Best places to stay in the Cederberg

For adventurers who love to take the road less travelled, the Cederberg is a playground of otherworldly rock formations, winding dirt roads and secluded camps. Whether you’re looking for some soul time or want to hang out in a group, you’ll find the perfect spot in our round-up of Cederberg spots. By Chris Davies

Best for solitude
Eagle Chalet

  • +27 (0)21 531 2956
  • R975 per night (4 people)
Pictures by Chris Davies

The Cederberg is great for getting away from it all, but Eagle Chalet is remote even by the Cederberg’s standards. Of the four beautifully restored stone cottages, Eagle, at the far end of the property, down an hour and a half of rough, high-clearance track, is definitely the most isolated. The two bedrooms are separated by a fully equipped kitchen, with a gas fridge and indoor braai. The shower is also gas and the lighting runs off solar. On the wide stoep and outside braai area, you’ll find beautiful mountain views and absolute silence. Forget about cellphone reception and remember to pack that book you’ve been meaning to read.

Best for hiking and swimming
Sanddrif Holiday Resort

  • +27 (0)44 004 0060
  • Camping from R220 and cottages from R920 per night (4 people)

There are plenty of great swimming and hiking options in the Cederberg, but Sanddrif is perhaps the best for combining both. The Stadsaal Caves, Wolfberg Cracks and Wolfberg Arch are all within hiking distance, and the stretch of Matjies River which runs through the resort has shallow pools for the younger kids, while the more adventurous can hike to nearby Maalgat and jump 12m into a beautiful mountain pool. There are self-catering cottages and shaded campsites available, including a private 16-sleeper stand on the riverbank. Don’t miss the wine tasting at Cederberg Private Cellar, just up the road.

T4A travel tip: Wolfberg Cracks are currently closed to the public after serious fires in December. The route will reopen once the area has had a chance to recover. Instead, visit the Maltese Cross for the quintessential Cederberg hike.

Best for a family get-together
The Cederberg House

  • +27 (0)84 477 6420
  • R750 per night (2 people), R200 per person thereafter (max 15 people)

This sprawling, casual holiday home sleeps 15 in two private bedrooms, plus a large kids’ room with five double bunks. It’s the kind of place you might have gone on holiday to in the ’80s – no electricity (very limited solar) and a kitchen stuffed with oversized pots and mismatched crockery. There’s gas for the stove, hot water and freezer, and holiday books and games line the shelves in the open-plan lounge/dining area. For swimming, there’s a small paddle pool and another larger pool in the nearby river. Well-behaved pets are welcome and there’s plenty to explore in the surrounding veld.

Best private campsite
Houdenbek

  • +27 (0)83 661 9912
  • Camping from R100 and cottages from R325 per person per night

On the southern edge of the Cederberg, not far from Op Die Berg, Houdenbek has two lovely farm cottages and a single, private campsite on the banks of a small farm dam. The campsite has no electricity and can sleep up to 15 people. Beautiful rock formations surround the site, which you share only with the birds by day and the stars at night. This is a great spot just to be and relax, but if you’re into mountain biking then bring your bike along. There are marked routes ranging from 10 to 40km, with some fantastic single track through the stunning, boulder-strewn landscape.

Best for motorcyclists
Cederberg Oasis

  • +27 (0)27 482 2819
  • Camping from R150 (4 people) and safari tents for R300 (2 people)

If you’re travelling light, head for one of Cederberg Oasis’s pre-erected safari tents. There’s a cottage, dorms and camping too, but the safari tents are a great deal and you won’t have to take any kit with you. That goes for food and drinks as well. Chantal and Gerrit are welcoming hosts and will set you up with a tab at the honesty bar as they take your dinner order (the steaks are excellent). With everything provided, it’s popular with motorcyclists – the 4×4 track that heads north to Wuppertal is a must for adventure riders.

To find these overnight spots and other destinations in the Cederberg, check out the Tracks4Africa database online or search your T4A map.

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