Marloth Nature Reserve

Marloth Nature Reserve

Lying just three kilometres from the pretty little town of Swellendam, the Marloth Nature Reserve conserves the central Langeberg Mountains that lie between the towns of Swellendam, Ashton, Barrydale and Suurbraak. The Marloth Nature reserve includes what residents of Swellendam call the Clock Peaks - they apparently use the shadows cast by these mountains to tell the time of day.

Marloth, one of three nature reserves surrounding Swellendam, lies right next door to the Swellendam State Forest. It’s regarded as a botanist’s dream for the incredible variety and abundance of wild flowers and fynbos, and there are no fewer than seven day trails, including rather steep trails up the Clock Peaks - known as Tienuurkop (10 o’clock peak) and Twaalfuurkop (12 o’clock peak) respectively - well worth it for the views. If you’re after a more sedate pace then try the rambles to Doktersbos, Hermitage and Duiwelsbos through fynbos and patches of indigenous forest.

However the reserve is not all about energetic hiking. There are a number of jeep tracks that mountain bikers can use, and one can spot numerous animals in the reserve from little antelope to baboons, leopards, caracals, mongoose, dassies and hares. A rich birdlife also grants one access to the black eagle, wood owl, redwinged francolin, woodpeckers and the Cape vulture.

The little town of Swellendam is worth a stopover, not only because it is the third oldest place of European settlement in South Africa, but because it offers numerous restaurants and pubs that serve as ‘watering holes’ for avid hikers or bikers in search of rejuvenation.