Top 9 Things to do in Swellendam, South Africa

October 3, 2017 Janette Largent

Swellendam is the 4th oldest town in the Republic of South Africa, a town with 17,537 inhabitants situated in the Western Cape province. The town has over 50 provincial heritage sites, most of them buildings of Cape Dutch architecture. Swellendam is situated on the N2, approximately 220 km from both Cape Town and George.
Restaurants in Swellendam

1. Drostdy Museum

18 Swellengrebel Street, Swellendam 6740, South Africa +27 28 514 1138
Excellent
48%
Good
43%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
1%
Terrible
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Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 368 reviews

Drostdy Museum

This former government building, an architectural treasure in itself, is now a museum containing some impressive artifacts. Particularly noteworthy is a collection of late 18th and early 19th century Cape furniture.

Reviewed By OverseasVisitor_10 - London, United Kingdom

Swellendam is not only full of beautiful old buildings but has one of the best museums of local collections of historical furniture, horse-drawn carts, local trades tools, old magistrate's court house and jail we have ever seen. This beautiful complex of half a dozen buildings is a must to see and wonderful value.

2. Marloth Nature Reserve

Swellendam, South Africa +27 28 514 1410
Excellent
46%
Good
44%
Satisfactory
9%
Poor
1%
Terrible
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Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 104 reviews

Marloth Nature Reserve

Wildflowers, majestic mountain views, many hiking trails and rare birds and animals grace this sprawling national park.

Reviewed By Ilana U - Randburg, South Africa

A last-minute decision to check out Marloth led to a brilliant hike into the Forests of Swellendam. I opted for the Waterfall route (Duiwelsbos) which takes about two hours in total. Unfortunately I ran out of time and had to turn back before reaching the waterfall. But I thoroughly enjoyed the gorgeous nature, myriad of bird and birdsong (including that of the elusive Dideric and Klaas' Cuckoo), the good weather and the relatively easy route.

3. NG Kerk

c/o Voortrekker Str & Church Street, Swellendam, South Africa (028) 514 1225
Excellent
51%
Good
39%
Satisfactory
9%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 61 reviews

NG Kerk

An extremely popular and impressive stop for global visitors with a permanent exhibition and a rich history. Unique architectural mix in SA.

Reviewed By Wolery - Johannesburg, South Africa

This is a lovely church, magnificent and statuesque. However, please be aware that it is only open to the public during the week (tourism info did not tell me this), but you could go and visit on Sunday when they hold their services. I could not get into the grounds to look around as the gates were locked (this was as Saturday). If you have a good camera, this is a wonderful place to get some beautiful shots.

4. Bontebok National Park

Swellendam, South Africa +27 28 514 2735
Excellent
23%
Good
42%
Satisfactory
25%
Poor
7%
Terrible
3%
Overall Ratings

3.5 based on 368 reviews

Bontebok National Park

This picturesque camping area is a protected refuge for the rare bontebok, a South African antelope recognizable for its red coat and white face.

Reviewed By milescarden - Truro, United Kingdom

Stayed in one of the new chalets which are pretty amazing, air-con two bedrooms and modern kitchen. Just stayed one night, which probably wasn’t enough. Lovely little park, but couldn’t swim as Breede river was very low and very uninviting indeed. You cannot swim. New reception lovely and we had a really nice welcome from the team, best welcome from all SANP we stayed at. Again good value but a small shop at reception for basics would be good, Swelldenham not that far for groceries. Wildlife a bit hard to find. Roads also not great in places and glad we had 4x4! No Addo but isn't supposed to be. But highly recommend but more for enthusiast.

5. Swellendam Information Centre

22 Swellengrebel Street, Swellendam 6740, South Africa +27 28 514 2770
Excellent
51%
Good
27%
Satisfactory
11%
Poor
11%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4 based on 18 reviews

Swellendam Information Centre

Reviewed By Wolery - Johannesburg, South Africa

Helpful and well stocked with brochures and information. They ladies were a bit lacking with regards to where one could get more info and detail on the MTB rides, however, they did explain the town very well and what to find where.

6. Swellendam Hiking Trail

Marloth Nature Reserve, Swellendam 6740, South Africa
Excellent
75%
Good
15%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
0%
Terrible
5%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 19 reviews

Swellendam Hiking Trail

This popular hiking trail through the gorgeous Marloth Nature Reserve offers hikes of all lengths and difficulty levels.

Reviewed By Landia D - Cape Town Central, South Africa

Did this trail over old years eve (2014) - it was amazing!
We camped the first night - no actual camping area though and the ground was uneven with tussocks of hard grass which made for an uncomfortable sleep. I would recommend hiking a longer day to get to the first overnight hut.
Day one was uphill with stunning views, day two was misty with drizzle and we passed through stunning rock formations. The hut was nice (it is not in regular use) with views and near a dam.
The Protea Vallei (valley) was beautiful and so remote - no fences, buildings or people anywhere - just Mountains, kloofs (gorges) and Valleys.
The last two days we did in one as we found the previous day of hiking too short. We passed the gorgeous Wolfkloof hut which was well maintained with good facilities and loads of awesome swimming spots in the cool, clear mountain stream.
The trail really took us into the middle of nowhere and we saw so many wonderful flowers, plants, insects and some small antelopes, mongoose, rock hyrax and two snakes. Look out for snakes as the one was a puffadder. There were plenty of streams for topping up on water and the huts had long drop toilets and two had braai facilities.
Take a hat and sunscreen and avoid walking during the heat of the day. I highly recommend this hike :)

19 Swellengrebel Street, Swellendam 6740, South Africa +27 5142905
Excellent
70%
Good
30%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
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Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 10 reviews

Kunstehuijs Fine Art Gallery

At the Kunstehuijs we specialize in original art of more than 60 South African artists.

Reviewed By Leora B - Seattle, Washington

I noticed a painting the gallery had set out as we drove through town, so we stopped on a whim. I was amazed that what appeared to be such a small gallery from the street contains such a large and diverse collection of artists and styles. They wrapped a painting for me to carry, and rolled another, and by the time I got home to the US, I'd decided on more. Service was excellent - they quoted me for shipping and insurance, and the paintings arrived in an extraordinarily sturdy wooden box in perfect condition.

8. Old Apostolic Church

72 Voortrek Street, Swellendam 6740, South Africa +27 76 154 6082
Excellent
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Good
100%
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4 based on 3 reviews

Old Apostolic Church

Reviewed By Jilldutoit - Port Elizabeth, South Africa

The Old Apostolic Church, situated at 72 Voortrek St was formerly known as St Luke's Mission church. It was designed by Sophia, wife of the first Bishop of Cape Town, Robert Gray. The building was consecrated in 1869 and although it is close to 150 years old, it has been well maintained.
The adjoining building, at 74-76 Voortrek St, a flat-roofed ediface with a prominent cornice, was built a bit later as the Mission school for the congregants' children. Both buildings have been accorded provincial heritage site status.
Newer additions to the church have been constructed on the south side of the building, though remarkably enough, neither transepts nor chancel. The alterations cannot be seen from the main road, so what the passer-by sees, is essentially the original footprint of the church.
Apart from the choice of buttercup yellow for the exterior walls, and the ashphalting of the walkways around the church, it stands proud and true as a good example of mid- eighteenth centuary ecclesiastical architecture.
Time constraints made arrangements to see the interior of the church, difficult, but that notwithstanding, it was interesting to visit.

9. Lifestyle Art Shop

1 Voortrek Street, Swellendam 6740, South Africa +27 82 819 2173
Excellent
100%
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5 based on 1 reviews

Gallery. All kinds of Art

Reviewed By HERMOSAMARIPOSA1 - UK

WHAT a great find this shop was....it seems a sin to call it a shop....it was more like a showroom!
Some STUNNING pieces of all sorts and, clearly, they have a big export market in their products...we spent some time talking to I THINK the mother of the owner who is the exporter! (her son!)
We did buy a couple of small items but were tempted to many more....British Airways baggage allowance held us back!
DEFINITELY worth a visit if you are anywhere near the area!

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