De Wagenhuis

• Swellendam

The area around Swellendam is still today the heart of where the early settlers started their new lives on the Southern most tip of Africa. In a valley about 8 kms East of the town, where Lord Charles Somerset would go hunting, you find Buffeljagsrivier. Buffeljagsrivier (the buffalo hunting river) is where Magistrate Anthony Faure set up home in 1794. He built the impressive Cape Dutch homestead ’Rotterdam’ (the most historic home of the Overberg), and all the surrounding buildings. Here he bred fine horses and sheep for wool. Some of these were later used to begin the sheep industry in Australia.

His large stables, stores, flat and wagon house - De Wagenhuis - have now been restored and put back to work as a guest house. The new building, built on the same foot print as the old building, brings back the life of old.

The peaceful and quiet life, surrounded by meadows and orchards with views stretching to the top of the Langeberg Mountains, is treasured and warmly shared with guests.Misty winter mornings spent over a mug of ground coffee, chilly nights around a fire with fresh bread in the oven or scorching days swimming in the farm dam – these are memories to be treasured.De Wagenhuis sleeps 14 people in seven luxurious rooms. This country guest house is located on a working farm which produces export citrus and milk.

Guests are welcome to enjoy our large swimming poor and outside relaxation areas and farm walks are a must-do activity. Fresh fruit is available from late March until the end of July.

The farm kitchen and restaurant offers meals but lunch and dinner requires pre-booking.