Clanwilliam & Cederberg Snapshot
Originally called Jan Dissels Valley, Clanwilliam (215km from Cape Town) is positively vibey compared to many country towns, with a surprisingly active cultural life and several good restaurants. It could also be the only South African town with a jail instead of a Dutch Reformed church at the top end of main street – got a feeling Clanwilliam’s original town planner didn’t think much of humanity. The jail now functions as an active information office, processing a swelling intake of foreign tourists who use this fetching tree-lined town as a springboard to the surrounding Cederberg and beyond.
Things To Do
- Most people head to the Cederberg to walk. Armed with a CapeNature permit the possibilities are huge. The most popular day hikes are concentrated in the southern Cederberg around Algeria, the Maltese Cross and the Wolfberg Cracks. Walking aside, the dirt roads are good mountain bike fodder. Hiker or biker, Peter Slingsby’s, Cederberg – The Map, is your indispensable reference to the area. You can get it at Exclusive Books.
- The Cederberg has a rich heritage of San rock paintings that you should try view before they’re all but obliterated by modern artists such as “A. Arendse 2007”. A number of the getaways that follow have sites on their property – these are generally only open to guests.
- Clanwilliam is a good base to explore the dusty roads and craggy landscape of the northern Cederberg, which incorporates the Bidouw Valley and Wupperthal. The Bidouw Valley is a favourite spring-flower hangout, but the season apparently lasts longer at the Ramskop Nature Reserve outside Clanwilliam.
- Question humanity’s place in the universe as it is dragged back and forth behind a 200hp engine on the Clanwilliam Dam. Accommodation, in the form of a caravan park and chalets, is also available.
- With several arty shops, a few good restaurants by night and pleasant coffee shops by day, Clanwilliam has become somewhat of a cultural centre.
- Pay a tribute to Louis Leipoldt by visiting his grave on the Pakhuis Pass.
Die Boervrou
Clanwilliam & Cederberg, Western Cape
The setting for this rural getaway is a working grape farm between the Olifants and Doring Rivers, 30km south of Clanwilliam. It’s a place where you’ve got oodles of space to explore, moun...
Rate Guide
R1700 nightly for the first 4 guests. R425pp thereafter,
Boskloofswemgat
Clanwilliam & Cederberg, Western Cape
Situated on the banks of the Jan Dissels River with beautiful views of the surrounding mountains, you'll find the lovely Boskloofswemgat. The farm offers three self-catering, thatch-roofed cottages, o...
Rate Guide
From R800 to R2775, depending on unit, guests and time of year
De Pakhuys
Clanwilliam & Cederberg, Western Cape
Nestled in the picturesque Agter-Pakhuis Valley, 26 km from Clanwilliam on the tarred R364 route to the historic Wuperthal village, you will find De Pakhuys Guest Farm surrounded by the majestic Ceder...
Rate Guide
From R125 to R2350, depending on unit, guests and time of year
The Storytellers
Clanwilliam & Cederberg, Western Cape
If you’re looking for a quiet bush break without the hassle and fuss of having to lug your camping gear with you, then The Storytellers glamping experience is for you. The Storytellers organic f...
Rate Guide
From R1050, depending on unit, guests and time of year
Where You'll Also Find Us
Arniston (Waenhuiskrans) • Barrydale • Beaufort West • Betty's Bay • Bonnievale • Bot River • Bredasdorp • Caledon • Calitzdorp • Cape Agulhas and Struisbaai • Cape Town area • Ceres • Citrusdal • Clanwilliam & Cederberg • Darling • De Rust • Franschhoek • Gansbaai • George • Grabouw & Elgin Valley • Greyton • Heidelberg • Hermanus • Knysna • Ladismith • Laingsburg • Lamberts Bay • Langebaan • Malgas • Matjiesfontein • McGregor • Montagu • Mossel Bay • Napier • Oudtshoorn • Paarl • Paternoster • Plettenberg Bay • Porterville • Prince Albert • Pringle Bay • Pringle Bay, Betty's Bay and Kleinmond • Riebeek West and Riebeek-Kasteel • Riversdale • Riviersonderend • Robertson • St Helena Bay • Stanford • Stilbaai • Strand, Gordon's Bay and Somerset West • Swellendam • Tulbagh • Uniondale • Velddrif • Vermaaklikheid • Wellington • Wilderness • Witsand • Worcester & Hex Valley • Yzerfontein • Baviaanskloof • Cape St Francis • Cape St Francis & St Francis Bay • East London • Graaff-Reinet • Hogsback • Jeffreys Bay • Makhanda (Grahamstown) • Middelburg • Nieu-Bethesda • Rhodes • Sutherland