Cederberg Community Hike

The 4 days/3 nights Cederberg Community Hike is in the northern Cederberg, about 250 km north-west of Cape Town. The area has a spectacular mountain landscape, is a treasure house of rock art and has a rich botanical diversity, being part of the Cape Floral Kingdom. A major portion is a proclaimed Wilderness Area that has World Heritage status.

Overview

The hike is escorted by members of the local community. It includes accommodation, meals (excluding lunch packs), a rock art visit, donkey cart ride and entrance fees, where applicable. Accommodation will be comfortable guesthouses, guest cottages and one night at the small picturesque Moravian missionary settlement, Heuningvlei. Luggage are transported to the next night’s stay. Hikers only have to carry day packs

Highlights

Distinctive Cederberg landscape. Magnificent views and sunsets
Cape fynbos, endangered Clanwilliam Cedar, Cape Mountain Leopard, Baboons, Klipspringers and more tha 100 bird species
This part of the Cederberg is particularly known for its impressive mountain landscape, rugged terrain and coloured rock formations. The area is very popular for rock climbing.
The Cederberg is one of the best areas for ancient San (Bushmen) rock art in the world, with more than 2,500 discovered sites, a number of which are easily accessible
The hikes are escorted by local community members. Stay one night in the small picturesque Moravian missionary, Heuningvlei.
The itinerary includes a donkey cart ride

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Climate

The Cederberg has a great climate – hot summer days and mostly mild sunny days in winter with cold nights. During winter the higher mountain peaks do get snow with cold fronts coming over the Western Cape. Rainfall in the Cederberg ranges from an average of 800 mm per annum at Algeria to an average of less than 250mm/annum around Matjiesrivier, Cederberg Oasis, Nuwerust and Mount Cedar. The west of the Conservancy is mostly wet and cold during the winter while the eastern area is very cold with less rain. The most rain falls during winter between May and September. It often snows on the higher parts. Summers are very hot and dry and can reach temperatures as high as 40° Celcius.

When to go

The holiday can be booked any time of the year but the best time of the year to visit the area is the cooler months of Spring and Autumn .

What to take

Comfortable, well aerated clothes in keeping with the season. Always bring a thick windbreaker/jacket, good walking boots (already worn-in) and several pairs of cotton or wool socks. For your daily needs, you are advised to have a day-bag, a plastic bag to line your day-pack (to protect the contents from rain), rainwear, a sun-hat, sunglasses, sun block, a water bottle, plastic picnic boxes, personal first-aid kit, camera, torch/flashlight and an extra plastic bag for litter,hiking stick, insect repellant.

Grading

Overall rating is “Moderate”. You do not need to be ultra-fit but certainly able to walk between 12 and 20 km per day. The route takes you along paths, along field and tracks . See Walking grades for more details about Moderate rating.

Destinations to add to your trip

We recommend that you add some other attractions to compliment your visit to Cederberg. You can include other visits before or after the Cederberg Community Hike. We can assist with bookings and advice. The costs of these options are available on request.

Getting there

The Cederberg is in the Western Cape Province, South Africa. It is about 200 km 2½ hours drive from Cape Town.
For international visitors:
Fly to Cape Town International Airport and from Cape Town to the Cederberg by car.
Route from Cape Town:
Take the N7 (Cape Namibia road) Continue for…. km to the Clanwilliam turnoff
When we confirm your booking more details will be given as well as suggestions about places to visit along the way from Cape Town

Insurance

We recommend that you arrange appropriate holiday insurance giving you cover against illness, injury, and loss or damage to luggage. This insurance should also cover the possibility of your having to cancel your holiday for any reason.

Reviews

Comments by guests who have experienced a self-guided walking/hiking holiday offered by Trails and Travel in South Africa-

“Overall, the holiday was invigorating- You certainly went out of your way to make the whole time memorable- We are recommending it to our walking community in the States- Fantastic walks, wines and accommodation” For details, go to Reviews

More about Cederberg

Cederberg Community Hike is a unique hiking experience. For more information about Cederberg area, go to Read more