Swellendam, a beautiful little town at the foot to the Langeberg Mountains, is the third oldest settlement in South Africa. The streets are lined with beautiful whitewashed Cape Dutch homesteads resting in the shade of the old oak trees. Not far from town is the Bontebok National Park, cradled between the Langeberg Mountains and the Breede River. Besides bontebok, the park is also home to zebra, red hartebeest and grey rhebok. Bird watchers should look out for secretary birds and fish eagles. To the east is the Grootvadersbosch Nature Reserve, an indigenous forest that can be explored on foot or on a mountain bike. At the Marloth Nature Reserve, you will see klipspringer, duiker, rhebok and leopard. Other towns in the region include Barrydale and Suurbraak. Relax in the warm, recuperative waters of the natural spring at The Warmwaterberg Spa near Barrydale (with a glass of brandy from the Barrydale Wine Cellars) or visit the beautifully restored buildings and two churches of the mission station at Suurbraak.
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