Swellendam Snapshot
Squeezed between drop-dead-gorgeous mountain scenery and the N2, Swellendam (230km from Cape Town) is a historic town of oak-lined side streets, whitewashed homesteads, gables, gateways and other bits and pieces from the past. The town has a less eventful present than it does an eventful past – for a brief period, a mere three months, it was an independent rebel republic with its own president after the locals became gatvol with the way things were being run. Then, in 1865, at the peak of Swellendam’s golden years as a frontier of civilisation, the town was practically razed by an accidental fire that broke out in a bakery.
Things To Do
- Swellendam is a playground of outdoor possibility that includes walking, hiking, birdwatching and mountain biking in the beautiful Marloth Nature Reserve and Langeberg Mountains, and canoeing and fishing on the Breede River and nearby Buffeljags Dam. The Marloth Nature Reserve offers a variety of day trails and the six-day Swellendam Trail, which traverses most of the reserve.
- The Drostdy Museum, the ostentatious Dutch Reformed Church, Mayville (a period house depicting Victorian existence in the platteland), and Rheenendal Mill are all worth a visit for history’s sake. Both the Drostdy and Rheenendal have restaurants – a suitable enticement for culture-phobes. Swellendam’s backstreets are also worth trawling for fine examples of Cape Dutch and Georgian architecture.
- With approximately 100-and-counting guesthouses to feed off, Swellendam offers a good choice of restaurants. Housed in an amazing building, The Old Gaol Coffee Shop is our current favourite; try the roosterkoek with youngberry jam and cheese, it’s addictive. A few doors down, La Belle Alliance is a cool outdoor venue set to the sounds of a gurgling stream and foreign accents. For dining at night, cultured yokels recommend Roosje van De Kaap and The Connection – when we were there the latter had no menu, instead platters filled with whatever happens to be going on the day. Mattsens is popular among thickset local farmers and other heavy-duty carnivores – besides chunks of red meat, pizzas and fish are on the menu.
- Swellendam is a convenient base for day trips to the Bontebok National Park, De Hoop and Grootvadersbosch nature reserves, Tradouws Pass, the pont at Malgas, Witsand (fishing and whales), and the Breede River Valley (wine routes).
Rivierplaas Cottages
Swellendam, Western Cape
River House and Stone Cottage are secluded cottages appointed on a fruit farm along the banks of the Breede River. Both have a relaxed rustic personality suited to Budget weekenders with Huckleberry F...
Rate Guide
River House (sleeps 4) R500 nightly for 2 adults, Stone Cottage is R600 nightly for 2 adults; additional guests R50 per person nightly.
Breede Bush Camp
Swellendam, Western Cape
A private and exclusively booked campsite and central living area on the banks of the Breede River, 34 km south of Swellendam, Breede Bush Camp is certainly a good bet for the nature lover. Simply la...
Rate Guide
From R350pp for first four guests. Minimum rate for 4 guests.
!Xairu Tented Bush Retreat
Swellendam, Western Cape
Situated on a small, environmentally conscious farm, 28km from Swellendam, !Xairu Tented Bush Retreat is a rustic bush camp with two equipped, permanent tents, or an additional two unequipped tents fo...
Rate Guide
From R695 - R895.00 per equipped tent
Oorvloed Farmhouse
Swellendam, Western Cape
A large working Overberg farm is the setting for Oorvloed Farmhouse. It’s big sky country here with swathes of wheat and canola fields and wide open spaces. The farm slopes gently down to the ba...
Rate Guide
R800 nightly for the first two guests. R360pp thereafter. Minimum 2 night stay.
Koloniesbos Mountain Cabin
Swellendam, Western Cape
Koloniesbos Mountain Cabin is the epitome of your classic hikers hut. Originally the first hut of the Swellendam five day hiking trail, This little wooden abode has been brightened up to make it into ...
Rate Guide
R1500 nightly for the cabin
Die Hoenderhok & Plaashuisie
Swellendam, Western Cape
Pastoral bliss and a skyline dominated by the jagged peaks of the Langeberg are surely sufficient reason for a stop-over near (12km) Swellendam? Be it a midway break between mother city and Garden Ro...
Rate Guide
From R600 to R1300, depending on unit, guests and time of year
Somerset Gift Getaway Farm
Swellendam, Western Cape
Somerset Gift Getaway Farm nestles in a beautiful valley bordering the foothills of the majestic Langeberg Mountains, just 16km from Swellendam. Combining an idyllic and peaceful setting, with stunn...
Rate Guide
From R1300 to R6500, depending on unit, guests and time of year
Bibi's Joy
Swellendam, Western Cape
Let’s set the tone with a recent guest comment: “If you need peace and tranquility away from the city bustle, this is the place to go. Rustic, comfortable, serene... after one day you don'...
Rate Guide
From R300 to R1500, depending on unit, guests and time of year
Umshanti
Swellendam, Western Cape
Man, for a moment forget the fantastic view over the glistening dam and Langeberg peaks, we can't stop staring at that green grass. How do they get it like that? Bert from Admin says he's tried it all...
Rate Guide
From R280 - R500 per person nightly
The Gaia Sanctuary
Swellendam, Western Cape
The Gaia Sanctuary invites guests to visit our little slice of sanctuary, our very own heaven on earth, for a completely back-to-mother-earth experience, to leave your hectic city life behind and to c...
Rate Guide
From R128 to R1466, depending on unit, guests and time of year
Hermitage Huisies
Swellendam, Western Cape
A picturesque smallholding just outside Swellendam, Hermitage Huisies has a certain quality that many guests find irresistible. There are four cottages, the original Rose Cottage, and its younger si...
Rate Guide
From R800 to R1730, depending on unit, guests and time of year
KamBati River Resort
Swellendam, Western Cape
Kam’Bati, a 5km drive off the N2 and 25km from Swellendam, is aimed at nature lovers and families out for a relaxed weekend of caravaning and camping alongside the Riviersonderend and ...
Rate Guide
From R2120, depending on unit, guests and time of year
Mountain View Swellendam
Swellendam, Western Cape
Comprising The Cottage (sleeps 4) and The Lodge (4 units, sleeps 10 in total), and set in fynbos gardens overlooking the historic town of Swellendam against the backdrop of the majestic Langeberg moun...
Rate Guide
From R1000 to R2550, depending on unit, guests and time of year
Bontebokskloof Manor
Swellendam, Western Cape
Adjacent to the N2, Bontebokskloof Manor is located on a working farm in the countryside, a stone’s throw away from picturesque Swellendam, with a clear view of the Langeberg Mountains, and can ...
Rate Guide
From R3000 to R3850, depending on unit, guests and time of year
Riverside Country House
Swellendam, Western Cape
Riverside Country House is a tastefully furnished self-catering house set at the foot of the majestic Langeberg Mountain alongside the Koornlands river. The downstairs area has a large Lounge with a f...
Rate Guide
From R2500, depending on unit, guests and time of year
Aloe Canyons Guestfarm and Wildlife
Swellendam, Western Cape
Off the beaten track and tucked along the banks of a river - with an outlook over rugged hills - Aloe Canyons Guest Farm and Wildlife is nature lovers territory. The river forms the focus here - a sl...
Rate Guide
From R900 to R1600, depending on unit, guests and time of year
Where You'll Also Find Us
Arniston (Waenhuiskrans) • Barrydale • Beaufort West • Betty's Bay • Bonnievale • Bot River • Bredasdorp • Caledon • Calitzdorp • Cape Agulhas and Struisbaai • Cape Town area • Ceres • Citrusdal • Clanwilliam & Cederberg • Darling • De Rust • Franschhoek • Gansbaai • George • Grabouw & Elgin Valley • Greyton • Heidelberg • Hermanus • Knysna • Ladismith • Laingsburg • Lamberts Bay • Langebaan • Malgas • Matjiesfontein • McGregor • Montagu • Mossel Bay • Napier • Oudtshoorn • Paarl • Paternoster • Plettenberg Bay • Porterville • Prince Albert • Pringle Bay • Pringle Bay, Betty's Bay and Kleinmond • Riebeek West and Riebeek-Kasteel • Riversdale • Riviersonderend • Robertson • St Helena Bay • Stanford • Stilbaai • Strand, Gordon's Bay and Somerset West • Swellendam • Tulbagh • Uniondale • Velddrif • Vermaaklikheid • Wellington • Wilderness • Witsand • Worcester & Hex Valley • Yzerfontein • Baviaanskloof • Cape St Francis • Cape St Francis & St Francis Bay • East London • Graaff-Reinet • Hogsback • Jeffreys Bay • Makhanda (Grahamstown) • Middelburg • Nieu-Bethesda • Rhodes • Sutherland