Swellendam Attractions 
Swellendam lies in a well watered valley under the imposing peaks of the Langeberg Mountains. The third oldest town in South Africa, it is now a busy agricultural center. A number of handsome old buildings have been preserved from the town's early days.
The territory round Swellendam was originally occupied by the Hassekwa, a Hottentot tribe, who built their kraals here because of the abundance of game in the area. In Bontebokskloof can be seen the graves of the last two chiefs of the tribe, Klaas and Markus Shababa.
Swellendam was founded in 1745 as an outpost of the Dutch East India Company and named after Governor Swellengrebel and his wife Helena ten Damme. During the 19th C, as a center of wool production, it developed into a flourishing commercial and administrative town.
Swellendam has preserved numerous historic old buildings, including some very handsome villas, in Cape Dutch, Georgian and Victorian style. Most of them are in Voortrek Street and round the Drostdy Museum complex.
The territory round Swellendam was originally occupied by the Hassekwa, a Hottentot tribe, who built their kraals here because of the abundance of game in the area. In Bontebokskloof can be seen the graves of the last two chiefs of the tribe, Klaas and Markus Shababa.
Swellendam was founded in 1745 as an outpost of the Dutch East India Company and named after Governor Swellengrebel and his wife Helena ten Damme. During the 19th C, as a center of wool production, it developed into a flourishing commercial and administrative town.
Swellendam has preserved numerous historic old buildings, including some very handsome villas, in Cape Dutch, Georgian and Victorian style. Most of them are in Voortrek Street and round the Drostdy Museum complex.
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Bontebok National Park
This park was created in 1961 to protect the Bontebok, whose numbers were severely diminished at that time.
Drostdy Museum
The Drostdy, the residence of the landdrost (the district officer of the Cape government), was built in 1747. A handsome house in Cape Dutch style, it is now, after restoration, the principal building in the Drostdy Museum complex. It contains a collection of fine Cape Dutch furniture and domestic equipment. Other buildings in the complex are the old prison, the prison governor's house and Mayville House (1853).
Drostdy Museum
18 Swellengrebel Street
Swellendam, Western Cape 6740
South Africa
18 Swellengrebel Street
Swellendam, Western Cape 6740
South Africa
Hours
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 10:00 | Closed |
| Close | 16:45 | 16:45 | 16:45 | 16:45 | 16:45 | 16:00 |
Marloth Nature Reserve
5km/3mi north of Swellendam, at the foot of the Langeberg range, is Marloth Nature Reserve (area 11,300 ha/37,000ac), which attracts many walkers. There is a 76km/47mi long hiking trail with five possible overnight stops in huts (though it can be shortened to 54km/34mi or 48km/30mi).
