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!
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.