My first ever visit to the Cederberg was to Sanddrif on a Standard 5 school outing. The trip to nearby Stadsaal, the hike up to the Wolfberg Cracks, and swimming at Maalgat are still very clear.
Website: cederbergwine.com | www.cederberg.co.za
Tel: +27 27 482 2825
Fax: 086 509 1683
Email: sanddrif@cederbergwine.com
Getting there: take the N7 from Cape Town and, 28 km after Citrusdal, turn right at the Algeria / Cederberg sign. You will head over Nieuwoudt Pass, after which you will continue past Algeria and over the Uitkyk Pass — about 46 km of gravel road – until you reach Dwarsrivier [-32.50390, 19.25786], home of Cederberg Wines. Total distance from Cape Town: ±250 km; ±3 hours’ drive.
GPS Coordinates: -32.48813, 19.26884
The farm shop at Dwarsrivier has a small selection of snacks and cool-drinks, firewood, and most importantly, their own wines for sale. You can get your permits here as needed to explore some of the attractions in the area surrounding Sanddrif.
Accommodation
Sanddrif offers you a variety of accommodation options, from well-run camping facilities with a safe playground for the children to cosy and fully equipped self-catering cottages with breathtaking views of the famous Wolfberg Cracks.
The camping area can get pretty congested. Camping sites are shaded, but as a result, most are sandy and you would be smart to take a ground mat. There are electric points and properly constructed braai places. Ablution blocks are well constructed, clean, tiled affairs with kitchen washing-up sinks on the outside.
Cottages are well equipped and serviced daily.
Nearby attractions
- Hiking: Wolfberg Cracks & Arch and Maltese Cross
- Rock Climbing: Traditional (Wolfberg Cracks) & Sport climbing (Sanddrif Crag)
- Mountain bike trails: Wolfberg & Lot’s Wife
- Swimming: Sanddrif & Maalgat
- Star-gazing at the Cederberg Observatory (Saturdays only)
- Bushman rock art: Stadsaal
- Wine tasting at Cederberg Wines