There are weekends that leave you tired, and then there are weekends that stay with you long after your boots have been cleaned, your tent packed away, and the dust has settled.
The fourth annual Keeping it wild in the Cederberg, hosted by Love Our Trails in partnership with Sustainable Ceder, was one of those weekends. Not because of one single moment, but because of everything that happened in between—the conversations, the cold mornings, the shared meals, the hard work, the laughter, and the quiet sense that something meaningful that was unfolding in real time.
From 8 to 10 May 2026, more than 120 people made their way to Driehoek Guest Farm into the Cederberg, despite weather warnings of cold and rain to learn, connect and contribute.
Where it all began
Keeping it Wild didn’t start as an “event”. It started as a question.
Years ago, Blake Dyason heard a conservationist speaking with excitement about discovering a flower in the Cederberg while camping at Driehoek. It wasn’t just what was said—it was the passion and excitement in his voice.
That moment sparked a question:
What if people didn’t just visit wild places, but experienced them through the eyes of conservationists who dedicate their lives to protecting them?
That question slowly grew into a collaboration between Blake and Dawie Burger, and eventually into a weekend that now brings together conservationists, landowners, researchers, farmers, hikers and volunteers from all walks of life.
Friday: arriving into the heart of the Cederberg
Friday evening began the way many of the best weekends do in South Africa—around a bonfire.
Local wine, craft beer and kombucha were passed around as people reconnected with old friends and met new ones for the first time. There was laughter, introductions that turned into long conversations, and that familiar feeling of “you’re exactly where you should be.”
The weekend was officially opened by Monique Ruthenberg, Cederberg Conservation Manager at CapeNature, who attended while on leave—a quiet gesture that spoke volumes about the deep personal connection many have with Cederberg.
The first talk was shared by Jasper Slingsby, speaking on behalf of his father, Peter Slingsby, whose iconic maps and writing have shaped how so many people understand and explore the Cederberg. Jasper didn’t just speak about maps—he spoke about meaning, stories, places, memories, and the layers of history held in the mountains and local communities, that are all featured in Peter Slingsby’s latest work, “Cederberg: The Book”.
Later that evening, a panel discussion facilitated by Blake Dyason brought together Deon Rossouw (CapeNature Capability Manager), Dawie Burger (Founder of Sustainable Ceder) and Johann van Biljon (CEO, Green Intaba), focusing on the realities of the recent fires in the region.
There was real concern in the discussion—about changing fire patterns, biodiversity loss, and increasing pressure on already fragile ecosystems. But there was also a clear commitment to working together, finding solutions, and protecting these wild spaces. It was eye-opening to better understand the complexities of conservation, especially around fire.
Saturday: from frost to purpose
As the sun peaked over the mountains and the frost began to melt, volunteers gathered at the barn, coffee in hand, ready to make a difference. Most people had never been to Langkloof and were excited to experience a new part of the Cederberg.
We packed tools, climbed into 4x4s, and convoyed around the mountains to Langkloof—a small, remote community of around 200 people—where we were welcomed by the friendliest faces and the biggest smiles.
Most didn’t quite know what to expect, but as we arrived, the scale of the dream quickly became clear: to build a tented campsite in Langkloof. Standing there, looking up at the surrounding mountains, you are struck by how beautiful the location is—but also how remote it is, and how limited municipal support and job opportunities remain for communities like this.
It was deeply moving to meet people who have called the Cederberg home for generations.
Marc Jeysel, part of the Langkloof Tourism Trust and a lifelong resident of the area, welcomed us with a few words and a prayer before we got to work.
The goal for the day was simple in words, but ambitious in reality: begin building a community-owned tented campsite that could support local tourism and create sustainable income for the area.
What happened next is hard to describe without sounding exaggerated—but it wasn’t.
People got to work.
Within hours, the space began to change. Vegetation was cleared. Poles were planted, and fences and gates were erected. Trails were opened to ancient rock art sites and old cedar forests. Alien vegetation was removed. A private toilet and shower area was built. Water pipes were laid. Timber was cut, a braai area created, and a shaded communal space began to take shape where there had been nothing before.
Even an old thatch structure was carefully dismantled and repurposed, while local stone masons worked alongside volunteers to restore part of an old structure in the rocks that will eventually become an indoor cooking space.
Throughout the day, the women of Langkloof kept everyone going with fresh roosterkoek, while coffee was generously sponsored by South Land Pour-Over Coffee.
The experience was truly special. It was hard to believe that in just a few hours, a group of strangers had created something that brought so much hope and opportunity to a community. It also opened up a wider conversation about access, heritage, culture, and how we engage with and protect these spaces moving forward.
Work happening in parallel
Not everyone was in Langkloof.
Smaller teams stayed behind to clear invasive vegetation at Welbedacht and to prepare sandbags ahead of forecast rain—quiet but essential work that often goes unseen.
Meanwhile, younger participants including children from local communities and kids that joined family for the weekend joined a guided walk with the Cape Leopard Trust, supported by Handré Basson from Endangered Wildlife Trust and Patrick Hanekom, learning about leopards, spoor, insects, and the smaller systems that keep these landscapes alive.
There was curiosity and laughter among the children—a reminder that education should be fun, and that early experiences shape how we connect with nature for life.
Saturday night: culture, stories, and connection
Saturday evening brought a surprise that shifted the energy of the entire weekend.
A traditional Rieldans group from Clanwilliam performed a high-energy and deeply moving dance. Rooted in Khoi and San heritage, their performance was filled with rhythm, joy, and storytelling. It felt like an invitation—to learn, connect, and celebrate—setting the tone for an incredible night of talks.
Jeannie Hayward from Cape Leopard Trust spoke about leopard conservation and the importance of ecological corridors and partnerships.
Sarah Hulley from Conservation Outcomes shared the work being done to open and strengthen ecological corridors, unpacking the complexity of connecting protected and private landscapes.
Jess Prevost spoke about the challenges facing the iconic cedar trees, particularly in a changing climate and increasing fire frequency, and the important role organisations like Sustainable Ceder play.
Professor John Parkington from UCT guided everyone into the world of ancient rock art, storytelling and expression, deepening appreciation for Khoi and San heritage.
Handré Basson from the Endangered Wildlife Trust revealed the hidden lives of beetles and fireflies—small creatures often overlooked, yet deeply affected by pressures such as habitat loss, poaching, climate change and light pollution.
Each talk added another layer of understanding and sparked a deeper sense of curiosity in all of us.
What the weekend left us with
The weekend gave us a sense of shared responsibility. A sense of connection—not just to the landscape, but to each other. And a quiet understanding that conservation is not a distant idea. It is something we can all contribute to, from sharing observations on iNaturalist, to planting cedar trees, to simply being more aware and responsible in wild spaces.
Keeping it Wild is no longer just a gathering.
It has become a community of people who care deeply about wild places and take real action to protect them.
None of it would have been possible without the partners, speakers, sponsors and volunteers who gave their time, energy and resources so generously. From CapeNature and the Cape Leopard Trust, to Cederberg Wines, Cederberg Brewery, Culture Lab Kombucha, Driehoek Wines, and many others who cooked, donated, supported, and showed up in countless ways.
Special thanks to Travel Designer for sponsoring the Riel dancers, and to Justin Bonello and the team at Keurbosfontein – Red Cederberg for their continued support of Langkloof and surrounding community initiatives.
And to Lizette and Dawie Burger, who poured their hearts into making everything come together—from managing campsites to setting up the barn.
Most importantly, to every volunteer who showed up and made this weekend so incredibly special.
As Blake Dyason reflected at the close of the weekend:
“We started this to give conservationists a platform to share their passion. But Keeping it Wild has become something far bigger. It’s about connection, collaboration, and creating real change together.”
The work in Langkloof is still ongoing.
You can support the BackaBuddy campaign to help complete the community-owned tented campsite and continue building long-term opportunities for the area.
Because if this weekend made anything clear, it’s this:
When people show up and work together, even the most daunting ideas can come to life.
