When thinking of the Cape, several iconic images come to mind. This includes Table Mountain’s bold silhouette, the Cape Winelands’ fertile landscapes to the rugged cliffs of Cape Point. But beyond these well-trodden beacons lies a captivating Cape that begs to be explored, the Cape of contrasting terrains, where journeys through its landscape are as varied as crossing into different worlds.
Stretching from the Cederberg Mountains in the north-west through to Gqeberha in the east, the Cape Floristic Region is home to around 13,000 plant species (predominantly Fynbos), of which 70% are endemic, meaning they are found nowhere else in the world.
The best way to explore this magical kingdom is a road trip from Sedgefield’s Fynbos on Sea in the east to Cederberg Ridge in the north-west allows you to explore two vastly different but equally mesmerising windows into the Cape’s heritage and nature. Spanning nearly 600 kilometres, the route showcases a diverse array of stories, histories, and geographies.
Starting in style: Simbavati Fynbos on Sea, Sedgefield
The journey begins in Sedgefield along the Garden Route, renowned for its lush green landscapes, which many consider one of the most scenic drives in the world.
Fynbos on Sea is a destination in its own right. The lodge is an eco-paradise with breathtaking views of lagoons, beaches, mountains and, of course, the incredible fynbos wonderland.
It’s also a place of privacy and quiet, consisting of nine beautiful rooms and one self-contained cottage, making it the perfect peaceful getaway in which to enjoy nature in all its splendour.
Guests can even spot some game, as eland, zebra, bushbuck, and waterbuck, also call the 600-hectare reserve home.
What to explore: There are guided Fynbos walks and 4×4 drives on the reserve itself, kayak tours through the Swartvlei Wilderness wetland area, or a visit to the estate’s protea farm to experience how these remarkable flowers grow.
Those looking for more action can paraglide from the well-known Gerickes Point Lookout, before enjoying a relaxing sunset barge journey up the Hoogekraal and Karatara Rivers that flow into the Swartvlei Lagoon.
How to get there: travellers can fly into George Airport from Cape Town International or OR Tambo International airport and rent a car. Fynbos on Sea is a forty-five-minute scenic drive away.
Driving from Sedgefield to the Cederberg takes approximately six hours, although there are numerous landmark destinations to stop at along the way, including Mossel Bay, Agulhas National Park, Hermanus, and Cape Town.
Exploring the past, finding peace in the present: Simbavati Cederberg Ridge, Cederberg
The landscape transforms dramatically along the drive as the lush green of the east gives way to the rugged, sandstone peaks of the Cederberg Mountains.
Cederberg Ridge is a luxurious wilderness lodge with the ambience of a modern African Farmhouse. Vaulted ceilings, wooden beams and natural textures give its eleven rooms and suites a sense of days past, before opening up to a spacious deck overlooking the gardens as they flow into the veld.
The lodge is situated within a 3,000-hectare farm with the Cederberg Wilderness Reserve beyond. The natural landscape is rivalled only by the incredible stargazing at night in the clear skies above this unspoilt region.
What to explore: The Cederberg invites visitors to slow down and enjoy the view. That said, there is plenty for the more adventurous.
History buffs will appreciate the ancient rock art created by the Khoisan people who lived in the area for thousands of years, for which the Cederberg serves as an open-air museum. Paired with this are the unique (and highly photogenic) rock formations at the Stadsaal caves.
In recent years, rooibos tea has become an international phenomenon, but what many don’t know is that this special little shrub only grows in the Cederberg. Cederberg Ridge’s specially curated rooibos farm tour happens twice a week and is a definite must.
The area is also well known for its hiking and mountain biking trails.
How to get home: Cederberg Ridge is about 2 hours and 40 minutes (244km) from Cape Town International Airport which has routes to all national and several international airports.
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