Our journey to save the Clanwilliam Ceder Tree, Bushmans Kloof Wilderness Reserve & Wellness Retreat

On 6th of May our team of five, including Bushmans Kloof Wilderness Reserve & Wellness Retreat's two General Managers, embarked on an unforgettable four-day hike through the majestic Cederberg Mountains. Our mission was twofold: to raise awareness for the critically endangered Clanwilliam cedar tree and to support our newest conservation partner, Sustainable Ceder. Along the way, we planted 100 trees, captured vital data, and experienced the raw beauty of one of South Africa’s most remote mountain ranges. Day 1: The Journey Begins Our adventure was a team of four, all passionate about conserving the Cederberg Wilderness Area. We hiked towards the picturesque Moravian village of Heuningvlei, covering the first 10km on an old donkey trail known only to the local community. Gershwin led us to an incredible rock art site, and we learned about the legendary Kootjie Dawid, named ‘Robin Hood’ by the local Cederberg community. As we reached the top of the first mountain ridge overlooking Heuningvlei, we planted our first cedar tree. A dog from the village decided to join us, following us up to the Boontjieskloof Hut, where we spent the night. This unexpected companion, whom we named Flash, stayed with us for the entire journey, adding a touch of warmth to our expedition. Days 2 & 3: Ancient Giants and the Arch The team underneath the Wolfberg Arch The next two days took us through the heart of the Cederberg Mountains, where we planted trees at five of Sustainable Ceder’s ten monitoring sites. Each site aims to plant 100 saplings, with the goal of spreading them throughout the Clanwilliam cedar’s historical range. Using the EarthRanger App, we measured and uploaded data for each sapling, contributing to the 1,455 trees already planted in 2024. We aim to plant another 3,500 this year. One of the trip’s highlights was sleeping under the stars at the Wolfberg Arch, surrounded by otherworldly rock formations and a sky full of stars, a truly magical experience.

Our journey to save the Clanwilliam cedar tree

Sustainable Ceder

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