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Simbavati Cederberg Ridge is a luxurious wilderness lodge offering delicious food, warm hospitality, and adventure. Enjoy panoramic views over the natural rugged beauty of the Cederberg Mountains and the range of excursions and activities we offer.
A stylish ‘away-from-it-all’ experience, yet it’s only a 2½ hour scenic drive from Cape Town or the Winelands.
Cederberg Ridge has the authentic ambience of a modern African Farmhouse. Inviting interiors with vaulted ceilings, wooden beams and natural textures give a light and airy feel. Large French windows open to a generous covered stoep and dining deck overlooking the garden and mountains beyond.
With 11 spacious rooms and suites, restaurant with a view, large swimming pool and indigenous gardens flowing into the veld, this luxury retreat offers space and style in the midst of wilderness.
These three luxurious, airy rooms (52sqm) have stunning views over the Cederberg. Each offers plenty of wood and natural textures. Cosy window seats invite you to relax with a good book, or simply contemplate the glorious mountain views. In summer, air-conditioning ensures a serene night’s sleep. In winter you can curl up with a glass of wine around the wood-burning fireplace.
Enjoy the beautiful free-standing bath with its expansive view. The indoor shower leads out to an outdoor shower with mountain views. In front is a charming stone terrace offering both sun and shade.
The three Superior suites are a little larger (64sqm) and enjoy the same décor and facilities as the Luxury suites. Extra touches are a large walk-through shower and larger decks,
The Superior Honeymoon Suite (67 sqm)has a separate sitting room and generous terrace. It’s ideal for those seeking a little more space. (Or we can add an extra bed there if you have a child or teenager with you.) It can also be combined with an adjacent Luxury suite to make a two-bedroom villa for families or friends. (It shares a covered foyer.)
The two Superior Pool suites have that extra level of privacy. They enjoy the same décor and The Superior Pool suites have that extra level of privacy. They enjoy the same décor and facilities as the Superior suites. But with an extended terrace which incorporates a sleep-out platform (with queen bed) and a small plunge pool, heated with a wood-burner in winter.
The sleep-out bed can be used as a daybed or as an after-dinner star-gazing bed. Or for the true romantics, there is nothing better than sleeping outside under the stars. (With the option to retreat indoors when-ever you wish.)
The plunge pool comes with a Kolkol wood-burner, so that you can use it as a hot tub in the cooler months (especially autumn and spring). And as a refreshing plunge pool in summer.
The two classic rooms are perfect for those who like to be close to the action. These elegant rooms (32 sqm) are in the main homestead. Each have a full en suite bathroom with bath, shower and double vanity.
The Classic View room opens onto the main stoep with views over the garden and towards the Mountains. It has an enclosed toilet.
The Classic Courtyard room is our entry-level room. Please note that it does not have a view of the mountains. It overlooks the quiet courtyard with views to the west. However this room is ideal for frail people with a walk-in shower with a ledge seat and a toilet in the bathroom.
These luxurious and airy suites (52sqm) have stunning views over the Cederberg. Each is decorated with a light touch with much use of wood and natural materials. Cozy window seats invite you to relax with a good book or simply contemplate the glorious mountain views. In summer air-conditioning ensures a delicious night’s sleep. In winter you can curl up with a glass of wine around a wood-burning stove. The luxurious bathrooms have Terrazzo floors with a freestanding bath that has large view windows. The indoor shower leads out to a second outdoor shower. There’s a separate toilet and dressing area. Outside is a charming stone terrace offering both sun and shade. Some have an additional wooden deck to enjoy alfresco sleep-outs. (Let us know if you may want a “sleep-out”). Each can accommodate one child under 12 years sharing with parents.FACILITIES: King-sized bed or twin beds, air-conditioning, seating area, minibar, desk, complimentary Wi-Fi, tea/coffee facilities, wood-burning stove, en suite bathroom with bath and shower, underfloor heating in bathroom, separate toilet and outside terrace.
3 Superior suites (64sqm) enjoy the same décor and facilities as the luxury suites. Extra touches are a generous walk-through shower and built-in day beds on the deck. Each can accommodate one child under 12 years sharing with parents. FACILITIES: King-sized bed or twin beds, air-conditioning, seating area, minibar, desk, complimentary Wi-Fi, tea/coffee facilities, wood-burning stove, en suite bathroom with bath and shower, underfloor heating in bathroom, separate toilet and outside terrace.
Our most luxurious rooms, the Superior Honeymoon Suite delivers an unforgettable experience.The Superior Honeymoon Suite is the largest in size with a separate sitting room and large terrace draped with a truly spectacular mountain outlookThe Superior Honeymoon Suite has a separate sitting room and large terrace, ideal for those seeking privacy and space. It can accommodate an extra two children under 12 years. It can also be combined with a luxury suite to make a two bedroom suite for families or friends. (The two suites share a covered entrance foyer). FACILITIES: King-sized bed or twin beds, air-conditioning, seating area, minibar, desk, complimentary Wi-Fi, tea/coffee facilities, wood-burning stove, en suite bathroom with bath and shower, underfloor heating in bathroom, separate toilet and outside terrace.
This homestead room is ideal for those who like to be close to the main lodge. This elegant en suite room has a well-appointed en suite bathroom with bath, shower and double vanity. The room offers spectacular views of the garden and the Cederberg mountain range. FACILITIES: Queen-sized bed, air-conditioning, minibar, desk, complimentary Wi-Fi, tea/coffee facilities, en suite bathroom with bath and shower, underfloor heating in bathroom and outside terrace.
With a stunning modern design, the Classic Courtyard Room is located in the main Lodge building, offering the convenience of proximity to lodge facilities.The room is frail or wheelchair friendly with plenty of space to maneuver, a ledge seat in the shower and additional handles near the toilet.The room offers a lovely view of our courtyard with no mountain views.FACILITIES: Queen-sized bed, air-conditioning, minibar, desk, complimentary Wi-Fi, tea/coffee facilities, en suite bathroom with bath and shower, underfloor heating in bathroom and outside terrace.
The 2 bedroom suite combines two luxury suites which share a central sitting room which has 2 sleeper couches. This is ideal for either families or friends travelling together as the en suite bedrooms are identical.They share a central sitting room which has a sleeper couch. The two-bedroom suite can sleep up to 4 adults and up to 3 extra kids (under 12).
Property Facilities
24-hour Security, Activity Desk, Bar, Battery Charging Facilities, Communal Dining, Disability Services, Eco Friendly, Internet Access (Complimentary), Laundry Service (Available), Library, Malaria Free, Meal on Request, Mobile Connectivity, Pool, Restaurant, Secure Parking, Spa
Room Facilities
Air Conditioning, Balcony / Deck, Bath, Complimentary Wi-Fi, Detached Private Bathroom, Disabled Rooms, Dressing Gowns, Electrical Outlets, En-Suite, Fireplace, Hair Dryer, Internet Access (Complimentary), Laundry Service (Available), Mini Bar, Outside Shower, Pure Cotton Linen, Safe, Satellite / Cable Television, Shower, Tea / Coffee, Television, Underfloor Heating, Verandah
Available Services
Airport Shuttle (Available), Credit Card Facilities, Room Service, Travel Desk
Activities on Site
Bird Watching, Fine Dining, Massages, Natural History Tours, Walks (Guided), Walks (Self Guided)
Activities Nearby
Beach, Bird Watching, Child Friendly Activities, Cultural Tours, Cycling, Fine Dining, Garden Tours, General Sightseeing, Historical Tours, Horse Riding, Mountain Biking, Museums, Natural History Tours, Walks (Guided), Walks (Self Guided), Wine Tasting
The Cederberg Mountains rise majestically above the vineyards and citrus groves of the Oliphants River valley. Most of the mountain range is part of the Cederberg Wilderness Reserve and remains one of the most pristine areas of South Africa. Ancient mountain trails, originally cast by woodcutters, take you past curious rock formations and pristine fynbos, such as the rare Snow Protea and Clanwilliam pincushion.
Apart from the occasional “boulderer”, (free-style rock climbers), it is rare to see other walkers in the northern Cederberg. You can join one of our guided walks, or you can walk independently. It is up to you!
Wish you could get to see more Stars and stare at them for hours? The Cederberg is star-gazing heaven. Our night skies are beautiful with little or no cloud cover year round. And very little light pollution. And yet we are a mere 2½ hours from Cape Town. (Yes Sutherland may have a slight edge. But we are much less of a drive!)
Cederberg is the only place in the world where the remarkably healthy Rooibos tea is grown. Rooibos (‘red bush’) is a major industry in the Cederberg. This region happens to be the only place in the world where rooibos, (actually not a tea, but a broom-like shrub) can be successfully grown. So this indigenous, healthy caffeine & tannin-free herbal tea is exported throughout the world to Europe, Japan and the USA.
We offer a fascinating Rooibos excursion to one of the local Rooibos farms. This happens approximately twice a week on a Tuesday and a Saturday. Here you can see how they grow and then process the earthy-tasting tea. Afterward you enjoy a tea-tasting.
Enjoy guided walking trails both right from the lodge or in the adjacent Cederberg Wilderness
Reserve. Trails range from an easy 45 minutes to a 3-4 hour hike. Why not try our very own
Spitzkop peak with its iconic views?
The Sevilla rock art trail is a collection of nine rock art sites about 30 minutes’ drive from Cederberg Ridge. The 5km walking trail consists of 9 different rock art sites and will take about 3 hours to complete, depending on how long you stay at each site, so it’s a 4+ hour trip in total.
Our guides introduce you not only to the life and culture of the San but also to the natural beauty of their homeland. Our guides are passionate and very knowledgeable about the history and culture of the San people.
Note that in summer we head out very early at 6.30am in the relative cool of the day, armed with some snacks to ward off hunger. Then we come back for a late breakfast/brunch.
Cederberg Ridge offers a semi-full day excursion into the High Cederberg (Stadsaal and Cederberg Cellars) every three days, which is highly recommended.
Enjoy the sights of the High Cederberg on a guided excursion to Stadsaal caves, rock at and wine-tasting at Cederberg Cellars.
Cederberg Ridge offers a semi-full day excursion into the West Coast for a delicious seafood lunch on the beach at Muisbosskerm. Generally we offer this excursion in the summer months when it’s enjoyable to escape the heat and head to the cooling sea breezes.
En-route we unique Bird Island with its vast array of gannets and cormorants.
Please note: Our guided excursions follow a set program so we cannot guarantee any particular excursion during your stay. This excursion is typically on a Sunday.
Most people prefer to enjoy a mountain bike ride independently. (Though you can ask for a guide if you prefer.) Our mountain bike trails also range from an easy track (less than an hour) to something more challenging for the more experienced.
The easier trails on the farm can be done independently. As with walking, we provide maps and signs to guide you.
The Clanwilliam dam provides a stunning setting for our sunset boat cruises. These come into their own in the hot summer months from November to February. With the mountain as your backdrop, soak up the fiery sky at dusk on our 1½ hour sundowner cruise. We offer this typically every other evening in the summer months.
We generally offer this tour from generally October to March when the water is nice for swimming off the back of the boat. But timing may be less frequent.
To pay homage to our unparalleled cultural heritage, we bring you traditional African massages. Indulge in a selection of Africa’s authentic and traditional massage techniques with our highly skilled therapists.
We offer a selection of treatments in our spa and adjoining relaxation room, which will relax and rejuvenate your mind, body and spirit. A massage is especially recommended after an adventurous hike in our mountains. But you really don’t need an excuse to treat yourself!
Dinning at Cederberg Ridge
We aim to provide a variety of dining experiences during your stay.
Meal times are as follows:
Breakfast is from 8:00-10:00
Lunch is not at a set time to accommodate arriving or departing guests. From 12:30 to 15:00
Dinner is from 19:30-21:30. We kindly ask that you are seated by 20:45.
Please advise us of any dietary requirements so that we can cater accordingly.
Please note that drinks are not included in our meal basis.
