• Grabouw

    Apple, mountain bike and adventure country.
  • Greyton Overberg

    Greyton is rural tranquillity and quaint country scenes. There is a backpackers lodge in town.
  • Betty's Bay

    Betty's Bay is one of those places that grew up as a holiday home from home. there is a fantastic backpackers in town.
  • Kleinmond

    Because of its isolation Kleinmond was an outlaws’ stronghold for some 200 years. Nestled between two estuaries and bordered by fynbos covered mountains and the Atlantic Ocean, Kleinmond is an appetising stop for outdoor enthusiasts. It’s a hikers paradise, and with consistently good swell, not bad for surfers either.
  • Hermanus

    A favourite weekend getaway spots for people living in Cape Town. Hermaus has a little bit of everything from long beaches, to whales populating the bay to a rocking nightlife......
  • Gansbaai

    Small fishing port on the Cape South Coast and famous for its Great White Sharks
  • Bredasdorp

    Situated 25km north of Cape Agulhas, Bredasdorp is a centre for wool, grain and dairy farming and lying in the heart of the Overberg, you’ll certainly know that you are in the “bread basket” of Africa…
  • NapierWC

    A tranquil and quirky country village.
  • Cape Agulhas

    Cape Agulhas backpackers is set at the true southernmost tip of the continent. Is it really where the two oceans meet? Go there to see for yourself.
  • Arniston

    This lovely little fishing village is set against an backdrop of impossibly blue seas and whitewashed cottages. Meander down to the harbour and choose a fish fresh off the boats, or take a walk to the caves and shout something you’d like to hear a few times.
  • Riversdale

    Set halfway between Cape Town and Knysna, this little town boasts some classic country attractions.
  • Montagu Western Cape

    Montagu is situated on Route 62, the road to wine and roses, this charming little village lies snoozing in the embrace of the mountains.
  • Witsand

    Known as the whale nursery of the East Coast, with the largest concentration of whales on the South African coastline, Witsand is at the mouth of the Breede River. It’s a peaceful town with excellent fishing.
  • Robertson

    Robertson lies on the Breede River Valley which is on Route 62. It is one of the longest wine routes in the world.
  • Barrydale

    Barrydale is situated at the top of the Tradouw pass and is on the R62

You are here: | All regions | Overberg  | Swellendam

Swellendam

Swellendam lies beneath some of the most spectacular peaks in the Langeberg range. These peaks used to be used as sundials by the farmers who called them 10, 11, 12 and 1 o'clock. Today, old oak trees, wide roads and whitewashed homesteads recall Swellendam’s past as a frontier town. From here there’s easy access to a myriad outdoor wilderness experiences.

Game Parks Close to Cape Town
Swellendam is close to the De Hoop, Bontebok and Marloth National Parks and well worth visiting just for its charming beauty but especially if you’re into hiking.
The republic of Swellendam

The town was established in 1746 and is the third oldest white settlement in South Africa, after that of Cape Town and Stellenbosch. For a memorable three months in 1795, Swellendam was one of the capitals of the world. Its citizens - enraged at misrule by the Dutch East India Company - dismissed their magistrate, declared an independent republic and appointed a president. Soon afterwards however, the British occupied the Cape and the rebel republic - all twenty houses scattered along the valley of the Korenslands River - faded back into obscurity.

The backpackers in town has been around for years and they offer an awesome service.


Places to Stay

  • Swellendam Backpackers Lodge

    Nestled at the foot of the magnificent Langeberg Mountains, Swellendam Backpackers is set on a massive property with its own mountain stream.
 Feeling lucky?
(randomly selected service providers from all regions)

Renta-VW
Does a Chico blow your hair back? Or do you prefer a Polo? This is your spot.
(Camps Bay,Cape Town)

Colesberg Backpackers
Colesberg is one of those famous half way stops between here and there.
(Colesberg,Eastern Cape Inland and the Karoo)

Shoestrings Airport Lodge
This Johannesburg backpackers is situated on a large property 3km from Johannesburg international airport.
(Johannesburg,Johannesburg)

AroundAboutCars
In Durbs, you can tell a lot about someone from the car they drive… what they do, how old they are, where they live…
(Durban ,Durban)

Tsitsikamma Mountain Trail
An awesome hiking trail.
(Stormsriver,Garden Route)

Footprints in Africa
Tours, safaris and transfers.
(Pretoria City,Pretoria)

Albergo For Backpackers
This Plett backpackers is close to the centre of Plett. Albergo has great views of the ocean and offers plenty of outdoor adventures.
(Plettenberg Bay,Garden Route)

Aloe Again
This backpackers has recently been renovated. It's a snazzy spot with great communal spaces, welcoming surfers and holidaymakers alike.
(Jeffreys Bay,Sunshine Coast)

Mozdivers Zavora
Dedicated to getting the best out of the sea.
(Zavora,Mozambique)

Abreakaway Surf School & Volunteers

(Muizenberg and Kalk Bay,Cape Town)