Swellendam Reviews

A common misperception is that Swellendam is just a beautiful place to stop for lunch or for a one-night break in the journey. As discovered by those who are willing to take more time on their travels rather than rushing to the better-known and highly touted destinations, Swellendam has far more to offer than “lunch”. The beauty of its setting is indisputable, the backdrop of the mountains framing a small historical town, bursting with heritage and bustling with countryside activities. It is the berry growing centre of South Africa, and during the harvest, berry picking and berry festivals are a fun part of the rural offering. Not just one, but two nature reserves bound the town – Bontebok Park, small but incredibly diverse, and Marloth Mountain Reserve which offers opportunities for the casual rambler to the most hardened hiker. The town itself is very attractive, with the Drostdy quarter beautifully maintained and offering an excellent day of exploration - museums, art galleries, potteries and of course the stunning Moeder Kirk. There are some unique discoveries to be made – the Faerie Sanctuary, Berry Liqueurs, Tradouws Pass, Lang Elsie’s grave, the most beautiful nine-hole golf course in South Africa. For those who like their holidays stuffed with activity and adventure Swellendam is ideal – river rafting, fuffi slides, sunset booze cruises on the dam, zorbing, canoeing, gliding, paint ball, rock climbing, mountain biking, cross country riding…the list is endless. As a base to visit the surrounding area, Swellendam could not be better placed: twenty minutes to the start of great wine routes, forty minutes to the nearest beach, day trips to see whales at De Hoop or Witsand, game reserves, Barrydale with its Labyrinth and Peace Pagoda, everything and more. And most importantly – the quality of the guesthouses and restaurants is second to none! The hospitality providers in this town formed a unique group some years ago, whereby they committed to achieving a standard of excellence. They have worked together in a spirit of “co-petition” with the guests’ needs at the forefront of everything they do. No-one will be disappointed with their choice of bed for the night – and the ability to eat out at a different restaurant every night: from pizza & pasta to fine dining, from bistro to braai, from the best Italian restaurant in the Western Cape, to traditional Cape cuisine. There is no doubt that Swellendam has more to offer than lunch.

There is so much to do in this historical town you'll want to be here for at least a few days. The atmosphere is great, everybody is super friendly and we had a great time!

We always make sure we stay a night in Swellendam when travelling along the Garden Route, so much so that when my parents were visiting we made sure they didn't miss this lovely part of the Cape Overberg. Dining at the Roosje van de Kaap restaurant is an experience not to be missed. We also usually have lunch or afternoon tea at one of the many cafes and sit back in the gardens whilst enjoying a drink and the scenic Langeberg mountains.