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Published: January 15th 2017
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Cheeky camping holiday in the Cederberg? Oh go on then!!
The Cederberg is so close Im wondering why we hadn't gone before. Simba was packed full, we even had a roof bag on, were only going for 4 nights!!
We had booked a campsite at Algeria, part of Cape Nature. It was the best camp site choice we felt and yes we did go and visit the other sites.
We had a little dome tent, that hadnt seen the light of day for a good 5 years, apparently we were using it to see what sort of condition it was in! Well the fly sheet, the water proof part wouldn't have kept a mozzies wee off us and not only did we stand a good chance of getting wet should it rain but the zips on the door also didn't work!!
Each plot at Algeria has a braai place and in the majority of cases 2 picnic style benches. Absolutely all you need for a few days away from it all.
TIP - take your own toilet paper, they don't provide!!!
On our first night we settled in to a nice braai and planned our
days adventure. Our neighbours were supper nice and it turned out that they were headed to the Wolfberg cracks and we wanted to do the Wolfberg Arch the next day. The guide suggests an approx return trip time. To the Wolfberg Arch was approx 8 hours, the route we picked took us through the cracks, 2 places in 1 hit!!
So after a rather windy and chilly night spent on an airbed (take insolation) we woke early and popped the kettle on to make our tea. Lunch had been made the night before, too organised and that was it. Once we had got dressed we headed off.
Its about a 30 minute drive once you have got your permit, we were at the bottom of the cracks and preparing for our climb. There really isn't a warm up, no slow and steady climb here, you go straight in and up!! Any excuse for a strategic photo stop as you ascend to the base of the cracks.
We had brief conversations with fellow walkers on route, and fortunately a gentleman pointed us in the best direction for a quicker route and the easier crack!
Easy!! its like
boulder hopping and not only that but you also have to squeeze through or slide down and in between rocks. We did have a carrot to make the walk go quicker, once we reached the top of the cracks we could stop for some light refreshments!! nuts and raisins, jelly sweets, not alot but boy was nice!
Once you get to the top there are some signs points you in the vague direction you need to be heading. For the next few hours we were walking along the top on a plateau. Lots of wild flowers and amazing views, it was a little windy but the sun was out so a pleasant walk. There are places where the markers pointing you in the right direction are a little bit missing but you get there in the end.
The view and shear scale of the arch is worth the walk, it is a little windy once you get there so find yourself a nice cozy sheltered spot and enjoy a drink and a snack while taking in the view.
We were back and enjoy a cold beer next to the river, our neighbours couldn't believe how quickly we
had been up the cracks and back!!!
Our nights activities included opening a nice bottle of wine, making dinner and deciding which walk to complete the next day.
We had decided that we would have a more relaxed day so we took a drive around the area ending up at Cederbrew brewery. Such a lovely setting and the beers went down a treat. Cederbrew also serve food so we opted for an amazing burger just what was needed to fuel our walk Lots Wife.
This is a great flat walk with lots of geological points of interest, there are greats rock formations to walk around and through and discover fossils in.
When we got back to camp we decided that Lots Wife had been a short walk and maybe we could walk to the waterfall at the back of camp. Again this is a walk well worth the effort, some times you do think you are never going to get there but eventually you do.
We sat a while and enjoyed a beer we had carried up there. On our return we chose to take a different path leading back to the camp, always nice
to explore.
On our final full day in the Cederberg we had decided to walk to the Maltese cross. On the maps it says it should take you around 1hr 30mins from the car park to the cross. It is a beautiful walk with lots of wonderful views to take in. However after 3 full days of walking, at speed, we did find some of climbs quite hard but the vistas made it worth while.
Once we got to the cross we found ourselves a nice spot to sit and relax and enjoy our lunch, one of may even have managed a quick power nap!!
On our return to the car we decided to treat ourselves to a wine tasting at Cederberg winery, well when in Rome!!! We had already drank cederberg so knew we were in for a treat. The staff were great and we took a couple of bottles back to enjoy by the fire that night.
On our final day after packing Simba up we headed off but had decided to use the old postal road. Such a lovely way to leave the area. We came across 2 fighting tortoises in the middle
of the road. We stopped as we didn't want them to come to harm, they were completely oblivious to us being there, I tried to get some photos but every time I got into a good position they would move!!!
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