What do a chameleon rescuer, a barefoot winemaker and a mayor-restaurateur have in frequent? Swellendam, that’s what! South Africa’s fifth-oldest city settled within the historic coronary heart of the Overberg has extra to supply than you may suppose.
By Allison Foat
With a successful disposition on the foot of the Langeberg, it varieties a part of Better Swellendam that comes with Suurbraak, Barrydale, Buffeljagsrivier and Malgas. All that plus the truth that it’s a portal to the epic Route 62 provides to the lure, making Swellendam a wonderful base from which to discover additional. At 220 km from Cape City, that is a simple highway journey that delivers at each flip.
Monumental heritage
Swellendam is a historic treasure trove, flush with well-preserved landmarks and heritage websites. Towering grandly above the numerous legacy buildings is the dominant Dutch Reformed Church, an eclectic instance of Gothic, Dutch, Baroque and Japanese architectural types that was formally opened in 1911.
That is believed to be probably the most photographed church in South Africa.
That apart, there’s a profusion of different fascinating properties to see, a lot of which have been reimagined as quaint outlets, artwork galleries and eateries. The oldest constructing round is the Drostdy on Swellengrebel Road, a captivating complicated that includes the Museum, the Gaol, Ambagswerf, Mayville home and Mayville Backyard.
Consuming and consuming
After exploring homesteads and holy locations, take outing at one of many many wonderful eating places on the heritage strip. Should you’re after panache on a plate, e-book a desk at Subject and Fork, positioned inside a bit of the Drostdy Museum and owned by Swellendam’s Mayor, Francois du Rand. The Republic throughout the way in which is a laid-back spot for people-watching over pub grub and native craft beer and gin.
Get a style of Swellenbrew!
Additional alongside the drag is Grace + Merci the place the menu is pushed by freshness and innovation. It’s an incredible place to begin the day with a flat white.
Grace + Merci can also be a superb distant working area.
Proprietor Bev Lacking, previously of Rain fame, has created a fabulously styled emporium that entices guests with all the things from gateaux to items.
Nature walks and nationwide parks
The Langeberg foothills beckon with quite a few strolling, operating and horse trails. Contained in the Marloth Nature Reserve are graded bike routes and the choice for 2 to seven-day hikes, with rustic relaxation huts for overnighters.
Exploring Marloth Nature Reserve.
The Wamakersbos path is effectively suited to day hikers of all ages whereas for the extra skilled, the Swellendam Climbing Path is the enterprise, hailed as one in all South Africa’s prime ten hikes.
The Langeberg is asking.
These preferring a gentler ramble with a information alongside can e-book a traipse with Jon Pimm who loves nothing greater than to extol the great thing about creation with fellow outside lovers. Time spent on this superb sanctuary, which additionally occurs to even be a part of the Cape Floristic Area, is a tonic.
Contact Jon Pimm: [email protected]
Gardens and farms
Gardening is a nationwide pastime in Swellendam, to the extent {that a} backyard expo is held yearly to showcase the work of the green-fingered wizards within the dorp. It’s an occasion that pulls guests from far and broad who flock to the city for a floral repair and to help the worthy trigger – the Swellendam SPCA. Discover them at 52 Voortrek Road.
One of many gardens which can be open to view all year long is October’s Haven throughout the Rothman Road drift, created by Rina and John October.
Pretty October’s Haven.
With restricted sources however a great deal of gees, the couple has prettified a once-barren plot with succulents and perennials and added a riverside meander and picnic space as effectively. For one thing the children will take pleasure in, drive to Wildebraam Farm within the close by Hermitage Valley for berry-picking (Nov-Jan) or to buy their vary of jams, syrups, chutneys and liqueurs.
Wine away
The Overberg is wine nation, and with quite a few tremendous labels rising from the area, oenophiles shall be in tippling heaven. One of many entrance runners on the sustainability entrance is Olivedale Personal Vineyards the place barefoot winemaker and strategist Carl van Wijck nurtures the symbiotic connection between man and nature to provide a superior product, the pure means.
Olivedale’s Carl van Wijck.
Carl hosts wine tastings himself (by appointment), an excellent expertise in part of the cellar furnished like a classic man cave.
Sijnn Wines in Malgas, about half-hour from Swellendam, is an unassuming property in the midst of nowhere, accessed by a dust highway and surrounded by a renosterveld conservation space.
The view from Sijnn Wines.
Owned by David Trafford with the proficient Charla Bosman on the winemaking helm, Sijnn subscribes to pure farming strategies and pure winemaking. Enjoyable reality – a motorised pontoon is in operation to ferry automobiles throughout the Breede River (no price), which conveniently cancels out a 90km detour.
Wine tastings: www.olivedalevineyards.com (by appointment) and www.sijnn.co.za (Saturdays)
Chameleons
It’s value noting that Knysna dwarf chameleons, endemic to South Africa, are plentiful in Swellendam.
The Knysna dwarf chameleon is listed as Endangered by the IUCN.
Those who wander from their forest habitats although can find yourself in unsafe city conditions the place they succumb to predators or have run-ins with automobiles, individuals and hedge clippers. Happily, Swellendam is house to a chameleon hero, Carmen Stuart, who faucets into veteran chameleon protector Aldo Kleyn for recommendation and who has made it her mission, with the assistance of an area vet, to deal with, rehabilitate and launch the tiny reptiles again into the wild.
Keep
Whereas lodging choices abound, it’s all the time a bonus to have the ability to discover a B&B the place you will get to know a ‘Swellendammer’. At Margie’s Place, proprietor Margie Walker affords two en-suite bedrooms full with a shared kitchenette, a non-public entrance and entry to her fairly backyard, the place a continental breakfast comes with views throughout the Langeberg peaks.
The home is a stone’s throw from the bustle of city and affords quick access to the Marloth Reserve too. Margie is the epitome of gracious hospitality and is all the time prepared to help with itinerary concepts.
Margie’s Place: Electronic mail [email protected]
Footage: Allison Foat
Observe Allison Foat on Instagram: @allisonfoat
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