Swartberg Pass, Oudtshoorn: Hours, Address, Swartberg Pass Reviews: 4.5/5
Swartberg Pass
Swartberg Pass
4.5
from ZAR 512.83
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Monday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Tuesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Wednesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Thursday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Friday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Saturday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Sunday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Tours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
Top ways to experience Swartberg Pass
The area
Address
Best nearby
Restaurants
31 within 5 kms
Nostalgie
1 296
1 kmRR - RRR • African • Vegetarian Friendly • Vegan Options
Camp Roadhouse
5
0.3 kmCafe
Anny's Bistro
76
1 kmRR - RRR • Vegetarian Friendly
Jemima's Restaurant
1 227
1 kmRR - RRR • African • Vegetarian Friendly • Vegan Options
Bello Cibo Restaurant
635
1 kmRR - RRR • Italian • Pizza • Mediterranean
Black Swan Restaurant & Tavern - South African Cuisine
931
1 kmRR - RRR • African • International • European
Enchanted Coffee Shop
9
0.7 kmCafe
La Dolce Vita
163
1.1 kmRR - RRR • International • Vegetarian Friendly
Brian's Grill and Family Restaurant
328
1.1 kmRR - RRR • International • Vegetarian Friendly
Rou Karoo
35
1.2 kmRR - RRR • Cafe • Vegetarian Friendly
Attractions
11 within 5 kms
Arbeidsgenot
19
0.4 kmHistoric Sites
C.P Nel Museum
177
1.3 kmHistory Museums
Cango Wildlife Ranch
2 294
2.7 kmNature & Wildlife Areas
Meerkat Magic
155
2.1 kmNature & Wildlife Areas
St Jude's Anglican Church
5
1 kmHistoric Sites • Architectural Buildings
Oudtshoorn Tourism Bureau
15
1.2 kmVisitor Centres
ArtKaroo Art Gallery
16
1.1 kmArt Galleries
Le Roux Townhouse
4
1.2 kmSpeciality Museums • History Museums
Klein Karoo Ostrich Emporium
13
3.4 kmFactory Outlets
Moooi Art Gallery
1
4.1 kmArt Galleries
Contribute
Popular mentions
4.5
1 633 reviews
Excellent
1 272
Very good
296
Average
45
Poor
15
Terrible
5
Liz B
Durban, South Africa65 contributions
the view and scenery are spactacular
Mar 2021
This is really a bucket list trip. This is a dirt road with spectacular scenery but if you are afraid of heights, this pass is not for you!
Written 7 April 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
ncock831215
95 contributions
GOOD ROAD
Mar 2021
Roads were good considering they had alot of rain. Did not manage to get to Die Hel or the waterfall
Written 24 March 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
varsvleiscclub
Port Elizabeth, South Africa3 contributions
Stunningly beautiful
Jan 2021 • Friends
The views are stunningly beautiful a must see when passing through. If able to stop take time out to admire and breathe in the fresh air
Written 3 March 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Janiner R
Durban, South Africa11 contributions
Absolutely awesome
Feb 2021 • Friends
One word Wow majestic and awesome .. colours and formations of rocks incredible. Loved the entrance from port albert side..
Written 5 February 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
vanjays
Durban, South Africa161 contributions
Phew and wow and scary!
Jan 2021
OMW what an amazing pass! We did it from the Prince Albert entrance. It was busy but fortunately when we met with other vehicles there were pull over places! The people in our vehicle loved it! I was nervous and was hanging on - the only photo's I have are right in the beginning !!! Looking forward, backward and downwards was amazing - what an engineering feat! Good gravel road accessible to cars and trailers ! When you there you must do it! (oops I think on a sunny day - I am not sure about doing it in rain and wet!!!)
Written 27 January 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Anita Strydom
12 contributions
Magnificent views
Jan 2021 • Family
Most beautiful landscapes and roads are well maintained! Rock formations are humongous and just WOW!
Written 20 January 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Francois
Pretoria, South Africa61 contributions
Beautiful and accessible with a sedan
Dec 2020
We drove from Oudtshoorn to Prince Albert via the Swartberg Pass, all in a sedan vehicle. The road condition was mostly good and the scenery continuously beautiful. The road is narrow at places but we managed when we had to pass oncoming vehicles (approach the turns slowly to check for oncoming vehicles). Be sure to take some water with. A nice day trip from Oudtshoorn is to travel via the Swartberg Pass to Prince Albert, have lunch at one of the many lovely eateries, and return via the equally picturesque Meiringspoort (take the short hike to the waterfall) or the other way around. Swartberg Pass is not recommended at night or in rainy conditions, but otherwise it is definitely worth it.
Written 16 January 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
heinmich
Kempton Park27 contributions
Amazing view but quite terrifying
Jan 2021
Amazing and if you have the guts do take the pass. I would not recommend it for nervous drivers, when it rains, snows and small cars.
Written 11 January 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Enaya2016
Sandton, South Africa44 contributions
Lovely views
Dec 2020 • Family
Enjoyed the lovely views on this pass. The winding road provides an exhilarating experience as you drive through. In wet weather, it may be advisable to go up this pass using a 4x4 vehicle.
Written 4 January 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Rob G
Bellville, South Africa1 130 contributions
Well worth the dusty rough conditions
Nov 2020
We just did the top of the pass from the Oudtshoorn side and back again. It is a gravel road and will need to be taken in 1st or 2nd gear. A two wheel drive sedan will manage but maybe not in wet muddy conditions.... The labour that must have been used to build the pass is really impressive.
Written 8 December 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Gbforx
Pretoria, South Africa0 contributions
Not sure how it works. where can I get accommodation when doing the Swartberg Pass. Does one go in and out the same day or is there accommodation at the one end?
Angela O
Caerphilly, UK16 contributions
I agree with the answers you've had so far about Prince Albert or Oudtshoorn being good places to stay nearby. I stopped in Prince Albert for lunch (having driven down from Sutherland in the morning) and drove over the Pass to Oudtshoorn where I stayed overnight in Buffelsdrift Game Reserve (highly recommend, but it's pricey). If you like driving, you can incorporate the Swartberg Pass into a much bigger drive, but would recommend a break for (at least) coffee at both sides (in Prince Albert and in Oudtshoorn) as you need to be alert to drive over the Pass! Oudtshoorn seemed a better place to stay as there is more to do (Cango Caves, ostrich farms, Buffelsdrift game drives or meerkat safari!).
Roadtripper
Amanzimtoti, South Africa24 contributions
Best camping spot preferably in natural spot?
Culture51129241887
Brackenfell, South Africa6 contributions
Hi. Sorry for only getting back to you now. I an not that familiar with the camping sites. They have nice houses available to stay in.
Kaefer59
Saarland, Germany41 contributions
Der Pass sieht doch sehr einsam aus. Ist es ungefährlich ihn zu fahren... In Bezug auf Kriminalität ?
Überhaupt man liest immer, dass alles sehr unkompliziert ist , die Garden Route und noch ein bisschen drumrum selber zu fahren. Ist es auch so? Hat jemand schlechte Erfahrungen gemacht?
Klar ist dass man sich an die üblich empfohlenen Richtlinien hält, keine Townships, keine großen Fahrten im dunkeln.. Usw.
Für eine ehrliche. Antwort ein dickes Dankeschön .
Reinhard B
Wetter, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany162 contributions
Ich habe mich bei meinen Besuchen in Südafrika nie unsicher gefühlt
Shammi W
Auckland Central, New Zealand25 contributions
Hi guys - I'm planning to drive from Mossel bay to Swartberg Pass in December. How much time does it take to do the scenic drive? I noticed its a 2 hour drive to Swartberg pass from Mossel bay. Keen to understand how much time i should keep for the scenic drive, as we have got some other activities planned on the same day. Thank you
Gwyn L
Halkyn, UK15 contributions
I’d plan a 3 to 4 hrs for the drive from Outshorn to Prince Albert over the Swartberg Pass depending on how many stops for photos and to admire the rock formations you make. This is one way! Enjoy!
Anton L
0 contributions
Is April a good time to drive through this pass? - Weatherwise
MarkFairhurst
Secunda, South Africa186 contributions
Anytime is a good time but just check that it is not too misty.
Diego B
Buenos Aires, Argentina10 contributions
Hi! I´ll be in Oudtshoorn by the end of next March, and planning to do Cango Caves on my way to Swartberg Pass. How much time do I need from the Caves to go up to the Pass, and back to Oudtshoorn? 1 1/2 would be ok?
Konstantin K
Berlin, Germany327 contributions
Hi,
just to give you a clue: We took the Swartberg Pass from Prince Albert to Outdshoorn. It is so impressive - we had several stopps just for enjoying the nature and take some pictures. We needed 3,5 h. Take more time for this great pass.
Saludos
Apfeltalker
3 contributions
Hello together, can anyone tell me to which point from oudtshoorn it`s possible to drive on the swartberg pass? Worth the ride even if it`s still under construction? Thx in advance. Greetings from Montagu