Klawer Accommodation

Klawer is a small agricultural town on the N7, surrounded by vineyards, orchards and dry, rolling hills in the Olifants River Valley. Its position between Cape Town and Namaqualand makes it a useful stopping point, but the town itself is worth a closer look, particularly for travellers interested in wine, wildflowers and the quieter character of the West Coast interior.

The name Klawer is Afrikaans for ‘clover’ and refers to the wild clover or sorrel that once grew abundantly in the area, particularly after good winter rains. The settlement developed around its railway station, which opened in 1914 and played an important role in connecting the agricultural communities of the Olifants River Valley with markets farther south. For a time, Klawer was the northern terminus of the railway from Cape Town.

Wine is now one of the town's major attractions. The surrounding vineyards benefit from irrigation supplied by the Olifants River, producing grapes used for a variety of wines. A visit to the local wine cellar provides an opportunity to sample regional wines while learning more about the area's agricultural traditions.

The landscape becomes especially spectacular from late winter into spring. After sufficient rainfall, colourful wildflowers appear across the veld, with the best displays generally occurring between August and September. The nearby Gifberg mountains also offer opportunities for hiking, scenic drives and exploring the area's rugged natural environment.

Adventure seekers can head towards the Doring River, where seasonal river-rafting excursions provide an exhilarating way to experience the surrounding wilderness. The wider area also contains San rock art, offering a fascinating glimpse into the region's much older human history.

Klawer lies in the Cape West Coast region, where the landscape gradually changes from coastal plains to the rugged interior and fertile valleys around the Olifants River. Its combination of wine farming, spring flowers, mountain scenery and railway heritage makes it a surprisingly rewarding stop on a journey along the N7.