The Best Cederberg Campsites Western Cape
The Cederberg region is a place for adventurers, climbers, hikers, and the romantic at heart. Dramatic mountains and rock formations the colour of the famous rooibos tea that is grown in this region turn the landscape into a gorgeous palette of colours throughout the year. Read on to find the best Cederberg Campsites Western Cape
When visiting Cederberg campsites, plan your itinerary well as there are much to do and see in this small region of the Western Cape. Not only are there bouldering and hiking, but also less straining activities like fishing and birding. Adrenaline junkies are more than welcome with many mountain bike trails available besides the bouldering and rock climbing.
Do yourself a favour, though, and make a point of seeing some of the region’s famed rock art that’s between 300 and 6 000 years old! Various heritage trails and hiking trails pass rock art sheltered in the dramatic rock formations — a definite must-see for anyone remotely interested in history and art.
Algeria Campsite (Cederberg Wilderness Area)
Situated in the Cederberg Wilderness Area, this campsite with its 48 stands, electricity, and hot water gives you the comforts of home you’ll enjoy after a day of adventuring in the surrounding area. From hiking, mountain biking, bouldering, and swimming, to taking the heritage trail on a donkey cart (not a metaphor of some kind), you’ll want to take a hot shower before getting the fire going and reliving the day’s adventures in front of the fire. Cell reception is sketchy, so you’ll really get a chance to get away and come to love silence again. Get ready to fall in love with the Cederberg’s very ambience — not to mention its people!
Number of stands: 48 (6 people/2 cars per stand)
Electricity: Yes, power points at all sites.
Ablution facilities: Yes, with hot water. No toilet paper is supplied.
Braai facilities: Yes, there is also firewood for sale.
Shade: Yes, for some stands.
Ground cover: Grass
Pets: No
Cost: R180 — R420 p/p/p/n depending on the season.
Contact: +27 (0)27 482 2403 | +27 (0)87 087 8250
Website: www.capenature.co.za/reserves/cederberg-wilderness-area
GPS: S32 22.453 E19 03.685
Activities: hiking, walking, mountain biking, bouldering, swimming, donkey cart adventures (see also www.cedheroute.co.za)
Note: No music, radio or TV is allowed on the premises.
Kliphuis Campsite (Cederberg Wilderness Area)
Another campsite set in the Cederberg Wilderness Area, this one is without electricity points. There is, however, hot water available for a well-deserved shower after a long day’s adventures. Go hiking, mountainbiking, bouldering, swimming, or explore the area’s rich heritage with the donkey cart adventures. Stare into the wood fire while recounting the day’s stories (or scaring each other with some ghost stories) and fall in love with the Cederberg sunsets and silences.
Number of stands: 14
Electricity: No
Ablution facilities: Yes, with hot water. Note: no toilet paper is supplied.
Braai facilities: Yes, there is also firewood for sale.
Shade: Yes, for some stands.
Ground cover: Grass
Pets: No
Cost: R120 — R200 p/p/p/n depending on the season.
Contact: +27 (0)27 482 2403/4 | +27 (0)87 087 8250
Website: www.capenature.co.za/reserves/cederberg-wilderness-area
GPS: S32 22.453 E19 03.685
Activities: hiking, walking, mountain biking, bouldering, swimming, donkey cart adventures (see also www.cedheroute.co.za)
Note: No music, radio or TV is allowed on the premises.
Rondeberg Holiday Resort
Whether you’re into watersports, fun in the sun, or just lounging around reading, there’s something for everyone at the Rondeberg Holiday Resort. Hike and explore gorgeous rock art or get your adrenaline pumping on some water ski’s. Or how about some fishing or birding? You can even just enjoy the surrounds with a good book in hand while you let the worries of your everyday life slip away. Feel renewed again in the mountainous beauty of the Cederberg.
Number of stands: 30
Electricity: Yes, for all stands.
Ablution facilities: Yes, with a bath in the family bathroom.
Braai facilities: Yes, each stand has its own braai.
Shade: Yes, for some stands.
Ground cover: Grass
Pets: By prior arrangement with management only.
Cost: General camping: R170 — R350 p/p/p/n depending on the season. Luxury camping: R240 — R650 p/p/p/n depending on the season.
Contact: +27 (0)79 760 0247 | +27 (0)21 100 3689
Website: www.rondeberg.com
GPS: -32.001629, 18.779285
Activities: water skiing, boating, canoeing, fishing, birding, hiking
Kagga Kamma Nature Reserve – Swartrug Campsite and Bobbejaanskrans Campsite
Scenic, dramatic rock formations. A beautiful wilderness filled with heritage and memory. That is the Kagga Kamma Nature Reserve. And that is what you can expect from the Swartrug and Bobbejaanskrans campsites in the reserve. No electricity (but lovely warm water!) let you leave the worries of the city life (or just social media) behind and let you look up at the beauty of the setting sun and a sky filled with stars. Why not go and hike alone with your thoughts a bit? This reserve should be on your bucket list!
Number of stands: Swartrug: 5 stands, Bobbejaanskrans: 1 stand
Electricity: Neither Swartrug, nor Bobbejaanskrans has electricity.
Ablution facilities: Swartrug: Shared warm water ablutions. Bobbejaanskrans: None. Own water must also be supplied.
Braai facilities: Yes, both have facilities. Wood can also be purchased and collected at reception.
Shade: No
Ground cover: Sand mostly — remember your ground sheet!
Pets: No
Cost: Swartrug campsite: R135 — R194 (+ R68 per child aged 2-12) and R194 per vehicle per stay. Bobbejaanskrans campsite: R97 p/p/p/n, R49 per child aged 2-12, and R194 per vehicle per stay.
Contact: +27 (0)21 872 4343
Website: www.kaggakamma.co.za/camping.php
GPS: 32°44’49.68″S, 19°33’46.94″E (Kagga Kamma Reserve location)
Note: Bobbejaanskrans campsite is only accessible by 4×4.
Blinkwater Camping & Cottages
Only 10 km from Citrusdal, this little part of the Cederberg, is a little part of paradise. Thanks to electricity, taps at the stands and ablution facilities your stay at Blinkwater will relax you and recharge you. There is also a boma available for parties and other get togethers if you would like to visit Blinkwater Camping & Cottages as a larger group.
Number of stands: 14
Electricity: Yes
Ablution facilities: Yes, shared. Family bathrooms also available. Tap at stand.
Braai facilities: Yes, own braai.
Shade: Partly shaded
Ground cover: Grass and soil
Pets: By prior arrangement with management only.
Cost: From R400 per stand per night
Contact: +27 (0)22 921 2221
Website: www.safarinow.com/go/blink-water-camping-cottages
GPS: -32.63089, 19.09981
De Pakhuys
When life has you climbing out the walls it’s definitely time to breakaway. And what better place to pack off all your troubles than De Pakhuys? Well-known among rock climbing enthusiasts, it’s easy to see why the De Pakhuys bouldering area (with over 600 problems!) is such a bouldering magnet. If you feel like getting away, swimming in a farm lake, climbing some boulders, and being an all-round free spirit for a few days, head over to De Pakhuys and feel the healing power of the Cederberg’s natural beauty.
Number of stands: 11 and 3 “glamping cabins”
Electricity: In central, shared kitchen area.
Ablution facilities: Yes, shared. Hot water supplied by donkey system.
Braai facilities: Yes, each site has its own braai.
Shade: No
Ground cover: Sandy soil — remember your ground sheet!
Pets: No
Cost: R130 p/p/p/n, but R100 p/p/p/n for SA citizens (discount on arrival). Children younger than 12: R65 p/p/p/n.
Contact: +27 (0)83 604 1459 | +27 (0)82 738 5677
Website: www.depakhuys.com
GPS: 32°07’ 13.62” S 19°03’ 31.53” E
Activities: 4 km from Pass climbing areas. 100 m from farm lake which is wonderful to swim in. Campsites are within walking distance of the De Pakhuys bouldering area with its 600+ problems.
Have a look at some other Campsites in the Western Cape
Driehoek Guest Farm
A working farm situated among the mountains and rivers of the Cederberg also contains a campsite that is well worth a visit if you feel like escaping for a bit and just exploring the Cederberg landscape. There are many walking and hiking trails for you to explore and clear your head, waterfalls and clear pools where you can take a dip, and the kids will love the farm animals and pony rides. There are even beauty treatments available.
Number of stands: 10
Electricity: Yes, at stands.
Ablution facilities: Yes, shared. Hot water available.
Braai facilities: Yes, at each stand.
Shade: Yes, for some of the stands.
Ground cover: Grass
Pets: No
Cost: R355 — R530 per stand per night, depending on the number of people.
Contact: +27 (0)27 482 2828
Website: www.cederberg-accommodation.co.za
GPS: S 32º26’35” E 19º11’24”
Activities: Walking, hiking, pony rides (by appointment), swimming, beauty therapy, mountain biking, bird watching.
Camping Tips:
Camping in this area is mostly done during the warmer months as winters in the Cederberg can become severe. Do your homework before deciding to camp anywhere during the winter months.
Invest in some solar chargers before you leave for holiday. You’ll want to at least use your phone as a camera if you’re not a photographer. Of course being out of cell phone range is hardly a bad thing — you’ll have time for a digital detox!
Remember that some of the Cederberg campsites listed here are very particular about noise and noise polution — especially those inside the wilderness areas. If you are planning on lounging about watching Netflix at top volume, playing music or even ride around on motorbikes or quadbikes, make sure that noise are allowed in the campsite and surrounds (and at what times).
If you are going into protected areas of the Cederberg, make sure that you know whether or not you should take your own firewood or whether you need to buy firewood when you get to the campsite.
Wrapping up:
Once you have experienced the splendor of the Cederberg, you’ll definitely want to return again and again. These Cederberg campsites are just a taste of the gems you’ll find nestled in this rich landscape. One of the best kept secrets of the area is how affordable camping still is for locals! Because the Cederberg area is relatively close to Cape Town, you can even make a weekend out of visiting the ‘berg by leaving work a bit earlier than usual (just tell the boss you ‘forgot something in your car’ — we won’t say a word).
The Cederberg can also be a wonderful place to expose new campers to some more “almost off the grid” places without getting too far away from the comforts of home. By the end of the stay you’ll probably struggle to get them to pack up their gear, leave the mountains, and head back to the city lights!
Check out more Campsites in South Africa here
Have you stayed at any of these Cederberg Campsites Western Cape? If so or you have others we should mention, please comment below.
