Hot Springs Resort you are enchanted and ready to forget about work, stress and city life.
Destinations / Town & Suburbs of the Olifants River Valley
Cederberg
Where to Stay: Accommodation in Cederberg
The beautiful Cederberg, a wilderness area dominated by a craggy mountain range and a nature reserve that stretches from the Middelberg Pass at Citrusdal to just north of the Pakhuis Pass at Clanwilliam - over 70 000 hectares of ... cederberg information
Biedouw Valley
Where to Stay: Accommodation in Biedouw Valley
The beautiful, fertile Biedouw Valley lies hemmed in by the Biedouw Mountains to the north, and to the south by the Tra-Tra Mountains, just 32 kilometres from Clanwilliam in the Cedarberg. The essence of this valley is captured ... biedouw valley information
Citrusdal
Where to Stay: Accommodation in Citrusdal
World renowned for superior quality citrus and for Goue Vallei wines which are grown in the area, Citrusdal is a leader in the field of eco-tourism, offering holidays with an emphasis on nature related activities ... citrusdal information
Clanwilliam
Where to Stay: Accommodation in Clanwilliam
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, is also famous for ... clanwilliam information
Klawer
Where to Stay: Accommodation in Clanwilliam
After passing Clanwilliam on the N7 the landscape begins to change. One leaves the beauty of the Cederberg for another beauty entirely. Now the Olifants River, of which one becomes aware near Clanwilliam as it feeds the dam ... Klawer information
Wuppertal
Where to Stay: Accommodation in Wuppertal
Wuppertal lies hidden deep in the Cedarberg Mountains, 72 kilometres behind Clanwilliam. It lies in the heart of the barren wilderness that is the Cedarberg Mountains, far from civilisation, a series of three terraces of neatly ... wuppertal information
Strandfontein
Where to Stay: Accommodation in Strandfontein
Strandfontein is a small sea side village situated at the mouth of the Olifants River. Strandfontein ('beach fountain') has evolved from being an small rural beach resort to a bustling tourist hub, especially during the wild ... strandfontein information
Vanrhynsdorp
Where to Stay: Olifants River Valley Accommodation
The mountain ranges in the area form part of a geological formation know as the Table Mountain Series. A haven for a rich variety of fauna and flora, in spring it has its fair share of floral splendour ... vanrhynsdorp information
Vredendal
Where to Stay: Accommodation in Vredendal
A prosperous, modern town set in the middle of a semi-arid region. Agriculture - especially viticulture - is practiced on an extensive scale in the region, made possible by means of the Olifants River Irrigation Scheme ... vredendal information
Olifants River Valley
Featured / "Must See" Attractions in Olifants River Valley
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
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.
Katbakkies Pass
Katbakkies Pass has what is commonly known as a descriptive name. Others in the area include Houdenbek and Skitterykloof - although Skitterykloof (also known as Peerboomskloof) was incorrectly known as Katbakkies for a time, until the true Katbakkies Pass, some 15 to 20 kilometres west of it, revealed itself as 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 Wine Estates
This wine route extends between Citrusdal, along the river, to Lutzville Vineyards. With its exquisite combination of river and ocean views, set against the backdrop of rolling vineyards that seem to go on for miles, Olifants River Wine Route is an idyllic escape from city living as you ... 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
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
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
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
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
Uitkyk Pass
Located in the heart of the Cederberg, Uitkyk Pass forms part of the myriad gravel back roads so popular with bikers, campers and hikers in this incredible wilderness. It also has one of the best view points at the top of the pass. Roughly two hours' drive from Cape Town takes you into an area filled with ... more information
Olifants River Valley
Featured Things To Do in the Olifants River Valley
Cliffs, Canyons, Kloofs and Coasts
Where: Western Cape
How much (per person): On Request
Kloof is the Afrikaans word for ravine/gorge. Kloofing is an adventure activity which utilises these natural little 'valleys'. Typically the ... more information
Scenic Flights in the Cederberg
Where: Wuppertal, Biedouw Valley
How much (per person): R201 to R500
Visit Enjo Nature Farm in the Biedouw Valley in the magnificent Cederberg region and join us on a scenic flight in our plane. We take off on ... more information
Olifants River Valley
Holiday Accommodation in Olifants River Valley
For accommodation in the Olifants River Valley see:
• Cederberg • Strandfontein • Vredendal • Biedouw Valley • Citrusdal • Clanwilliam • Wuppertal
Or to see all accommodation in this region at once, visit Olifants River Valley Accommodation.
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