Destination Western Cape, South Africa

Cederberg Mountains

The wild and rugged beauty of the Cederberg Mountains, north of Cape Town, is the perfect escape from city life. The amazing rock formations and the varieties of vegetation – predominantly fynbos (fine bush) – make this area special. The jewel in the crown is the rock art, created by the Bushmen who once inhabited these mountains. Many of the works are thousands of years old.

Rock art

It is also an area where wine is cultivated. I visited the Cederberg Private Cellar which claims to have the “highest altitude vineyards in the Cape.” The wines are delicious and fruity. We tasted a great sauvignon blanc and chenin blanc. You can buy Cederberg Waitrose Foundation Chenin Blanc 2010 South Africa (£7.59) from waitrosewine.com. It’s delicious.

After two action-packed days in the Cederberg, I left Clanwilliam, one of the country’s oldest towns and my base in the Cederberg, for Franschhoek in the Cape Winelands. 

Franschhoek

With its Cape Dutch-style buildings, surrounded by mountains covered in lush green vineyards, the Franschhoek valley is a striking setting. The Huguenots escaping religious persecution in France came to Franschhoek (French Corner) in the late 1680s and began making wine here.

Being the gourmet capital of South Africa, Franschhoek is bursting with award-winning restaurants including Reuben’s and Monneaux Restaurant, at the Franschhoek Country House & Villas where I stayed.

Franschhoek’s village is tiny. Everything can be found on the main street which is awash with boutiques, antique shops and art galleries. At the end is the Huguenot Memorial Museum. Skip the museum, but take a look at the impressive Huguenot Monument.

Huguenot Memorial Museum

On the journey back to Cape Town, I stopped at the Waterford Estate in the Blaauwklippen Valley, Stellenbosch for a chocolate and wine pairing. Set against a backdrop of mountains, vineyards and citrus groves, this was a most enjoyable way to unwind and recharge the batteries. 

Waterford Estate

By Daralyn Danns

Getting there

South African Airways (www.flysaa.com)
Clanwilliam Lodge (www.clanwilliamlodge.co.za)

Franschhoek Country House & Villas (www.fch.co.za)

South African Tourism (www.southafrica.net)