WHERE TO STAY AND THINGS TO DO
| Permits, bookings and accommodation enquiries: |
. | Wine-related enquiries: | ||
| Tel: E-mail: Fax: |
+27 27 482 2825 sanddrif@cederbergwine.com 086 509 1683 |
Tel: E-mail: |
+27 27 482 2827 info@cederbergwine.com |
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| Directions from Cape Town |
From Cape Town, take the N7 turn-off on the N1 and, 28 km after Citrusdal, turn right at the Algeria/Cederberg sign. Continue past Algeria and over the Uitkyk Pass (second pass) – about 46 km of gravel road – until you reach Dwarsrivier, home of Cederberg Wines. Total distance from Cape Town: ±250 km; ±3 hours’ drive.
FOR GOOGLE AND GRAPHIC MAPS CLICK ON A LINK BELOW:Cederberg Private Cellar Reception 19º15’28”E 32º30’12”S |
| Office hours: | |
| Monday to Saturday: Sundays & public holidays: |
08:00–12:30 & 14:00–17:00 09:00–12:00 & 16:00–18:00 |
| Tasting hours: | |
| Monday to Saturday: Sundays, Good Friday & Christmas Day: |
09:00–12:00 & 14:00–16:00 Not open for tasting |
WHERE TO STAY:
SANDDRIF HOLIDAY RESORT
After three hours’ relaxed driving, ±250 km from Cape Town International airport, you’ll find yourself in the heart of the Cederberg. Tucked away on the lush banks of the Dwars River at the foot of the Wolfberg, lies Sanddrif, Cederberg Private Cellar’s holiday resort. In the late 1950s, the Nieuwoudt family started renovating existing farm buildings for hikers and rock climbers looking for a place to overnight on arriving in the mountains the night before their expedition started – this was long before the days when hiking and rock climbing became popular.
Sanddrif is the ideal base for nature lovers and the adventurous: trail hikers, mountain bikers and rock climbers. It is accessible but retains an air of remoteness, which makes it the perfect break-away for city dwellers. There’s a lot to do and enjoy: four well-known day hikes, bird watching, swimming, rock climbing, camping, mountain biking, a unique observatory and rock art. The less fit can enjoy the cool crystal-clear waters of the Maalgat pools only a 35 minute walk away, wander through the Valley of the Red Gods, watch the sun set the mountains on fire and later admire the star-studded sky from around the campfire.
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ACCOMMODATION AND AMENTIES
Sanddrif holiday resort offers a wide choice of accommodation, from more than 30 well-run camping facilities with a safe playground for children, to 16 cosy and fully equipped self-catering chalets or cottages with breathtaking views of the famous Wolfberg Cracks. The Dwarsrivier farm shop stocks basic requirements only. The friendly staff at our office will supply you with all the information, permits and keys you need to explore the area. Visitors are advised to book well in advance as the resort fills up rather quickly during weekends and school holidays. Due to the strict Conservancy rules we can only allow a certain number of day visitors and hikers.
| Rules: - No pets or quad bikes allowed - No noise after 22:00 - Deposit required within 14 calendar days of making your booking - Arrival time: 14:00 - Departure time: 11:00 |
BOOKING DETAILS |
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| Tel: Fax: E-mail: Postal address: Call to avoid disappointment |
+27 27 482 2825 086 509 1683 sanddrif@cederbergwine.com PO Box 84, Clanwilliam 8135, South Africa |
OFFICE HOURS |
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| Monday to Saturday: Sundays & public holidays: |
08:00–12:30 & 14:00–17:00 09:00–12:00 & 16:00–18:00 |
COTTAGES
3 star rating from the
South African Tourism Grading Councel
- All cottages are self-catering.
- No restaurant on premises.
- Kitchens are equipped with a small electric stove, microwave, fridge with freezer, kettle and toaster.
- All cottages have a fireplace inside and a braai area outside.
- Bedding (bed linen, blankets, duvets), towels and kitchen towels are provided.
- Cottages are serviced daily.
- The water is safe to drink.
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CAMPING
- Under shady trees on the riverbank, with electricity at every campsite.
- Braai facilities (bring your own grid).
- Two ablution facilities with hot showers – toilet paper is not included.
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RATES and DEPOSITS
- PDF: Sanddrif rates 1 Apr 2013 – 31 Mar 2014 – PDF: Sanddrif rates 1 Apr 2014 – 31 Mar 2015
- Deposit required within 14 calendar days of making your booking.
- Deposit (less R25 admin fee) only refundable if booking is cancelled two weeks in advance.
- Deposits for the holiday season, long weekends and group bookings (3 or more units) will only be refunded once the vacancy has been filled.
SHOP
- The Dwarsrivier farm shop sells wood, Cederberg wines, ice and snacks, but unfortunately no fresh products (bread, fresh milk, fruit and vegetables).
THINGS to DO:
- Prices for activities valid 1 September 2012 – 31 August 2013
WINE TASTING: CEDERBERG PRIVATE CELLAR
| Duration: | 30 minutes to an hour – depending on how much you like our wines … |
| Cost: | R20 per person |
| Tasting hours: | Monday to Saturday: 08:30–12:00 & 14:00–16:00 Sundays, Good Friday & Christmas Day: Not open for tasting |
| Note: | - No cellar tours - Group and special tastings by arrangement |
STARGAZING: CEDERBERG OBSERVATORY
In the early 1980s a British astronomer named Peter Mack, who was working for the SAAO (South African Astronomical Observatory), visited the Cederberg and saw its potential as a base for an amateur observatory. He obtained the use of a piece of land on the farm Dwarsrivier, courtesy of the then owner, Oom Pollie Nieuwoudt. The first piers for the telescopes were built in 1984. A storeroom and a dome for a 16″ telescope were constructed early in 1986 and the site was used for observations of Halley’s comet later that year.
In 1988 Peter Mack created a partnership with five amateur astronomers from Cape Town and a constitution was drawn up, officially establishing the Cederberg Observatory. An accommodation block with cooking facilities was completed in 1989 and subsequent work at the site has seen the erection of an ablution block, a storeroom, a second dormitory for the Observatory’s own use and a roll-off roof structure to house a 16″ telescope. As a final luxury, Eskom provided power in the mid-1990s, rendering redundant the old solar panels, batteries and a rather noisy generator.
| Duration: | Approximately two hours, starting at 20:00 |
| Cost: | Donation |
| Enquiries: | Sanddrif holiday resort, or Malcolm: malcolm@icegroup.co.za (Afrikaans) Chris: camkit@mweb.co.za (English), or visit the website: http://www.cederbergobs.org.za/ |
| Note: | - Saturday evenings only - Weather permitting - No shows during full moon |
HIKING AND ROCK CLIMBING:
This vast wilderness area, covering almost 172 000 ha, offers hiking routes for people of all fitness levels. Spectacular rock formations – including the Maltese Cross, Wolfberg Cracks, Wolfberg Arch, Tafelberg, Sneeuberg and Lot’s Wife – attract mountaineers and hikers alike. Unspoilt fynbos and a wide range of wildlife make this a must-see area for all nature lovers.
| Hiking permits - Permits for hikes can only be obtained during office hours. Should you wish to start early, a permit can be booked telephonically. - If you overnight at Sanddrif resort, take note that permits for the Wolfberg Cracks and Wolfberg Arch are not included in your fee and have to be obtained BEFORE you go hiking. The permits for Maalgat and Lot’s Wife hikes are part of your overnight fee. - When the resort is fully booked, permits for Maalgat will not be issued. - To qualify for Wild card discounts, Wild cards need to be presented for CapeNature permits. - NO overnight hiking permits are issued by Dwarsrivier and Sanddrif, please contact CapeNature for these. - NO group, pensioner, tour guide or student discounts. - Prices are subject to change. |
MALTESE CROSS (CapeNature property)
- Route is closed untill further notice for rehabilitation, due to the recent fire
In the direction of Algeria, approximately 850 m from the farm Dwarsrivier, a turn-off to the left is signposted as leading to the Maltese Cross. A 6 km drive (permit required) leads to a parking area. This is the starting point of the walk. Follow the footpath and the cairns leading to the Maltese Cross.
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| Duration: | 3 hours |
| Permits: | Obtainable from our office |
| Cost: | R60 per adult; R35 per child (2-13 years) |
STADSAAL CAVES & BUSHMAN PAINTINGS (CapeNature property)
On the road towards Ceres, 8 km from Dwarsrivier, a Nature Conservation sign will indicate the Stadsaal Caves. Take the turn-off, enter through the gate and drive in to see Stadsaal, a series of open caves and San paintings dating from the time when elephants freely roamed the area. This is one of two areas that can be reached within five minutes.
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| Duration: | Depending on the tourist, a few minutes or a whole day can be spent in the area exploring the caves and rock formations. |
| Permits: | Obtainable from all the tourist offices in the area. A permit and the lock combination for the gate at the entrance to the caves will be issued. |
| Cost: | R40 per adult; R20 per child (2-13 years) |
LOT’S WIFE AND WINDOW ROCKS
About 1,6 km from Dwarsrivier towards Algeria you will find a parking area and a sign for Lot’s Wife. From there you start a gentle walk to where the beautiful Window Rocks can be seen. Just remember, the trail is shared with mountain bikers, so watch out for them! This is one of two areas that can be reached within five minutes.
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| Duration: | 1–1½ hours |
| Cost: | No charge |
WOLFBERG CRACKS & ARCH (Private property)
Approximately 1,2 km from Sanddrif, at the foot of the Wolfberg, there is a parking area under the oak trees. This is the start of the walk. The path leading to the Cracks is clearly visible. Three Cracks can be viewed, of which the first two are easily recognisable. The hike to the third crack is for the more adventurous tourist. A map indicating the route is available from the office at Dwarsrivier. At the top of the mountain, a path leads the way to the Arch. It’s easy to follow with cairns indicating where the path is not clear. Although there is an alternative route via the Riff, the same route is recommended on returning from the Arch. The office staff will explain the route in detail.
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| Duration: |
Cracks: | 3-4 hours (return) |
| Cracks & Arch: | 8 hours (return) | |
| Permits: | Obtainable from our office | |
| Cost: | Cracks: | R50 per adult; R30 per scholar |
| Cracks & Arch: | R100 per adult; R60 per child (2-13 years) |
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MAALGAT
A huge swimming hole, approximately 50 m long and 30 m wide, with 8 m and 11 m high cliffs – definitely only for those crazy enough to jump! Also known by some as the ‘Seekoeigat’ or Hippo Pool.
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| Duration: | 35 minutes in a downstream direction from Sanddrif resort |
| Permits: | For day visitors, obtainable from our office |
| Note: Long weekends and school holidays: NO DAY VISITORS. | |
| Cost: | R30 per adult; R15 per scholar |
MOUNTAIN BIKING:
WOLFBERG MOUNTAIN BIKE TRAIL |
LOT’S WIFE MOUNTAIN BIKE TRAIL |
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| Length: Permits: Cost: |
7,5 km Obtainable from our office R30 per adult; R15 per scholar Get your map from our office. |
Length: Permits: Cost: |
12,5 km Obtainable from our office R30 per adult; R15 per scholar Get your map from our office. |
USEFUL LINKS:
http://www.bushmanskloof.co.za/
www.europcar.co.za/InternationalRates/Cederberg
