Location: South Africa » Western Cape » Overberg » N2 Route » SwellendamAfrican ShadesCome and enjoy the relaxing atmosphere and friendly hospitality of African Shades. DescriptionAfrican Shades offers Superior Accommodation at affordable prices. All rooms are spacious and tastefully decorated. The extra-length beds with pure cotton-percale linen, offer a luxurious night’s rest. The rooms are located away from the main street to ensure that your rest is peaceful and undisturbed. All our rooms have fans / heaters, a television set, tea & coffee facilities, separate entrances and private patios. Relax by the salt water pool and enjoy the stunning mountain views, indulge in a delicious meal at our Restaurant or shop for a few gifts and souvenirs at our Arts & Crafts shop. We are located right across from the Drostdy Museum and only a stroll away from all the best dining restaurants in Swellendam. As a family run business, we pride ourselves in always providing friendly, personal service. Located in the beautiful Overberg region of the Western Cape, Swellendam is one of South Africa’s hidden gems. It is a picturesque & almost crime-free little town at the foot of the breathtaking Langeberg mountain range. Located exactly halfway between the Garden Route and Cape Town, makes Swellendam the ideal stopover for tourists travelling along the N2 main road.
As the third oldest town in South Africa, historic Swellendam is being discovered as a destination and not just a stopover. With countless historic buildings, various nature reserves and National Parks, beautiful scenery and a peaceful, relaxed country atmosphere, Swellendam is an attraction of its own.
African Shades is situated in the most historic part of Swellendam, right across from the famous Drostdy Museum complex.
We offer Superior Accommodation at our guest house -style Bed & Breakfast (B&B), delicious meals at our Restaurant and beautiful hand made crafts and souvenirs at our Arts & Crafts shop.
As a family run business, we pride ourselves in always providing friendly, personal service. 
Contact Details:
Reservations
Tel: 086 127 6237
| AttractionsDrostdy Museum:
The Drostdy was built by the Dutch East India Company in 1747. Now a major museum complex comprised of the original Drostdy building, the Old Gaol, the Ambagswerf (trade’s yard), Mayville House* and Zanddrift.
* (African Shades is located right across from Mayville House.) Marloth Nature Reserve:
Marloth Nature Reserve lies in the majestic Langeberg Mountains.
The vegetation is predominantly mountain fynbos with patches of afro-montane forest. Marloth supports numerous animal species. Mammals include common duiker, baboon, leopard, caracal & porcupine. The area is also rich in birdlife with 114 species having been recorded.
Various hikes ranging from 2 hours to 6 days can be enjoyed in the reserve. Bontebok National Park:
The Park is proud to promote its achievements in biodiversity conservation, from the endangered fynbos veld type, coastal Renosterveld, to the namesake bontebok! Once these colorful antelope numbered a mere 17, and through effective management we are proud to affirm that the present world population amounts to around 3000.
The Park offers much more for nature lovers, from a diversity of indigenous animal life to over 200 remarkable bird species. Robertson Wine Valley:
Nestled between the Langeberg and Riviersonderend mountain ranges, our wine route offers a landscape of roads fringed by flowers and trees, majestic mountains and a river running through the valley.
However above all, one remembers the world class wines! Located on the popular Route 62 and only 20 mins drive from Swellendam, this is an attraction not to be missed. Wildebraam Liqueurs:
Situated on a youngberry farm in the Hermitage Valley, Swellendam, Wildebraam produces unique SA liqueurs and delicious berry products.
Visitors are made welcome in their friendly and relaxed tasting room which has a fabulous vista of pastures, berry fields and the majestic Langeberg Mountains.
Berry picking: November – December. Two Feathers Horse Trails:
Offering scenic rides through forests, across rivers and along the foothills of the Langeberg Mountain Range. All levels of riders are welcome. Walk or canter, breathtaking or heart stopping? It's up to you. Sulina Faerie Sanctuary:
A unique & magical experience. A visit to the sanctuary is mentally and emotionally inspiring! Experience the love, light and positivity of faeries at play.
Swellendam Golf Course:
The 9 hole, par 72 golf course is unique in its beautiful setting - nestling at the foot of the magnificent Langeberg mountains, with views overlooking the town, surrounding farms and the Hermitage Valley. Open to the public 7 days a week.
  
Accolades | :Tourism Council of SA Star Grading |  | :AA Guides quality assured |  | :Rated by tripadvisor.com |
TGCSA Star GradingFacilitiesAfrican Shades offers one of the best African arts & crafts shops in Swellendam. Tribal wall hangings, hand painted table cloths, wire and beaded crafts, traditional woven Zulu baskets, scrap metal sculptures, funky glass jewellery and hand-made gift cards, to name but a few of the exciting products on display!
The shop is an absolute must-see for anyone with an interest in both traditional and modern African crafts and designs. With such a wide variety of arts & crafts and excellent product knowledge to match, a browse would certainly be a satisfying experience.
The majority of items are made & designed in South Africa, proudly showcasing the unique & varying styles of South African crafts, but we also eagerly support the talents of other African countries.
Our display is ever changing as we source out new and exciting products directly from the artists. We also keenly support various community projects who supply us with some of our most beautiful arts & crafts.
Whether you are looking for a souvenir, a gift for someone special, some funky, African accessories or a decorative piece for your home, you can be sure to find it here.
Colourful, inspiring and unique! Shaded under the large oak trees and overlooking the magnificent Langeberg mountains, African Shades Restaurant is the ideal place to stop over for a meal. With plenty of garden & outside stoep seating on offer for those long hot summer afternoons and a roaring fireplace inside for those chilli winter days. With friendly service and chilled out lounge and world music playing in the background, a trendy, yet relaxed atmosphere is created.
We offer hearty breakfasts to both our B&B guests and the public. Whether you prefer a healthy spread of yoghurt, muesli & honey, or a more substantial farm-style bacon & egg breakfast, you will not leave disappointed.
For lunch, our menu changes with the seasons.
During autumn & winter we serve a smaller menu with weekly specials: warm, hearty soup & bread, rich & creamy pastas and pancakes with cinnamon sugar are regulars on the chalk board.
During spring & summer we have an a-la-carte menu with a selection of light meals such as Dutch meat croquettes, home-baked quiche and a selection of omelettes. For the more hungry customers we offer our unique range of home-made tortilla wraps & grilled tremazzini sandwiches with a variety of tasty fillings to choose from. The most delicious calamari rings, creamy mussels & a “Dish of the day” complete the menu.
Using only the freshest available ingredients, we always take pride in ensuring that every plate of food looks and tastes great.
Our bar is always well stocked with a good selection of ice cold beers, ciders, soft drinks and local wines.
We serve real Italian “ Espresso” coffees. Cappuccinos are our speciality: an absolute delight for the coffee lover!
We also serve the uniquely South African Red Espresso ™ - the rooibos alternative to espresso coffee with a funky range of tasty, yet extremely healthy hot and cold drinks. African Shades Bed & Breakfast offers Superior Accommodation at affordable prices. We are the only three-star B&B in Swellendam to achieve the highly prized AA Superior Accommodation accreditation. The rooms are all very spacious and tastefully decorated. The extra-length beds with high quality, pure cotton percale linen, offer a luxurious night’s rest. The rooms are located away from the main street to ensure that your rest is peaceful and undisturbed.
All our rooms have fans / heaters, a television set, tea & coffee facilities, separate entrances and private patios. The rooms are all non-smoking, but comfortable chairs on the patios with tables and ashtrays look after our smoking guests.
When you are not in your room you can relax by the salt water pool and enjoy the stunning mountain views, indulge in a delicious meal at our Restaurant or shop for a few gifts and souvenirs at our Arts & Crafts shop.
Our private parking area offers secure off-street parking for peace of mind while you enjoy the comfort and facilities of African Shades.
Twin Rooms (Rooms 1 – 4):
The four twin rooms are individually decorated and all have en-suite bathrooms with showers.
(Room 1 offers the added luxury of a large, semi-sunken bath.) | |
Luxury Room (Room 5):
A huge king-size bed, a comfy 2-seater couch and an en-suite bathroom with shower & sunken bath, makes this room ideal for that special get-away or luxurious stop-over. Located right at the back of the property, close to the swimming pool, this room offers peace, quite and privacy. | |
Family Cottage (Room7):
Sleeps up to 5. For the family on vacation this is the perfect accommodation. It has two rooms and a bathroom. In the main room there are twin beds and a sleeper couch. In the second room we have two bunk beds for the kids, but also sturdy enough for adults to sleep in. |
DirectionsFrom the N2, take the Swellendam East turn-off, which becomes Swellengrebel Street. Continue down the hill and straight over the stop street. The next street on your left is Hermanus Steyn Street. African Shades is on the corner of Swellengrebel and Hermanus Steyn Streets.
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