OLIFANTS RIVER VALLEY, Western Cape (original) (raw)

The Olifant's River meanders through the valley bringing life to the surrounding area. Without the water this beautiful world of green, the heavy fragrance of the citrus groves that greet you as you drive along, the proud farming community with the renowned Groen Vallei wines would cease to exist.

There are many beautiful villages hidden away, that offer warm hospitality to visitors. You can travel around the region for days and days and never get bored.

Did you know? The Cederberg area lies some 200km north west of Cape Town, and consists of the mountains from which the area takes its name, the wilderness it hides, and several small towns.

The majestic Cederberg mountain range towers over Citrusdal; the hub of the citrus growing industry in South Africa. Only two hours drive from Cape Town, this town seems worlds apart with its old-world charm and values.

Citrusdal is unique in that it is surrounded by mountains; the Koue Bokkeveld, Swartberg and Cederberg form a ring around the town with its far stretching orchards that become a wonder world when the orange trees are heavily laden with ripe oranges (also see Cederberg Attractions).

Driving along the farm roads in the Olifants River Valley at this time of year is a surreal experience, no matter where you look, you are surrounded by the heavy smell and the bright orange that make the trees look like they are hung with Christmas decorations.

The valley produces high-quality honey, rooibos tea and excellent wines, but the oranges are the real treat. By the time you get to your destination at the Hot Springs Resort you are enchanted and ready to forget about work, stress and city life.

Find accommodation in the Olifants River Valley

South Africa Accommodation / Western Cape Accommodation / Cape Town Accommodation / Olifants River Valley Accommodation

Hotel

Kagga Kamma Nature Reserve

Kagga Kamma Nature Reserve is located in an untouched wilderness area near Ceres, renowned for its scenic beauty and dramatic rock formations typ...

Self Catering

Klipbokkop House

Klipbokkop House at Mount Ceder offers Cederberg accommodation with a magnificent 360 degree view of the surrounding landscape. Mount Ceder lies ...

Self Catering

Blinkberg House

Blinkberg House offers Cederberg accommodation nestled on the slopes of Tuinskloof ridge at Mount Ceder. Mount Ceder which lies within easy reach...

Self Catering

Puntjie House

Puntjie House is situated at the end of the Tuinskloof ridge and offers Cederberg accommodation at Mount Ceder. It is a great wilderness area wit...

Self Catering

Taaibos House

Taaibos House sits next to the Groot River, enjoying a view over the river. Enjoy Cederberg accommodation at Mount Ceder, a great wilderness area...

Self Catering

Waboomhoek House

Waboomhoek offers Cederberg accommodation at Mount Ceder in a unique location close to large pools in the perennial Groot River. Mount Ceder lies...

Self Catering

Kareeboom House

Kareeboom House offers Cederberg Accommodation at Mount Ceder and is located at the foot of the surrounding mountains. Nestled in a valley of the...

Bed & Breakfast / Self Catering

Melkboomsdrift Guest House

On the banks of the Olifants River Valley lies Melkboomsdrift Lodge, situated on a wine farm only 20 min from the West Coast. En-suite and self-c...

Guest House / Self Catering

Mount Ceder Lodge

Mount Ceder is situated in a valley surrounded by mountains on the farm Grootrivier, next to the main route through the Cedarberg, approximately ...

Destinations in the Olifants River Valley Region

Cederberg

Overnight? Cederberg accommodation
The Cederberg Wilderness Area lies some 200 km north of Cape Town. This vast area stretches from the Middelberg Pass at Citrusdal to north of the Pakhuis Pass at Clanwilliam, encompassing some 71 000 ha of rugged, mountainous terrain. The Cederberg was pr...

Graafwater

Halfway between Clanwilliam and Lamberts Bay, and 300 km from Cape Town, lies the little town of Graafwater. It lies in the northerly reaches of the Sandveld � a huge, sparsely populated area sandwiched between the West Coast and the Swartland, and adj...

Klawer

Overnight? Klawer accommodation
After passing Clanwilliam on the N7 the landscape begins to change. One leaves the beauty of the Cederberg for another beauty entirely. Now the Olifants River, of which one becomes aware near Clanwilliam as it feeds the dam and the orange groves there, wi...

Strandfontein

Overnight? Strandfontein accommodation
Strandfontein is a small sea side village situated at the mouth of the Olifants River. Strandfontein ('beach fountain') has evolved from being an small rural beach resort to a bustling tourist hub, especially during the wild flower season (late July to Se...

Vanrhynsdorp

Overnight? Vanrhynsdorp accommodation
Vanrhynsdorp is situated in the folds of the towering Matzikamma and Gifberg Mountains on the N7, 300 km north of Cape Town, en route to Namibia. Vanrhynsdorp is in administrative terms part of the Western Cape Province, but geographically, Vanrhynsdo...

Vredendal

Overnight? Vredendal accommodation
As its name intended, the little town of Vredendal, which borders on the southern tip of the Namaqualand region, is named after a peace settlement that brought harmony between two sparring parties. Part of the original Vreedensdal farm, which dates ba...