Swellendam Guide
Day Trips around Swellendam 
Useful Travel Tips
Useful Links
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Nestling at the foot of the Langeberg Mountains,
Swellendam has much to offer visitors who have an
interest in history, nature and outdoor activities.
Situated on the N2, approximately 240km from both
Cape Town and George, Swellendam is the perfect choice
for a halfway stopover or as a base from which to
explore the area.
Rainfall is spread over the year (55% winter and
45% summer). There is little wind and temperatures
are moderate. There is no shortage of water and gardens
are lush and luxuriant. The cost of living is reasonable
and the town is clean and efficiently run.
The people are friendly and there is no political
strife with a virtual absence of serious crime.
5 Fun Day Trips around Swellendam!
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map of 5 different
day trips you can take when you stay in
Swellendam, including:
• Things to do in and around Swellendam
• A Karoo route, including Suurbraak,
the Tradouw Pass and Barrydale
• Various routes to include the
coast
• Wine & fruit growing route
See the map here |
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Local historical buildings in Swellendam
The third oldest town in South Africa, the shady oak-lined streets of Swellendam seem to groan with history. Visit the Drosdy Museum, the old Gaol, the intricately built Dutch Reformed church that acts as a focal point of the town alongside a clutch of other historical national monuments -
and all within just a few minutes' walk from the Hideaway.
Marloth Nature Reserve
Just minutes from Swellendam, the wonderfully peaceful Marloth Nature Reserve boasts magical walks to waterfalls, indigenous forest
and even allows you to go to the top of the majestic Langeberg Mountains which tower over Swellendam.
Visit
their website 
Whale Watching
The coast just a short drive from Swellendam is one of - if not the - world's most famous whale watching areas. From De Hoop to Witsand you can watch the once almost extinct Southern right whales breaching and splashing just a pebble's throw from the shore. The months of September, October and November are the best whale watching months, but you are almost guaranteed of seeing whales throughout the winter.
Hermanus
Visit the coastal town of Hermanus (only one hour and
forty five minutes away). Go Whale watching between
August and November, or take a stroll on the sandy white
beaches. Ask Mark or Diana to guide you to the best, and surely most generous, fish and
chip lunch you'll ever have - a bustling, ramshackle corrugated iron restaurant hidden away from the tourist spots
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Golf
Enjoy a round on the beautiful Swellendam Golf Course. As one guest recently commented, "the golf was spoilt a bit by the magnificent views".
De Hoop Nature reserve
Whale watching, and cross the Breede River with the
last hand operated ferry in Africa (Malgas).
Visit
their website
Bontebok National Park
This 8000 hectar national park is home to the threatened
Cape Mountain Zebra and Bontebok. It boasts 196 different
birds and 490 different plant species. The plants and
flowers are at their best in April. Enjoy a walk in
the park, or as a guest of the Hideaway, you're offered
a special tour around the Bontebok National
Park with our previous owner Adin Greaves -
who's written a book on the Park - at a discounted rate.
Visit
their website
Robertson
Wine Route – a world class wine route with in
excess of 100 wine farms
Van Loveren Tasting Garden
Relax and enjoy wine tasting in a beautiful, shady garden
with a history of its own (including a bubbling natural
spring). Van Loveren produces 23 different wines in
its modern cellar. It has a range of cultivars that
has married well to this fertile valley with its robust
undertone of lime.
Cape Agulhas
Southern most point in Africa. Visit the shipwreck
museum.
Montagu
Hot springs or do a ride with a tractor to the top
of the mountains.
Tradauw Pass
Worth driving through the Langeberg Mountains into the
Little Karoo, over the scenic Tradauw Pass. Drive through
Zuurbraak.
Fishing
Cast a line into the nearby Breede River, and hook a kabeljou, grunter and many others..
Beaches
Visit the beautiful, almost-deserted beaches of Infanta,
Witsand, Arniston and Struis Bay.
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Our Swellendam Diary
