Bontebok National Park near Swellendam
The Bontebok National Park is an extraordinary conservation success story.
The Dutch Reformed Church, Swellendam
The Dutch Reformed Church in Swellendam is the second church on the site and dates from 1910. The church is in a prominent site on the main street, next to Church Square.
The main streets of Swellendam
I believe the two oldest streets in Swellendam are Swellengrebel Street, which passes the Drostdy, and Voortrek Street where the Dutch Reformed Church is situated. Almost every building in these streets is interesting and I wandered along with my camera until I was too hot to walk further!
The Swellendam Museum
The Swellendam Museum is housed various buildings: The Drostdy, Mayville House, The Old Goal, Ambagswerf, and Zanddrift. We had seen The Drostdy and Mayville House and rather whizzed through the remaining two buildings. We returned later to linger in the third, Zanddrift, now The Drostdy Restaurant.
Mayville House, Swellendam
In 1853 Daniel de Bruin built himself a home which is now known as Mayville House. The property soon passed to the Steyn family and continued as a private home until bequeathed to the museum complex in Swellendam.
The Drostdy in Swellendam
Swellendam was initially established as a trading post by the Dutch East India Company and declared a magisterial district in 1743. It is the third oldest town in South Africa (after Cape Town and Stellenbosch) and named after Governor Hendrik Swellengrebel, the first Governor … Continued
Oudtshoorn to Swellendam
Today was our final lengthy drive in South Africa – 283 kms from Oudtshoorn to Swellendam, starting at 12.00am. I felt sad as I looked back on the Swartberg Mountains above Oudtshoorn, then we turned towards the Outeniqua Mountains above George and the long road ahead.
Oudtshoorn
We visited Oudtshoorn to spend time with a relative. There are plenty of restaurants in the town but we particularly enjoyed lunch at Buffelsdrift Game Lodge, which I highly recommend. Oudtshoorn was founded c.1847 and named after Baron Pieter van Rheede van Oudtshoorn (1714-73), a Governor-Designate … Continued
Graaff Reinet to Oudtshoorn
It was going to be another very hot day and so we set off early to drive the 329 kms from Graaff Reinet to Oudtshoorn.
The Owl House in Nieu Bethesda
Nieu Bethesda is hidden in the Great Karoo and perhaps best known for The Owl House so I planned a circular drive from Graaff Reinet. Google Maps said 119 kms and 2.25 hours but did not mention the potholed dirt road and almost complete lack of signposts!