Conservation in the Cederberg

A valley worth protecting.

Cedar tree removal was halted in 1967. The Cederberg Wilderness was proclaimed in 1973 and received World Heritage status in 2004 as part of the Cape Floristic Region.

The Cederberg Conservancy was established in 1997 as a voluntary agreement between landowners to manage the environment sustainably. The Mount Ceder website describes 22 properties and 182,000 hectares of protected land, forming a corridor for wildlife and a home for the rare Clanwilliam cedar.

The Cape Leopard Trust.

Launched in August 2004, the Cape Leopard Trust studies and protects predators and their habitats, works to reduce conflict between farmers and wildlife, and supports environmental education. Based at Matjiesrivier, the trust works with the Cederberg Conservancy and CapeNature.

Saving the sandfish.

The Grootrivier running through Mount Ceder is home to threatened sandfish. As migratory fish, they depend on healthy, connected rivers.

Mount Ceder works with the Freshwater Research Centre’s Saving Sandfish project to improve survival and river habitat. Juveniles are rescued and relocated to sanctuaries cleared of alien fish. Once large enough to withstand predation, they can be released back into the wild. The project also surveys remote rivers and tributaries.

A little care from every guest.

Enjoy the mountains, river and wildlife with care. Leave pets and drones at home, and buy treated firewood on-site rather than bringing wood that might carry invasive beetles into the valley.