CEDERBERG
TRAVEL GUIDE & INFORMATION - SWARTLAND, WESTERN CAPE, SOUTH AFRICA
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Clanwilliam
Travel Guide - Cederberg Mountains
The
Honeybush Miracle by Janet Holmes
Clanwilliam
Travel Guide - Cederberg Mountains:
Nestled at the foot of the
northern end of the Cederberg Mountains, Clanwilliam is a small town with
loads to do just on its outskirts. Heading north, the Pakhuis Pass leads
to an area of immense physical beauty, with spectacularly rugged rock formations,
gurgling streams, tumbling waterfalls and some of the best and most easily
accessible rock art in the country. |
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Map of the Cederberg
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Clanwilliam, between the West
Coast and the Cederberg, is right in the middle of the flower belt so it’s
a place of pilgrimage for locals and tourists alike in spring.
The
Clanwilliam Flower Festival is held every August, and the small but pretty
Ramskop Wildflower Garden showcases the enormous range and sheer volume
of the flowering plants found in the area. In the nearby mountains there
are fabulous hikes and a great horse trail, both of which offer lovely
scenery, rock art, pretty flowers and wonderful streams in which to play.
The nearby Doring River offers great white water rafting in winter – if
it feels like it. We blame global warming, George W. Bush, non-alliance
with the Kyoto accord, damming by upstream farmers, the Illuminati, the
Catholic Church, Muslim fundamentalists and pure bad luck, but this once
dependable river has not been regularly runnable over the last few years.
So it’s a bit of a gamble, but it’s worth doing a trip if you happen to
be around when the river’s playing ball.
Clanwilliam is situated on
the banks of the Olifants River and the sizeable Clanwilliam Dam, which
is a favourite waterskiing, fishing and general water sports venue. The
surrounding hills are covered in rooibos tea plantations and orange groves,
which waft the sweet perfume of their blossoms over the valley in spring.
The rooibos tea factory,
which is a great place to tour, offers a range of rooibos products for
sale. As well as the obvious tea in various guises, there is a liqueur
and a range of cosmetics that takes advantage of the anti-oxidising health
benefits of this multi-purpose indigenous crop. |
Cederberg
Information:
The Honeybush Miracle
by Janet Holmes
Perhaps
a little eclipsed by the world-wide success of Rooibos, another natural
South African health tea, Honeybush; is finally getting the attention it
deserves. Honeybush tea (botanical name: Cyclopia intermedia) grows along
mountain slopes in the Cedarberg and Langkloof area, and has a naturally
sweet, almost honey-like taste. Its brewing colour is a pinky red. South
Africa produces only 200 tons of Honeybush tea per year. Not much when
compared to the annual Rooibos tea crop of around 4000 tons. This lesser
known tea has, however, apparently plenty to offer. Just like the ever
popular Rooibos tea, the tannin content of Honeybush tea is very low; and
also contains no caffeine at all. Good news for would-be slimmers is that
this inexpensive and readily available tea is reported to stave off hunger
pangs and reduce water retention. Scientific analysis of your typical cup
of Honeybush reveals an impressive range of minerals needed for good health;
such as Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium, Calcium, Magnesium, Sodium, Zinc,
Manganese, Iron, Aluminium, and Boron. Honeybush apparently also contains
anti-oxidants; those free-radical fighters which slow the ageing process
of the body's cells.
Recent scientific studies
on Honeybush are not extensive enough to make any far- reaching medical
claims; however, Honeybush tea is believed to have anti-carcinogenic (cancer-fighting),
anti-fungal, antispasmodic and anti-depressant properties. Not a bad track
record for an unassuming little bush growing wild in mountains and valleys
of the Western and Southern Cape ! Honeybush tea is brewed for the perfect
cuppa as you would any other tea; although you're advised to let Honeybush
infuse a little longer than usual. Honeybush ( like Rooibos ) actually
improves in flavour the longer you allow it to brew. Honeybush may also
be brewed on the stove in teapot and left to simmer without becoming bitter.
Strong Honeybush tea is also useful as a base for sauces and marinades;
and enhances natural flavours when added to any vegetable stew or casserole.
Several health-promoting properties have been associated with drinking
Rooibos tea and to a lesser extent Honeybush tea, e.g. as treatment for
colic infants, as aid for allergies and various sleep and digestive disorders.
Research shows it may alleviate menopausal symptoms in women, prevent cancerous
tumours, repair sun damage, aid digestion, even stimulate milk production
in nursing mothers. Scientists have shown that cancer development is a
multi-step process, and that damage to human genetic material (DNA) is
likely to be a major cause of cancer; as well as other chronic diseases.
Both Rooibos and Honeybush teas have been shown (in studies done at PROMEC
Unit of MRC South Africa) to prevent DNA damage. The teas showed protective
effects against detoxifying enzymes. It's time for Honeybush tea to get
it's fair share of the limelight; and with so many health conscious tea
lovers adding it their shopping lists; it's all set to go!
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About the Author - The author
of the article, Janet Holmes has been involved in the health and cosmetics
industry for many years.She is now the director of SA Tea. Her objective
is to inform the general public of the properties and benefits of South
African herbal teas for healthier living www.sa-tea.com |
CEDERBERG
BED & BREAKFASTS & GUESTHOUSES
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Dunn's
Castle Guesthouse & Conference Centre, Piketberg, CEDERBERG
Victorian Style Guesthouse
in the Heart of The Cape Province with Conference and Audio Visual Facilities.
Nestled in the heart of the Swartland at the edge of the unique mountain
range that stands as an island lies Piketberg, home to Dunn’s Castle, designed
by Herbert Baker for George Dunn. Piketburg is about an hour’s drive from
Cape Town and a ½ hour’s drive from the West Coast. It stands alone
in the middle of undulating fields of wheat, green vineyards and flowering
canola. Dunn’s Castle was build in the late 1890’s and offers cosy rooms
with Victorian finishes. Each room is complete with country décor
and a fireplace. Three with double beds and two with twin beds. At present
we can accommodate 54 guests on a Bed & Breakfast or Dinner, Bed &
Breakfast basis. Nineteen self catering cottages with secure parking have
recently been added. |
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Ndedema
Guest House, Clanwilliam, CEDERBERG
Ndedema Guest House is a
stylish Victorian House situated at the end of historic Park Street. It
was named after the Khoi-san word "Ndedema", the name of the most superior
and holy antelope in their nature kingdom, which represents physical and
spiritual superiority. With this name we honor the spirit of this majestic
animal and we shall strive to offer service and quality of such excellence.
Ndedema Lodge captures the romance of a long-gone era with attention to
detail and elegance. An English or continental breakfast is served in the
elegant lounge or on the vine-covered veranda overlooking the garden. The
lounge area with its historic bar is the perfect place to enjoy a sherry
or cocktail. Ndedema Lodge has 4 individually decorated en-suite
bedrooms, two with large Victorian baths. |
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accommodation in Cederberg
CEDERBERG
HOTEL ACCOMMODATION
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Bartholomeus
Klip Farmhouse, Hotel, Riebeeck Kasteel, CEDERBERG
Bartholomeus Klip is unique.
There are only five bedrooms in this small hotel, the original homestead
on a large private estate which is both a working wheat and sheep farm
and a nature reserve with a spectacular mountain backdrop. Here, in this
unexplored region only an hour by car from Cape Town's international airport,
you can feel part of the peaceful life of rural South Africa and its clean
crisp air and star-filled night skies. Comfort is the keynote in
the bedrooms: specially made pure cotton bedding, luxurious toiletries,
towelling gowns. No TVs to spoil the country feeling (although there are
two in the main rooms for essential viewing). Wild Olive House and
its adjoining cottage, separately sited from the main Farmhouse, provide
a self- catering option where children are welcome. |
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HIGHLY
RECOMMENDED BY OUR TRAVEL PARTNER:
Bushmans
Kloof Wilderness Reserve & Wellness Retreat, CLANWILLIAM
Bushmans Kloof Wilderness
Reserve and Wellness Retreat is located at the foothills of the Cederberg
Mountains. It features a spa and wellness centre, heated outdoor swimming
pool and lush garden. Free WiFi is available. The elegantly decorated,
air-conditioned rooms are equipped with a seating area. Each room includes
under-floor heating and tea-and-coffee-making facilities. The en-suite
bathroom has a bath, shower and bathrobe. Bushmans Kloof serves breakfast
daily and offers Cape Contemporary Cuisine and fresh organic products from
the garden. The Wine Cellar boasts a variety of South African wines and
guests can relax and enjoy a glass of wine in the bar. The spa offers a
selection of signature massages and beauty treatments. |
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accommodation in Cederberg
CEDERBERG
SELF-CATERING ACCOMMODATION
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Bartholomeus
Klip Farmhouse, Riebeeck Kasteel, CEDERBERG
Small hotel, the original
homestead on a large private estate which is both a working wheat and sheep
farm and a nature reserve with a spectacular mountain backdrop. Here, in
this unexplored region only an hour by car from Cape Town's international
airport, you can feel part of the peaceful life of rural South Africa and
its clean crisp air and star-filled night skies. Wild
Olive House and its adjoining cottage, separately sited from the main Farmhouse,
provide a self-catering option where children are welcome. The Cottage
has a bedroom, bathroom and small sitting room, with mini-fridge and facilities
for making tea or coffee. You can watch the setting sun turn the mountains
pink from your own private deck. |
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Dunns
Castle, Guest House/Self-Catering, Piketberg, CEDERBERG
Victorian Style Guesthouse
in the Heart of The Cape Province with Conference and Audio Visual Facilities.
Nestled in the heart of the Swartland at the edge of the unique mountain
range that stands as an island lies Piketberg, home to Dunn’s Castle, designed
by Herbert Baker for George Dunn. Piketburg is about an hour’s drive from
Cape Town and a ½ hour’s drive from the West Coast. It stands alone
in the middle of undulating fields of wheat, green vineyards and flowering
canola. Nineteen self catering cottages with secure parking have recently
been added. The Castle offers a peaceful retreat from the busy lifestyle
we all experience. Enjoy a refreshing drink on the patio and gaze out on
the amazing view of the entire Swartland. |
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