Marloth Nature Reserve
Marloth Nature Reserve
Marloth Nature Reserve
4.4
About
Wildflowers, majestic mountain views, many hiking trails and rare birds and animals grace this sprawling national park.
Meets animal welfare guidelines
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4.4
144 reviews
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56
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Syringa Park at Avianto Estate
Muldersdrift, South Africa20 contributions
Nov 2024 • Family
We stayed in a house, with a beautiful garden and pool. We were able to braai as well. It was not safe to walk around as the wildlife roam freely. Game drives were divine and we were just short of seeing all of the big five!
Written 28 November 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kobus van der Merwe
Cape Town, South Africa195 contributions
Nov 2022 • Couples
The Activity: Duiwelsbos and Koloniesbos trails
R50 pp. Please note, they only accept cash. Loads of trails available in a beautiful area. We went in the afternoon and due to a lack of time, we only walked the Duiwelsbos and Koloniesbos trails. Gates close at 4pm, though the lady said they will keep the gate open after 4 if needs be. We left at 16:30 and the gate was still open for us.
Duiwelsbos is out and back and Koloniesbos is a loop. If you plan on doing both (their starting points are in the same parking area), do the Koloniesbos loop first, since Duiwelsbos is much prettier.
Duiwelsbos:
Gorgeous streams, ferns and plectranthus everywhere. The trail is well marked. Wild and prehistoric looking. The waterfall has 2 tiers. The second fall is quite a bit higher up. There is a lovely rock pool at the base of the Duiwelsbos waterfall. It was the coldest water I’ve ever entered. The trail is quite steep
Koloniesbos has everything Duiwelsbos has, but to a lesser degree. Koloniesbos is a loop though, so for the greatest part of the trail you’re exploring something new. Duiwelsbos is out and back, so you get to see everything twice at different angles
R50 pp. Please note, they only accept cash. Loads of trails available in a beautiful area. We went in the afternoon and due to a lack of time, we only walked the Duiwelsbos and Koloniesbos trails. Gates close at 4pm, though the lady said they will keep the gate open after 4 if needs be. We left at 16:30 and the gate was still open for us.
Duiwelsbos is out and back and Koloniesbos is a loop. If you plan on doing both (their starting points are in the same parking area), do the Koloniesbos loop first, since Duiwelsbos is much prettier.
Duiwelsbos:
Gorgeous streams, ferns and plectranthus everywhere. The trail is well marked. Wild and prehistoric looking. The waterfall has 2 tiers. The second fall is quite a bit higher up. There is a lovely rock pool at the base of the Duiwelsbos waterfall. It was the coldest water I’ve ever entered. The trail is quite steep
Koloniesbos has everything Duiwelsbos has, but to a lesser degree. Koloniesbos is a loop though, so for the greatest part of the trail you’re exploring something new. Duiwelsbos is out and back, so you get to see everything twice at different angles
Written 21 November 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Candace
Cape Town, South Africa26 contributions
Dec 2024 • Couples
We stayed in the Suikerbekkie accommodation which was fantastic and peaceful. We loved it!
We hiked the 2km Duiwelbos route to the waterfall. The path gets steep towards last +- 200m but is doable. Wear the right shoes as it can be slippery in some sections.
Also watch out for baboons.
Overall, the path was well marked, no litter, the staff were friendly and the accommodation clean and well equipped.
We hiked the 2km Duiwelbos route to the waterfall. The path gets steep towards last +- 200m but is doable. Wear the right shoes as it can be slippery in some sections.
Also watch out for baboons.
Overall, the path was well marked, no litter, the staff were friendly and the accommodation clean and well equipped.
Written 16 December 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
GeneralShamu
New York City, NY1,274 contributions
Nov 2022
Lovely nature reserve but only some trails are properly maintained. We did the Duiwelsbos hike (great - 1 hour round trip + 15-20 minutes at the falls). We also did the Appelsbos trail that was advertised at 3 hours but was anything but well maintained. The vegetation was overgrowing throughout the path, tons of spiderwebs told us no one really goes on this trail. The trail is well marked aside from the last few kilometers so we are lucky we didn't take a wrong turn.
The Appelsbos trail took us 5.5 hours so '3 hours' is really '5-6' so pack water accordingly if you decide to do it. The views are great but in hindsight we would choose something else if given the option.
The Appelsbos trail took us 5.5 hours so '3 hours' is really '5-6' so pack water accordingly if you decide to do it. The views are great but in hindsight we would choose something else if given the option.
Written 17 December 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
msfeestar
Cape Town Central, South Africa18 contributions
Jul 2022
Cannot believe I have never visited this nature reserve. We walked to the waterfall which was an easy climb. The mountains, plants, birds and streams are a feast for the senses. Highly recommend this reserve.
Written 11 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mike S
St. Albans, UK333 contributions
Mar 2020
This place is stunning. Having seen so many barren but beautiful mountainous landscapes this one really took me by surprise due to the greenness and Fynbos that covers the slopes. Well marked routes make walking the trails easy. One point to make clear though, respect the mountain and take a hat and plenty of water.
Written 25 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
robinjn1
Sherborne, UK935 contributions
Mar 2015 • Couples
We were Staying in Schoone Oordt Country House in Swellendam and the staff recommended this hike. We were so glad they did!
Just outside the guest house the small road turns into a track after about 500 meters. Then you drive for another 3K to the Rangers hut. Here, you pay R40 per adult. He records your details including mobile phone number. Then another 4K along a dirt track brings you to a parking area.
From here you begin the hike. It is of course, mainly uphill, but there are prepared wooden steps all the way. These can get a bit slippery if there has been recent rainfall, but I would not say that walking boots are a requirement, just not suitable for slip-ons.
The waterfall at the top is simply amazing, and it's possible to swim in the pool at the base.
All told, I would suggest the walk up takes about 30 mins, but depends on how many photo stops you make.
There is another near bye hike if you have time, and a map is provided for this.
Great experience, but only for the physically able.
Just outside the guest house the small road turns into a track after about 500 meters. Then you drive for another 3K to the Rangers hut. Here, you pay R40 per adult. He records your details including mobile phone number. Then another 4K along a dirt track brings you to a parking area.
From here you begin the hike. It is of course, mainly uphill, but there are prepared wooden steps all the way. These can get a bit slippery if there has been recent rainfall, but I would not say that walking boots are a requirement, just not suitable for slip-ons.
The waterfall at the top is simply amazing, and it's possible to swim in the pool at the base.
All told, I would suggest the walk up takes about 30 mins, but depends on how many photo stops you make.
There is another near bye hike if you have time, and a map is provided for this.
Great experience, but only for the physically able.
Written 29 March 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JCPM3062
Exeter6 contributions
Apr 2014 • Family
We really enjoyed our walk up to the waterfall. Quite tough going on a hot afternoon but a a good path and we saw a party of baboons.
Written 23 April 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
KHE
Pretoria, South Africa20 contributions
Aug 2020 • Couples
Beautiful well kept day hikes for hikers of all levels of fitness. Koloniesbos trail through indigenous forests is a must!
Written 18 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cristoforo Colombo
Horsham, UK27 contributions
Jan 2019 • Family
We arrived on Boxing Day and left on the 3D of January
Simply amazing !!! Every morning we woke up to am amazing activiti of wildlife right outside our lodge .
From kudu to impalas to zebra wild hogs mongoose etc etc .it was truly magical ! The lodge was super clean , very charming and air conditioned , it also boosted of a private splashing pool and two bbq , a gas and a conventional south African brai !
The lodge is called piece of paradise and I most raccomand it !
The park offers all the aminieries needed including a laundry service , everyone is very friendly and. Helpful
Must visit
Simply amazing !!! Every morning we woke up to am amazing activiti of wildlife right outside our lodge .
From kudu to impalas to zebra wild hogs mongoose etc etc .it was truly magical ! The lodge was super clean , very charming and air conditioned , it also boosted of a private splashing pool and two bbq , a gas and a conventional south African brai !
The lodge is called piece of paradise and I most raccomand it !
The park offers all the aminieries needed including a laundry service , everyone is very friendly and. Helpful
Must visit
Written 3 January 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We are hiking from the 24th of April. 3 of our party of 6 are not in great shape. I'm looking for porters who we would pay to assist us. Any ideas where I could start looking?
Written 14 March 2024
Can I get a guide to Marloth reserve? I am alone and would like to do some hike. If I can get a guide how much is cost?
Written 21 November 2019
Hi refer to the Cape Nature website and search for Marloth. Costs are indicated as well as the hikes that you can do in the reserve. Enjoy!
There is also a lot of information on the Visitsswellendam website that should be helpful.
Enjoy!
Written 21 November 2019
Do we need a car to get there? We plan to take the intercape bus from cape town to swellendam which would drop us off at the Groentemark in Voortrekker street. It will be only two of us. Is is safe enough to hike? Is there perhaps a group that walks often in the area? We hope to travel on the 31st July for a few days. Thanks!
Written 15 June 2017
Hi there, it is safe in this area. You could access this park on foot, where will you be staying? You should try to get at least one other person, preferably a person who has done this before. Contact the office to check on groups. Otherwise I will be there again during the beginning of July and can find out more.
Written 15 June 2017
How do we book to stay for two nights?
Written 3 April 2016
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