Route 62 & Swellendam

Swellendam

Swellendam is the third oldest town in South Africa dating back to 1743. But it had its 15 minutes of fame way back in 1795. The corruption and inadequacies of the Dutch East India Company caused the town burgers to declare that Swellendam was an independent republic! However their freedom was soon curtailed by the British occupation of the Cape. Nowadays it is an attractive and prosperous country town. Its main street is lined with old Cape Dutch houses and over 100 of which are National Monuments. Swellendam makes the perfect stopping off point on your way to the Garden Route. There's plenty to see nearby including Bontebok National Park, Marloth reserve for hiking as well as wine estates on Route 62 - see below.

Route 62

The world’s longest Wine Route – Route 62 promises not only fine wines, but also breath-taking views.

Route 62 offers the perfect self drive route from Cape Town to the Little Karoo. Route 62 is the collective name for the area along this scenic country road which meanders through the country towns or ‘dorpe’ of Robertson, Montagu and Barrydale. The route passes picturesque wine estates and then heads through rugged mountain country with dramatic mountain passes. It ends in the picturesque rolling countryside of the Little Karoo (inland from the Garden Route).

Game Reserves on Route 62

Route 62 also offers the closest ‘proper’ safari near Cape Town. Our favourite is the Sanbona Wildlife Reserve. A luxury game reserve in the heart of the Karoo, home to the rare White Lion as well as plenty of other game, large and small. There are other alternatives available as well. Such as Inverdoorn or the too day-trip focused Aquila game reserve, but we believe that Sanbona is the only one which offers a true wildlife safari near Cape Town.