Top Things to Do in Swellendam - Swellendam Must-See Attractions
Things to Do in Swellendam
Check out must-see sights and activities:
Drostdy Museum, Marloth Nature Reserve, Safaris, Multi-day Tours. For personalised recommendations, try our AI trip-planning product.
Drostdy Museum, Marloth Nature Reserve, Safaris, Multi-day Tours. For personalised recommendations, try our AI trip-planning product.
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- fromper adultR 3 558
Multi-day ToursfromR 24 900per adult (price varies by group size)R 23 406
4WD Toursfromper adultR 13 500
4WD Toursfromper adult (price varies by group size)R 27 900
Wine Tastingsfromper adultR 250
Dining Experiencesfromper adultR 70
Dining Experiencesfromper adultR 90
Multi-day Toursfromper adultR 9 295
Multi-day ToursfromR 27 400per adult (price varies by group size)R 25 756
Adventure Toursfromper adult (price varies by group size)R 29 000
History Museums
Historical exhibits in colonial buildings with Cape Dutch architecture, displaying early settlement and Boer War artifacts, complete with period carriages and a kitchen garden.
This attraction description was created by AI, using information and phrases commonly found in reviews users submitted to Tripadvisor. Tripadvisor did not create and is not responsible for this description. Please read full traveller reviews for more details and information. If you believe something in this AI-generated description is inaccurate, please share your feedback.
Other Top Attractions around Swellendam
What travellers are saying
- Jonathan WNiton, UK11 contributionsA really interesting museum spread over three sites (easy walking distance). Loads of information and historical facts to interest all ages (there are even 2 donkeys). A surprisingly impressive attraction in a small town.
Definitely worth a visit.Written 7 December 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - cobbett2San Francisco, CA33 contributionsLovely reserve. Helpful employees. We walked to the waterfall and it was definitely worth it. Would like to visit again and stay in one of the cottages.Written 26 November 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- HellsBellsShellCape Town, South Africa11 contributionsI've been going to SanParks parks since I was about knee-high so I know pretty much what to expect - good campsite facilities, twin-bed chalets (i.e. think families more than romance, good roads and routes and good attention to both conservation and tourism.
There is a different mix of animals here as the park was created to preserve some very specific species, so don't go in expecting a big 5 Kruger experience.
We very much enjoy the fact that you can walk, kayak and cycle safely in the park while spotting some fantastic bird life on foot, and we got quite close to the bontebok for which the park is named, as well as a huge red hartebeest who was napping alongside one of our walking trails.
We camped here once during the height of school holidays in July 2023, just for one night as part of a longer road trip and did a short morning walk. We got the last available campsite, and it turned out we were missing a couple of items, like a camping plug-point adapter, and our extension cord was too short. There was a great vibe in the campsite and a couple of neighbours quickly rustled up missing essentials for us to borrow. We went for a short morning walk before we left and decided to spend a full day in the park next time so we could go on some longer trails.
We returned this month (Jan 2024) en route to friends in the Garden Route from Cape Town, and stayed in a chalet overlooking the river this time.
The chalet is a lot more modern than in many of the Kruger camps - nice deck on two sides, so you had more of a chance of a place to sit either in or out of the sun as you'd prefer. Great built-in braai area. The beds were comfy, and the kitchen was well kitted-out, aside from the extreme bluntness of the sharp knives in the drawers - bring your own if you want to slice a tomato rather than bash it to death with a blunt carving knife.
These chalets, unlike those in Kruger Park, have TVs with satellite, which I'm sure many people love, but we were annoyed at how we ended up switching it on almost out of habit because it was there. I mean I know that's on us - but it's unfortunately what tends to happen with TVs. It's great to be forced to relax differently in nature with the absence of things like that.
I really struggled to sleep on the first night. They've used flat roofs instead of the usual thatch you might find in other Sanparks, and the speckled pigeons were breeding and they ran back and forth across our roof day and night. I managed to sleep through it on night 2, but on night 1 all I could hear was noises on the roof and it kept me awake quite a bit.
There was a LOT of bird poop on our one porch which was there when we got there, so the cleanliness there wasn't great.
Also, there was a sign by the sink saying they don't include dishwashing service in the rate, which they did include for a lower-priced chalet when we were last in Kruger chalets in 2021. The beds etc were not made up either after the first day, so we went out and came back to an un-tidied chalet, which I was not expecting. They gave us exactly 2 toilet rolls with the one already slightly used for 2 people for 2 nights - thank goodness we happened to buy more on a trip into Swellendam because one of us had an upset stomach and we'd have been in trouble, but we'd have likely run out even if we'd had no stomach complaints.
In terms of activities, we saw that a lot of the riverside campsite had been washed away - presumably in the big storms of September 2023, meaning the nice gentle bank to get to the river from camp was more of a steep drop, making that less inviting. We didn't risk it in spite of the heat, but we saw a few people who did, and many people set up chairs there for fishing.
We got up before dawn to beat the worst of the heat as we set off from camp on foot to do the Acacia and Bushbuck trails. They were well-signposted and the trails were well maintained, aside from the section where you come out of the riverside trees and have to scramble a bit towards the Die Stroom picnic area. We almost lost the trail on the way back as the way was marked as no entry and no other apparent options made any sense as the path signposted looked overgrown. We use the AllTrails app so we took a route suggested by the app and got around this bit easily enough.
A bit disappointing was that we got to the beautiful Die Stroom picnic site at 7:30am and had our breakfast we'd packed in our backpacks. Although it was meant to open at 7am, the toilets were still locked. Luckily we could hold it...
The next day we did the Aloe Hill trail which was a beautiful easy walk with birds everywhere and great views on the walk back into camp especially. Sadly, where you walk past the ruins of Lang Elsie's kraal, the bracket for the sign was there, but the signboard with the historical information was missing. Could we look it up on our phones? Sure, but a signboard would have been nice.
We went at a perfect time of year in summer, being a childless couple, as school holidays had just ended and the park was relatively quiet. Both mornings, we were the first people on the trails - we could tell by the undisturbed spiderwebs we had to negotiate in all the riverine thickets! Huge golden orb weaver webs were both impressive and terrifying at the same time. We didn't encounter a single other walker on our trail. A great thing to see was a huge team of people employed by Sanparks to clear alien vegetation that we met by a spot called Die Tuin - which had its historical signboard in place. When they spotted us they stopped their chatting very abruptly and greeted us, which seemed like something Sanparks had advised them to do around park visitors, and they told us what they were doing when we asked them and it was great to have a peek at the important conservation work that Sanpark does behind the scenes all the time.
We'll absolutely stop here again on our way through, likely for another 2 nights so we can do a proper long walk again after the first night. Hopefully, the pigeons will be a little quieter, and this time, we'll remember a sharp knife and an extra loo roll before we get there! But this place makes a great stop on a drive between Cape Town and the Garden Route.Written 29 January 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Ilona SSunnyvale, CA9 contributionsThe church is in the middle of town and we were just about to drive past it when we were attracted by the steeple and beautiful architecture. We went inside and were overcome by the grandeur of the interior and pipe organ. The church is known as The Mother church and has been central to the Dutch Reform movement for a couple of decades, A visit to the Old Drostdy ( Magistrate's homer and court) Is also so well worth it. I will stop and look and any Cape Dutch architecture I see!Written 11 October 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Nazlie DCape Town Central, South Africa400 contributionsWe did this trail on the 3rd day and the morning of when we were supposed to leave.
This is not the only trail and formed part of the various MTB routes. We did not have time for the Marloth and other reserves, that has trails as well. Swellendam has so many trails to offer.
The trail itself was lovely and would switch between urban and forest as the route is explored. Challenging at some points and very enjoyable.
Out accommodation was close by at the municipal camping grounds and in walking distance from the start of the trails. We also MTB’ed some of the routes. Very safe to stay and Jean at the camp was most helpful to assist where she can. Felt so at home.Written 22 January 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - MoCape Town, South Africa11 contributionsI loved my visit here. I was blown away by the sheer number of fairies, angels and unicorns hanging out in secret places, gardens, and trees. Lots of interesting spots within the lovely natural garden to sit down and reflect.
It actually made me feel quite emotional. I’d be interested to hear if anyone else felt like this. Positive messages everywhere on stones and placards. What a treat, so good for the soul. Thank you for providing such an amazing sanctitude.Written 4 July 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - nnmercmanCamberley, UK14 369 contributionsLocated at the far end of town on the right just past Spar, this is a small modern and clean open air shopping mall which contains all types of stores for your shopping needs - including a checkers supermarket/shoe and clothes shops/cafes/bottle shop etc. There's also plenty of parking and the toilets are in good clean condition. We found Charlie's cafe to be excellent for both food and value.Written 17 February 2017This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Red Hot Blue DesignSwellendam, South Africa14 contributionsA hidden gem - literally! You may pass it on the main road, but enter from Buitekant Street and park in the back parking lot. Safe and secure. Visit the shops around the courtyard - all local small businesses. From a bicycle shop, quilting studio, clothing Boutique, crafting shop, Coffee shop and kids boutique there are lots of small stores worth supporting!Written 21 March 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- shirley bWorcestershire, UK92 contributionsVisited just to take photos as such a lovely old building. Worth seeing and spending a little while here.Written 27 September 2017This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- HERMOSAMARIPOSA1Lincoln, UK392 contributionsWHAT 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!Written 14 January 2018This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Ursula68 contributionsWe had fun in the sun! The course has beautiful surroundings. We stopped here on our way home and their service was great!Written 4 January 2021This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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