Olifants River Valley Destinations & Attractions
The Olifant's River sustains a magnificent landscape that is lush and fertile, providing the ideal backdrop to any experience of this Western Cape region. This river means life and sustenance to the community and their wildlife, and is revered as the source of life. The Olifant’s River Valley is breath-taking in its beauty, guaranteed to imprint its exquisite stamp on the minds and hearts of visitors so that they never forget the gorgeous vistas.
The valley hosts a number of little villages, hidden away from the "real world" of traffic jams and tall concrete buildings. Some of these established communities include Klawer, Strandfontein, Vredendal and Wuppertal. Some are perched along the Western Cape coastline, while others are secluded amongst the mountains. Wherever they are, the Olifant's River Valley towns and villages exude warm hospitality and old-fashioned charm.
The Cederberg is a popular spot for those that love camping, hiking and rock climbing. It looms over the citrus farming area of Citrusdal, and has inspired artists and authors by its unique beauty and mysterious air. The Cederberg is full of history. Cave paintings have been left behind to teach and remind us of the indigenous folk that once occupied the region. There are a number of camping grounds throughout, which provide stunning escapes for families. Other famous mountains that add so much intrigue to the local topography are the Swartberg and Koue Bokkeveld ranges.
Clanwilliam is one of the country's oldest towns, and is famous for the Rooibos tea and veldskoene (leather shoes) that it produces. In fact, Clanwilliam is considered to be the only place in the world in which Rooibos is cultivated. This tea is now being exported all over the world, and plays a major defining role in South African culture. Clanwilliam is also full of history, and its elegant architecture is testimony to this. The main road is flanked by art galleries, restaurants and boutique shops. During your time in Clanwilliam, be sure to sample some of its mutton or lamb, available fresh at the butcheries.
After heavy rains, the entire Olifant's Valley region bursts into a colourful rug of flowers, usually over August and September. The Cape Flower Route includes the areas of Lutzville, Vredendal, Vanrhynsdorp, Klawer and Clanwilliam, and showcases the splendour of these wild flowers to perfection.
Thanks to the natural abundance of the Olifant’s River Valley, a number of formal nature reserves and other natural areas have been established. Those that have a passion for the fauna and flora of South Africa should pay a visit to the Cederberg Wilderness Area, Beaverlac Nature Reserve, Bushmanskloof Wilderness, Matjiesrivier Nature Reserve, Pakhuis Conservancy, and Ramskop Nature Reserve.
