Golf and Bowls

Swellendam has a nine-hole golf course situated at the foot of the Langeberg mountains. It’s a friendly place with very reasonable green fees. The Coachman Guest House has two sets of clubs available free for guests. The bowls club will lend visitors woods. They do apply a dress code though.

Walking and Hiking

If you like walking and hiking then you will be spoilt for choice in the Overberg region. Nearest to Swellendam is Marloth Nature Reserve – home to the six-day Swellendam Trail though you can go for much shorter walks than this, some take no more than an hour! Spring is the best time to enjoy the colourful and varied display of fynbos.

A little further afield lies Grootvadersbosch near Heidelberg with its 250 ha of indigenous forests and bird hides. The adjacent Bosmansbos Widlerness offers a chance to hike “beyond civilisation” – whatever that may mean!

De Hoop near Bredasdorp has some seven eco-systems; the sea, dunes, rare lowland fynbos and a mountain, as well as the most pristine beach from which to view Southern Right Whales. Other wildlife includes bontebok, eland, red hartebeest, ostriches and a colony of endangered Cape vultures.

Bring good shoes. We will loan you a stick and hat.

For more details visit www.capenature.org.za; dehoopinfo@sdm.dorea.co.za; www.capegardenroute.co.za.

Watersports and Activities

There are many and varied activities at the nearby Breede River, including Felix Unite River Adventures, Walkabout (again on the Breede River), Buffeljachts Watersport (on the Dam a few km from Swellendam), Breede River Goose Cruises (Bonnievale) and Breede River DreamCruises

Adrenalin Rush

If you must … Bungy jumping, bridge swing, tandem swing, trampoline bungy and climbing wall are all available for the inteprid traveller at the Gouritz Bungy – not far from Swellendam en route to Mossel Bay.