About Rothman Manor
Situated in the in the heart of the Overberg town of Swellendam, Rothman Manor offers modern accommodation ...
... in a traditional Cape Dutch house, set within 3.5 hectares of lush park-like gardens, with resident springbok and zebra.
Rothman Manor is a contemporary guesthouse in a traditional manor-house – a pleasant surprise! The gardens are a real treat to explore. For comfortable upmarket accommodation in Swellendam, it is a good place to stay.
Accommodation
6 rooms
Children
Suitable for 5 years +
Open
Closed mid May to mid June
Traveller reviews of Rothman Manor
4 real, un-edited reviews from Expert Africa's travellers.
Arrived 14 Oct 2019, 1 nights
"A quiet retreat in Swellendam"
Overall rating: Good
Arrived 8 Feb 2016, 2 nights
"Rothman Manor review"
Overall rating: Excellent
Arrived 12 Nov 2015, 1 nights
"Rothman Manor review"
Overall rating: Excellent
Arrived 5 Dec 2012, 1 nights
"Really nice hotel"
Overall rating: Excellent




















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View galleryRothman Manor: Our full report
Situated in the in the heart of the Overberg town of Swellendam, Rothman Manor offers modern accommodation ...
... in a traditional Cape Dutch house, set within 3.5 hectares of lush park-like gardens, with resident springbok and zebra.
Rothman Manor was originally built in 1834 and is split into three thatch-roofed buildings: two of the original buildings and a later addition. German owners Andreas and Franziska Göbel have stamped their personal quirky mark on the property, with paintings by Franziska displayed throughout.
One of the original buildings houses the lounge and dining room. The other two each have three of Rothman Manor’s six individually decorated rooms.
In addition to one ‘cosy’ single bedroom there are two standard rooms, two larger ‘luxury’ rooms and one very spacious loft suite, with a separate lounge area and a small kitchen. This room takes up the whole loft area of the newer building.
All the rooms are individually decorated in a quirky, very contemporary style, with bright colours and modern furniture, which blends very well with the original buildings and their traditional features. Each room has air conditioning (with heating function), a satellite TV, personal safe, iPod docking station, direct-dial telephone, tea/coffee-making facilities and a stocked minibar. The en-suite bathrooms have underfloor heating and are equipped with heated towels rails, bathrobes, hairdryers and complimentary toiletries.
On a recent visit in May 2014 I was allocated a very spacious ‘luxury’ room, with wooden floors and bright paintings by Franziska on the walls. The bedroom was very spacious with a double bed, white and pink bedcovers and cushions, and pale blue walls. A separate lounge with a white leather sofa and chair and a cowskin rug on the floor had two sets of french doors, one leading onto a patio with garden furniture overlooking the garden, and another to the side with access to the path leading to the main building. In the en-suite bathroom, with a corner bath, separate shower, twin basins and a toilet, the black-and-white checked floor tiles were echoed by the tiles around the vanity unit. Soft white fluffy towels and toiletries are provided.
Inside the main building, the lounge at Rothman Manor has original pieces of yellow-wood furniture mixed with modern white leather sofas and armchairs around a stone fireplace. Some of the walls are painted green, accentuated by splashes of green on the cushions. The stone floor is topped with a large coir mat, and African artefacts are dotted around.
French doors open from the lounge on to a paved patio area around a large oak tree. Breakfast is sometimes served here, and it looked as though it could be a really nice spot to relax with a book on a sunny day, but as it had been raining during our stay, we ate indoors.
The small breakfast room, off the lounge, is decorated in white and orange and has individual tables. At breakfast time, guests help themselves from a buffet laid out on the yellow-wood sideboard and dresser in the lounge.
The park-like gardens at Rothman Manor are a highlight. Within the rolling grounds are a salt-water swimming pool with sunloungers, a large lily pond stocked with koi, a small dam and an elevated outdoor Jacuzzi and sundeck overlooking the adjoining reserve. The reserve itself is stocked with zebra, ostrich and springbok, and the birdlife here is great, too.
Swellendam is the second oldest town in South Africa after Stellenbosch and has a lot to offer visitors, so a stay at Rothman Manor is worth more than just one night. Visit the Drostdy Museum, the nearby Bontebok National Park, with some lovely walking trails, and Marloth Nature Reserve with waterfalls in an indigenous forest. Further afield are De Hoop Nature Reserve and Cape Agulhas, the most southerly tip of Africa.
Geographics
- Location
- Swellendam, South Africa
- Ideal length of stay
- 2 nights, or possibly more, to explore everything that Swellendam has to offer.
- Directions
- Rothman Manor is on Swellendam’s main Voortrek Street, at no 268, and is easy to find once you are in Swellendam.
- Accessible by
- Self-drive
Food & drink
- Usual board basis
- Bed & Breakfast
- Food quality
- Rothman Manor serves breakfast daily between 08.00 and 09.30am. There is a large buffet with a selection or cold meats, cheeses, different flavoured yoghurts, fresh fruit and fruit juice, cereals, fresh bread and rolls, and a selection of pastries and muffins. A cooked breakfast of your choice is also available.
Lunch and dinner are not served but there are many restaurants to choose from in the area, with a pizza restaurant right next door. - Dining style
- Individual Tables
- Dining locations
- Indoor and Outdoor Dining
- Further dining info, including room service
- Room service is not available
- Drinks included
- Drinks are not included in the rate. Stocked minibars are available in each room with soft drinks at R12, spirits R25–30 and bottles of wine at R120–150. Crisps and nuts are also available in the rooms at R10 each. The rate of exchange at the time of writing was R17 to the UK pound.
Children
- Attitude towards children
- Children of all ages are welcome at Rothman Manor.
- Property’s age restrictions
- There is no age restriction.
- Special activities & services
- There are no childminders on site but Rothman Manor can arrange this on request.
- Equipment
- Cots and highchairs are available and extra beds can be placed in the ‘luxury’ rooms as well as the loft suite.
- Generally recommended for children
- Although Rothman Manor accepts children of all ages we suggest it is more suitable for children over five years old.
- Notes
- Children will need supervision around the pool and ponds as well as in the rolling grounds towards the reserve.
Communications
- Communications
- Free internet access is available and the rooms are all equipped with telephones. There is good cellphone reception too.
- TV & radio
- Each room has a satellite TV.
- Water supply
- Mains
Health & safety
- Malarial protection recommended
- No
- Medical care
- There are doctors as well as a hospital in Swellendam.
Quadbike warning: quad-biking is sometimes available as an activity in this area. As with any potentially dangerous activity, it’s vital that you take responsibility for ensuring that you have adequate travel insurance prior to getting involved. Be aware that some insurances cover quad-bike activities only for bikes with lower engine ratings: check such clauses particularly carefully before you get on a bike. - Dangerous animals
- Low Risk
- Security measures
- There are security gates and guests are given a key to let themselves in after hours.
- Fire safety
- There are fire extinguishers at every room as well as in the main areas.
Activities
Extras
- Disabled access
- On Request
- Laundry facilities
- A full laundry service is available at an extra charge. Prices range from R10 to R30 per item (approx 50 pence to less than £2)
- Money
- All rooms are fitted with electronic safes. No currency exchange is possible but there are many banks and ATMs in Swellendam.
- Accepted payment on location
- Amex, MasterCard and Visa credit cards are accepted as well as cash payments in South African rand.
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Rothman Manor's location
Look closer at the environment and surroundings of Rothman Manor.
Other lodges in Swellendam
Alternative places to stay in this same area.

Schoone Oordt C. House
Schoone Oordt is a warm and friendly guesthouse in Swellendam and makes a good, relaxing halfway stop between Cape Town and the Garden Route.

Bontebok National Park
Part of the Cape Floral Kingdom protected area, Bontebok is South Africa's smallest National Park and home to around 200 bontebok as well as many other bird and mammal species.

Hideaway Guesthouse
The Hideaway Guest House is a delightful little owner-run guesthouse in the historic town of Swellendam.
When to go to Swellendam
Our month by month guide: What it's like to visit Rothman Manor in Swellendam
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
South Africa in January
January is considered one of the best months to travel. In Cape Town the weather is hot and generally dry. The Garden Route is also excellent at this time of the year but has a more temperate climate, with slightly lower temperatures and rain can fall at any time of the year. In the Kgalagadi temperatures often top 40°C and short, sharp thunderstorms are also fairly frequent. Wildlife tends to disperse, although birding is excellent.
As this is the high season in the Cape there are numerous events, festivals and outdoor activities to attract visitors. Accommodation books up quickly and it may be necessary to book at least a year in advance. Reservations will often be needed for restaurants and visitor attractions too.
- Hot, largely dry days with clear skies – except on Garden Route
- Wildlife disperses in the Kalahari but birding excellent
- Events, festivals and outdoor activities staged for the high season
- The high season in the Cape, accommodation can cost up to 50% more
- Pre-booking of activities & attractions is essential
Our view
Fantastic: the very best time to visit
Weather in January
South Africa in February
In February conditions are largely the same as in January, although temperatures can be slightly higher, especially in the interior. The wind in Cape Town starts to ease off. Although the Garden Route can experience some rain, the days are pleasantly warm and largely dry.
The Kgalagadi remains very hot, but the birding is still excellent. Wildlife viewing can be tricky especially if there has been some rain, as the resulting long grass can obscure the animals.
For visitors it’s still the high season, but with the local school holidays over and residents back at work, it is less busy than December and January. Accommodation costs remain high and it’s still advisable to pre-book certain activities and restaurants.
- Hot, largely dry days with little cloud
- Wind starts easing in Cape Town
- Slightly less busy than December & January
- Accommodation costs remain high, activities still best pre-booked
Our view
Fantastic: the very best time to visit
Weather in February
South Africa in March
March is still a very good time to visit. Conditions remain dry and very warm in Cape Town, although temperatures start dropping off towards the end of the month. The wind has usually died right down.
The Kalahari remains very hot and in years of good rains vegetation is at its most lush – making wildlife viewing tricky.
Typically, the crowds dwindle, but it can get very busy if Easter falls in March. It is also worth bearing in mind that during major events in March, including the Cape Town Cycle Tour, Cape Epic Mountain Bike Tour, The Cape Town Carnival and the International Jazz Festival, accommodation can get very full.
Attractions remain busy but booking is less essential.
- Temperatures start falling towards the end of the month
- Cape Town hosts a number of world class sport and cultural events
- Wildlife in the Kgalagadi disperses, game viewing more challenging
- Crowds diminish as the high season comes to an end
- Accommodation can get busy during major events
Our view
Fantastic: the very best time to visit
Weather in March
South Africa in April
April is South Africa’s “shoulder” season and is often the most pleasant. Not too hot, not too cold, some rain but not masses. In Cape Town and along the Garden Route days are usually sunny, warm, windless and largely dry, although in Cape Town the chance of rain increases from the end of the month.
In the Kgalagadi the rainy season is typically over and migratory birds are starting to make their journey back up North. Vegetation remains lush but wildlife viewing starts picking up towards the end of the month.
The region is still relatively busy (especially of its still Easter) but it gets quieter towards the end of the month thus availability improves. Accommodation rates start to decrease, and it becomes less important to book restaurants and attractions in advance.
- Temperatures still warm and very pleasant, with little wind.
- Rain starts easing in the Kalahari and migratory birds start to depart
- Less busy, especially towards the end of the month - busy over Easter
- Accommodation frees up and prices start to come down
Our view
A very good time to visit
Weather in April
South Africa in May
May marks the start of the dry season in the Kgalagadi. Days are warm and dry with almost zero rainfall. Night-time/early-morning temperatures can drop towards 0°C. Wildlife viewing is at its peak as animals concentrate around the few remaining water sources.
Days can still be warm and sunny in Cape Town and on the Garden Route, but the weather becomes a lot more variable. May heralds the start of the rainy season in Cape Town and the winelands. Night-time temperatures rarely drop below 10 degrees in the coastal areas.
With far fewer tourists, accommodation prices are at their lowest. There is rarely any need to pre-book activities, but reservations are still advisable at some of the top restaurants.
- Higher chance of rain in Cape Town & the Winelands
- Day time temperatures drop significantly
- Wildlife viewing peaks in the Kgalagadi
- Low season so rarely busy & very few crowds
- Low season rates at the hotels & lodges
Our view
A good time to visit, with pros & cons
Weather in May
South Africa in June
Winter is now in full swing. Maximum temperatures in Cape Town rarely reach 20°C and the rainy season is well under way. Outdoor activities therefore become limited, but a number of high-quality indoor events are organised.
The Garden Route has, in general milder weather and less rain than Cape Town.
June sees the arrival of the first whales which migrate to the South African coastline to give birth.
In the Kgalagadi, daytime temperatures are warm but nights and early mornings are bitterly cold. Wildlife viewing is excellent as animals are drawn to the few remaining permanent water points.
Overall tourist numbers are at their lowest, as are the costs of flights and accommodation.
- Cold & wet weather in Cape Town, Kgalagadi warm days but cold at night
- One of the best months for wildlife viewing in the Kgalagadi
- Whales start arriving to have their calves
- Low visitor numbers & no crowds
- Accommodation & flight prices remain low
Our view
A good time to visit, with pros & cons
Weather in June
South Africa in July
The winter weather continues with very cold nights and early mornings in the Kgalagadi and virtually no rainfall. Vegetation here is really thinning out now and water even more scarce – so wildlife is easy to spot.
Despite the winter and local school holidays, Cape Town remains a great place to visit. On a wet and cold day, the Two Oceans Aquarium, Zeitz Mocca (art museum) and the Cape Town Comedy Club all make for great days out, as does a trip to the wine country or the annual Oyster Festival at Knysna.
By mid-July most of the whales have arrived to give birth. Hermanus is the best place to see them.
At the height of the low season, so accommodation and flight prices remain low.
- Generally cold & wet in the Cape, but good quality indoor events
- Very good wildlife viewing in the Kgalagadi
- Oyster festival in Knysna
- Local school holidays can make places a little busier than usual
- Accommodation and flight prices remain low
Our view
A good time to visit, with pros & cons
Weather in July
South Africa in August
While August experiences mostly wintry weather it does mark the very beginning of spring with temperatures starting to rise. Visitors are drawn to the West Coast and Namaqualand to see the wildflowers, which start blooming in late August and can be seen until mid-September. Whales are still in abundance now too.
The Kgalagadi is now very dry and wildlife vieiwng is still good. Temperatures start climbing towards the end of the month.
Despite the weather , visitor numbers can be high as the northern hemisphere schools close for their summer holidays. It may be a good idea to book certain attractions and restaurants in advance.
Simlarly, although accommodation prices are still low, flight prices can be a little higher than in previous months.
- Temperatures start rising – but still potential for cold & wet weather
- Wildflowers on the West Coast & in Namaqualand
- Good wildlife viewing in the Kgalagadi
- Whales continue to attract visitors
- Can get busy due to northern hemisphere school summer holidays
Our view
A good time to visit, with pros & cons
Weather in August
South Africa in September
Good wildlife viewing in the Kgalagadi continues and daytime temperatures increase quite dramatically. Mornings and evenings are still on the chilly side, but not as cold as they are in June, July and August.
The 1st of September is officially the start of spring in Cape Town. Days become warmer but not quite warm enough to enjoy the city’s beautiful beaches. Venues all over Cape Town play host to various artists during the Cape Town Fringe Festival.
Rainy days are fewer, but night times can still get chilly. Many hotels are still charging low season rates making September great value for money.
Elsewhere, Hermanus hosts the popular annual Whale Festival, and in the West of the Cape, wildflowers continue to bloom until the middle of the month.
- The start of spring; temperatures start rising
- Whale festival in Hermanus
- Cape Town Fringe Ferstival attracts a wide range of artists
- Wildflowers blooming well until the middle of the month
- Good wildlife viewing continues in the Kgalagadi
Our view
A very good time to visit
Weather in September
South Africa in October
The weather starts warming up nicely, Cape Town experiences pleasant days, with much less rain, nights can still be quite cool, but not cold. Some days are now warm enough to enjoy the beach. This is one of the best months to visit the Cape Region.
October is one of the hottest months in the Kalahari. Water remains very scarce, so the wildlife viewing is still very good. Towards the end of the month the odd spectacular thunderstorm is possible with much lightning and thunder. Migratory birds start to arrive, and resident species gear up for the breeding season.
The whales are still present with Hermanus and False Bay the best places to see them.
- Days start warming up; fewer rainy days in Cape Town
- Very hot in the Kalahari – thunderstorms season starts
- Migratory birds start arriving & resident birds start breeding
- Whale watching still excellent in Hermanus and False Bay areas
- Start of the high season, getting busy and accommodation prices rise
Our view
A very good time to visit
Weather in October
South Africa in November
By November Cape Town is experiencing summer conditions with hot, clear days and warm, pleasant evenings. It’s a great month to enjoy the beaches before the peak holiday season in December. There are no real downsides to visiting in November and you may even get a few accommodation specials before prices go up for the festive season. Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens begins their summer outdoor concerts with local and international artists performing.
The Kgalagadi remains hot but thunderstorms are a bit more regular. With the rains, water sources become more plentiful and wildlife disperses but this is when herbivores such as Springbok start lambing. Photography improves as conditions become less hazy.
This is the last month for regular whale sightings – they tend to migrate back down south by early December.
- Summer now in full swing, with temperatures often reaching 30°C
- Rainy days scarce; evenings warm & very pleasant
- Antelope start lambing in the Kgalagadi; wildlife generally dispersed
- Last month for regular whale sightings
- Good time to visit Cape Town before the peak holiday season
Our view
Fantastic: the very best time to visit
Weather in November
South Africa in December
December is usually Cape Town’s hottest month when temperatures frequently breach 30°C. You can expect hot and cloudless days, and almost no rain but December does see the occasional very windy day.
The Kalahari is still hot, but temperatures are not quite as high as previous months. With the rainfall the bush transforms into various shades of green. Wildlife disperses as water become more widely available.
The Garden Route enjoys warm to hot days with rain at any time but usually not over an extended period.
Mid to late December becomes incredibly busy with concerts, festivals and various outdoor activities in Cape Town. Hotel prices rise, tourist attractions and beaches are crowded and most popular sites and restaurants need to be booked in advance.
- Long, hot sunny days
- Kgalagadi bursts into life as rainy season kicks in
- Wildlife viewing a bit trickier as wildlife disperses
- Cape Town buzzing with concerts, events, festivals etc
- Peak season: attractions get very busy & accommodation costs rise
Our view
Fantastic: the very best time to visit
Weather in December

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