Cederberg & West Coast

The Cederberg is famous for its spring flowers, ancient rock art, delicious wine, spectacular mountain drives and hiking.

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Overview

The Cederberg Mountains lie only 2+ hours drive north of Cape Town, but it feels like a different world. Once over the Piekenierskloof Pass, the country has changed. It's wilder, warmer with a raw, dramatic beauty. The towering Cederberg mountain range, brilliant purple in the late afternoon light, presides over a fruit-filled valley laden with the scent of orange blossom in the spring.

The Cederberg is our home. So we have an expert knowledge of the Cederberg accommodation and touring options. From self-drive itineraries to walking holidays, to rock art and spring wild flower tours.

The Cederberg mountains also provides a natural arena for adventure lovers. It is a perfect area for those who enjoy an outdoor lifestyle. On foot, there are great hiking opportunities. On the water, the rivers offer glorious crystal clear water for swimming and canoeing.  Follow a walking trail to some ancient rock paintings. Enjoy hiking in the Cederberg Wilderness Reserve and swimming in waterfall rock pools.

Or simply relax in one of the most beautiful and peaceful areas of South Africa. The Cederberg is easy to combine with the Winelands, Cape Town or to continue to Route 62. But it feels much further than it is. And that is its secet attraction.

Zebra at Bushmanskloof in northern CederbergBeach at Langebaan, Cape West Coast

Features

Why you may love it

  • Ancient rock paintings of the Bushmen people
  • Hiking in the Cederberg mountains with its fynbos and dramatic rock formations
  • Carpets of wild flowers in Spring (August)
  • Wine-tasting at the Cederberg Cellars, the highest wine estate in South Africa, as well as other leading cellars of the area
  • Enjoy an alfresco seafood lunch on the beach on the West Coast
  • Learn about Rooibos tea on farm & fynbos tour
  • Spectacular star-gazing. The Cederberg has its own observatory.
  • Fantastic weather for most of the year

Where to go in Cederberg & West Coast

These are some of the best rated places to visit in Cederberg & West Coast based on popularity and experience rating by our travelers

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Cederberg Mountains

Stay in the heart of the Cederberg in pristine mountain country - walks, rock art, fynbos, swimming in rock pools and stunning scenic drives.

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Clanwilliam

Picturesque town at the foothills of the Cederberg. It offers charming country hospitality, hiking trails, rock art and the beautiful Clanwilliam dam.

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Cape West Coast

The West Coast offers picturesque fishing villages, long sandy beaches, immense bird colonies and delightful alfresco seafood restaurants on the beach. As well as carpets of flowers in spring…

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When to visit Cederberg & West Coast

 

Nov to mid-March

Summer in Cederberg

Though only 2½ hours north of Cape Town, the Cederberg has a remarkably different temperature. It shares the dry Mediterranean climate but it is much hotter. Think Andalucia or southern Italy. So for serious sun-seekers, the Cederberg ticks the boxes For some it may be too hot in January and February but you can always escape the heat (if you wish) by heading up into the mountains which are noticeably cooler or indeed visiting the West coast which is only 40 mins drive away.
TALK TO US
AVG RAINFALL 6.8 mm
MAX TEMP 34 ℃ / 93 ℉
MIN TEMP 16 ℃ / 61 ℉
 

Mid-March to mid-May

Lovely autumn weather

This is a great time in the Cederberg. Though it stays warm and sunny, it’s a great time to be active - so perfect for walking.
TALK TO US
AVG RAINFALL 27 mm
MAX TEMP 27 ℃ / 81 ℉
MIN TEMP 10.5 ℃ / 51 ℉
 

Mid-May to July

Winter in the Cedarberg

This is our “winter” but this is where the unique Cederberg climate comes into its own! Yes, the mornings and evenings are cold but the afternoon temperatures are often a very pleasant 21-23C. It is also technically a semi-arid area with less than 200mm (2.5 times less than Cape Town) so rain won’t be much of a factor for most visitors. It’s also a beautiful time to visit the Cederberg, when it is at its greenest! Indeed, this is the most popular time for bouldering as the daytime temperatures are mild.
TALK TO US
AVG RAINFALL 36 mm
MAX TEMP 21 ℃ / 70 ℉
MIN TEMP 6 ℃ / 43 ℉
 

August to October

Best time to visit

Spring is probably the best time to be in the Cederberg (though lots of people love the summer as well). And the Cederberg is one of the best places to be in South Africa during August and September. Depending on the timing and duration of the rains, August (or even late July) sees the start of amazing wild flower displays in the surrounding countryside. As the temperatures start to increase in September, the mass fields of delicate flowers fade. But there are plenty of later flowers throughout September, the countryside is green and the temperatures are warm and sunny. It starts to heat up during October but it’s still a great time to enjoy walking and mountain biking.
TALK TO US
AVG RAINFALL 14 mm
MAX TEMP 28 ℃ / 82 ℉
MIN TEMP 10.5 ℃ / 51 ℉

Popular tours & safaris

We arrange trips to more than 100+ destinations throughout the African continent.

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Spring Wild Flower tour

The spring flowers of the West Coast, Cedarberg and north to Namaqualand have a worldwide reputation. Our escorted Spring Wild Flower tour combines flower-viewing along scenic drives as well as...

WHEN Year round
DURATION 4 Nights
FROM ₤ 890
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Faces of the Cape Self-drive

This relaxing luxurious self drive tour begins with Cape Town and then heads to three contrasting areas - the verdant Cape Winelands, the dramatic Cedarberg mountains and the exciting Whale Coast...

WHEN Aug - Apr
DURATION 12 Nights
FROM ₤ 2,146
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Cape to Namibia Self-drive

This three week self drive holiday visits some of the scenic highlights along the West Coast of South Africa and then takes you through Namibia up to Etosha National park to end in Windhoek.

WHEN Mar - Nov
DURATION 19 Nights
FROM ₤ 2,444
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Cape to Kalahari Self-drive

This unusual Cape to Kalahari self drive tour contrasts cosmopolitan Cape Town with the stark beauty of the dry Kalahari with visits to the Kgalagadi National Park and the spectacular Augrabies Falls.

WHEN Apr - Oct
DURATION 13 Nights
FROM ₤ 1,538
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Cederberg Hiking tour

This hiking tour is a series of day walks in the Cedarberg Wilderness area, with its wild and dramatically coloured and weathered rocks and stunning scenery. It is ideal for the keen hiker.

WHEN Mar - Dec
DURATION 3 Nights
FROM ₤ 672
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South Africa Explorer Offer

This special offer tour focuses on the Cape and KwaZulu Natal. Winters in Kwazulu Natal are mild, dry and sunny so what’s not to like? And down in the Cape, it is low season. So you won’t be...

WHEN Jan - Dec
DURATION 13 Nights
FROM ₤ 2,750

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Thank you for arranging such an excellent trip

"Nancy and I would like to thank you for arranging such an excellent trip to see the wildflowers in the Cape. As for the flowers, we couldn’t have picked a better year or a better time, and your itinerary got us into some of the most spectacular scenes, better than we had ever imagined! Thank You!! " Mr Bell

Experiences in Cederberg & West Coast

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Viewing the Spring Wild Flowers

The spring flowers of the Cederberg, West Coast, and north to Namaqualand have a worldwide reputation. This area receives little rain throughout the year but after the winter rains, which...

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Viewing San (Bushmen) Rock Art

In addition to walking, the other main attraction of both the Drakensberg and the Cederberg Mountains is the extensive collection of San rock art still to be viewed in some of the mountain caves....

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West Coast National Park

The West Coast National Park is known for its birding throughout the year and for its wild flowers in springtime. Thanks to the Benguela current, fish are in abundance along the West Coast. Rich...

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Kite-surfing on Langebaan Lagoon

Historically, Langebaan on the Cape West Coast used to be known as one of the best places for windsurfing in South Africa. However, the new craze is for kite-surfing and yet again, Langebaan...

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Walking the Cederberg Heritage Route

The Cederberg Mountains are perfect for mountain walking. The largely dry and sunny climate of the Cedarberg make it ideal for hikers all year round, but don’t plan a serious hiking tour for...

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Did you know
  • LandmarksThe tallest mountain is 'Sneeuberg' or Snow Mountain
  • SizeCederberg mountains are 710 km², and stretch for 200km

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Tips for Flower Viewing in Namaqualand, the Cederberg & West Coast

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Sonja Brand

Africa Travel Specialist

Hi I’m Sonja, I’m here to help you plan your ideal holiday experience
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