Matjiesrivier Nature Reserve: Truitjieskraal has been closed until further notice!

CapeNature, the public institution with the responsibility for biodiversity conservation in South Africa's Western Cape, has announced that Truitjieskraal in the Matjiesrivier Nature Reserve has been closed until further notice due to the access road being damaged by heavy rain and hail.
Truitjieskraal boasts some of the most impressive of sandstone formations in the Greater Cederberg region with rock art dating back to 5000 years ago. The site is located on an old route from the farms in the east to those in the Breekkrans River valley in the west. Stock farmers used it until the mid-twentieth century to move their sheep and goats from winter to summer grazing areas. Truitjieskraal is also a popular rock climbing venue with a range of grades from easy to difficult on vertical to overhanging rock.
Matjiesrivier Nature Reserve is located on the eastern edge of the Cederberg Mountains, about three to four hours from Cape Town and 35 kilometres beyond Algeria. The 12 800ha reserve lies in a transitional zone where fynbos and lowland succulent Karoo vegetation overlap.

Bouldering in South Africa's Rocklands

South Africa's Rocklands, located about 200km north of Cape Town, is a world-known spot for world class bouldering and sport climbing. The area offers a large variety of quality climbing of all grades in both bouldering and sport climbing in a rather small area, so that you don't have to do a lot of walking or even hiking to get to the different boulder locations.
As most of the Rocklands is situated on CapeNature land, day permits (or a Wildcard) must be obtained. Bouldering areas that fall on CapeNature land include Fortress, Otherside, Campside, Champside, Riverside, Taaiboshkraal, Roadcrew and Roadside. The Clanwilliam Tourism Office issues daily permits for access to all CapeNature land. 



The nearest town to the Rocklands is Clanwilliam, where you can find a number of different accommodation establishments, as well as supermarkets and restaurants. Clanwilliam is about 20km from the Rocklands.

Video: Waypoint Namibia - Rock climbing in Namibia

In May 2009, a small team of rock climbers departed for Namibia with two goals: to find a way up an unexplored face, and to find a way into a deeper understanding of southern Africa. At the heart of their trip lies the question, can adventure and culture combine to create understanding?


Waypoint Namibia Short from Majka Burhardt on Vimeo.

This is the 8min short film; it is a preview of a longer film that is available for screenings. Pls see the vimeo page for contact details.

View Spitzkoppe & Brandberg in a larger map

Namibia country guide >>

accommodation in Namibia >>