Swellendam

Swellendam (pop. 35.000) is in the Western Cape region. It's one of the oldest European settlements in South Africa. The town has over 50 provincial heritage sites, most of them buildings of Cape Dutch architecture.

Visitor information centre
There is no longer a Tourism Information office - a town directory www.swellendam.com is used by most people to find their way around, to find places to eat and sleep and to catch up on local news, jobs, and events.

By car

 *  From Cape Town: It takes about 2.5-3 hours on the N2 to reach Swellendam by car from Cape Town (240 km).

Take the N2 highway towards Cape Town International Airport and carry on straight towards Somerset West. Follow the N2 past the town and all the way up and over Sir Lowry’s Pass. Once you are over the pass, carry on straight on the N2 past the towns of Grabouw/Elgin and Bot River.

Continue along the highway past Caledon and Riviersonderend until you come into the town which is well signposted. Depending on where you are staying you can access the town through either the first or second highway off-ramp. The second highway off-ramp will take you straight to many of the main tourist attractions.

An alternative route on the N1 through the Huguenot Tunnel, then the R60, through Worcester and Robertson takes the same time and is more scenic.


 * From George: Take the N2 highway towards Mossel Bay and follow this highway all the way along the N2 until you reach Swellendam. The journey will take you all the way along the coast and then inland, passing through Riversdale and Heidelberg.

By bus
The major companies serve Swellendam on their run from Cape Town to the Garden route but the service isn't very extensive. Swellendam is also served by the Baz Bus on its way from Cape Town to Port Elizabeth.

By air or train
There is a small airport, Swellengrebel Airfield, used for pilot training and private planes. There is a railway - but the station no longer operates. A hospital train visits the town annually and private companies run tourism trips by steam engine.

Get around
The town is small so best viewed while walking through the oak lined streets. There is no public transport in the town except for the minibuses. The minibus stand is in Tritchard Street behind the main shopping mall.

See

 * The Drostdy: the former magistrate's seat was built in 1747 and now houses a museum. It is a fine example of Cape-Dutch architecture.
 * Bontebok National Park: A few kilometres out of town, this park offers nice scenery. Worth a day of hiking and a viewing of the flora and fauna. Bontebok National Park is where the rare bontebok was protected when it was close to extinction. The population has increased from 17 individuals in 1931 to a sustainable number today.
 * De Hoop Nature Reserve: Beautiful little reserve, perfect for spotting whales!
 * Marloth Nature Reserve: On the southern slopes of the Langeberg Mountains offers an abundance of wild flowers and fynbos, as well as some hiking trails.

Do

 * Visit the museum and then go to Bontebok National Park. For those with more time hiking in the Marloth nature reserve is worth a thought.
 * Marloth Nature reserve offers a number of hikes, some of them partially shaded, needed in the summer heat.
 * Twaalfuurkop Peak is about 12.4km, taking an estimated time 6 hours. Ascends to the Twaalfuurkop peak (1,450m) with great views of the Langeberg Mountain range, the Rûensveld and the Indian Ocean.
 * Duiwelsbos Waterfall. A short 2km hike, taking an estimated 2 hours, it is shaded for the latter portion, and offers a small swimming spot at the end.
 * Koloniesbos: 2km, an estimated 70m. It starts from the same place as the Duiwelsbos route, and it's possible to do both. A pleasant, mostly shaded route. It is possible to add on a few scenic but unshaded kilometres to both routes by starting at the Marloth Office, rather than the parking lot.
 * Plaat Loop. 12km, an estimated 3 hours. Includes a number of streams to swim
 * Appelsbos Loop. 21km, an estimated 5 hours

Eat and Drink
Several restaurants line the main street - Swellendam has many owner managed restaurants and very few 'fast food' joints, so food is generally of an excellent standard - with the personal touch,









Connect
Local telephone area code: 028. Postcode 6740.

Go next

 * The rest of the Overberg.
 * Witsand, a small coastal town about 50 km from Swellendam, is one of the best whale viewing spots on the South coast as it is one the of largest whale nurseries in South Africa. The town sits at the foot of the Langeberg, and there are many hiking trails, ranging from day walks to a 5- to 7-day trails.