Travellers Rest (Vol 3 of 5)

We grabbed our mountain bikes and cycled up the jeep track to explore our new surroundings.   With great excitement and peddling through the field in search for flowers, we were suddenly approached by one of the farm vehicles.  It was the farmer himself, who requested that we rather cycle a different route, as they were about to hunt an eland.  

This came as a huge surprise, especially since we spent most of the day discussing the eland and its importance and symbolism to the San People a few thousand years ago.

Instead we headed back down the hill and admired the setting sun over this beautiful rocky landscape and appreciated the silence that it offered.

Where is Travelers Rest?

Travelers Rest is such an appropriate name for this oasis in the heart of the Northern Cederberg, 34 km north of the Clan William via the breathtaking Pakhuis pass. 

Top 4 Rock Art Destinations in Southern Africa

This is a unique location to view some of the finest San Rock Art paintings in the Cederberg, and being one of the top 4 destinations in Southern Africa for ancient rock art.

Twenty Four Fully equipped Self-catering Cottages

9 Years Ago

We first visited this area 9 years ago as an opportunity to see the spring flowers and enjoy the natural heritage.  It is nice to see how Travelers Rest has developed into a well established and now world renowned rock bouldering destination.

Over the years, we were pleasantly surprised to learn that the area, known as Rocklands is one of the best locations for bouldering.  During our visit we were joined by a full house of international visitors for the sport bouldering in the area.

Many international sportsmen and woman flock here are during the bouldering season (which is from  July to October every year).

The Cederberg has always been admired for it’s clear open skies to enjoy stargazing and photography.  This venue lives up to this reputation and we experienced two wonderful nights of some of the best star gazing.

Nine Rock Art Sites (plus one)

The Sevilla Rock Art trail offers a unique experience to visit nine rock art sites.  Here you can also find a tenth site, but because of the river which needs to be crossed, it has been excluded from the route.  To get to the tenth site, one has to either cross the Brandewyn river and trek about 1 kilometer further, or you can drive on the Sevilla Cottage Drive to the location. 

San Rock Art Location: Salmaanslaagte

Sevilla has a second San rock art location at Salmaanslaagte, but this can only be visited if one is accompanied by a certified guide.  There are other sites on the farm, but these are all off limits to the public.

The Travelers Rest Restaurant offers a superb menu for the hungry hiker, sporting enthusiast and explorer.  The local cafe also offers everything you might have forgotten or run out of.

We would love to know where this river got it’s name from, and if you know, please send us an email, because it surely makes for an interesting story to be told!