Montagu in the Little Karoo has a bit of everything: spectacular natural scenery, beautiful old buildings, good restaurants… It also makes everyone feel welcome, whether they’re a hiker, mountain biker, rock climber, history buff or foodie.
If you drive into town along Route 62 from the Cape Town side and cruise down Long Street, you’ll notice the well-maintained houses and manicured gardens first. Stately Cape Dutch farmsteads stand among vineyards and orchards. The Victorian houses in Church Street tell of a British influence. Sheep and horses graze, and water murmurs in irrigation canals.
Streams from Donkerkloof and Badskloof in the Langeberg to the north feed the irrigation dam in the middle of town. During the breeding season, this dam is the avian equivalent of Heathrow airport as all manner of bird species come to land. Ibis are particularly abundant – you’ll smell them before you see them. Rest your legs at one of the birding platforms next to the dam; you might see a kingfisher or a fish-eagle. And at night you might hear an owl hooting in the dark.
See, even birds feel welcome in Montagu!
Place of many mountains
Montagu is sheltered by mountains on three sides, with the open side facing east if you’re on the R62 looking towards Barrydale. It’s a landscape of rolling hills, as any cyclist will tell you.
This story is from the October/November 2020 edition of go! - South Africa.
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This story is from the October/November 2020 edition of go! - South Africa.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
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