South Africa Rocks with Sevilla Rock Art Trail

We’re always celebrating South Africa’s stunning beaches and sensational safaris…but there are so many other hidden treasures in the land. Here is just one of them – the Sevilla Rock Art Trail. All photographs by Andre Buser (thank you!).

Ten Things you should know about the Sevilla Rock Art Trail:

1. Some of the paintings are three times older than the pyramids in Egypt! They’re estimated to be between 8,000 and 800 years old.

2. The Cederberg region is home to around 2,500 paintings! Those in the Sevilla Rock Art Trail are the most accessible with a lovely walk alongside the Brandewyn River.

3. The ancient rock paintings were created by San (Bushmen) using blood, gall, egg white and ochre!

4. The walk is about 4 km long and includes nine ancient rock art sites. (Although there is a tenth site…but that increases the walk to 7 km.)

5. Wear comfortable shoes (there’s uneven ground), a hat…and don’t forget that water. Most people advise that you skip the first three most-viewed sites and visit them on the way back (otherwise you could tire yourself out too soon). The whole walk takes about two and a half hours.

6. The Trail, which is at Traveller’s Rest, begins about 36 km from Clanwilliam (which is nestled at the foot of the Cederberg mountains), off the N7 highway.  You’ll need a permit which you can buy at the Farm Stall or from the Traveller’s Rest Farmhouse.

7. Cederberg is about 270 km north of Cape Town. It’s a World Heritage Site and therefore one cannot camp or hike in the area without a permit.

8. Don’t touch or wet the paintings. It’s forbidden. Strictly.

9. Apart from the rock art, the area is also renowned for its botanical beauty, gorgeous hikes and rock pools you can swim in. In spring the sight of the wild flowers is stunning!

10. It’s best visited in summer or spring (the sight of the wild flowers in spring is spectacular!). Winter can bring beautiful snow-capped mountain views…but also means that the roads can be more hazardous.

MORE INFO

Cederberg Official Website: www.cederberg.com

Traveller’s Rest (& Sevilla Rock Art Trail): Tel: +27 (0) 27 482 1824 or email travrest@clanwilliam.co.za