De Oude Pastorie

De Oude Pastorie is a guesthouse located on South Africa's world-famous Garden Route in Swellendam. It is housed in a Victorian-style parsonage, which is a National monument built in 1904. The building served as a residence for ministers serving the old Mission church next door until 1972.

The guesthouse offers modern luxury accommodations in four Victorian-style rooms situated within the historic manor house. Additionally, there is a Garden Cottage with three en-suite rooms, each with a private entrance and garden views. The premises feature lush gardens where guests can take a stroll and observe the Cape dwarf chameleon, Hoopoe, and various other bird species. There is also a pond with Koi fish and a swimming pool area where guests can relax while enjoying a classic novel from the library and homemade ice tea.

The rooms are equipped with air-conditioning, DStv, Wi-Fi, electric blankets, small wall safes in the wardrobes, natural Rain bathroom products, coffee and tea making facilities, and a fridge with complimentary drinks. Guests can indulge in scrumptious breakfasts, and the guesthouse offers warm hospitality with a relaxed and friendly atmosphere, ensuring a memorable stay.

Swellendam, where De Oude Pastorie is located, was the last outpost of Dutch civilization on the eastern frontier, making the services of its residents highly important. The region has a predominantly Mediterranean climate and is botanically diverse, featuring an abundance of wildflowers and fynbos. Various wildlife species, including the formerly endangered bontebok and Cape mountain zebra, inhabit the area, along with bushbuck, klipspringer, grey rhebuck, Cape grysbok, baboon, mongoose, genet, and the occasional leopard. The region is also home to a species of ghost frog and a unique forest emperor butterfly, as well as over 200 bird species, including waterfowl, the crowned eagle, black eagle, Narina trogon, paradise flycatcher, and the Knysna woodpecker.