My first ever visit to the Cederberg was on a Standard 5 school trip. Over the years I have returned on a number of occasions, and it has become a place I ache to escape to for experience in its wide-open spaces.
Getting there: from Cape Town, head north on the N7, passing Porterville then Citrusdal. About 25km after Citrusdal you will find the turn-off to Algeria on the right. An alternative is to go to Ceres, and head north on the R303 up the Gydo Pass, passing through Prince Alfred Hamlet and Op die Berg.
The Cederberg Wilderness Area is managed by CapeNature. It is split into three Wilderness Areas, A, B and C. You buy a permit for one of the three areas which then allows you unrestricted movement within that area. Included in this area is Matjiesrivier Nature Reserve which itself includes Stadsaal. The Cederberg vegetation is largely fynbos, but from Matjiesfontein south you will notice the change to succulent Karoo vegetation types.
Where to stay
- CapeNature manages several camping and cottage options at or near Algeria
- Driehoek
- Kliphuis
- Sanddrif
- Kromrivier
What to do
- Visit Stadsaal
- Take a dip at Maalgat
- Hike one of the many day walks or hikes:
- Take on an overnight trail
References:
- Cederberg Wilderness Area – Capenature. (2022). Retrieved 18 November 2022, from https://www.capenature.co.za/reserves/cederberg-wilderness-area
