Donkey Cart Adventures
Experience the rich biodiversity and cultural assets of the Cederberg from a traditional donkey cart.
Route
The cart route begins at the top of the Pakhuis Pass where you can leave your car before embarking on the two-and-a-half hour ride to Heuningvlei. Choose between a half day donkey cart ride, a full day visit to Heuningvlei or an overnight visit to Heuningvlei. Up to six people can be accommodated at the guest cottages whilst larger parties can stay in the small dormitories in the Community Guest Lodge.
Heuningvlei
The farm Heuningvlei originally belonged to the nine Ockhuis brothers who inherited it from their father - a Dutch settler who married a local woman, Vytjie Swart. Three of the brothers went bankrupt and sold their shares to the other six. The remaining six soon sold their ownership rights to the Rhenish Missionary Society,
Today Heuningvlei is one of fourteen outposts of the Moravian Mission Church at Wupperthal, the successor to the Rhenish Missionary Society. Twenty five families are currently living here, mainly involved in subsistence farming, planting sugar beans, potatoes and sweet potatoes. The community is also renowned for using traditional methods to produce dried fruit and for organically cultivating Rooibos tea.
Aims
The Donkey Cart Adventure is a collaboration between the Heuningvlei Community and various supporting organisations. It aims to improve the livelihood of all the inhabitants of Heuningvlei. The donkey is the traditional means of transportation in the rugged Cederberg Mountains and the people of Heuningvlei used to use their donkey carts to carry their produce to Clanwilliam.
"Do-It-Yourself" Visits To Moravian Mission Villages
If you wish to “do your own thing” in the Cederberg you may book accommodation at Heuningvlei, Brugkraal and/or Wupperthal through Cedarberg African Travel and plan your own hikes from there. There is easy access from these villages to the Wilderness Area. If you are uncertain of the hiking routes you may arrange for community members to escort you.
Important
- Please respect the culture and lifestyle of the community
- Please do not litter
- Please keep luggage to a minimum as the carts have limited storage space
- Bring a sun hat and sunscreen during summer, and rain gear during winter
|
|
|
)
)
)
