Clanwilliam & Around
Close to the ground.

GPS: S 32 10.544 E 018 53.556 pop. 3,000 | elevation 84 m/276 ft

Clanwilliam is a historic town situated at the base of the Cederberg Mountains that is best known as the home of Rooibos Tea. It makes for good base to explore the Cederberg region, especially during August and September when millions of indigenous flowers spring up and carpet the fields. The nearby Clanwilliam Dam also draws water sports enthusiasts.

Rooibos Ltd

Rooibos Ltd has been producing Rooibos Tea - grown almost exclusively in the neighboring Cederburg area - since 1954 and is one of the main manufacturers and distributors of the product today. The factory stopped giving tours a couple years ago, but you can still go to the visitor center and watch a 15-minute video on tea production (shown at 10am, 11:30am, 2pm and 3:30pm Mon-Fri) and purchase Rooibos Tea products.


Strassberger Veldskoen Factory

Strassberger Veldskoen Factory has been hand-making soft leather shoes, or veldskoen, since 1834. Here you can see the entire production process of these shoes and boots, from tanned hide to the box on the store floor.


Cederberg Wilderness Area

Cederberg Wilderness Area spans 71,000 hectares of rugged Cederberg Mountains, their spectacular rock formations and waterfalls, the endangered Clanwilliam cedar tree and many impressively preserved San rock art sites. During August and September, wildflowers bloom and carpet the landscape with color.

The Cederberg Wilderness Area is divided up into three separate sections to preserve the park's secluded atmosphere and limit visitor impact. Each area covers roughly 24,000 hectares and is limited to 50 visitors per day. Permits can be purchased from the Cape Nature Reserve office at the Algeria Camp (GPS) or from the private accommodation locations within the area. The most common animals in the Cederberg area are baboons, rock dassies, various antelope and more than 100 species of birds. Less common but still present are the honey badger, porcupine, leopard, fox and snakes such as the puff adder and black spitting cobra.


Hiking & Rock Climbing

Hiking and rock climbing are the Cederberg's most popular activities. Day visitors are permitted to go on hikes throughout the reserve with a minimum of two people. Overnight hikes require a minimum of three people and the park allows camping anywhere within the reserve or in basic huts along the trails. Detailed topographical maps of the Cederberg are available at the Cape Nature Reserve Algeria Camp.


The Wolfberg Arch

The Wolfberg Arch is a fantastically massive rock arch. It is located in the southern section of the wilderness area and can be reached on day hikes. Rock art is well preserved within the hundreds of caves and rock overhangs throughout the area. The paintings are believed to be between 300-6,000 years old. There are many rock art sites both on the hiking trails and off the road, which are convenient to explore on your own.


Maltese Cross

Maltese Cross, a 30-meter high vaguely cross-shaped rock, is one of the most impressive rock formations within the Cederberg. It is located in the southern section of the wilderness area and can be reached on day hikes. Rock art is well preserved within the hundreds of caves and rock overhangs throughout the area. The paintings are believed to be between 300-6,000 years old. There are many rock art sites both on the hiking trails and off the road, which are convenient to explore on your own.


Most of the retail shops in Clanwilliams are located within a five-block area of Main Road. There is a SuperSpar shopping center that has the largest collection of shops in town.


Budget

Daisy Cottage

Daisy Cottage is a charming thatched roof cottage that has a bedroom and a loft. The cottage sleeps four and is on a residential street just one block east of Main Street. The cottage has AC, a full kitchen and a patio in the back with a large yard.


Mid-range

Clanwilliam Hotel

Clanwilliam Hotel is Clanwilliam's largest hotel, with 55 rooms on the main drag. Some of the newer rooms in the back are self-catering and there is a restaurant and bar downstairs.


Yellow-Aloe

Yellow-Aloe is simple and elegant three-room guesthouse where the highlight of your stay could be sleeping in one of their luxuriously outfitted beds. On the guesthouse grounds there is also a plant nursery, coffee shop and boutique open to the public.


Algeria Camp

Algeria Camp is the main campsite administered by Cape Nature. It has 48 campsites and seven cottages situated near the Rondegat River. There is a small shop and information office onsite and the camp is perfectly situated for day hikes to see nearby waterfalls and San rock art. Algeria Camp can get busy at times so if you're interested in something a bit more tranquil, you can ask at the office about some of the other Cape Nature campsites within the reserve or one of the private lodges bordering the wilderness area.


Jamaka Organic Farm

Jamaka Organic Farm is a family-run organic citrus and mango farm with seven fully equipped freestanding self-catering cottages that sleep 4-6 people each. The campsites are located away from the cottages on the banks of the Rondegat River with braai areas and a number of natural rock pools nearby for swimming. The farm is located just outside the wilderness area boundary on the road between Clanwilliam and the Algeria Camp, roughly 4.5 km north of the Algeria Camp.


Gecko Creek Wilderness Lodge

Gecko Creek Wilderness Lodge is the perfect place to escape into rustic beauty situated in a large private nature reserve bordering the wilderness area. Tents can be supplied for camping, or take one of three private cabins, each with a hammock strung from the front deck. Lighting and hot water are solar powered and there is a large central lapa, fire pit and braai area for guests. Children under 16 are not allowed out of concern that Hoka, the resident timber wolf, may get a bit playful. The lodge is located off the main road between the N7 and Algeria Camp, follow the signed turn (at S 32 22.107 E 018 58.907) and head south for 3.4 km to the lodge.


Reinhold's

Reinhold's is the best restaurant in town. Situated in a historical building dating back to 1905, they serve good home-cooked meals of primarily fish, steak and pasta and have a mouthwatering selection of hors d'oeuvres. There is a small cocktail bar inside, where you can enjoy a pre or post-dinner drink.


Olifantshuis Restaurant

Olifantshuis Restaurant is a family restaurant run by head chef Jaco Slabber, a Rooibos enthusiast. At the time of research, Jaco was revamping his menu of classic steaks, fish and pizza to include some Rooibos inspired dishes as well. Dine indoors or in the tree-shaded garden, or just stop by for a drink at the bar.


De Kelder Pub & Grill

De Kelder Pub & Grill is the locals' restaurant. It's a cozy place that serves mostly steaks, but it also has a selection of salads, burgers and seafood, all at a good value.


De Kelder Pub & Grill

De Kelder Pub & Grill is the only place in town that fills up with a healthy crowd of patrons every night. This is a no-frills sports bar where you can grab a spot on a stool near the tap or at a picnic table.

As for the grill, it serves mostly steaks, but it also has a selection of salads, burgers and seafood, all at a good value.