WESTERN CAPE
The Cape Fold Mountains get snow almost every year, with Matroosberg near Ceres usually being first. Further away from Cape Town, the Cederberg and Swartberg are great places to see snow with fewer people around.
CERES
Nandi Williams from Hout Bay writes: In August 2021, we heard that Ceres had received a fresh blanket during the night. Completely ill prepared (next time we’ll wear more layers), we set off in our Land Rover. I think the whole of Cape Town had heard the news too, and the journey ended up taking five hours, more than double what we’d expected.
My husband Grant was grumbling – he loves adventure but hates traffic. Had it not been for the mini snowmen that decorated almost every homeward-bound car, we might have turned around. Our son Max was so looking forward to having a snowball fight…
People had parked all along the road from Ceres to Matroosberg. Adults and children alike were rolling down snow-covered hills, building elaborate snow creatures, and chasing each other with snowballs.
Max loved it! We left well after sunset because we didn’t have the heart to tear him away. He played until he was tired, and only then, after building one last snowman on the bonnet of Lula our Landy, did we say goodbye to the snow.
Follow Nandi and her family’s travels on Instagram: @lulainafrica
STAY HERE
Forgotten Highway Guest Farm
Situated on a fruit farm on Theronsberg Pass, you can play in the snow without having to leave the property. Die Plaashuis (sleeps eight) costs R2 400 per night; Die Herdershuis (two people) costs R1 100 per night; Die Woonstel (two people) costs R880 per night and Die Meulhuis (four people) costs R330 per person. For weekend bookings, a minimum stay of two nights is required.
Where? 27 km north-east of Ceres, along the R46.
Contact: 072 172 9545 (Maryke); forgottenhighway.co.za
Matroosberg Private Nature Reserve
This is the best-known snow destination close to Cape Town because it gives access to Matroosberg (2 249 m), which is usually the Western Cape’s first mountain to receive snow. Day visitors pay R80 per
