Clanwilliam

Clanwilliam is situated the foot of the Cederberg Mountain i

Clanwilliam is situated at the foot of the mighty Cederberg mountain range ±230 km from Cape Town. It has lots to offer the tourists, namely the beauty of the mountains, rock art, bird-watching, historical buildings, the scenic beauty of the flowers in "Flower Season", as well as water sports. Clanwilliam has ample accommodation in and around the town. Various 4x4 routes and hiking trails are also available in the Clanwilliam area.

Further more, Clanwilliam is situated in a part of the Western Cape which is the only place in the world where Rooibos is planted and cultivated. The factory can be visited for a video-show on the tea-proccess and products can be bought directly from them.
Clanwilliam is also well-known for its "Veldskoene" (leather shoes), made by Strassbergers. A visit to the factory is worthwhile, and shoes can be bought from them in any size and colour.

Situated at the foot of the towering Cederberg Mountains, some 230 km north of Cape Town. Clanwilliam is one of the oldest towns in South Africa. The Town and district have a lot to offer – the breathtaking beauty of the Cederberg, a rich heritage of Bushman (San) rock art, a prolific birdlife and a wonderworld of wild flowers. Visitors can make the acquaintance of rooibos tea at firsthand in Clanwilliam where the tea is processed, graded and distributed to destinations around the world. At the end of August each year visitors flock to Clanwilliam for the annual wild flower show – the landscaped exhibition consists of about 360 species of wild flowers.

GENERAL INFORMATION

How to get there

Cape Town 230 km, Citrusdal 53 km, Graafwater 32 km, Lambert’s Bay 62 km, Vanrhynsdorp 75 km.

Altitude: 90 m above sea level

Rivers: Olifants River, Jan Dissels River, Doring River

Banks: FNB, Standard Bank, Boland PKS.

HISTORICAL VIEW

C Louis Leipoldt Grave

On the impressive Pakhuis Pass, C Louis Leipoldt, famous South African writer and poet, lies buried in a simple rock shelter.

Clanwilliam Museum

Housed in the old gaol, a charming building flanked by tall palms, reminiscent of scenes of bygone days.

Wupperthal

An old Moravian Mission Station, situated in a seemingly forgotten corner of the Cederberg Mountains.

NATURE

Biedouw Valley

One of the richest flower areas in the district.

Ramskop Wild Flower Reserve

This 54 ha reserve is located on the eastern bank of the Clanwilliam Dam, adjacent to the Cederberg Wilderness Area. The best time to visit is from June to September, when the wild flowers are in full bloom. A special fenced-off area (7,5 ha) has been cultivated and boasts more than 200 indigenous species. The reserve has no accommodation. Other facilities include various paths, the wild flower garden and a tea-room, which is open during the flowering season. The reserve is open throughout the year from 08:00 – 17:00.

Clanwilliam Dam

The dam is a popular destination for water sport lovers who come to the dam to enjoy waterskiing, sailing, windsurfing and powerboating. The dam also offers excellent fishing, and hosts the annual Bass Classic angling tournament. The Olifants River system is reputed to have more indigenous fish species (nine) than any other river system south of the Zambezi. Eight of these species are endangered including the Clanwilliam Yellowfish (Barbus carpensis), the Clanwilliam Sawfish (Barbus serra) and the Clanwilliam Sandfish (Labeo seeberi).

ATTRACTIONS

Annual Events

Flower Festival – August

Boasting 360 indigenous species of wild flowers.

Leipoldt Festival – April, May or June.

Strassberger Velskoen Factory

ACTIVITIES

4x4 Routes

Cederberg 4x4 Route

This mountain route of approximately 100 km in the eastern Cederberg offers a variety of fair challenges and rough farm roads. Together with the unique atmosphere of the Cederberg and it’s fauna and flora, this route is particularly suited for a pleasant weekend for the whole family. The route was developed in cooperation with the Cederberg Conservancy and Cape Nature Conservation. As this route traverses both WWF and private pro-perty not accessible to the public, it is offered as a guide tour. Participants stay at the the Cederberg 4x4 route’s own camping site, the Monkey Plumb camp, on the banks of the Matjies River.

Bass Classic

Fishing competition held at the Clanwilliam Dam

Canoe Trails

Doring Rivier Canoe Trail

Guided 2 day trail. Graded 4 rapids. All gear and food provided.

Olifants River Canoe Trail

Clanwilliam Cederberg Vasbyt – May

Hiking

Cederberg Wilderness Area

A 254 km network of trails

Horse Riding

Cederberg Wilderness Area

Sport

Clanwilliam Golf Course

Accommodation in and around Clanwilliam