Cederberg Wilderness Area, South Africa
The Cederberg Wilderness Area, a national heritage site and part of the Cape Floral Kingdom, not only has spectacular landscapes, incredible rock formations and amazing rock art sites, but is one of the most undisturbed wilderness areas in South Africa. The 71000ha of wilderness is surrounded by conservancies extending this magnificent natural playground to over 170000ha.
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The Cederberg Wilderness Area lies some 200km north of Cape Town, stretching from the Middelberg Pass at Citrusdal to north of the Pakhuis Pass at Clanwilliam. It attracts hikers to over 250kms of hiking trails, mountaineers to Rocklands Boulders near the Pakhuis Pass, Culture Vultures to the more than 130 rock art sites, campers to Algeria, flower lovers to the Biedouw Valley and Ramskop Nature Reserve in spring, and photographers who just love the rock formations of the Stadsaal Caves, Lot’s Wife, Wolfberg Arch, Wolfberg Cracks and the Maltese Cross.
The rivers in the central and southern Cederberg provide great picnic spots with waterfalls and deep rock pools for swimming at Algeria and Maalgat near Sandrif.
Baboons, dassies, grey rhebok, klipspringers, duiker, grysbok, small grey mongoose and striped polecat are fairly common while porcupine, honey badger, Cape clawless otter and aardvark also occur although they are seldom seen. The leopard is the Cederberg’s largest predator and is fairly common although very shy. Smaller predators include African wild cat, lynx, bat-eared fox, aardwolf and Cape fox. Various interesting rodents occur, including the spectacled dormouse.
More than 100 bird species occur here, with black eagle, rock kestrel and jackal buzzard being the most common raptors. About 16 snake species are found in the Cederberg the most common being berg adder, puff adder and black spitting cobra. The armadillo lizard is one of the endemic reptiles found here.
The peaceful atmosphere of the Algeria campsite has broad appeal. Here, 48 sites are situated along the banks of the Rondegat River. Algeria also offers seven chalets, ranging from fully-equipped to comfortable, basic accommodation, all close to the Rondegat River.
Winters in the Cederberg are cold and wet while summers are hot and dry. Most rain falls between May and September and it often snows in the higher parts. In winter, night temperatures drop sharply and heavy frost may occur while in summer temperatures reach as high as 40°C.
Farming villages in the area make for leisurely days of exploration, particularly the Moravian mission station at Wupperthal and the town of Clanwilliam.
Directions: Take the N7 to Clanwilliam. 30kms south of Clanwilliam is the turnoff to Algeria.The bridge crossing the Olifants River is sometimes flooded during winter. There are alternative routes to Algeria via Citrusdal and Clanwilliam so please contact the Algeria office 027 482 2403 to enquire about road conditions before departing. Continue on the N7 to Clanwilliam for the northern part of the Cederberg Wilderness.
Book at Cape Nature: National callers: (021) 483 0190: International callers: 0027 861 227 362 8873: Cederberg Wilderness Website.
| More info on the town of Clanwilliam | More info on the Cederberg Region |
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