The Cederberg Mountains occupy approximately 130 000 hectares of rugged mountain terrain between the towns of Citrusdal, Clanwilliam and Ceres in the Western Cape and a good proportion of this is protected by the 71 000 hectare proclaimed Cederberg Wilderness Area.

The Cederberg is renowned for its incredible sandstone rock formations, numerous bushman paintings and the increasingly rare Clanwilliam Cedar tree, from which it gets its name.

Encompassing some 71 000 ha of rugged, mountainous terrain, the Cederberg was proclaimed a wilderness area in 1973, and as such enjoys the highest possible conservation status. The Cederberg Mountains occupy approximately 130 000 hectares of rugged mountain terrain between the towns of Citrusdal, Clanwilliam and Ceres in the Western Cape and a good proportion of this is protected by the 71 000 hectare proclaimed Cederberg Wilderness Area. The area is famous for the Cedar Tree which survives in small numbers and gives the Cederberg its name. Well known for its weathered sandstone rock formations and historical Bushman paintings, which can be found in a number of caves, the Cederberg’s high mountain peaks offer a true wilderness experience not easily surpassed.

Impressive features include the Wolfberg Arch and Cracks, the Maltese Cross, Tafelberg and the Spout, Sneeuberg Peak and many sparkling clean rivers and mountain pools. The formidable peaks of the Cedarberg reach heights of over 2000m and animals in the area include many species of Antelope such as Grysbok, Rhebok and Klipspringer as well as Baboons and predators like Leopard and Caracal. Snakes are occasionally seen and include various species including cobra and adder, but these reptiles seldom offer any danger to hikers.

The official opening of the annual Clanwilliam Wild Flower Show is on the Thursday of the last weekend of  August and lasts until the following Sunday.   The public are cordially invited to attend the opening.   More information on the Wild Flower Show will be published on the website of the Clanwilliam Tourism Bureau www.clanwilliam.info. Clanwilliam, the gateway to South Africa’s finest floral region, annually opens the doors of its Wild Flower Show on the Friday of the last weekend in August and lasts until the following Sunday. Showcasing the inimitable flora exclusive to the Clanwilliam district and Ramskop Nature Reserve while also raising public awareness on conservation issues, the Clanwilliam Wild Flower Show has become a standing tradition for flower fanatics since its inception in 1972.  Every year visitors with a love and appreciation of the beauty of wild flowers are drawn back to a blossoming Clanwilliam, indisputably the first must-see of the floral fantasy land the region transforms into. Various exciting activities are on offer throughout the Clanwilliam Wild Flower show which promises the whole family a fun-filled time that will not be forgotten. The official opening takes place on the Thursday of the last weekend in August and the public are cordially invited to attend.

 Contact:

Clanwilliam Tourism on 027 482-2024

Cederberg@lando.co.za

www.clanwilliam.info

The Cederberg Mountains in the North West of South Africa boasts more images per square kilometer than any other area in the world. This rich and spectacular resource was created by pre-colonial hunters and gatherers, the ancestors of /Xam of the Karoo and distant relatives of the Ju/'hoansi of the Kalahari, collectively known as the San or Bushmen.

The Sevilla Rock Art Trail

Cederberg Mountains, Western Cape, South Africa

The Cederberg Mountains in the North West of South Africa boasts more images per square kilometre than any other area in the world. This rich and spectacular resource was created by pre-colonal hunters and gatherers, the ancestors of /Xam of the Karoo and distant relatives of the Ju/'hoansi of the Kalahari, collectively known as the San or Bushmen.

The Sevilla Rock Art Trail is one of two walks open to the public as a cooperative venture between the owners of the Traveller's Rest and the SA Museum. Visitors must obtain permits from the farm, and the condition of sites is closely monitored to ensure that public access does not cause any deterioration of the paintings.

The Sevilla Trail includes ten rock art sites within approximately 4 km of the startpoint at the farm, with easy walking conditions but some scrambling over large boulders. The trail is marked in white footprints and guides (both short or more detailed) are available. These include useful representations of the art, with some interpretation, and also references to plants found along the route.

Rockland comprises of a number of bouldering areas situated in the northern Cederberg along the Pakhuis Pass within a 25 km radius.  

All land surrounding Rocksland is either privately owned or owned by Cape Nature.  

Cape Nature requires a permit to access their land.  

Permits are available form the Clanwilliam Tourism Office – contact them on thlephone ++27 (0)27 4822024 or cederberg@lando.co.za

Cape Nature’s website states that:   “The trail which winds through the Cederberg Wilderness Area was recently proclaimed one of the eight World Heritage Sites within the Cape Floristic Region”