Swellendam

Swellendam nestles at the foot of the picturesque Langeberg

Swellendam nestles at the foot of the picturesque Langeberg Mountains. Swellendam has much to offer visitors who have an interest in history, nature and outdoor activities. Situated on the N2, approximately 240 km from both Cape Town and George, Swellendam is the perfect choice for a halfway stopover or as a base from which to explore the area.

In addition to serving its local and surrounding community, Swellendam glories in its past by continuing to offer travellers the services they require for rest and relaxation on their travels.

Swellendam offers a variety of accommodation to suite every taste. This range includes hotels, luxury guest houses, Bed and Breakfast establishments, chalets, caravan and camping facilities as well as self-catering cottages on farms in the area.

Details can be obtained from the Swellendam Tourism Bureau +27-291- 42770

History of Swellendam

The first known sketch of Swellendam was of the Drostdy, by Johannes Schumacher in 1776, when he accompanied the son of Governor Swellengrebel to the town.

Swellendam has been an important travel centre for centuries. Early travellers and explorers who visited the Cape in the 1500s traded with the Khoikhoi people who lived on these shores. When the Dutch East India Company established a refreshment centre at the Cape in 1652, trade continued inland as far as Swellendam.

In 1743 Swellendam was declared a magisterial district, the third oldest in South Africa. A landdrost was appointed and a Drostdy and other buildings were erected. The district was named after Governor Hendrik Swellengrebel and his wife, Ten Damme.

In time, a village was established opposite the Drostdy, across the Koornlands River, where artisans, including numerous wainwrights, and traders settled. To travellers and explorers, the service of these village folk were indispensable, as Swellendam was the last outpost of civilization on the eastern frontier.

By the middle of the 19th century, the eastern districts had been colonized by British settlers and Swellendam was a thriving metropolis. The town served as a useful refreshment station on the long, slow journey up the coast.

Attractions in Swellendam

• Malgas
  The hand-drawn pontoon over the Breede River at Malgas, 40km from Swellendam has the last remaining pont in South Africa. It operates everyday during daylight hours.
• Suurbraak
  This old mission village, near the foot of the Tradouw Pass, lies in a picturesque valley 25km beyond Swellendam and dates from 1812.
• Tradouw Pass
  A 315m high mountain pass of great scenic splendour and well worth a visit.
• Outdoor Activities
  All the usual sporting facilities are available and visitors are welcome to join the members at the various clubs. In addition, horse-riding, canoeing and other water sports can be arranged. There are also mountain bike trails in the area and bikes are available for hire.
• Hermitage Liquor Farm
  Swellendam is the largest Youngberry growing area in the country and a farm just 3km out of town may be visited for liqueur tasting. Other Youngberry products are also for sale.
• Artists
  Several well-known artists have settled in Swellendam and their studios may be visited.
• Swellendam Publicity Association
  Oefeningshuis, Voortrek Street, Swellendam
  P.O. Box 369, Swellendam, South Africa, 6740

Swellendam, the 3^rd oldest ssettlement in South Africa, celebrated it’s 250^th anniversary in 1995. The town, situated at the foot of the Langeberg Mountains, is well known for it’s architecture, fascinating history and it’s youngberries. Swellendam is a charming village of ancient oak trees and stately whitewashed Cape Dutch cottages.

GENERAL INFORMATION

How to get there

Cape Town 220 km, George 220 km, Hermanus 160 km, Montagu 50 km, Oudtshoorn 280 km.

HISTORICAL VIEW

Drostdy Museum

The museum, comprising several well preserved buildings dating from 1747, houses a collection of fine period furniture and reflects the history of the district – from it’s humble beginnings as a Dutch East India Company ‘outpost’ to the splendour under British colonial rule. The museum also exhibits a collection of household utensils and animaldrawn vehicles.

Rheenendal Water Mill

National Monument

Dutch Reformed Church Mayville

A restored 19^th century town house with it’s Victorian rose garden.

NATURE

Bontebok National Park

Sheltered by the craggy bastion of the Langeberg Mountains and bordered to the south by the Breede River, the Bontebok National Park provides a sanctuary not only for bontebok, but also for other mammals such as Cape mountain zebra, red hartebeest and grey rhebok. Situated in the Cape Floral Kingdom (one of the richest floral kingdoms in the world), it’s true wealth, however, lies in it’s wide diversity of unique flora, with over 470 plant species having been recorded here, amongst them erica, gladiolus and protea. In addition to game viewing, bird watching and hiking, swimming and fishing in the Breede River are popular pastimes. An abundant birdlife includes the secretary bird, fish eagle and francolin. Bird watching is excellent near the camping and picnic sites. This compact park is situated only 6 km southeast of Swellendam.

Accommodation

Attractively set on green lawns lining the shady banks of the river, the camping ground has splendid, panoramic views of the Langeberg mountain range. Accommodation comprises fully equipped six berth caravana, ablution blocks and barbeque facilities. There are also a self catering caravan park and camping sites

Grootvadersbosch Nature Reserve

Grootvadersbosch Nature Reserve is situated in the Langeberg, about 22 km northwest of Heidelberg, and comprises 250 ha of forest. The indigenous forest is the most note worthy in the southwestern Cape and the largest remaining example in the Langeberg. Two day walks and a short cycle trail wind through Knysna high forest and mountain fynbos, with excellent bird watching opportunities.

History

The land on which the forest is situated was originally called Melkhoutskraal, and was assigned to Roelof Oelofse in 1723. He was known as the ‘Groot Vader’, a title subsequent owners inherited. The adjoining Boosmansbos Wilderness area was proclaimed in 1978 and Grootvadersbosch was put under the control of Cape Nature Reserve Conservation in 1986.

Climate and Geology

The Langeberg lies in the traditional zone between winter and all year rainfall regions. Grootvadersbosch has an average annual rainfall of about 1050 mm. Drier periods are from May – July and December – January. Berg wind conditions prevail from May – July. The southern slopes are covered with sandy soils derived from Table Mountain sandstone and are often strewn with rocks and boulders.

Fauna & Flora

Most of the thirty five typical forest tree species are present, including stinkwood, yellowwood, red alder and the dominant ironwood. During 1896 to 1913 exotic trees such as camphor, Australian blackwood, bluegum, ash, Californian redwood and oak were planted to cover the areas denuded (stripped) by woodcutters. Cape Nature Conservation is at present reclaiming these areas to indigenous forest. Bushbuck are abundant and were first described in 1780 from a specimen collected at Grootvadersbosch. Cape grysbok occur on the forest fringes and in adjacent fynbos. Baboons and small mammals are plentiful while evidence of leopard is also occasionally found. Birds are abundant and 196 bird species have been recorded. A subspecies of the ghost frog and a unique forest emperor butterfly occur only in the forest.

Walks and Facilities

The Bushbuck and Grysbok Trails offer day walks varying from 2 – 15 km. A short section of the Conservancy’s cycle trail falls within the reserve boundary and may be utilised by reserve visitors. Groups are restricted to 12 persons, and permits for walks are obtainable at the reserve. In the wilderness area the total number of persons per day is restricted to 12 and these walks must be booked in advance. A small campsite is available and should also be booked in advance to avoid disappointment.

Boosmansbos Wilderness Area

The Boosmansbos Wilderness Area lies in the Langeberg mountains, 22 km northwest of Heidelberg, in the southwestern Cape. The wilderness area is 14 200 ha in extent and is incorporated in Grootvadersbosch Nature Reserve. The name is derived from that of a hermit who lived in the forest in the early 19^th century. Boosmansbos was proclaimed a wilderness area in 1978, and is managed to maintain it’s natural systems and to safeguard it’s pristine environment.

Climate and Landscapes

The Langeberg mountains lie in the transitional zone between winter and all year rainfall regions. Boosmansbos has an average annual rainfall of 1050 mm. Drier periods are from May – July and December to January. Berg wind conditions prevail from May- July. Grootberg (1637 m) is the highest peak in Boosmansbos. Several rivers originate in the wilderness area, including the Duiwenhoks River and it’s tributary, the Noukrans River. The soils in this area are derived mainly from Table Mountain sandstone. Isolated pockets of Bokkeveld shale occurs and it is on these that the indigenous forests are found.

Fauna & Flora

An association of mountain fynbos and forest vegetation occurs in the wilderness area. There are several rare species, especially amongst the Erica family: Erica Blenne, E. barrydalensis and E. langebergensis. Mammals that may be seen include grey rhebuck, klipspringer, grysbok, baboons, leopard, mongoose and genet. The area is particularly rich in birdlife, with 184 species recorded, including Black Martial, Crowned and Booted eagle, Redwinged and Rednecked Francolin, Blackrumped Buttonquai, Striped Flufftail and Layard’s Titbabbler.

Wilderness Trails

As this is a wilderness area the paths are unmarked and huts provide only basic shelter. Hikers should be well equipped for difficult terrain and adverse weather conditions, and must have a good map. A maximum of 12 people per day is permitted. There are 64 km of paths, and hikers may choose their own routes. The circular two day route of 27 km is a popular option. This trail leads up Loerklip and back down Saagkuilkloof, most of which is an old jeep track. If heavy rains are experienced during the hike it is advisable to return via the Loerklip path as the Duiwenhoks River may be in flood. Hikers should note that all refuse must be carried out and that fires are not permitted. Advance telephonic reservations are essential and should be made during office hours (Monday to Friday, 08:00 – 16:00).

Marloth Nature Reserve

Marloth Nature Reserve lies in the majestic Swellendam mountains, between the towns of Swellendam, Ashton, Barrydale and Suurbraak. The reserve is 14 123 ha in extent and is managed together with another 16 532 ha of privately owned proclaimed mountain catchment land. The reserve’s office is approximately 1,5 km from Swellendam and adjacent to the Swellendam State Forest. Swellendam is the third oldest town in South Africa and has many interesting cultural historic features. Marloth Nature Reserve is named after the pioneer botanist who, together with a deputation of Swellendam residents in 1928 petitioned the Minister of Lands and Forestry to set aside a part of the mountain (190 ha) as a nature reserve. This included the forest parches of Koloniesbos and Duiwelsbos and thus protected some of the land. During 1981 the reserve was enlarged to include the rest of the State Forest land and the Swellendam Hiking Trail was opened.

Climate

The climate in the Swellendam area is typical of the southern Cape, with hot summers and cold winters. The rainfall is fairly evenly spread throughout the year with June and Huly the driest months and March, October and November the wettest. The mountainous topography also influences local weather conditions, resulting in a higher rainfall and even snow in winter at the higher altitudes

Vegetation

The vegetation in the nature reserve is predominantly mountain fynbos with patches of afro-montane forest. The fynbos includes several species of protea and more than 25 species of Erica, most of which flower in November. The original forests covered a much larger are but over the years exploitation for timber for the local furniture and wagon industries, and fires, reduced them to isolated patches in the damper kloofs. Typical forest species include yellowwood, stinkwood, Cape beech, wild olive, assegaaibos, cherrywood and hard pear.

Fauna

Marloth supports numerous animal species although most are relatively small and not easily observed. Mammals include grey rhebuck, klipspringer, common duiker, baboon, leopard, caracal, mongoose, porcupine, dassie and hare. The area is rich in birdlife with 114 species having been recorded, amongst them the African Fish Eagle, Black Eagle, Wood Owl, Redwinged Francolin, Tambourine Dove, four different species of woodpecker and the Cape Vulture and Narina Trogan as vagrants. Puff adder, Cape cobra and mountain adder occur and hikers should be on the alert.

Hiking Trails

The reserve has eight day trails and the six day Swellendam Hiking Trail. The day trails vary from short, easy walks to longer, more strenuous routes. All the trails start and end at the reserve office, where vehicles may be parked. The Swellendam Hiking Trail traverses the entire reserve and takes six days to complete, although shorter routes are possible. This trail is fairly demanding and should only be attempted by fit, competent and well equipped hikers. Six rustic hutsm equipped with mattresses, primitive toilets and drinking water provide overnight accommodation. Hikers should bring their own cooking utensils. Fires are only permitted at demarcated sites at the Glen Stream and Wolfkloof huts due to the high risk of veld fires and the scarcity of fire wood. Hikers should also be aware that trips should be planned well in advance as they are not permitted to leave the trail at any stage i.e. Wolfkloof or Goedegeloof due to private property and the possibility of getting lost.

Accommodation

Limited accommodation at the reserve is available in the form of a hut equipped only with beds, hot water and electric lights. Cooking equipment, eating utensils and bedding are not provided. The hut is the ideal starting point for the various day walks.

Reservations

It is not necessary to reserve day visits but the Swellendam Hiking Trail and accommodation should be reserved in advance.

ATTRACTIONS

Annual Events

Swellendam Agricultural Show – January

Boland Bank Half Marathon – February

Swellengrebel ‘Fly In’ – March

Canoe Races – August

Breede River Challenge – September

Classic Bowls Tournament – September

Tradouw Pass Marathon – October

Wildebraam Liqueur Farm

For tasting

ACTIVITIES

Walking & Hiking

In the Langeberg Mountains

Rafting & Canoeing

On the Breede River

Bungee Jumping

Picnic at the Hermitage

Accommodation in and around Swellendam