Cape Town Travel - Cedarberg

This pristine wilderness area, just two hours from Cape Town, offers visitors the opportunity to explore a geologically unique and significant part of the country

• Fascinating geological formations
• Excellent rock climbing and hiking trails
• San rock art

The 71 000 hectare nature reserve is under the protection of Cape Nature Conservation especially for the pure, silt-free water that is found here. But the region's interesting geology, fauna and flora are also contributing factors to its conservation status. In the rugged cracks and crevices along the impressive mountains are countless significant San Bushman rock paintings and engravings. The vegetation falls into the Cape fynbos biosphere, one of the six floral kingdoms of the world.

There are over 254km of walking trails in the Cedarberg and it is possible to go on extended walking trails spanning several days without seeing a single soul. Amenities are rugged and it is possible to book huts with basic ablutions through conservation authorities. Rock climbers will be delighted by the plentiful opportunities for them in the Cedarberg. The unique geological formations found in the Cedarberg appear to be the result of particularly heavy erosion. Of specific interest are the Wolfberg Cracks and Arch, the Maltese Cross and Sneeuberg.

A lovely campsite exists at Algeria, with scenic stands for tents and caravans along the stream, between trees and with views across the mountains. Several animal and bird species are found in the Cedarberg, but are not so regularly encountered. These include the Cape leopard, klipspringer, baboon, dassie, black eagle, jackal buzzard as well as all the birds associated with the fynbos vegetation.