Clanwilliam

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

Overview

Clanwilliam, in the northern Cederberg, is one of the ten oldest towns in South Africa. This small country town lies in the foothills of the Cederberg Mountains. It is the centre of the indigenous Rooibos tea industry as well as an important wine, grape and citrus area. And it offers a range of charming accommodation.

Clanwilliam is the ideal base for exploring the surrounding Cedarberg mountain range. Or touring into the Cederberg Wilderness Reserve. In Clanwilliam itself you can view some of the fine old Cape Dutch homes, visit the Old Gaol museum, buy some locally-made ‘veld’ shoes, visit the Rooibos factory or visit rock art sites with a knowledgeable local guide.

There are a number of stunning walks to enjoy nearby from Pakhuis Pass. It is also known for its San rock art trails, wild flowers in season as well as Rooibos tea farm tours. The Clanwilliam Wild Flower Reserve has one of the best displays of wild flowers in South Africa from August to early September.

Finally Rocklands, near Clanwilliam, is one of the top five bouldering sites in the world.

Guided rock art tours near Clanwilliam, clanwilliam hotels

Related Blog Posts
Tips for Flower-viewing in the Cederberg & Namqualand

Walks in the northern Cederberg

Features

Why you may love it

  • Excellent walking base – full and half day trails on offer
  • '1820 settler houses' with its distinctly attractive Cape Dutch architecture in Park Street
  • Starting point for the Cederberg Heritage Route
  • Guided Rock art tours
  • Rooibos tea farm tours and 4x4 nature drives
  • Clanwilliam Wild Flower botanical garden

Explore the Clanwilliam map

Popular tours & safaris

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

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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 $ 2,953
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Cedarberg 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 $ 869
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Cape Kaleidoscope & Kruger Offer

This special offer tour combines three contrasting areas of the Cape with a top-notch safari in the greater Kruger National Park at a Timbavati Game Reserve

WHEN Mar - Dec
DURATION 13 Nights
FROM $ 2,377
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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 $ 3,752
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Ultimate Cederberg

Experience the Cederberg region with a 3 night stay at Cederberg Ridge Wilderness Lodge, your base to explore the varied delights of this unique wilderness region. Various included excursions are...

WHEN Jan - Dec
DURATION 3 Nights
FROM $ 869
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Cederberg & West Coast Explorer

This self-drive or escorted tour is ideal for nature-lovers who want to get away from the tourist hordes. It is easily combined with Cape Town in the south.

WHEN Jan - Dec
DURATION 4 Nights
FROM $ 552
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Accommodation

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Clanwilliam

Cederberg Ridge Wilderness Lodge

Cederberg Ridge is a luxurious wilderness lodge offering delicious food, hospitality and adventure. The lodge overlooks the panorama of the Cederberg Mountains with its unique raw, rugged beauty....

PRICE (PPS) $ 133
RATING Luxury
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Clanwilliam

Oudrif Farm

Oudrif Farm, located on the banks of the Doring River, in the foothills of the Cederberg Mountains, is a real gem and one of our favourites in the area. Oudrif is about 50 km from Clanwilliam,...

PRICE (PPS) $ 80
RATING Comfortable
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Clanwilliam

Yellow Aloe Guest House

Yellow Aloe Guest house is a lovely little country lodge right in the heart of pictureques Clanwilliam, opposite the museum and a short walk from everything. Recently they have taken over the...

PRICE (PPS) $ 53
RATING Comfortable
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Clanwilliam

Ndedema Lodge

Ndedema Lodge is a superior guesthouse in historic Park Street of Clanwilliam. Ndedema's great attention to detail is noticeable with bathrobes for guests, complimentary sherry, pamper boxes and...

PRICE (PPS) $ 42
RATING Premier
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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 Clanwilliam

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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

As well as 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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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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Visit Wupperthal mission village

The Wupperthal mission village was founded in the early 19th century and remains quiet and seemingly untouched by the 20th century with some villagers still travelling about by donkey and cart. It...

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Did you know
  • HistoryFirst farm awarded in 1732
  • AgeOne of the 10 oldest towns in South Africa (7th)

Clanwilliam Articles

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

The spring flowers of the Cape West Coast, Cederberg and Namaqualand in the Northern Cape have a worldwide reputation. This area of South Africa receives little rain throughout the year but after...

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Affordable & Romantic Honeymoon Lodges in South Africa - check out 7 lodges for love

We love places that offer value for money! That’s why we’d like to share some affordable yet romantic honeymoon lodges in South Africa with you. Let’s face it, when you dream about your...

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The Road Less Travelled in South Africa – 5 Must Sees

Beyond the Mountains:  Places to visit the vast grandeur of South Africa without undertaking a ‘groot trek’ all of your own. Let’s face it, for many of us the idea of venturing off into the...

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Walks in the northern Cederberg

The Cederberg Mountains are best-known for the classic hikes of the central Cederberg. But there are loads of great walks in the northern Cederberg as well. Especially in the Pakhuis area close to...

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