Swartland Travel Guide — Things to Do, Food & Hotels
region in South Africa
About Swartland
17th-century Dutch navigator Jan van Riebeeck called this softly undulating country between the mountain ranges "Het Zwarte Land" (the Black Land) because of the endemic Renosterbos (Elytropappus rhinocerotis). After the rains, mainly in winter, the Renosterbos takes on a dark appearance when viewed from the distance in large numbers. This is due to the fine leaf-hairs adhering to the leaves when wet. The wide fertile plain is the bread basket of Cape Town with its wheat fields reaching up to the foot of the mountains, interrupted by wine, fruit, and vegetable farms. The Swartland is also home to the oldest colonial hotel of South Africa, the Royal Hotel in Riebeek Kasteel.
Swartland Travel Guide Sections
Our comprehensive guide covers 10 sections including: