Cederberg Wilderness Area

Algeria viewed from Uitkyk Pass, Central Cederberg

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 experience 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.

Algeria viewed from Uitkyk Pass, Central Cederberg
Algeria viewed from Uitkyk Pass

The Cederberg Wilderness Area is managed by CapeNature. The area is split into three Wilderness Areas, A, B and C: you buy a permit for an area 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

What to do

CapeNature logo
Cederberg map

References:

  1. Cederberg Wilderness Area – Capenature. (2022). Retrieved 18 November 2022, from https://www.capenature.co.za/reserves/cederberg-wilderness-area

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.