We recently spent three days exploring the Cederberg and surrounding areas in eight of the newest Land Rover Defenders, gaining insight into the vehicles’ capabilities, learning about the area’s botanical biodiversity and being schooled on the vast night sky.
Dubbed “The Experience” by Jaguar Land Rover, this three-day adventure across the rugged terrains of Cederberg was a wonderful nod to the contemporary take on the Land Rover Defender. As eight new Defenders took to the dusty tracks, it was clear that the spirit of adventure is still very much alive in the new Defenner, all while ensconced in the luxury expected of the modern-day SUV.
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The Defender has long stood as a symbol of off-roading excellence, and vehicles we piloted through the Cederberg retained all the off-road pedigree of their boxy ancestors, the Series Land Rovers and Defenders. After its production pause in 2015, Land Rover re-launched the Defender in 2020, combining its storied off-road lineage with the luxury features today’s drivers demand.
Our expedition started at the Durbanville Hills Winery and stretched to the Simbavati Cederberg Ridge—a lavish lodge set among vast expanses of Fynbos. Over these three days, we explored various locales around Cederberg, fully immersing ourselves in the lifestyle that the new Land Rover Defender champions. The Defender’s varied range was represented in our fleet, which included two each of the Defender 90s, 110s, and 130s, with a Defender 130 First Edition leading the way. Each model of the older Defenders often reflects its owner’s personality through unique modifications and accessories, a trait the new fleet retains impressively
My personal adventure began by being handed the keys to a 5.0-litre supercharged V8 Defender 90. Famously known as the villain’s car in a recent James Bond film, this model pretty much combines the thrill of a sports car with the robust body and capability of a distinguished an off-roader.
Related: Land Rover Defender V8 Carpathian Edition: Driving a future classic
Lunch was at the Homegrown Bakery Café in Ceres, a charming spot known for its fresh, healthy offerings—perfect for travellers to refuel. Our journey included a couple of these delightful stops, including Oppi Hoek coffee shop and De Tol Farm Deli, with memorable lunches at the Ormonde Private Cellar and the Skimmelberg Buchu and Rooibos Farm, where we also enjoyed a tea-tasting session.
The winding dirt roads selected by the Jaguar Land Rover team were a testament to the Defender’s unchanged off-road prowess, despite its luxurious interior. A personal highlight was swapping the V8’s 22-inch rims for the rugged all-terrain tyres of the Defender 130 Outbound on our last day. This model, a newcomer in South Africa, is particularly suited for adventure, with ample storage and enhanced boot space for all your gear.
Our evenings were spent in the serene luxury of the Simbavati Cederberg Wilderness Lodge, nestled amidst endless mountains and vibrant Fynbos. Despite our short stay, the lodge offered mountain trails for hiking, biking, and running, complemented by a boutique spa experience complete with massages, an ice bath, and a sauna.
The dining at Simbavati varied from buffet breakfasts to cocktail evenings and dinners curated with local ingredients. However, it was the warmth and attentiveness of the staff that made the stay all the more memorable. One of the highlights was a mysterious drive deeper into the mountains on our first night, where Professor Peter Dunsby of UCT led a stargazing session that included telescope viewings and an epic evening lesson on our universe. Under the clear Cederberg skies, we observed celestial wonders like the crescent moon, Jupiter, and the Tarantula Nebula.
This adventure proved a profound reminder of the natural beauty that awaits when we venture beyond urban confines and a testament to the adventurous spirit at the core of the Land Rover Defender.