| Swellendam, South Africa's third oldest town is nestling | | | | The rare and beautiful Bontebok antelope and other |
| at the foot of the Langeberg Mountains and has much | | | | small buck species can be seen at the Bontebok |
| to offer visitors who have an interest in history, nature, | | | | National Park. This park is only 6km out of |
| outdoor activities and art. Swellendam is ideally situated | | | | Swellendam. A total of 126 different bird species have |
| halfway between Cape Town and George and is | | | | also been identified here. There is a charming caravan |
| therefore an ideal stop over for tourists. In these two | | | | park on the banks of the Breede River where they |
| hours from Cape Town to Swellendam, you will pass | | | | also have fully equipped chalets for hire and where |
| through unspoilt villages and towns. Take a trip back in | | | | day visitors are welcome to swim, fish or picnic. |
| time and stay in some of the historic homesteads and | | | | Other than hiking the adventurous at heart can also |
| country houses in the area, which offer bed and | | | | enjoy a day or two off river rafting. The Breede River |
| breakfast. Rainfall is spread over the year and there is | | | | rafting adventure is about a 2.5hour drive from Cape |
| little wind and temperatures are moderate all year | | | | Town. On this adventure you will enjoy your days |
| round | | | | paddling in two-man Mohawk canoes in the tranquil |
| Swellendam has been an important travel centre for | | | | waters of the Breede and your nights socializing |
| centuries. Early travelers and explorers traded with the | | | | around a campfire. The Up the Creek Camp is |
| Khoi-Khoi people and in 1743 the Dutch East India | | | | situated near Swellendam on a hill side overlooking the |
| Company declared Swellendam a magisterial district | | | | river where the accommodation is A-frame chalets or |
| and built the Drostdy which was completed in 1747. | | | | 3 ox-wagons. This accommodation includes |
| This Drostdy, a national monument, is the only | | | | comfortable beds with linen and Duvets. All in all, this |
| eighteenth century Drostdy that is preserved in its | | | | adventure will be well worth a try and is ideal for a |
| original form and will give tourists a wonderful insight as | | | | family to enjoy together. |
| to the life of the settlers. | | | | Youngberry tasting can be done at the Buffeljags |
| The more adventures tourist can go on the | | | | Dam. This cultivated wild berry was imported to South |
| Swellendam hike. Located in and around the Marloth | | | | Africa in 1939 by Prof OSH Reinecke. The industry is |
| Nature Reserve this hiking trail is one of the most | | | | sadly declining because of endless problems |
| beautiful in the Cape. There are numerous shorter | | | | associated with wind and rain damage or to much |
| routs if a six day hike is too long for you. On this trail | | | | heat, pest attacks and insufficient labor during the peak |
| you will see stretches of fynbos alternated with cool | | | | harvesting period from mid - November to early |
| indigenous forest, small animals and birds. Other | | | | December. Today over 90% of the total annual crop |
| sections of the trail will give you the sensation of being | | | | of just over 600 tons is produced by farmers in the |
| in a peaceful and secluded wilderness. The six day | | | | Swellendam area. On your visit to the Hermitage |
| hike demands a medium to high level of fitness and is | | | | Liqueur Farm just 3km out of town you can sample |
| therefore not recommended for the light hearted. The | | | | some of the liqueur made from youngberries. Other |
| Marloth Nature Reserve is also one of the best birding | | | | Youngberry products are also for sale here. |
| spots in the Western Cape and therefore defiantly | | | | Local artists like the potter Jan du Toit's vases are |
| worth visiting. | | | | famous, visit him and other artists in the town. |