Things to do in Swellendam

Bontebok National Park

No. 2 of Best Things to Do in South Africa

Table Mountain

Table Mountain is a highly recognizable natural landmark in Cape Town, famous for its distinctive flat-topped shape. The summit plateau stretches approx. 3 km from east to west, surrounded by steep cliffs and precipices, resembling a giant stone table spanning above the city when viewed from afar. The mountain, together with Devil's Peak to the east and Lion's Head and Signal Hill to the west, forms a natural arc-shaped mountain array embracing Cape Town's city center, while the Twelve Apostles extending southward along the Atlantic coast create a continuous chain of cliffs. The highest point of Table Mountain is located at the eastern end of the summit plateau, at an elevation of about 1086 m, and is marked by a stone triangulation beacon — the Maclear Beacon, built by the astronomer Sir Thomas Maclear in 1865. At the western end of the summit is the upper cable car station; the cable car line opened in 1929 and is one of the main ways to reach the top. Platteklip Gorge is a popular hiking route, and as early as 1503, explorers were already climbing Table Mountain along this path. Table Mountain is located in the heart of the Cape Floristic Region, where the vegetation is dominated by sclerophyllous shrubs and supports a large number of locally endemic plants. When the southeast wind prevails, the summit is often covered by orographic clouds, creating the famous "tablecloth cloud" spectacle — clouds cascade down from the flat summit like a white tablecloth, a representative natural phenomenon of Table Mountain. In 1998, Table Mountain and most of the natural areas of the Cape Peninsula were incorporated into Table Mountain National Park, managed uniformly by South African National Parks, and it sits within the city limits.

The Continent of Sulina (Fairy Garden)

Marloth Nature Reserve

2026 Global 100 - Best Things to Do

Cape of Good Hope

Cape of Good Hope is located at the southwestern tip of the Cape Peninsula in South Africa and is part of Table Mountain National Park. It is a steep, rocky headland on the Atlantic coastline. In 1488, Portuguese explorer Bartolomeu Dias arrived here and named it the "Cape of Storms" after encountering violent storms. It was later renamed the "Cape of Good Hope" by King John II of Portugal, symbolizing the hope of opening a new sea route to the East. Together with the nearby Cape Point, it forms the prime southern area of Table Mountain National Park. Standing on the edge of the cliff, you can see towering brown reefs plunging into the deep blue Atlantic, with white waves constantly crashing against the rock walls. The old lighthouse at Cape Point stands high above, offering a panoramic view of the entire arc of False Bay. Visitors can take the "Flying Dutchman" funicular up the mountain to reach the lighthouse observation deck. There is a stone monument here marking the coordinates, which is a classic photo spot for visitors.

Drostdy Museum

Umshanti

No. 4 of Best Things to Do in South Africa

Duiker Island

Duiker Island is a small rocky island off the coast of Hout Bay Harbour, home to a large colony of Cape fur seals and various seabirds, making it a popular natural eco-tourism spot along the Cape Peninsula coastline. Cape fur seals are a species endemic to the coasts of South Africa and Namibia. They are robust, with adult males covered in thick, brownish fur, and they often gather in the hundreds or thousands on the reefs. To protect the seals' natural habitat, visitors are not allowed to land on the island. Visitors can tour the island by taking a sightseeing boat from Hout Bay Harbour pier. When the boat approaches the island, you can see groups of seals either lying lazily on the rocks basking in the sun or frolicking in the water. Pups stay close to their mothers, while adult males push each other at the edge of their territory, creating a vivid scene.

Swellendam Golf Club

No. 1 of Cool Water Escapes in South Africa

Boulders Beach

Boulders Beach is one of only two mainland breeding colonies of African penguins on the African continent. The African penguin is the only penguin species found in Africa, and because their call sounds like a donkey's bray, they were once known as jackass penguins. They are currently listed as an endangered species. The penguin story of the reserve began in 1983, when only two pairs of penguins settled and nested here. Since then, the population has gradually grown, and today hundreds of breeding pairs live and reproduce here. The park features wooden boardwalks that traverse the Foxy Beach area, allowing visitors to walk along the boardwalks to observe the penguins' nests, breeding areas, and daily activities up close—watching them waddle on the beach, forage in the water, or bask in the sun. The reserve has also placed artificial nest boxes to assist with penguin breeding, and South African National Parks, in collaboration with several conservation organizations, continues to conduct population monitoring and habitat restoration work. In addition to penguin watching, the bay itself is quite unique. The sea is dotted with massive granite boulders formed hundreds of millions of years ago, which shield the bay from the strong currents and large waves of the open sea, making the water here relatively warm and calm.