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Join us at Cederberg Ridge and Experience true Africalm

Cederberg Ridge

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OVERVIEW

Into the wilderness, out of the ordinary

Cederberg Ridge is a luxurious wilderness lodge offering delicious food, warm hospitality, and adventure. Enjoy panoramic views over the natural rugged beauty of the Cederberg Mountains and the range of excursions and activities we offer.

A stylish ‘away-from-it-all’ experience, yet it’s only a 2½ hour scenic drive from Cape Town or the Winelands.

Cederberg Ridge has the authentic ambience of a modern African Farmhouse. Inviting interiors with vaulted ceilings, wooden beams and natural textures give a light and airy feel. Large French windows open to a generous covered stoep and dining deck overlooking the garden and mountains beyond.

With 11 spacious rooms and suites, restaurant with a view, large swimming pool and indigenous gardens flowing into the veld, this luxury retreat offers space and style in the midst of wilderness.

The lodge overlooks the natural fynbos area of our 3,000h farm with the Cederberg Wilderness Reserve beyond. There’s a range of walking and mountain bike trails right from the lodge.

Why we love it

Sense of Wilderness

Untamed wide open spaces and spectacular views

Romantic Luxury

Luxurious suites with romantic sleep-out option on the terrace

Icon - flowers
Wholesome Activities

Perfect base to visit the Cederberg with its rock art, walking and rooibos farms

Great Food

Farm to table foodie destination

ROOMS

Luxury Suite with glorious views

These three luxurious, airy rooms have stunning views over the Cederberg. Each offers plenty of wood and natural textures. Cosy window seats invite you to relax with a good book, or simply contemplate the glorious mountain views. In summer, air-conditioning ensures a serene night’s sleep. In winter you can curl up with a glass of wine around the wood-burning fireplace.

Enjoy the beautiful free-standing bath with its expansive view. The indoor shower leads out to an outdoor shower with mountain views. Whilst in front is a charming stone terrace offering both sun and shade.

Simbavati Cederberg Ridge - bedroom window seat
Cederberg Ridge - bathroom detail

EXPERIENCES

Things to see & do

We introduce you to the natural beauty and hidden gems of the Cederberg through a range of experiences to suit both the active and the more leisurely.

Choose from guided walks, mountain biking, rock art excursions, rooibos farm tours and sunset boat cruises. We also offer guided excursions into the Cederberg or to the West Coast.

Top Reasons to Visit

FOOD

Culinary delights

We are inspired by our natural surroundings at Cederberg Ridge – the smells, textures and tastes of the Cederberg. From farm to table, or in our case, from ‘Berg to Plate’, our food incorporates fresh farmed produce from the area, local flavours and unique cooking techniques.

Plus we’re also all about homemade goodness (and goodies)! From freshly baked breads, croissants and Danish pastries, to sausages, macaroons and gelato, our chef creates homemade, fresh food on a daily basis.

You can expect a seasonally changing menu with a choice of starters, mains and dessert. As we are small and personal, we try to cater for special diet needs. So there are always two vegetarian dishes on offer at dinner. Vegans are also welcome. Plus we’ll happily offer other options if you are staying longer.

Rock ART

Paintings of the San

Marvel at the ancient rock paintings of the San (Bushmen) people on the Sevilla Rock Art Trail.

The Cederberg is teeming with remarkable and ancient rock art of the San Bushmen people, the first inhabitants of South Africa. With some 2,500 documented sites, the Cederberg is one of the best locations in the World for rock art. Here you can view these delicate paintings, flowing with movement and life, with no crowds to spoil your quiet enchantment.

One of our most popular excursions is our guided rock art excursion to Sevilla usually offered every other day. This is an activity which really benefits from having a guide! As you’ll learn so much from our guides about the Bushmen people and their art.

Sense of Wilderness

Explore the Nature

Wilderness within Reach. Once you are settled into the lodge, the sense of wilderness is all-pervasive. And yet you haven’t driven 4 hours on increasingly difficult roads to get here.
Guests’ love that they can walk or mountain bike for miles right from the lodge without the need to get back in your vehicle.

Romance

Special Occasions

All loved up? Tell us if you are celebrating your wedding or a special anniversary as we’d love to make a romantic evening to remember. But that’s all we’re saying! Or perhaps enjoy a romantic walk on the farm with a picnic just for two.

Sleep-out on your terrace
If you’re up for it, we’ll set up a romantic sleep-out on your private terrace, where you can fall asleep to the brilliant stars of the night sky. (Suites only.) So let us know beforehand if you are keen.

Private Dining
We can set up a private dinner in the Library, on the Terrace or the Pool Deck if you are celebrating an anniversary. Afterwards you can request a surprise turn-down for your loved one.
Check out our Honeymoon Offer and other specials. Our honeymoon offer gives 50% off for one partner if you stay 3 nights on a Full Board & Activity basis.

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There’s a spring in everyone’s step, the bees start buzzing, temperatures start rising and the rains are almost done. It’s that time of year again here in the Western Cape when the days eyes (Daisy’s) are abundant and there are so many more flowers.

Murphy (famous for his ‘law’) may be happy because this time last year the world was closed and the flowers bloomed amazingly. Unfortunately for most visitors longing to see our famous Blooming Desert, they could not get here to see the carpets of colour that were around. This year, though,  there's been quite a bit of rain throughout the area and it's been another good year for the flowers.

Clanwilliam is a central town where all the flower routes are reachable, and can be done in a day. Even in and around the town itself there are some amazing spots to see not just the daisies but lots of little flowers that get overlooked because they are not in abundance or are quite small. It is worth doing some of the trails in the area to get to see these small beauties as they are the hidden treasures.

At Simbavati Cederberg Ridge, even just on our property itself there are some walking/ hiking trails that can reveal some of these hidden gems, due to the different terrains and altitudes. This time of year one need not worry about high temperatures and can be out longer during the day to be able to admire these flowers.

Below I’ve put together a list of flowers that I enjoy seeing when out and about during the Spring flower time.

  • Bulbine praemorsa: Flowers from June – September, it’s average height is 40 – 60 cm
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  • Lachenalia mutabillis: Flowers between July – September, only gets to about 10 – 45 cm
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  • Pauridia capensis: Also known as the Peacock flower, flowers between July – October and gets to 10 – 30cm in height.
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  • Moraea miniata: It flowers between August – September and grows to 15 – 60 cm
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  • Ferraria variabilis: Not a big flower because it only gets up to 20 cm and flowers between August – November.
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  • Disperis capensis: A very pretty and proud looking flower which grows to 50 cm and flowers between July – September
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  • Oxalis purpurea: This one stays close to the ground and flowers from May – September. A common name is the Ground Dutchess Sorrel.
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  • Leucospermum vestitum: One of the Pincushion family, the flower heads get to 50 – 70 mm in diameter and flowers between July – January.
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  • Melianthus major: Quite a large prehistoric looking plant growing up to roughly 2 meters and flowers August – September.
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  • Euryops speciosissimus: This is a special one because it’s found in a small stretch of the Western Cape and its common name is the Clanwilliam Daisy. It can get up to 2 meters in height and flowers between August – November.
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I’ve been out and about and due to the rains we’ve had the flowers are coming out fast and furious. Hoping that this year we will get to share the flowers of the region with more people than last year and if you are in the area I hope you will keep an eye out for these ten.

Happy flower hunting!

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Simbavati Cederberg Ridge - wild spring flowers

Cederberg

Cederberg Ridge

Experiences

Natural Wonder

Spring Flowers in the Cederberg

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The picturesque, though dilapidated mission station of Wupperthal was founded in the early 19th century. Yet it remains quiet and seemingly untouched by the 21st century. Indeed some villagers still travelling by donkey and cart. (Though you do see a fair few satellite dishes hanging from the old white-washed thatched cottages as well.)


Wupperthal Mission still remains the heart of a small subsistence-farming community. It is home to a local industry producing the famous velskoene which are traditional soft leather shoes. These are very comfortable and well worth a purchase.

Wuppethal also has another curious claim to fame. It has kept the old tradition of Rieldances alive. And so successfully that a troupe of rieldancers (see picture below) went to the USA and actually won the World Folk Dance competition a few years ago.


It's a small village, so the journey TO the village, as much as the destination, is the adventure. Note that it takes approx 60 to 75 minutes (67km) to get to Wupperthal from Clanwilliam or Cederberg Ridge, through the folded mountains of the unique Tanqua-Karoo scenery.

Tips for Combining with Other Sights:

We recommend combining a visit to Wupperthal with the Sevilla rock art trail which is en route (allow 2½ to 3 hours for the walking trail).

Similarly during the flower season (August), you could add on a visit to Wupperthal to a visit to the Biedouw Valley, (as you pass through the Biedouw valley en route to Wupperthal.) It is only another 13km (or 12-15 minutes drive) on from the Bieudouw Valley turnoff.

Wild spring flowers in Biedouw valley, Cederberg mountains

Notes:
Wupperthal is not part of our excursions at Cederberg Ridge. So it can only be visited on a self-drive basis. The first 42km is tar (and takes 35 minutes or so.) The remaining road (26km or 25-30 minutes) is grave. It can be very corrugated (bumpy) in places. We strongly recommend an SUV-type vehicle.

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Cederberg Mountains - Wupperthal

Cederberg Ridge

Community

Visit the remote Moravian mission village of Wupperthal

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Did you know that the Cederberg region of South Africa is the only place in the world where Rooibos tea is grown? Other countries (and even other areas in South Africa), have tried and failed, so it is rather unique in this regard!

Rooibos tea is one of the most important industries of this mountainous area with the tea being exported all over the world.

Countries which particularly love Rooibos tea include Germany, the USA and France. With the tea-loving Brits also importing significant quantities. 

So what is all the fuss?

What sets rooibos apart, besides its delicious taste, are its many health benefits… and there are plenty!

  • High in anti-oxidants – this aids in fighting cancer and other diseases, boosts the immune system and reduces aging (hooray!)
  • It is completely pure and natural as it contains no additives, preservatives or colourants.
  • Rooibos is naturally caffeine-free, and is considered a low tannin beverage

It’s for these reasons that you’ll find rooibos extracts being used in a lot of health and beauty products, from face cream to dietary supplements.

For the complete history of rooibos, check out this longer blog post. We give the history highlights here.

Our guests at Simbavati Cederberg Ridge are always intrigued by the fact that it is indigenous to the area.

Where it all began

The story of Rooibos started over 300 years ago when the indigenous bushmen of the area, the Khoisan, harvested the leaves from the Aspalathus Linearis plant. The leaves were used as herbal remedies for many ailments, and they loved for their delicious, aromatic taste.

And then in 1772, a European botanist Carl Thunberg observed the way this clever indigenous tribe climbed the mountains to find wild rooibos plants. His captivation with this practice revived a more widespread interest in the tea drink.

It is also worth noting that early Cape-Dutch settlers started drinking rooibos tea as a cheaper alternative to the very expensive black tea from Europe. That tea had to be imported by ship, so rooibos was a great substitute!

Fast forward 200 years to 1904 when Benjamin Ginsberg appeared on the scene. He was a young Russian immigrant, (often called the father of commercial Rooibos Tea), who joined his tea-trading father on the farm Rondegat in the Clanwilliam district of the Cederberg. Ginsberg had a fascination with the plant and began marketing the drink as a ‘Mountain Tea’ – a herbal alternative to tea.

But in 1930 Dr le Fras Nortier, the local doctor and amateur botanist, was the first to discovered the secret of germinating Rooibos seeds, and together with Olof Bergh, a commercial farmer, they started a new cultivation method

Soon the production of Rooibos began on a much larger scale along the slopes of the Cederberg mountain range.

Since then there have been many innovations, including using it in baby creams, developing green Rooibos tea and within making the very first tea espresso in the world. (So now you can have a Rooibos expresso or a Red Cappuccino.)

So how is Rooibos tea actually made?

Traditionally, the bunches of leaves were rolled into hessian bags and brought down from the mountain by donkeys. 

The leaves and fine stems were then chopped with axes and bruised with mallets before being left in heaps to ferment. Once fermented, the Rooibos was spread out to dry in the hot African sun, ready for use as a thirst-quenching drink.

In a way, not much has changed in this whole process, although the methods are now far more refined and mechanised.

Rooibos is typically harvested in the hot summer months of January to April.

Special machines collect the Rooibos, which is then delivered to the factory. Here it is graded according to length, colour, flavour and aroma. This guarantees a high quality across all grades suitable for packing into teabags or loose-leaf form.

Simbavati Cederberg Ridge - rooibos

The last step is the screening, blending and steam treatment, using state-of-the-art equipment. After all this, the finished product is packed in special bags or boxes ready for dispatch to customers all over the world, for further processing and blending.

Experience rooibos during your stay at Cederberg Ridge

Many guests at Cederberg Ridge have been charmed by the story of rooibos tea. So to give them the full rooibos experience, we offer our guests a guided rooibos tea farm tour that includes a tea tasting. We also have a variety of delicious rooibos teas to taste at the lodge and to purchase from our lodge shop. A stay at Simbavati Cederberg Ridge wouldn't be complete without it!

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Simbavati Cederberg Ridge - rooibos

Cederberg Ridge

Community

Experiences

History & process of Rooibos tea farming

/ Cederberg Ridge

REGIONS

Getting There

Cederberg Ridge is very easy to get to. (See our downloadable directions below.) It lies 5km from the town of Clanwilliam at the foothills of the Cederberg Mountains. It takes an easy 2½ hours from Cape Town or the Winelands (tar road all the way until our drive-way).

Directions from Cape Town

Take the N1 highway out of the city and then take the N7 highway in the direction of Malmesbury. Continue on the N7 for approx. 220km. Just after you start seeing the Clanwilliam Dam, look out for the off-ramp (to the left). At the T-junction you turn right to travel into the town of Clanwilliam.

Stay on this road, passing two petrol stations on the left hand side. (Do NOT turn off to the right into the Main Road.) Stay on this road to travel out of the town in the direction of the mountain range. Approx 2km from the town (after a small hill), you turn left onto the road with a green signpost for Klawer. Look at your speedometer and note your kilometres. Approx 3.1 km on this road, you will see our gate & sign on the right hand side. Drive through our gate and up to the lodge.

Directions from the Winelands

If you are coming from Stellenbosch, take the R304 north. This road crosses the main N2 highway and continues north to Malmesbury where the R304 merges with the R302 to continue as the R302. When you get to the town of Malmesbury, you follow signs for the N7 north towards Mooreesburg, PIketberg. Stay on the N7 for 158km and when you get to Clanwilliam, you follow the directions below.

If you are coming from Franschhoek or Paarl, travel to and through Paarl and then take the R44 north past Wellington. Continue on the R44 to Gouda. Turn left to stay on the R44 and travel through Porterville to reach the N7 just before the start of the Cederberg Mountains. Stay on the N7 until you start seeing the Clanwilliam Dam. Then look out for the off-ramp for Clanwilliam (to the left). Follow the directions above for the final part.

Note: If you are travelling from Hermanus, you would first travel to Stellenbosch and then follow the above directions.

Luxury Suites

These three luxurious, airy rooms (52sqm) have stunning views over the Cederberg. Each offers plenty of wood and natural textures. Cosy window seats invite you to relax with a good book or simply contemplate the glorious mountain views. In summer, air-conditioning ensures a serene night’s sleep. In winter you can curl up with a glass of wine around the wood-burning fireplace.

Enjoy the beautiful free-standing bath with its expansive view. The generous indoor shower leads out to an outdoor shower with mountain views. In front is a charming stone terrace offering both sun and shade.

Superior Suites

The three Superior suites are a little larger (64sqm) and enjoy the same décor and facilities as the Luxury suites. Extra touches are a large walk-through shower and larger decks. 

Superior Suites with pool

The two Superior Pool suites have that extra level of privacy. They enjoy the same décor and The Superior Pool suites have that extra level of privacy. They enjoy the same décor and facilities as the Superior suites. But with an extended terrace which incorporates a sleep-out platform (with queen bed) and a small plunge pool, heated with a wood-burner in winter.

The sleep-out bed can be used as a daybed or as an after-dinner star-gazing bed. Or for the true romantics, there is nothing better than sleeping outside under the stars. (With the option to retreat indoors when-ever you wish.)

The plunge pool comes with a Kolkol wood-burner, so that you can use it as a hot tub in the cooler months (especially autumn and spring). And as a refreshing plunge pool in summer. 

Classic Rooms

The two classic rooms are perfect for those who like to be close to the action. These elegant rooms (32 sqm) are in the main homestead. Each have a full en suite bathroom with bath, shower and double vanity.

The Classic View room opens onto the main stoep with views over the garden and towards the Mountains. It has an enclosed toilet.

The Classic Courtyard room is our entry-level room. Please note that it does not have a view of the mountains. It overlooks the quiet courtyard with views to the west. However this room is ideal for frail people with a walk-in shower with a ledge seat and a toilet in the bathroom.

Classic Room FacilitiesSuite Facilities
King-size bed or TwinsAll facilities of Classic Rooms plus:
Air-conditioningMuch larger in size
Seating area – both inside and outLarge terrace with built-in day bed
Minibar with drinksWood-burning fireplace
Coffee and tea-making facilitiesOutdoor shower
DeskViews of the mountains
Bath, shower, double vanity and toilet 
Complimentary eco-friendly amenities 
Underfloor heatingSuperior with Pool
BathrobesAll facilities of other suites plus:
HairdryerQueen-sized day bed (for sleep-outs)
Electric blankets for winter (not needed much)Wood-fired (heated) private plunge pool
Mini-safe for storing valuables 
Laundry service – laundry bag in room 
Portable fan (on request only) 
Complimentary Wi-Fi 

Lodge Facilities & Good to Know

  • Main lodge with sitting room, bar, library and restaurant
  • Complimentary Wi-Fi in rooms and in main guest areas
  • Convivial bar
  • Restaurant with wall of glass overlooking the mountains
  • Alfresco dining on the deck
  • Library with fireplace, books, board games and Smart TV (mainly for sports fixtures)
  • Swimming pool and pool terrace within indigenous garden
  • Small heated swimming pool (ideal for Autumn and Spring)
  • Seated Fire-pit
  • Spa with relaxation room and double treatment room
  • Wide range of activities and excursions on offer
  • Various walking and mountain bike trails on the farm
  • Small curio shop

Families

We take older kids from 8 years upwards, (and sometimes 6 or 7 years only with prior arrangement), as we feel that Cederberg Ridge and the farm are the perfect environment for older kids. 

The reserve offers the perfect location to discover and immerse your child into a wilderness wonderland.

Generally our rugged mountain environment is not ideal for very young kids, as we don’t have child-minding facilities.

Fill your days with walks on the farm or in the mountains, or swimming & tubing on the Clanwilliam dam in summer. Kids also love visiting the farm. At the lodge itself, you can make the most of the swimming pool, croquet and board games.

There are no TVs in the rooms. But there is a Smart TV in the library if it’s a rainy day. Or if your children want to escape the restaurant before you do.

Child Accommodation

Children (8 to 11 years) pay 50% of per person sharing rate if sharing with parents. Teenagers (12 to 17 years) pay 75% of the per person sharing rate if accommodated on an extra bed/ But ONLY in the below room types.

The following rooms can take extra children of eight and older:

  • Luxury Suites can accommodate one extra child (8-11 years) on the window seat which can be converted into a bed. (It is 175cm by 85cm so slightly smaller than a regular bed).
  • One Superior suite can accommodate one extra child (8-11 years) on the window seat as above. Plus an extra bed can be placed in the sitting room for a child or teenager.
  • Superior Pool Suites can also accommodate one extra child (8-11 years) on the window seat.  (It is 175cm by 85cm so slightly smaller than a regular bed).  One suite can also accommodate one child/teenager up to 17 on a sleeper couch.

We have several rooms where two rooms are adjacent to each other under one roof, sharing a covered outside foyer (One Superior/Superior Pool Suite with One Luxury Suite). We recommend families with older children/teenagers may like to request these. Together these two bedroom units can accommodate up to four adults and 2-3 extra children.

Please note that children occupying their own rooms pay adult rates.

Per Person Sharing01 Feb 2023 to 30 April 2023
01 Aug to 20 Dec 2023
01 May 2023 to 31July
2023
21 Dec 2023
to 09 Jan 2024
10 Jan 2024 to 30 April 2024
01 Aug 2024 to 20 Dec 2024
01 May 2024 to 31 July 202421 Dec 2024
to 05 Jan 2025
CLASSIC COURTYARD
Full Board &Activities (FBA)R4,150R3,350R4,550R4,425R3,575R4,850
CLASSIC VIEW
FBAR4,425R3,650R4,850R4,725R3,900R5,150
LUXURY SUITE
FBAR5,100R4,100R5,600R5,450R4,400R5,950
SUPERIOR SUITE
FBAR5,300R4,325R4,800R5,675R4,625R6,200
SUPERIOR POOL SUITE
FBAR5,500R4,550R6,100R5,925R4,850R6,500

OUR DETAILED

2023-2024 Rates

Enquire about our SA Resident Offers.

Singles – 33% supplement on the Per Person Sharing rate shown above

FINE PRINT

Inclusions

Booking Policy

General Information

Health/Travel

The Cederberg is NOT a malarial area but  there are mosquitos in the summer months from late Sept to April. So we recommend anti-mosquito repellent around dusk, outside in summer. There are no other health issues here.

The sun can be strong so use a hat and sunscreen.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Should I choose DBB or FBA at Cederberg Ridge?

Do you take children?

What’s the ideal length of stay?

Is there wifi?

Get in Contact

Managers Leisha and Craig Parsons

Lodge telephone number: 027 470 0136

Reservations: +27 87 151 4520