The picturesque town of Swellendam, found in the Overberg region, is perfectly situated as a stopover between Cape Town and the Garden Route. It was founded in 1746 by Hendrik Swellengrebel, the Governor of the Cape Province at the time and is known as the third-oldest town in South Africa. Surrounded by fertile farmland and on the banks of the Breede River - the town originally grew along the Old Cape Wagon Road, which was well travelled by explorers, hunters and traders.
The town's wide streets are lined with beautiful Cape Dutch and Victorian architecture, and a fine selection of excellent guesthouses and hotels.
There is much to see and do in this beautiful part of the country - one could easily spend a day or two visiting some of the many nature reserves such as De Hoop, Marloth Nature Reserve, Bontebok National Park, or meandering along the Breede River Valley wine route. The Drosdy Museum with its Fairy Garden is also a recommended visit.
For the outdoor enthusiast the Breede River is perfect for canoeing and water sports and the surrounding mountains provide great opportunities for walking, hiking and horse riding.
