the olifants river () is a river in the northwestern area of the western cape province of south africa. the upper and main catchment area of the olifants river is around ceres and the cederberg mountains. the clanwilliam and bulshoek dams are located on the river and provide water for the towns and farms along the watercourse. the river is approximately 285 km long with a catchment area of 46,220 km and flows into the atlantic ocean at papendorp, 250 km north of cape town.