Under Canvas or Self Catering Villa?
How to Choose Your Mount Ceder Stay.
Tessa Buhrmann is a travel writer, photographer and editor of Travel Southern Africa, as well as the founder of Responsible Traveller. With a passion for exploring Africa’s wild places, she loves sharing stories that go beyond the usual safari experience, celebrating the people, wildlife and landscapes that make each destination special. A long-time advocate for responsible tourism, Tessa believes that meaningful travel is as much about the connections we make as the places we visit.
There’s more than one way to experience the Cederberg. At Mount Ceder, you can fall asleep surrounded by nature in one of the safari-style canvas tents beside the river or settle into the comfort and privacy of a self-catering villa, with beautiful views of the sandstone peaks and the freedom to make the day entirely your own.
Mount Ceder’s three Under Canvas Hideaways suit couples who want a tent close to the Grootrivier, a private wood-fired hot tub without the worry of needing to make breakfast in the morning. The six villas and three mini villas, sleeping from two, four and eight, suit families and friend groups who want their own kitchen and braai. Then there’s Leeustert House, a shepherd’s cottage built in the 1800s and renovated for two. It suits anyone who wants a quiet weekend and likes a place with some history in its walls.
One of the nice things about Mount Ceder is that you can choose how much, or how little, you want to do for yourself.
There are the luxurious Under Canvas Hideaways, tucked alongside the Grootrivier, where you can forget about shopping and cooking altogether. Then there are nine self-catering villas of varying size, where having your own kitchen means you can come and go as you please. And then there’s Leeustert House, the charming, newly renovated shephard’s cottage, which is also self-catering.
I have a feeling I know which one I’d choose, but then again, I’m very easily swayed by the words “someone else is cooking dinner”.
Under Canvas Hideaways: let the river be your alarm clock
There are three tented suites – Crux, Scorpius and Orion – named after the constellations you’ll see overhead on a clear Cederberg night. Located in the valley with sandstone peaks rising around them and the Grootrivier flowing below. Each 70 m² suite has glass fronts, an en-suite bathroom and its own deck. They opened in March 2026 and are the most private Cederberg tented accommodation on the farm. Inside, there’s air-conditioning, a Nespresso station and daily housekeeping.
And that river is very much part of the experience. Forget the usual camping soundtrack of wind and wildlife; here, you’re more likely to wake to running water and birdsong. Open your doors, step outside with your first cup of coffee and there’s no particular reason to hurry. The river is right there, the mountains are waiting, and you can see where the day takes you. Please note that during dryer months the river tends to slow down and as such might not always be experienced the same way.
Each suite has a panoramic patio and a netted patio nook, which sounds like the sort of thing designed for reading but will probably be used for an afternoon nap. There’s also a private wood-fired hot tub and if you happen to be in it when the stars come out, you’ll understand why the suites were named after constellations. Treated firewood is available for purchase on site. Please don’t bring your own: it can carry wood-boring beetles into the valley, which can be damaging to our Olive groves.
And there’s no need to worry about what’s for dinner. The tents are not self-catering, but the Old Mill House is right there when you’re ready for a meal. Breakfast is included in your stay, and the licensed restaurant serves light lunches and dinner. Simply confirm your meal times at reception or via email when you finalise your booking.
The afternoon is yours. Perhaps you’ve been walking or swimming, or you’ve found a shady spot and done absolutely nothing at all. Come back to the tent, pour a drink and sit on the patio while the heat of the day fades.
Later, there’s the wood-fired hot tub, the sound of the river and birds in the background, and that enormous Cederberg sky overhead. With so little light pollution, the stars are extraordinary. It’s the sort of evening where you find yourself staying outside much longer than you intended.
Mount Ceder self-catering villas: make yourself at home
The villas offer a different kind of escape. With views across the surrounding landscape, from the Grootrivier to the Klipbokkop mountain range, they give you somewhere to spread out and enjoy the setting without having to leave your front door.
There are six villas and three mini villas, each placed so it has its own privacy:
- Klipbokkop Luxury Villa: the most private villa on the farm. It has 360-degree mountain views and an outdoor wood-fired hot tub set into the edge of a kliff.
- Blinkberg Villa: on the slopes of the Tuinskloof ridge, looking across to the Klipbokkop range, with a wood-fired hot tub on the terrace.
- Waboomhoek Villa: the closest villa to the big swimming pools in the Grootrivier, with plenty of birdsong along the river in the early morning.
- Taaibos Villa: right beside the Grootrivier, with a private terrace, an outdoor fireplace and good birdwatching without leaving your chair.
- Kareeboom Villa: at the foot of the mountains. A large patio opens onto a green lawn, and it has an indoor fireplace and a wood-fired hot tub.
- Puntjie Villa: at the far end of the Tuinskloof ridge, with river views, a Jacuzzi on the veranda and a fireplace for cooler nights.
- Leeustert House: quaint renovated Shepard’s cottage located on the banks of the river, perfect for two.
Mini villas: each sleeps four and is an easy walk from reception and the Old Mill House.
- Olienhout Mini Villa
- Peperboom Mini Villa
- Kamferboom Mini Villa
The villas work particularly well for families, groups of friends or couples who like having their own kitchen and a little more independence. Wake when you want, put the kettle on and take that first coffee outside. No alarm, no breakfast rush, just coffee and a view.
And then there are those late afternoons when you’ve been out exploring and decide you’re quite happy not to go anywhere else. Open a bottle, sit outside and watch the light change across the valley while someone gets the braai going. Or everyone can pitch in and make dinner together, which is half the fun of self-catering anyway.
It’s the best Cederberg self-catering accommodation for groups: book two or three villas and everyone has their own space. A good option if you’re travelling with family or friends, or if you’re the sort of person who likes having a fridge full of your favourite things and the freedom to indulge when you feel like it.
Leeustert House: a shepherd’s cottage for two
Leeustert is a little different again. This renovated shepherd’s cottage dates back to the 1800s and sits quietly at the foot of Blinkberg, with views over the olive groves and the Grootrivier.
It has a queen-size bed, a small sitting area beside the wood-burning fireplace and an open-plan kitchen and dining room. In winter, the indoor fire makes it very easy to settle in with a glass of wine and dinner; when the weather is warmer, there’s an outdoor braai area and a “Binlaanie” splash pool.
For two people, it’s perhaps the closest thing to a happy medium, you have your own kitchen and independence, but the cottage has a character and history that makes it feel like part of the Cederberg rather than simply somewhere to sleep.
Mount Ceder Accommodation at a Glance
| Under Canvas Hideaways | Self-catering villas | |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Couples, honeymooners | Families, friend groups, couples who like to cook |
| Sleeps | 2 per suite | 4 (mini villas) to 6 or 8 (villas) |
| Meals | Breakfast included served at Old Mill House Restaurant; lunch and dinner to be booked ahead | Fully equipped kitchen and outdoor braai area; restaurant optional |
| Hot tub | Private wood-fired tub at every suite | Most villas: wood-fired hot tub or Jacuzzi |
| Setting | Close to the Grootrivier, sandstone peaks all round | Spread across the valley, ridges and riverbank |
| Housekeeping | Daily | After every Three Days |
Under Canvas or Villa: which Cederberg accommodation suits you?
Honestly, it comes down to what you want from your Cederberg escape.
If you want to wake to the river, spend your days outdoors, soak in a hot tub under the stars and have someone else take care of breakfast and dinner, the Under Canvas Hideaways have a lot going for them.
If you’re happier with your own kitchen, a good view, a slow morning coffee and a braai at the end of the day, the villas might be more your style.
Or perhaps the real answer is to try both. Because in the Cederberg, having an excuse to come back is never a bad thing.
And if it’s just the two of you and you like the idea of a fireplace with some history, Leeustert is hard to argue with.
To check dates and availability click here or simply email reservations@mountceder.co.za
Our Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between Mount Ceder's Under Canvas Hideaways and the self-catering villas?
The Under Canvas Hideaways are three eco-luxury tented suites beside the Grootrivier, each with a private wood-fired hot tub, air-conditioning and daily housekeeping, and breakfast is included at the Old Mill House restaurant. The self-catering villas are private houses with fully equipped kitchens and braai areas, sleeping four to eight guests, for people who prefer to cook and set their own schedule.
Are meals included at Mount Ceder?
Breakfast is included for Under Canvas Hideaway guests and is served at the Old Mill House restaurant. The villas and Leeustert House are self-catering. All guests are welcome to eat at the Old Mill House, which serves breakfast, light lunches and dinner. Restaurant meals need to be booked before you arrive.
Which Mount Ceder accommodation is best for families or groups?
The self-catering villas. The six larger villas sleep six to eight guests, and the three mini villas sleep four and are within easy walking distance of reception and the restaurant. Larger groups often book several villas so each family has its own space.
Do the villas have hot tubs, and can I bring my own firewood?
Every Under Canvas suite and most villas have a private wood-fired hot tub or Jacuzzi. Please don’t bring firewood from outside, as it can carry wood-boring beetles into the Cederberg. Treated firewood is available to buy on site.
How far is Mount Ceder from Cape Town, and is there cell signal?
Mount Ceder is about three hours’ drive from Cape Town, with the final stretch on gravel road. There is no cell phone reception on the property. Wi-Fi is available at reception and the restaurant.
Are pets allowed at Mount Ceder?
No. Mount Ceder is in a wilderness area where baboons and birds of prey occur naturally, so pets are not allowed in any of the accommodation.
