Marloth Nature Reserve

In the spirit of beauty, we thought we’d share one of our favourite creative soul’s view of The Marloth Nature Reserve, literally on our doorstep here in Swellendam, South Africa.  Bruce ‘Flyinghorse’ Geils draws much of his creative inspiration from the beauty around us and is so evident in his work…

The Marloth Nature Reserve has the most spectacular walks for both adventurous hikers and afternoon strollers.  A trip up to the Waterfall is a must.  You can reach the Reserve within an easy walk of us at Schoone Oordt, so pack a water bottle and your camera and find peace and tranquility within.

The peaceful reserve, which is 14 123 hectares in size, is managed together with 16 532 hectares of privately owned land.  Marloth Nature Reserve is named after the pioneer botanist who, together with a deputation of Swellendam residents, petitioned the Minister of Lands and Forestry in 1928 to set aside part of the mountain as a nature reserve. This included the forest patches of Koloniesbos and Duiwelsbos and thus protected some of the land.  During 1981, the reserve was enlarged to include the rest of the State Forest and the Swellendam hiking trail was opened.

The reserve’s vegetation is predominantly mountain fynbos, with isolated patches of yellowwood, stinkwood, wild olive, hard pear and ironwood forest. There are several species of protea and more than 25 species of erica, most of which flower in November and occur nowhere else in the world. Marloth, like the rest of the southern Cape, has hot summers and cold winters. The higher mountain peaks are occasionally dusted in snow during the cold winter months.

Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail… Ralph Waldo Emerson

Your sacred space is where you can find yourself again and again – Joseph Campbell

Thank you, Flyinghorse Photography for sharing with us.