While exploring the town of Montagu in the Western Cape I discovered the Montagu Nature Garden on the outskirts of town. I wouldn’t really call it a garden, but rather a nature reserve as it covers quite a big area. The Montagu Nature Garden was established in 1954, the year that Montagu celebrated its centenary. Montagu Nature garden is situated in the most southerly part of the succulent Karoo “biome.” It has the distinction therefore of having flora of 3 regions of the Western Cape – succulent karoo, fynbos and renoster veld. Although you can visit the reserve at any time, the best would probably be in spring when the excellent variety of Vygies (mesembryathemums) are blooming and covering the reserve in a blaze of colours.
There is a 1,7km circular walking trail within the garden that takes visitors to the top of Bessiekop for a magnificent panoramic view of the town and the surrounding Cape Folded Mountains. Ours was unfortunately a hot day and the kidz were in a hurry to get back to the caravan park and into the pool so I didn’t get to the the whole walk. Next time, I promise.
At the end of the walk there is a dam with a stream and lush lawns which provide a welcome break after the walk. It kinda looked out of place compared to the rest of the reserve, but the area is well known for its abundance of water in the dry Klein Karoo.
Such a marvelous contrast of lush green against the Folded Mts.
The dam is like an oasis !