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Botanical Retreat

HOUSE MANUAL

A GUIDE

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HOUSE MANUAL CONTENT

STUFF YOU SHOULD KNOW ---------------------------------------------------------- 3

SAFETY ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------6

CONTACT & DIRECTIONS -------------------------------------------------------------- 9

PAYMENT ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 9

ACTIVITIES --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 10

KIDS ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 13

OUR RECOMMENDATIONS ---------------------------------------------------------- 14

ACCOMMODATION ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 15

CONTACT & DIRECTIONS -------------------------------------------------------------- 14

PAYMENT ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 14

THE OPSTAL --------------------------------------------------------------------------------16

OUR STORY ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 20

OUR NAME & LOGO ----------------------------------------------------------------------22

FYNBOS GARDENS ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 23

CEDAR TREES ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 28

GIFTS FROM NATURE ------------------------------------------------------------------- 29

SUSTAINABILITY PROJECTS ----------------------------------------------------------- 31

OUR TEAM ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 32

OUR SUPPORT TEAM --------------------------------------------------------------------34

PAGE:

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A heartfelt welcome to Cederkloof Botanical Retreat. Thank you for spending your time with us and we wish for you a joyous time and reconnecting to the natural world around you. Following is a few pointers to how things work. Please do not hesitate to ask any of the staff or management for further assistance.

How the jacuzzis work

As part of our move towards greater sustainability, we measure and monitor our jacuzzi energy use. All jacuzzis are on a pre-paid energy meter system and tokens are used to feed the meters. Your jacuzzi is switched on in preparation for your arrival at 35 degrees but check the temperature before you get in and let us know if the temperature is not to your liking. The tubs take 3 hours to get from an overnight temperature to 35degrees. There is a very convenient on-and-of switch for the jacuzzi in the kitchen and the token meter is placed right next to it. PLEASE switch off the jacuzzi at night, even if it is not on when you go to bed. Any jacuzzi that is found running during the night will be turned off for the remainder of your stay. The tubs are temperature regulated and will switch off when temperature is reached and on again when it has cooled down, but it needs to be tuned off at the main switch before turning in for the night.

If at any point you are close to running out of tokens, you can purchase more tokens from Yvette or Anja. Please do this before 5pm.

If you would like your jacuzzi cleaned or filled up with water please ask any of the staff to assist.

Music and Noise

Cederkloof endeavors to give our guest a chance of true recovery and relaxation and need the help of everybody to achieve that. Noise is a very big part in why it is hard to relax in most places. There is no music allowed on the retreat space unless the entire resort is booked out. Please consider how far voices carry in this quiet place and keep your dogs from barking excessively.

Pets

We are pet friendly and really encourage you to bring along any and all four-legged friends. We always bring our own when we visit and take them along on all the hiking routes. Please note the following:• We have a local posse of baboons that passes

through from time to time. Baboons and (some) dogs make for a highly combustible mix.

• Our natural ecosystem is pristine and something we treasure. This also means we

STUFF YOU SHOULD KNOW

Basjan the WolfIn the garden one might spot a puppy or two amongst the leaves

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have snakes and leopards. Be vigilant when taking your dogs on the hiking trails.

• Please be considerate of our other guests and cottages when you bring your pets. We would hate to change our pet policy due to incidents beyond our control.

• Please do not feed pets that are not your own! Allow other owners to remain in control of their pet’s diets.

• Any pets that bark continually or threaten guest or workers will be asked to be kept inside.

Recycling and waste

We have set a goal to be a zero waste resort by the end of 2019. This is indeed a journey of a thousand steps (there are no municipal recycling programs in Citrusdal). We are discovering low tech solutions in how to harness all the energy of materials on site. For now, please set aside all your glass and cardboard/paper. The cleaning crews can collect these items and place them in separate containers.

Cleaning services

All daily services are free of charge but please request a service from management or directly to the cleaning staff. Cleaning staff are on site weekdays 8am to 5pm (winter) or 7am to 4pm (summer) and Sundays from 8:30am to 2pm. The service includes washing of dishes, removal of

garbage and making beds. Cleaning of the jacuzzi is done on request. Please request a Saturday service on Friday. On weekends maintenance crews can also service and clean jacuzzis, remove garbage, or supply fire wood.

If there is anything more that needs to be done, please let us know.

Gratuities

Gratuities for the cleaning staff are much appreciated. Some people leave it in the cottages for your cleaner and that is fine. Alternatively, you can give it to management who keep those gratuities, then we double it at the end of the month, and the staff choose themselves what we should do with it as a group. Please do not leave alcohol in the units as part of a tip.

Cancellation PolicyFull Refund up to 1 month before arrivalMore than 1 week before check-in - 50% deposit refunded Less than 1 week before check-in - No refund of

deposit

For SaleDuring the course of 2019 we will erect our shop in the main building. Please look in to see the progression.

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Other house rules

1. No noise or music – though laughter may penetrate the silence of our cedar trees growing.

2. All toilets, showers and basins are connected to either septic or gray water systems, please do not put any sanitary products, diapers, coffee grinds, harsh chemicals or cigarettes down these systems.

3. We are not just pet friendly – we love animals! Please help us in this regard by taking responsibility for your four-legged friend and respect our cottages.

4. Please don’t feed animals, with the exception of the birds. There is no veterinary service in Citrusdal, so we have to take care of our pets and their diets. No matter how sweet they stare, please do not feed any pets that are not your own and do not leave pet food outside unattended.

5. This is a high fire prone area! No smoking or fires away from designated braai area at cottages or Opstal. No smoking in the cottages or on the hiking trails. Be very careful how you dispose of your cigarettes in designated areas.

6. Please report any maintenance or safety issues immediately so that we can take care of it to ensure your enjoyment and relaxation.

7. Check out time is at 10:00am and check in at 2pm. A late check out will be charged at R200, especially if not arranged with management.

8. There is no permanently staffed reception, but Yvette lives on site, and any of the workers or

managers will be able to be contactable for questions.

9. Ensure that you book yourself into the correct cottage – we reserve the right to ask you to move if you don’t!

10. Please drive slowly, the road is used by children and animals.

11. Do not leave alcohol in the cottages or give alcohol as tips.

And then there are a few things that seems unnecessary to mention...12. No drones around the retreat, it is illegal to

have a drone 250 m from a dwelling. Ask for permission before flying a drone on the rest of the farm.

13. Do not chop wood on the tiles either inside or outside the cottage, there are a timber blocks for that purpose.

14. We are always working to reduce our carbon footprint and you can help by being aware and conservative with power and water usage. For instance, switch the A/C units off when out of the room and switch off the jacuzzi’s at night at the main switch in the kitchen.

Retreat Manager: Anja Smit tel 083 285 6766 email bookings@cederkloof.co.zaCo-owner and General Manager: Yvette Anderson tel 076 966 0046 email yvette@cederkloof.co.za

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Emergency numbers:

Fire Department: 0227338700 or 10177

Police 022 921 8400Resort Manager: Anja Smit 083 285 6766 Owner/General Manager: Yvette Anderson 076 966 0046Neighbour Farmer Paultjie 083 644 8740 - Cederkloof office phone VOIP 022 3000 118Local Doctors’ Offices (operating during office hours only, but the number will give the number for the doctor on call)

022 921 2725 91 Voortrekker Street, Citrusdal

Hospital (public) - There is a state-run hospital in Citrusdal with an emergency cottage

022 92 1 21 53 Vrede Street, Citrusdal

Hospital (private) - Mediclinic in Vredenburg 022 719 1030Ambulance Service (only in Piketberg) 022 913 1865

Please follow these safety precautions:

In general: • make sure all gas taps on the stove are turned off before going to bed

• always be aware of fires and flames

• do not leave anything behind on the trails.

Fire: We operate in a high fire risk area. We urge you to practice sound fire precautions inside and outside the houses:

• never leave fires unattended, not inside or outside the cottages• No smoking or making of fires away from designated braai areas at cottages or Opstal. No smoking is

allowed inside the cottages or on the hiking trails. Be very careful how you dispose of your cigarettes

SAFETY

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in designated areas.• be aware of the wind direction and use an area designated suitable for that wind direction• do not over-pack the fires so that it becomes too high and are easily picked up by the wind• familiarise yourself with the location of the fire extinguisher in the cottage• douse your fire with water or sand at night, do not retire with burning coals in the braai or fire place• when lighting a fire inside the house, please prevent any sparks flying into the house and extinguish

the fire completely before going to sleep. • do not go on the hiking routes when there is any sign of a fire anywhere on the mountains or valley.

Fires move quickly especially when the wind is blowing.

In case of a fire in the resort, please follow these procedures:

• use the fire extinguishers only when you are not putting your life at risk• when in a safe place, call the numbers below and summon assistance.

In the event of any fire, please call any of the following numbers:

Neighbour Farmer Paultjie - 083 644 8740 Fire Department - 0227338700 or 10177Police – 022 921 8400

Water bodies:

There are two large water bodies on site: the swimming pool at the main venue building and the dam in front of cottage 5. Neither area has a life guard or supervision. Children can only enter these areas when supervised by adults. Please adhere to all safety rules around these areas, especially at night. Please close your jacuzzis at night as a precaution to any accidents around open jacuzzis.

Wildlife:

Baboons: Baboons are a very important specie in the fynbos biome. There are often baboons around the resort, especially in the dry summer months. We want to keep our relationship with the baboons such that there is as little conflict as possible. There has never been an incident between a baboon and a person at the retreat, but please follow the necessary precautions to keep yourself and the baboons safe: • do not leave any food or garbage bags outside the cottage when you step away from the cottage

for any length of time• do not feed or approach the baboons at any time• keep children and pets away from them when they move through• keep all windows and doors closed when you are not in your cottage.

Snakes and scorpions: There has never been an incident where a guest or a pet has been bitten or stung by either snakes or scorpions. It is rare to see one of these crawlies and if you see them, they normally move away when you approach. Scorpions will run for cover when they are out in the open. Please follow these precautions to minimize any risk of injury: • keep doors closed when you are not on the patio or on the hiking route

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EMERGENCIES

Resort Manager: Anja Smit 083 285 6766

Owner/General Manager: Yvette Anderson 076 966 0046

Neighbour Farmer Paultjie 083 644 8740

Ambulance Service (only in Piketberg) 022 913 1865

Police 022 921 8400

Fire Department 0227338700 or 10177

Please note: the best cell service is at the main building

Pool

ASSEMBLYPOINTONLAWN

MainBuilding

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4

5

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78

910

Way Out

Way Out

Way Out

PROCEED TO EMERGENCY ASSEMBLY AREA WHEN- loud hailer is heard- smoke or fire is seen in proximity of the retreat- unusual events that cause anxiety or disorientation.

CEDERKLOOF EVACUATION PLAN

PROCEED TO EMERGENCY ASSEMBLY AREA WHEN- loud hailer is heard- smoke or fire is seen in proximity of the retreat- unusual events that cause anxiety or disorientation.

• stay on the routes, do not veer off into the wilderness • wear long pants with ankle-high boots on the hikes• never approach a snake to take a photograph• wear shoes on at night, especially when there is no light.

Please let the staff and management know when any of these species have bee seen around the retreat so that they can inform others and call for expert help when necessary.

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Getting here There is no public transport to the retreat. The roads to the retreat are well serviced, although the last kilometre is a sandy farm road. You don’t need a 4x4 to get here.Directions:1. Take the N7 north out of Cape Town to Citrusdal

(about 175km). 2. Turn off to Citrusdal and look out for the

Cederkloof turnoff about 1km further on your right.

3. Follow this road for 8 km, then turn right at the Cederkloof Retreat sign onto a gravel road with an orange orchard on your right. This right turn is at a green bus stop (the second bus stop on this road).

4. Drive up the gravel road, through a farm yard until you see a timber sign that directs you to the left and immediately after crossing the river, turn right and drive into the retreat 500m further.

Coordinates: 32°40’32.86”S, 19° 0’39.31”E

Payments can be made with EFT, Snapscan or cash. Cederkloof (PTY) LtdNedbank1075781434 (Account number)123209 (Branch code)Current Account

Reference: Your surname and arrival date

Please note:- 50% deposit to secure booking paid within 3 days of making the enquiry- 50% remainder three days before arrival.

CONTACT & DIRECTIONS

PAYMENTS

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Both trials start on the road past unit no 2, keep walking

on the jeep track and follow the signs from there. The

Feetjie Roete start within 300m from Cottage 2 on your

right, but keep straight for the hexagon lookout and Klein

Olifant Route. The latter route takes you to vistas over the Olifants River valley, the majestic Cederberg Mountains and the Sneeuberg Nature Conservancy that gets covered in snow in winter.

• The Feetjie Route is a 20-minute stroll halfway up the kloof before descending again along the length of the cottages. It is incredibly beautiful and meditative in the early mornings.

• Klein Olifants Route is a two-hour (5km) stroll up the kloof and over some hills. It brings you down to our Clanwilliam cedar restoration project where we have 28 of these toddlers that we are nursing through their first years. (The Cederberg was named after these trees. They are now virtually extinct after the furniture

trade got hold of them around 1920. Thereafter multiple fires ravaged the remaining few.)

Don’t forget your water bottles, sunscreen and hat! There are beautiful places along the route to enjoy the view, have a rest and a picnic and even see some rock art (ask management for a specific location). The panels are fairly well preserved.

ACTIVITIESHIKES

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KLEIN OLIFANTS ROUTEThis is a 2 hour, 5km stroll with changing vegetation types, beautiful views of the valley and farm lands. Starting at km marker 1, the trail turns very steep and remains so until km marker 2.5. However, your efforts are awarded at the top looking back over endless fynbos and forward into the picturesque elephants river valley.

FEETJIE ROUTE This route is magical and interesting but more challenging than expected due to some scampering up and down boulders, about a 30 min. The environment is characterized by beautiful lush riparian vegetation and little caves and rock windows, Please note that small dogs will have to be lifted over rocky areas, but kids normally love the challenge.

Hexagon

Buchu alley

Opstal

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875

432

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dam

Start

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End

Start

End

Opstal

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The best place from which to watch the stars is to drag a bean bag to the lawn and sit back... there is very little or no light interference, only the magnificent night sky. We also watch the full moon rising from our rock perches as well as the magnificent sunsets.

WE PROMISE YOU THE SUN, MOON AND STARS

Photo: Geoff Burchell

Photo: Janine Lessing

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Children under the age of 2 stay for free and for R150 extra, kids between 2 to 12 can sleep on a mattress. We have a cot and a bath available for infants. Please ask any staff members. We would love to have kids involved in the gardens and in our activities as much as possible for we love the energy that children bring to our kloof. Developing a healthy and imaginative children’s play area and more children programmes are on the forefront of our minds and there will be lots more to add to our children facilities in future. Currently, the Feetjie Route is a great hike on which to take kids and the Klein Olifants Route has been enjoyed by four-year-olds and older, but parents take note: it gets very hot. The kids also love the jacuzzis – for their size it’s like a swimming pool!

LITTLE ONES

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OUR RECOMMENDATIONS

Hebron wine and tea tasting Ryno at Tierhoek Cederberg Winery

Wine and Dine:Hebron, has a few fantastic offerings: First a Carmien tea and Piekenierskloof wine tasting experience R50 pp., or a tea, wine and food pairing R150.00-00 pp. The highly recommended restaurant is open Wednesday to Sunday and is only a 20-minute drive from the resort on the N7. Call 022 921 2595 / 072 593 5858 / 072 593 5900 to make a reservation.

Cederberg tea experience at Carmien tea farm: Discover their wonderfully flavourful range of infused rooibos teas for the ultimate tea experience. Book a factory tour at Tel: 022 921 8900. Address: Bergendal-Carmién Rooibos Farm, Paleisheuwel road R50.00 pp.

Grape Vine coffee shop in Citrusdal serves a fantastic breakfast and lunch and has a brand new bakery. Don’t miss the cheesecake with berry compote or the chocolate brownies. Tel: 021921 2190.

A visit to the Tierhoek Winery (45min from us). Call Ryno for an appointment at 078 613 7244. Cederberg Wine Estate: Made world famous by owner and wine maker David Niewoudt. There are numerous accommodation options available and very exciting hikes leaving from the area, (about 1.5 hour drive) is worth the journey Tel: +27 27 482 2827.

A swim in the beautiful rock pools at The Baths is a must. Day passes to the pools is R100 per person. The Baths is 7km along the R303 tar road.

Physical activities:Horseback Riding:There are two options for horse riding close by: Appel at 083 231 6383 or Paul Nieuwoudt at 083 644 8740. Hiking in Cederberg: It’s a 1-hour drive to the Algeria tourist office hut or Sandrift (30 minutes further) where you obtain a permit for some well-known hikes. Note that certain hikes could be closed due to post-fire rehabilitation, be sure to check which hikes are open before heading out. Well-known hikes: Maltese Cross and Lot se Vrou permits at Sanddrif (1.5 hours from here), Wolfberg Cracks permits at Ageria (1 hour from here).We always recommend starting very early on the Cederberg hikes, make sure to take plenty of water and a hat!

Cultural activities: Rock PaintingsOne of the most treasured assets of this area are the numerous ancient Khoi and San rock painting sites. Our best recommendations for viewing these astonishing sites are Sevilla Rock Art Trail in Clan William and the Stadsaal Caves in the Cedarberg.

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The accommodation consists of 10 well-equipped self-catering cottages, nestled in a fynbos-covered kloof. We have 6 single cottages that sleep 2 people, and 4 double cottages that sleep 4 people each. All rooms are en-suite, some bathrooms have showers or baths or both. Each cottage has double doors that open onto the stoep – the perfect spot for sundowners, to light up a braai or do stargazing from your private Jacuzzi.The luxurious beds are all king size (unless you request single beds) with percale cotton duvet covers and sheets. The jacuzzis are filled with natural spring water. (See the ‘How To’ section on operating the jacuzzi.)In the morning, you can enjoy your breakfast outside in the fresh country air and experience the absolute abundance of bird life, and other visitors to the indigenous natural fynbos mountains that include sugar birds, butterflies, dragonflies and many more. Not every cottage has cellphone signal or Wi-Fi. The best signal is at cottages 10 and 9, but those are also the least private cottages. However, you can access unlimited, free Wi-Fi at the central building.

ACCOMMODATION: SELF-CATERING COTTAGES

Cottage amenities

• private spring water Jacuzzi• en-suite bathroom• king size bed• cotton percale linen• indoor fireplace• air-conditioning• outdoor kùrú (braai)• views over the valley• fully equipped kitchen• braai utensils• 1 bags of fire wood on arrival• taps fed with spring water• ice

Photo: Zach Louw Photo: Zach Louw Photo: Bryce Barnard

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THE OPSTAL

Opstal amenities

• bread oven• open fireplaces• swimming pool• fynbos gardens• hiking trails • lawn games • bathrooms • long tables• chairs• cutlery, crockery, glasses

Coming soon

• library• children’s play area• star-gazing deck

The Opstal is our venue building, newly renovated by architect Cilna de Waal and displays the aesthetic style, and the artistic and practical sensibilities that we embody; sophistication, simplicity and honesty.

The Opstal functions superbly for weddings and retreats, thanks to a spacious main hall, well equipped kitchen, bathrooms and bar area. The real magic, however, happens when the ‘walls’ fold open onto the veranda with its bread oven and large fireplace, the gardens, swimming pool and wilderness beyond.

The bread oven is another masterwork of Cilna’s, perfect for pizza nights, fresh bread and an array of specialized dishes. The large fireplace will satisfy any person’s braai needs. The lawns and swimming pool perfects the space for larger gatherings and events.

Use of facilities:

The swimming pool and fire place is free to use by any

guests. There will be a charge for cleaning after a meal, use

of fire wood and use of any of our other facilities such as the

bread oven or kitchens.

Please request cost or brochures for any of your needs, by emailing Yvette at yvette@cederkloof.co.za.

Photo: Marianne Jonker

Photo: Marianne Jonker

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WELLNESS RETREATS

Retreat attractions

• 30 people (with mats) class space

• quiet and tranquility of location

• various food preparation and serving options (see kitchens)

• outdoor meditation spaces• outdoor communal spaces• limited interference• private accommodation• spring water in all taps and

pools

Groups and individuals can experience the restorative and supportive energy of Cederkloof. We endeavour to do nothing to interfere with the natural flow of healing energy, but to enhance it and make it accessible to those who seek to experience it. The way in which we work with the land, with the plants, animals and people will reflect our deep connection and honor to this kloof.

Cederkloof is enhanced as a retreat space by the available facilities, the accommodation, the venue building and the communal areas.

At Cederkloof there are many opportunities to be private, quiet and in solitude, but also to be communal. The facilitators of workshops can use this retreat space to create the mix of solitude and community they need to enhance their specific processes. We will support facilitators to help create the spaces that best fit their programme. There are numerous outdoor meditation spaces, beautiful rock formations and stunning sunsets, star and full- moon shows.

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WEDDINGS and PARTIES

Wedding attractions

• outside and inside eating options

• outdoor ceremony spaces, on lawns or in an amphitheatre in the mountain

• very well-equipped kitchen• fireplace and bread oven for

alternative cooking options• on-site accommodation• additional accommodation in

very close proximity

The Opstal hosts wedding receptions for 30-200 people. Choose from a number of outdoor ceremony spaces – all with breath-taking views and scenery.

We ask that the entire retreat be booked out during a wedding, so that the music and revelry can continue with no curfew. Our group sizes are very flexible and our space works well for small and large weddings (maximum 200px).

The setting is perfect for a weekend wedding with loads of on-site activities; hiking, swimming pool, garden games and chilling-out places and comfortable areas for communal meals around the fireplaces.

There are multiple other very accessible accommodation options in the area for larger weddings

Photo: Jané Ulla Photo: Jané Ulla

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THE OPSTAL KITCHEN

Kitchen amenitites

• 3 double fridges• flat top gril 5 gas burner• boiling table grill 6 gas

burner (commercial)• 20L turbo fryer• garbin 10 pan convection

oven• bain marie hot closet• heated riser shelf• prep bowls 450x450• commercial-size sinks

The kitchen is state-of-the-art and can accommodate food preparation for large groups. We have cutlery, crockery and glasses for meals as well as pots, kettles, braai tools and anything you might require for preparing your meals.

Our kitchen staff are available to help with preparation and cleaning during work hours. They can assist evenings and Saturdays and Sundays, but there will be an extra cost, directly payable to the staff.

In the event you would like some of the meals supplied, we can put you in touch with one of the excellent local caterers we work with regularly. Please ask for their menus and price lists.

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OUR STORY

Cederkloof Botanical Retreat forms part of a working farm 8km from Citrusdal, a quiet and tranquil space set in a beautiful valley abutting a wilderness area. Part of the landscape is still wild and opens to numerous views with beautiful rock formations from where you can watch stunning moon rises and have the stars put on a show just for you. The retreat is situated in a wide valley between striking mountains, providing an excellent opportunity to explore the mountainside on the 5km hiking trail with its captivating rock formations covered in lichen and more than 850 fynbos and a variety of bird species.

The Farm

Cederkloof Retreat is on a 270ha farm stretching towards the banks of the Olifants River. Sections of

the farm are protected wilderness areas – mainly in the rocky hills and along the river banks.

To tell the story of Cederkloof Farm is to tell the story of South Africa and the world at the beginning of the 21st century. It speaks of excess, destruction, hope and redemption. The arable land was first destroyed by conventional wheat farming and then, in 2004, more than 100ha of topsoil was removed to make way for a planned golf course. The ruined land was so scarred (the eroded top soil left no hope for the return of the fynbos) that a completely new future had to be conceived when the farm changed hands.

We, the new owners, have a simple definition of prosperity: ‘To restore the land to life and productivity by way of sound business and biological practices’. Therefore none of the options

Photo: Richard Walton

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to utilise the land – different types of agriculture, for example, or building an ‘adventure’ course or selling the land to adjoining commercial citrus farmers were satisfactory.

We opted to take matters into our own hands. To increase and restore the fertility of the soil, we decided in 2017 to plant organic Rooibos tea, an indigenous and nitrogen-fixing crop, that we can grow without the need for irrigation. Rooibos tea is one of South Africa’s most valuable indigenous crops, and the Cederberg area is the only area in the world where this highly nutritious and medicinal plant is grown. Rooibos tea is venerated worldwide for its remarkable qualities – Chinese and Japanese authors sing its praises, and you can buy it in tea shops the world over (it’s sometimes labeled African Red Tea). Our tea will be available for sale as soon as our crops have reached maturity.

Unfortunately because of the ongoing drought, we had to schedule planting for 2018.

Here at the farm we want to tell a comprehensive story, one that intensifies your experience of the Cederkloof retreat space, but that is all-encompassing. It points a way to a collectively envisioned future of functional communities and integral harmony. A place where land ownership, community nature and development don’t compete with one another for survival.

We want to enable each guest to connect to the surrounding landscape. We care deeply that you experience a true sense of discovery and amazement in the face of nature’s exquisite complexity. We want to be a place of restoration - for plants, people, animals

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and all aspects of this vast ecosystem.

All of this is who we are and we invite you to join us for the journey.Elephant Leisure was the name given by its previous owner. The name relates to the Olifants River and its valley. As new owners, we relate more to the mountains, the plants and our commitment to get the Clanwilliam cedar trees re-established.

The Cederberg itself owes its name to the Clanwilliam cedar (Widdringtonia cedarbergensis), which today is on the verge of extinction after decades of ruthless harvesting for its fragrant timber. One of our first projects as new owners

of Cederkloof was the restoration of these majestic trees: finding and planting saplings at every opportunities. It was after the first day of planting cedar saplings that the name Cederkloof presented itself.

Our endeavour is to restore the land, to restore its people and to protect the animals that freely roam through the property. Hence the name Cederkloof Botanical Retreat – a place of restoration.

We asked our friend Johan Walters, to develop a logo and visual identity based on

our philosophy, and this he did brilliantly. He captured the structure of the cedar cone, the fynbos and the kloof above the cottages in a single, simple and powerful graphic.

In his own words: “The new Cederkloof identity draws inspiration from the natural beauty of the surrounding area. The simple and honest design is expressive of our values as well as our strong connection with the outdoors. At the heart of our new identity is the carefully crafted Cederkloof symbol. The angular line work resembles the distinct edges found on the leaves of the local fynbos while the diagonals represent the kloof after which the resort is named. The gentle lower curve of the symbol embodies a flower bud and also the shape of a cedar cone. Our new typeface is traditional in feeling yet modern in shape, unembellished and truthful in its appearance. We have also introduced a subtle colour palette that echoes the natural hues found in the fynbos, shrubs and trees that grow on the resort. Our landscape speaks of tranquility, restoration and growth, which are the very principles on which our new identity has been designed.” Johan Walters, Walters&Co.

OUR NAME AND LOGO from Elephant Leisure to Cederkloof

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I have a vivid memory of seeing this beautiful kloof for the first time in 2014, with its little cottages perched on lawned embankments. The landscape did not offer much in the way of diversity, interest, wildlife or privacy. It reminded me that, not too long ago, our values towards private gardens or landscapes were very different. Things have changed for the better in my view, people have come to value diversity in the landscape, everything no longer needs to be ordered and arranged for it to be considered beautiful. Our dominance over nature is not what indicates a designer’s hand. Plus, the water crisis in the Western Cape has forced everybody to relook at how we use the land that is in our private domain. Food forests and edible gardens are commonplace as well as rain-water

harvesting, vegetated swales, sustainable drainage systems and rain gardens. The property here at Cederkloof was in serious need of an update to reflect our values in 2017, but our specific challenges and limitation lead me to take it even further…

At first glance there were obvious changes necessary as mentioned above, but landscape is also circulation, orientation, way finding, seclusion and views. I could immediately see our first challenge as I looked onto a car at in front of every cottage, doors open, music blaring. For this narrow strip of land into the canyon, there was also a surprising number of roads leading to the cottages. The first landscape intervention was thus to close

FYNBOS GARDENSYvette Anderson

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off roads and make parking areas away from the houses to force the disconnection of the experience with the cars. We immediately implemented a no-music rule that is strictly enforced so that the sounds of the landscape is audibly dominant.

Our second intervention was that of transforming the lawns into a more diverse planting – flexible so that privacy can be built in and regional beauty enhanced. Without thinking about it too much, we started removing the huge expanses of lawn by hand, over weekends, while we worked at our city jobs during the week. At one point we got a bit smarter and borrowed a farmer’s tractor but most of the work was done by our crews and borrowed farm labourers, ourselves and every family member and friend that we could rope in. We were on a very strict budget, but as so often happens in absence of money, creativity and

knowledge led the way.

We worked around few constraints: We were remote and all plants or soil additives had to be transported from Malmesbury or Cape Town, all more than an hour and a half’s drive away and transport is expensive. Our climate is that of extreme highs and lows (and very little in-between), the summers being long, hot, dry and windy. Most of the soil is builder’s sand covering building rubble, there was no organic matter in the soil at all, so basically we had dirt not soil. Fourth, the kikuyu and kweek grasses had put down roots one metre deep in some places. We were a functioning resort with guests coming and going and many with a ‘not in my backyard’ attitude to our work. Our reviews started reflecting the discomfort people experienced by the work being done. We had to be quiet, neat and fast. Lastly, and the most

Before

In Process After 1 year

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challenging, was that we were dealing with 4 500m2 of garden space we marked for transformation, and to make sure it stays interesting, we gave ourselves two months to do it in, before the heat of the summer burnt us to a crisp.

I had many reasons for taking out the lawns - the lack of wildlife habitat and diversity, the dullness and the fact that lawns were out of place in this dry mountainous environment bordering on wild fynbos wilderness. What was evident is that lawns and fynbos are incompatible. The lawns were killing all the fynbos in its wake of spreading into the mountains and changing the crucial biology in the soil. Plants are extremely dependent on soil organisms to provide them with water and nutrients over vast dry areas, they cannot survive when the intricate and fascinating soil networks have been compromised. The ecology of lawn grasses is akin to a fast food diet vs a diet of diverse vegetables and whole grains. It grated me and, increasingly the guests, that we were irrigating lawns in this arid environment – never mind having to use power tools to keep them neat. After the conversion, we had no more need for loud, piercing machines.

Plants and plantingThe standard horticultural practice for planting – bringing in topsoil, compost and fertilisers – was completely out of our budget. Soil and all its components plus irrigation are always the most expensive part of installing a landscape. But, more than that, I wanted to make the gardens truly organic through working with and encouraging the correct biology in the soil. As we had a lawn ecology, I knew the soil would be dominated by nitrogen-loving bacteria. Grass is low on the plant succession scale. Mature fynbos and forest commcottageies are higher successional and companioned with complex networks of fungal dominated soil organisms. The mycorrhizal fungus in healthy fynbos commcottageies, as in most mature planting commcottageies in the world, had to be encouraged to re-establish. Fungus are carbon loving and don’t require a high nitrogen input.

Most composts are bacterial dominant unless it has been constructed specifically for fungal growth. I did

Photo: Jean Collins

Photo: Jean Collins

Photo: Jean Collins

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not want salt concentrates, nitrogen or chemicals in the soil and therefore did not want to use any fertilisers. I wanted to establish a good healthy soil biology so that the plants and its companion organisms can direct the flow of water and nutrients themselves – they ultimately will always do it much better than we ever can. I approached the gardens in the same way that a farmer would approach productive lands: sensitive to input and encouraging maximum, healthy output. Through this thinking I decided to plant without compost, soil additives or fertilisers, only adding a source of carbon to the soil. The town of Citrusdal has a few defunct saw mills and we could pick up bark mulch for free! This was our carbon source and, not only are we reducing our costs by not adding any compost, but the product that we use is a waste product of the lumber yard, free of charge, our only cost being the transport.

Our second big decision was concerning plants. It was obvious that we would use local indigenous fynbos, mostly because the plants can easily deal with the climate but also because it is our natural heritage and give a deep sense of regional belonging.

I worked with an amazing nursery, Veld and Fynbos (based in Malmesbury), and I could buy many plants in planting trays – just perfect size and strength as the 45 plant trays (root size around 50mm). The smaller sizes helped the plants to adapt to the climate quickly but, also, easy to transport and more affordable.

To irrigate or not to irrigate? Our region received no more than 230mm per year in rainfall for the last three years. In the summers, the warm wind draws every drop of moisture from the soil and plants in 45°C heat. I decided we would irrigate with micro misters, even if it was just for the first year. We do our irrigation before 8am and after 5pm. Drip irrigation isn’t suitable for our environment because of the amount of PVC piping necessary to cover the large area. We have access to enough water, but we live in a winter rainfall area and irrigation in the summer can disturb the ecology, so we do it with caution. Our first summer was hot, long and dry even by regional standards! But the plants survived, we had very few losses and countless miracles started to happen.

The gardens started growing in beautifully within eight months of planting. The birds flocked in

Marchel harvesting herbs for his customers Yvette giving a workshop on herbs and their uses

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CEDAR TREESIn our fynbos gardens and along the hiking routes we are re-establishing the local and critically endangered Clanwilliam Ceders. In 2017 we changed our name and philosophy to incorporate our commitment to the re-establishment of the Clanwilliam cedar trees. As previously stated, the Cederberg itself owes its name to the Clanwilliam cedar which today is on the verge of extinction.

You will see the Cedar trees along the trails encased in green shade netting or in the gardens growing happily.

and the diversity in colours and textures started grabbing people’s attention.

A garden immediately becomes more than aesthetic pleasure, more than a background for the business of accommodation. The idea of a ‘normal’ garden is akin to that of an edible garden in that it is productive and thrive on good soil practices and everthing that is coming out of the gardens has a use. Our ‘aesthetic’ gardens house numerous wild herbs used for ailments and skin care, relaxation or fragrance. The increase in healthy diverse insect and bird communities gives endless pleasure to our guests. Our staff constantly take home plants to adorn their own home gardens or cuttings from herbs for their home remedies. In 2018 we took the plunge with our veggie gardens on an unused kukyo patch and hoped the baboons will share with us. The harvest was plenty of artichokes, melons, pumpkins, beets, broad beans and the best tomatoes. More about this in the project section.

Our gardens are free of toxins and full of life, thus miracles abound. YA

Photo: Jean Collins

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CEDAR TREESSpring waterWe’re blessed with access to fresh delicious mountain spring water that conforms to European standards for mineral water. All water on the retreat, from the taps to the Jacuzzis and swimming pool is fed with the mineral water. Do fill your water bottles on your way home so that you can take this abundant gift with you. Our 87m-deep borehole delivers 11 700 litres of water at a temperature of 26-30°C. Because the water is forced through a calcium formation under its own pressure, there is no need for pumps or filters. By the time the water reaches the top, it is sparkling clean.

WildlifeWe live among and with an abundance of wildlife. Please do not feed any of our wild friends apart from the bird as we would like to keep them as wild

as possible and don’t want to impede their self-sufficiency.

Birds: So far we have spotted 92 different species of birds on the farm. We encourage all our guests to take pictures of the birds and send us your photographs and the list of birds you’ve identified, especially if you spotted a new species.

Mammals: We carefully nurture our edible plants in order to positively manage the relationship with our mammal friends. To date we have seen baboon, klipspringer, grey rheebok, genet, dassie, gray mongoose, hares, striped field mice and many more. We’ve spotted multiple droppings and spoor of leopard in the surrounding mountain, but haven’t yet been lucky enough to spot this marvelous creature.

GIFTS FROM NATURE

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Our path to a more sustainable village is varied and we are concentrating on the hard and soft elements of sustainability, covering aspects of social, environmental and financial health for a kinder, gentler, restorative and resilient future.

Our projects include:

• NEW! The Veggie Gardes grew out of a piece of Kikuyu invested garden at the bottom of the retreat. Within 6 months I was feasting on artchokes and beets, broccoli, butter beans and every pumpkin under the sun. The garden was unbelievably prolific given the inorganic course alluvial soils. I recycle all my own green waste and that of any event held at the retreat. In 2019 we will begin with recycling greens out of the cottages as well. The compost heaps are built with green composting methods (no animal manure) and the ash from the fire places.

• NEW! It is my personal passion to re-introduce people to the uses of indigenous herbs and to promote the incorporation of these magnificent plants into your daily life, reducing the use of unnecessary chemicals. We use herbs

for cleaning agents, room freshners, body products, and to treat niggling ailments such as eye infections and stomach discomforts.

• Our fynbos management of the greater wilderness areas include doing manual removal of overgrown and fire prone vegetation to reduce the risk of fire. We have removed hundreds of plants infested by parasites and regularly screen our vegetation for health indications.

• As part of the fynbos management we have removed 20 tonnes of rubble and garbage out of the mountain areas.

• During the preparation for farming we removed 90 hectares of kweek from the lands. We are going farm with a locally indigenous crop, Rooibos tea, following all organic farming principles for large scale land restoration.

• Teaching (and being taught by) our staff on the local uses of indigenous herbs. Staff members and guests are encouraged to learn more about these plants and harvest them for personal use. We have incorporated these indigenous plants in bath oils, salt scrubs, flower baths and soap, and as processed dried and fresh herbs. We are busy compiling local traditions, passed on by

SUSTAINABILITY PROJECTS

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our female staff members (who learnt it from their grandmothers), as well as information gained from books into a compilation called Woman’s Book of Herbs at Cederkloof, and will be available in our library (coming soon).

• Grey-water systems at all the houses: Each cottage has a grey-water system that feeds the gardens. The Jacuzzis, showers and hand basins are all connected to these systems that slow, stop, seep, save and store water back into the gardens. Our grey-water swales also help us with retaining more water during the winter rains and reduce run-off and erosion. We encourage guests to use biodegradable or eco-friendly body products so that we can more easily clean the water in these water systems.

• Electricity meters are on all the Jacuzzis. This allows us to monitor our electricity use and to employ power-saving techniques. Our aim is to reach the absolute minimum footprint.

Our building projects incorporate recycled materials that are generated on site (see the waste section below for more detail). In brief: • All cardboard and paper are used to sheet

mulch the lawns. • All garden debris is used to sheet mulch the

lawns.• All lawn cuttings, grasses and weeds are used

to fix the gravel road and prevent erosion.• All glass bottles are washed and will be used in

building new walls.

Other indirecteffectsof our policies:

Our no-noise policy helps to make people aware of the impact of sound and the beauty of the absence of sound pollution.Most people do not use their cars while they are here. One of the first measures we took was to separate the cottages from the cars as much as possible. This measure is still not complete, but we will move towards less contact with cars and less sighting of cars while you are here.

We want to move towards the lowest possible water footprint, and still give people the opportunity to relax in all the wonders that water brings to us. Our water-saving methods have been covered in the points above, but they are worth mentioning again: • Removing water-hungry plants, such as lawn

grasses, and replacing them with indigenous plants that will survive and thrive on rainwater alone.

• Grey-water systems for the cottages so that all the water from the cottages are used in the root zone of the plants. These systems also slow and seep rainwater for longer plant availability.

Photo Geoff Burchell

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OUR TEAMHere’s to the people whose passion is dedicated to making Cederkloof as wonderful as it is: Yvette Anderson, Manie and Cilna de Waal, Werner and Melanie Rontgen, Piet and Magdaleen KroonAnja Smit, Christel, Madelein, Sharon, Lottie, Tannie LettieWarren Hendricks, Eldon, Joseph, Lukas, Freddie, Nyasa, Tino

Manie en Cilna Yvette, Leintjie, Christel, Lottie, Sharon Anja, Lottie, Christel

Cilna, Manie, Piet Werner en Melanie

Magdaleen

Julian en Charlton

Our fantastic volunteers Dee and Jim, Yvette in middleWarren and Sharon

Sharon and Lottie making a salad

Manie en Adriana PIet Kroon (links)

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My favorite things about 2018:

1. Our award from SA Venues for best Cederberg accommodation - it made our Christmas party! 2. One day a man walked into the retreat and asked for a job - I said no first, but then quickly realized

the gem of gardener he is. Freddie thank you for the veggie gardens that sustained me with organic veggies all through the year.

3. Joseph built a beautiful wall of recycled glass bottles, showing our increased in skill with working with recycled material. Eldon built an entire outdoor venue from recycled wood, rock and tree trunks.

4. Manie and Cilna had a baby girl Adriana and Werner turned 40 and by the end of the year, Werner and Melanie was also pregnant yeye... Cederkloof family expanding.

5. We all ended the year healthy happy and excited for the year ahead.

MOMENTS IN 2018

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We would have not been able to come very far without these talented, generous and skilled individuals.

OUR SUPPORT TEAM

Cilna de Waal Architect (Huisie 4, Opstal, Bread-oven)+27 83 799 5844 | cilna@cilnadewaal.co.zawww.cilnadewaal.co.za

Johan Walters: Nest Digital (Logo Design & Brand Identity) +27 83 514 1546 | johan@nestdigitalworks.comwww.nestdigitalworks.com

James Mclaughlin: Carthage (Website design) +27 82 972 6805 | james.h.mclaughlin@gmail.com

Wolfkop Accommodation and Camping Villages (Camping partner) +27 83 260 5071 | info@wolfkopcampingvillages.co.za

Neil Jonker: Arttist and bread baker extrodinaire - for help with the design of our Bella Yamu bread oven @Niel Jonker

Depth Digital for the incredible 3D photographs on our website

depthdigital

depthdigital

depthdigital

depthdigital

Photo: Richard Walton

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Jané Ulla@janeullaphotographyweddings

Images helps to tell the story before we can. We are very fortunate to be able to show Cederkloof through the eyes of these talented photographers who show us what they see so that our guests will know what the possibilities are of what they can see.

SUPPORT PHOTOGRAPHERS

Janine Lessingwww.janinelessing.com

Jeanne Collins Zach Louw

Erika Bornman: Marianne Jonker

Jenni ElizabethNadine Aucamp

Mandy Freeman

Richard Walton

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WE HOPE TO SEE YOU SOON

A Place of Restoration

bookings@cederkloof.co.za

083 285 6766

www.cederkloof.co.za

Photo: Geoff Burchell