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, has now been restored and put back to work as a guest house. The new building, built on the same foot print of the old building, brings back the life of old. Peaceful, quiet days stretching up to the top of the Langeberg Mountains. Misty winter mornings spent over a mug of ground coffee. Chilly nights around a fire place with fresh bread in the oven. Scorching hot days spent swimming in the farm dam.
De Wagenhuis sleeps 14 people in seven luxurious rooms. We have a large swimming pool and outside relaxation area. The country guest house is on a working farm producing export citrus and milk, we also have some blackberries (December) and olives. Walks around the farm are a must. Fresh fruit is available from late march to end of July. You can also have all your meals on the farm, as there is a great kitchen and restaurant that will satisfy any palate.
