Our 2025 Cederberg Spring 4×4 Tour has been planned to offer a complete experience of nature, relaxation, easy and technical driving and some of the best sights you will see in the Cederberg area.
The routes we have chosen are generally not difficult, and can be managed by any 4×4 vehicle with low range capability. The routes range from good tar to serviceable gravel roads as well as several two spoor track sections ranging from Grade 1 to Grade 3. (Please note that no pets are allowed)
Key Details
- Distance: 750 km.
- Drivers’ Briefing, VHF Radio Fitment & Welcoming Party: From 16.00 on Sunday, 14h September, 2025, at Val du Charron Wine Estate, Wellington.
- Start Wellington – 08h30: Monday, 15th September, 2025.
- Closing Function & Prize-giving: Cederberg Park, Kromrivier. from 18h00 Thursday, 19th September, 2025.
- End of Tour/Departure: 09h00 after breakfast – Friday, 19th September, 2025 via the Katbakkies Pass with a final rendezvous at the Tankwa Padstal for radio retrievals, refreshments and farewells.
All vehicles will be supplied with FM marine-quality two-way radios so we can all communicate. (This is included in the tour price)
Scroll down for Itinerary, Pricing Info & Cancellation Policy
Cederberg Spring Tour Itinerary
Day Zero – Sunday 14th September, 2025
Check in at the Val du Charron wine estate outside Wellington any time after 14.00. Radio fitments take place between 16.00 & 17.00 in the main parking area near reception. Meet & Greet welcome session, wine tasting and driver’s briefing at 18.00. Dinner at 19.00. Rest well as tomorrow will be a busy day.
Get to know your traveling companions over a glass of wine. We have arranged wine tasting during the Meet & Greet session.
Day 1 – Monday 15th September, 2025
Distance: 246 km / Gravel 60%
After a full breakfast and enough coffee to stir the heaviest sleepers, we bid the serried ranks of vineyards farewell as we drive to the start of the famous Bain’s Kloof Pass. This historical pass served the Cape Colony as the main route to the North for close to a hundred years. It was built by Andrew Geddes Bain in 1849 using around 250 convicts as labour. It was only superceded by the Du Toitskloof Pass (R101) in 1948.
Today there is a fresh layer of good quality tarmac on the pass, which makes this drive a real pleasure. We will pass interesting points of interest like Bain’s old tunnel, Gawie se Water, Bain’s Kloof Village, the old Kramat, Bell Rocks, Dacres Pulpit and Tweede Tol, after which we join the R43 in the direction of Ceres.
Next up is Michell’s Pass which was completely destroyed during the 1969 earthquake. Charles Michell, a British Military Officer, was a real go getter and had a bright engineering mind. He also had a penchant for young girls as he eloped with the 14 year old daughter of a French colonel, which no doubt resulted the Crown posting him to the “colonies”.
We pass through the town of Ceres and head up the Gydo Pass to the Koue Bokkeveld, where we will stop at Op die Berg to refuel for those that have fuel ranges lower than 500 km.
We head north towards Citrusdal on the R303 turning off at the Tandfontein farm and drive the narrow and tricky Piet Esterhuysen Pass down to Balie’s Gat, where we will take our lunch break in the enchanting and well-watered valley with the peculiar name.. We will arrange for fresh farm produce to be on sale. If the weather is warm, you can take a dip in the nearby rock pools in crystal clear mountain water.
After lunch we return to Op die Berg, but head east on good tar to the Houdenbek fruit farms. A short while later the tar comes to an end as we take the gravel road north via the Blinkberg and Grootrivierhoogte passes, which are two of the most enjoyable gravel passes loved by Cederberg affectionados.
Accommodation will be in chalets and luxury tented units. When you book you will be given the choice of preferred accommodation.
Luxury Self-Catering Chalets: consist of two double rooms each with en-suite bathroom. The sitting room and kitchen are shared. The chalets are modern and have all modern amenities, electricity and a fireplace as well as braai area.
Luxury Tents: These can be booked as one couple per unit. Even though these units have two bedrooms, you will have the entire unit to yourself. They have modern kitchens, indoor wood burner fireplaces, electricity, and top end furnishings.
The units will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Pricing between the two options is close. Pricing is listed as at 1 May, 2025.
- Luxury Chalets: R835 per person per night (4 guests)
- Luxury Tented Camp: R815 per person per night (2 guests)
You have the option of bringing your own food and preparing your meals at your unit or you can make use of the restaurant, which is within walking distance.
We will be based at Cederberg Park for four nights, which allows you to travel light each day without the need to repack your vehicle each day.
Day 2 – Tuesday 16th September, 2025
Distance: 35 km / 100% gravel
The second day of the tour is a much easier day. This is to prepare you for the third day, which is the BIG one.
After a country style breakfast, our convoy will head east on a two spoor track to Truitjieskraal to photograph, explore and climb the beautiful rock formations which are just a few kilometres from the farm.
Within a few kilometres we will get to the Stadsaal Caves – a natural citadel of weathered sandstone formed into connecting caves. It’s a place of wonder packed with interesting history. We will also visit a cave with bushmen paintings.
With all the exploring we will have worked up a thirst, so what better spot to visit in the area than the highest vineyards in South Africa (1000m +) where we will enjoy wine tasting at the modern and classy facilities at Cederberg Wines at the Dwarsrivier farm. Wines may be purchased whilst we are there.
We have a short drive back to our base via the Kromrivier Pass, to enjoy a quiet afternoon in the comfort of our lodgings.
Day 3 – Wednesday 17th September, 2025
Distance: 195 km / 95% gravel
We need to make an early start as this is by far the toughest day of the tour. We’ll arrange for an early breakfast for a prompt start at 0800.
Our route takes a slow and bumpy gravel road from Matjiesrivier heading north towards Wupperthal. The first sign of life is a lonely dwelling close to the road, where a local man lives a simple and peaceful life. The route is punctuated with extraordinary mountain scenery. You will see the well-known Cederberg Tafelberg with its spout and hundreds of other vistas bedecked in spring wildflowers.
Once we have driven slowly through the remote and isolated village of Eselbank, we will detour briefly to see the waterfall, then resume our journey over the rooibos plantations of these high mountain plateaux, descending via the Eselbank (Kerskop) Pass – a very steep pass that requires 100% concentration, but don’t worry the steepest parts have been concreted, so traction is good, even in wet weather.
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We will take a walk around the village of Wupperthal and tell you about the history, it’s people and the ferocious fired that decimated the village a few years ago.
We have two big gravel passes after Wupperthal – Kouberg Pass and Hoek se Berg Pass. Both are steep and partially concreted along the steeper parts. Along the way we will stop at the Biedouw valley where wildflower sightings are usually very good.
We will descend to Clanwilliam via Thomas Bain’s Pakhuis Pass (a modern well engineered tarred pass these days) for refuelling. Our route back will follow the northern shoreline of the blue waters of the Clanwilliam Dam, then over the Nieuwoudt’s Pass to Algeria; up the Uitkyk Pass and back to our base at Cederberg Park for wine tasting and dinner.
Day 4 – Thursday 18th September, 2025
Distance: 162 km / 90% Gravel
The Cederberg is famous for a number of things, but perhaps the biggest export is Rooibos Tea. Now an international registered trademark, Rooibos is only grown in this part of the Cederberg, where it flourishes in the dry, hot summers and cold, wet winters.
Some of our routes will be duplicated on this day, as it is the only way to reach the farm.
This is a much easier day, allowing for a more leisurely starting time. We will be travelling north-west to visit a real Rooibos farm. The Skimmelberg farm is located to the west of the N7. During the tour of the farm, you’ll be able to ask questions from our host as well as do a tasting.
We will experience first-hand the complexities of growing, harvesting and processing rooibos for the markets.
We will return back to Kromrivier from Skimmelberg via a different route and should be back at Cederberg Park by 16.00 in time for a shower, Chappies Hour and a final dinner.
Day 5 – Friday 19th September, 2025
Distance: 95 km / 95% Gravel
After a final breakfast we will get going at 08.30 and head south past Mount Cedar, then up the decidedly steep Katbakkies Pass, after which we will take a refreshment stop at the famous Tankwa Padstal. Radios will be collected and we will wish you a safe trip back to your destination.
Our routes are always bespoke and you will be guaranteed the trip of a lifetime, packed with facts, folklore, history and geology snippets – all of it done in a safe, responsible manner.
Tour price (excluding accommodation and meals):
1 Vehicle/1 Person R13,873
1 Vehicle/2 People R14,873
1 Vehicle/3 People R15,873
1 Vehicle/4 People R16,873
Tour price is calculated on number of adults (over 18) per vehicle.
Tour price includes expert guiding, VHF radio hire, Route notes, folders, stationery, name tags, use of recovery gear, compressors and first aid, but excludes accommodation & travel costs.
Accommodation & Other Costs for this tour
Accommodation, meals and ancillary costs are extra, which we will invoice out to you separately about 3 weeks before the tour.
- Approximately R1100 per person, per day (sharing) for accommodation. It includes breakfast and dinner on the first night. Single supplement applies.
- Pack your own ‘padkos’ for lunches, which we enjoy at whatever scenic spot takes our fancy along the route.
CANCELLATION POLICY
If you cancel more than 60 days ahead of the tour:
* If you are able to resell your place to a friend or family member = 100% refund or 100% credit voucher.
* If we resell your ticket on your behalf = 80% refund or 100% credit voucher
If you cancel between 60 and 30 days before the tour:
* If you are able to resell your place to a friend or family member = 100% refund or 100% credit voucher.
* If we resell your ticket on your behalf = 70% refund or 90% credit voucher
If you cancel less than 30 days before the tour:
* If you are able to resell your place to a friend or family member = 100% refund or 100% credit voucher.
* If we resell your ticket on your behalf = 60% refund or 80% credit voucher
* If neither of the above apply = 40% refund or 60% credit voucher
Accommodation & meal refunds:
Invoices are generally sent out between 4 and 6 weeks ahead of the tour start date.
* If you have already received your invoice, you are liable for it, subject to us interacting with the various venues to get you a refund. We pay the venues up front for your accommodation. Most of the establishments are reasonable and offer a full refund. Whatever we can negotiate will be credited to you in full.
Please get in touch with us directly with any questions you may have by email: info@mountainpassessouthafrica.co.za
