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At Swellendam
Marloth Nature Reserve lies in the majestic Swellendam mountains, between the towns of Swellendam, Ashton, Barrydale and Suurbraak. The reserve is 14 123 ha in extent and is managed together with another 16 532 ha of privately owned proclaimed mountain catchment land. The reserve's office is approximately 1,5 km from Swellendam and adjacent to the Swellendam State Forest.
History
Swellendam is the third oldest town in South Africa and has many interesting cultural-historic features. Marloth Nature Reserve is named after the pioneer botanist who, together with a deputation of Swellendam residents in 1928 petitioned the Minister of Lands and Forestry to set aside a part of the mountain (190 ha) 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 land and the Swellendam Hiking Trail was opened.
Climate
The climate in the Swellendam area is typical of the southern Cape, with hot summers and cold winters. The rainfall is fairly evenly spread throughout the year with June and July the driest months and March, October and November the wettest.The mountainous topography also influences local weather conditions, resulting in a higher rainfall and even snow in winter at the higher altitudes.
Vegetation
The vegetation in the nature reserve is predominantly mountain fynbos with patches of afro-montane forest. The fynbos includes several species of protea and more than 25 species of erica, most of which flower in November. The original forests covered a much larger area but over the years exploitation for timber for the local furniture and wagon industries, and fires, reduced them to isolated patches in the damper kloofs. Typical forest species include yellowwood, stinkwood, Cape beech, wild olive, assegaaibos, cherrywood and hard pear.
Animals
Marloth supports numerous animal species although most are relatively small and not easily observed. Mammals include grey rhebuck, klipspringer, common duiker, baboon, leopard, caracal, mongoose, porcupine, dassie and hare. The area is rich in birdlife with 114 species having been recorded, amongst them the African fish eagle, black eagle, wood owl, redwinged francolin, tambourine dove, four different species of woodpecker and the Cape vulture and narina trogon as vagrants. Puff adder, Cape cobra and mountain adder occur and hikers should be on the alert!
CONTACT US:
Cape Nature
Tourism reservations and bookings:
National callers: 0861 CAPENATURE (227 362 8873)
International callers: 0027 861 227 362 8873 / 0027 21 659 3500
For additional information please visit http://www.capenature.org.za
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