Cederkloof Botanical Retreat

Cederkloof Botanical Retreat sits in the Olifants River Valley at the foot of the Cederberg Mountains, just off the R303 near Citrusdal. The property is made up of individual self-catering cottages and chalets, most built in a bachelor-style layout around 38 square meters, each with a king-size bed, fridge, air-con and TV.

What sets these units apart is the private veranda setup: each has its own wood-fired hot tub (or jacuzzi, in a couple of two-bedroom suites) looking out over the valley, plus both indoor and outdoor fireplaces. The two-bedroom chalets add a second en-suite king room, useful for families or two couples traveling together. For larger groups, there's a bigger Opstal option sleeping up to 10 across five bedrooms, with a shared pool, wood-fired pizza oven and full chef's kitchen — this space also gets booked out for weddings and events.

Trails lead out from the property for hiking and mountain biking, and the surrounding gorge and rugged terrain are part of the draw, along with resident birdlife. Pets are welcome. During load shedding, the retreat runs a generator from 6am to 10pm for standard bookings.

Booking direct through the Cederkloof website is said to get the best available rates, along with more direct help sorting out your stay. For venue hire of the Opstal for events, it's best to contact the office directly for details and availability.