Clanwilliam & West Coast are inextricably intertwined - although the town is inland, Lamberts Bay is only 70 km away and this stretch of South Africa is all thought of as the 'West Coast'!

Tourism in Clanwilliam is very seasonal - spring flower time (that's August and September) is peak season, and summer weekends and Christmas are busy.

Because of the large water storage dam, South African families who love watersports spend summer weekends and vacations in Clanwilliam. West Coast fans are often enthusiasts for life, with childhood vacation memories of and can't get enough of this area.

This area is nowhere near as popular as the Garden Route despite having its own incredible charm. The people are very hospitable, the seafood at the coast is legendary and the scenery is...in a word... spectacular.

Spring Flowers - Clanwilliam, West Coast

Although you can see flowers all along the roadsides as you drive, the so-called hotspot for flowers in in fact the Biedouw Valley, some 80km beyond Clanwilliam. Much of this journey is on gravel roads (perfectly passable in a normal vehicle, just don't drive too fast), os if you don't like being jolted around, it may not be what you have in mind.

The best thing to do is ask your hosts or the local Tourist Information centre for directions, they will happily give you a map.

Accommodation Clanwilliam West Coast

When it comes to places to stay there are a surprising number of options, reflecting this region's grwoing popularity as an eco tourism destination. In Flower Season it's almost impossible to find a space unless you have booked in advance.

Clanwilliam Hotels

There is really only one option which is the Clanwilliam Lodge. It is central and within walking distance of everything (including the hall where the Annual Wild Flower Show is held). It is also pretty luxurious and very comforatble.

If you would like to combine wild flower spotting with an upmarket game lodge and San rock art experience, there is Bushmans Kloof, a wilderness retreat in the area. In fact it is on the way to the Biedouw valley, which is likely where you will be heading for the flowers anyway! There is an enormous quantity of San rock art on the reserve, and it is very family friendly too. The best of all worlds, if a bit of pampering is your thing.

The mis-leadingly named Clanwilliam Hotel is now in fact an establishment of self catering suites rather than a hotel. It is an old hotel buidling in the process of being refurbished after ebing bought by new management, so if you want to self cater in town and you like period surroundings, this may be for you. At present it's pretty good value as renovation is underway.

Bed and Breakfast and Guest House Accommodation

There are a number of B & B's and guesthouses around the town. They range quite widely in price but we have visted a number and found that standards are invariably high, so you should get good value for your money no matter where you choose.

Self Catering Clanwilliam West Coast

We prefer to stay out of town when we weekend away from Cape Town (why leave the city only to spend time in another urban-ish environment?!) as we generally self cater and like to avoid bright lights even of the dorpie variety.

Clanwilliam offers some delighful self catering houses as well as cottages on farms nearby. The tourism office list of places, but do your research, this is a country area and some of them are quite far from the town!

Clanwilliam West Coast Travel Advisory

Getting to Clanwilliam from Cape Town is dead simple. You take the N7 past Malmesbury and just keep heading north. It's about a three-hour drive if you don;tstop to admire anything en-route. If you want a place to break the journey I recommend the farmstall at the top of the Piekenierskloof Pass between Piketberg and Citrusdal, for it's amazing views in all directions.

If you are following my Flower Route recommendations, you will coming from Langebaan. In that case, the journey will be around 2 hours. Take the r27 orth to Velddrif, then turn right onpt the R399 which will bring you back on to the N7 shortly before Piketberg. Turn left onto the N7 and continue your journey to Clanwilliam.

You may find the following related pages helpful:
Namaqualand Flowers 1
Flower Route
From Clanwilliam West Coast to the Homepage