Situated in the West Coast region, Cedarberg Wilderness Area, Western Cape, South Africa lies some 200km (124 miles) north of Cape Town. The nearest town, Clanwilliam, is situated 30km (18 miles) away. This vast expanse stretches from the Middelberg Pass at Citrusdal to north of the Pakhuis Pass at Clanwilliam, encompassing some 71 000 hectares of rugged, mountainous terrain.

This nature reserve in South Africa has diverse and largely unspoilt plant habitats, which provide shelter and hunting grounds for various fauna, such as Leopard and Black eagle. The Cederberg Mountains form part of the Cape folded mountain series and consist mainly of Table Mountain sandstone. Weathered sandstone formations, most notably the Wolfberg Arch and the Maltese Cross are characteristic for the Cederberg.

Winters in the Cederberg are cold and wet, while summers are warm and dry. Most rain in this South African nature reserve falls between May and September, and it often snows in the higher parts. In the winter, night temperatures drop sharply and heavy frost may occur. In summer, temperatures at this nature reserve in South Africa may reach as high as 40°C.

The Cederberg Wilderness Area, Western Cape, South Africa is divided into utilisation zones, which helps to maintain the pristine atmosphere and limit the impact of visitors. There are three blocks of about 24 000 hectares each and numbers are limited to 50 people per block per day.

Directions to Cederberg Wilderness Area, Western Cape, South Africa:

Take the N7 highway north from Citrusdal and turn right at the Cederberg / Algeria sign. Then cross the Nieuwoudt Pass, before reaching Algeria, where the required permits are issued. The nearest town is Clanwilliam about 30km (19 miles) away.

The bridge crossing the Olifants River at Kriedouwkrans, between Citrusdal and Clanwilliam, is sometimes flooded during winter. Alternative routes to Algeria via Citrusdal and Clanwilliam are available and enquiries should be made before departure.