 HOMEPAGE | MAPS & INFORMATION | ROUTES | TOWNS | EVENTS | LINKS | | | | | | CLANWILLIAM, CITRUSDAL, LAMBERT'S BAY & OTHER TOWNS | | Nestled at the foot of the Cederberg mountains, Clanwilliam is a picturesque town of white Cape Dutch homesteads. One of the oldest towns in the country, it is rich in settler history and its central location offers a variety of attractions to satisfy nature-lovers, adventurers, flower-viewers and watersports enthusiasts alike. The town is at the heart of Rooibos country and is surrounded by picturesque vineyards, fragrant orange orchards and wild flowers in spring. From here you can view the many superb examples of Bushman rock art, walk or hike in the Cederberg mountains, enjoy horseriding and Ramskop wild flower garden or explore the flower routes. The Clanwilliam Dam is renowned as the best in the Western Cape for water skiing and is popular with anglers. | |
| Citrusdal is known as the gateway to the Cederberg and the spring flower splendour of Namaqualand. It nestles between fragrant citrus orchards, fynbos-clad hills and majestic mountains. The lifeblood of the valley, which sustains the citrus industry and the bustling town, is the beautiful Olifants river. For accommodation and restaurants visitors are spoilt for choice with a large variety of self-catering farm cottages, resorts, B&Bs and hotels. During winter months the valley is a hive of activity as the citrus harvest (80 000 tonnes) is gathered and packed at Goede Hoop, where visitors can view one of the biggest packing facilities in the country. Citrusdal is an excellent centre for visitors seeking the outdoor pursuits of mountain biking, skydiving, hiking trails, swimming, and 4x4 drives. | |
| Does your heart long for unspoilt beaches of soft sand, enjoying spectacular sunsets whilst fishing vessels gently make their way into the harbour close by? Or perhaps your ideal getaway means ADVENTURE with quad bikes, 4x4 dune expeditions, surfing, sand boarding or watersports? Whatever your idea of the perfect holiday, Lamberts Bay, a quaint fishing village and holiday resort, provides for your every need. | | Lamberts Bay provides some of the best birdwatching (see Birds Island) in the Western Cape and is also famous for its crayfish season (Nov to April). Whales are sighted in season and the nearby sand dunes offer quad biking or 4x4 trails for the ultimate adrenalin rush! Historical monuments offer a place to wonder. |
| 75km from Clanwilliam, in the remote TraTra valley, lies the picturesque Moravian (Rhenish) Mission Station of Wupperthal. Activities centre around the 'velskoene' (shoe) factory, rooibos tea farming and the Mission Station itself, which was founded by the grandfather of the Afrikaans poet, Louis Leipoldt. Farmers still reap with a sickle and donkeys thresh the grain. Wupperthal also offers much for the active visitor with hiking trails, mountain bike trails, 4x4 routes all on offer. The approach road is suitable for ordinary cars, but challenging after heavy rains. A place rich in culture, history and hospitality. | Wupperthal Tourism Bureau
Church Square, Wupperthal, 8138
Tel/Fax: 027 - 492 3410
Website: www.wupperthal.co.za |
| LEIPOLDTVILLE AND GRAAFWATER | | The peaceful Sandveld towns of Graafwater and Leipoldtville lie between the Cederberg mountains and the coast surrounded by potato and rooibos tea farms. In springtime the Sandveld comes alive with wild flowers. North of Graafwater lies the historical Heerenlogement cave and Bergfontein. This was a popular resting place for cattle traders, hunters, soldiers and others travellers heading north between 1665 and 1682. Oloff Bergh was the first white person who called at the famous cave and fountain in November 1682. Simon van der Stel carved his name in the Heerenlogement cave on his journey to Namaqualand in 1685 and again on the 29th October 1712. | | For tourist information: Contact Lamberts Bay Tourism Bureau (027 432 1000) |
| The little resort town of Elands Bay is world famous for its wonderful surfing opportunities so it's popular with the young and adventure-seeking visitor. (There's a beautiful campsite on the beach.) It's also known for its exquisite seafood and crayfish in season. Verlorenvlei, meaning "lost marsh", is a beautiful wetland and important birding area inland from Elands Bay. There are numerous good birding sites from roads alongside the vlei. Notable species include Purple Gallinule, Eastern White Pelican, African Spoonbill, Cape Shoveller, African Fish Eagle, Goliath & purple Herons and European bee-eater, which breed in this area. The Bobbejaan Mountains have produced valuable archaeological finds and superb examples of rock art at Elands cave. | For tourist information: Contact Hotel Eland (022 972 1640)
or Lamberts Bay Tourism Bureau (027 432 1000) |
| Elandskloof lies 13km south east from Citrusdal, in a secluded valley. The people of Elandskloof are descendants of the Khoi people who originally lived here as stockfarmers. In 1881 a mission station was established. However, when the church sold this land, the villagers were scattered over the Cape. After the new land reform act, the people of Elandskloof successfully applied for their land to be returned to them and slowly the children and grandchildren of Elandskloof are coming back to their heritage. Visitors are welcome to join their Sunday morning service. | | For tourist information: Contact Citrusdal Tourism Bureau (022 921 3210) |
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