In the heart of South Africa’s Western Cape, an agricultural community thrums with life. Montagu may be the home of dried fruit, but that’s not all there is to this town. A trove of delights awaits those who make the journey here.
GO: Along the famed Route 62, explore a valley of orchards and vineyards beneath the Langeberg mountains.
SEE: Take a stroll down Long Street, dotted with historic heritage sites like Joubert House. Built in 1853, it’s the oldest known home from the period, and has been painstakingly restored to reflect the look and feel of a 19th-century dwelling.
Watch the summer harvest in action as the year’s haul of fruit is picked from vines, trees, and bushes. Taste the famous sweet Muscadel, one of South Africa’s oldest varieties of grape.
DO: Try your gloved hand at beekeeping with Farmer Redbeard. Visit his hives and learn how to coax the sweet secrets from these vital insects.
Savour delicacies at the village market every Saturday at Euvrard Park on Bath Street. Wolf down pancakes, piping hot coffee, or freshly-squeezed juice while roaming the stalls.
Burn off these treats by scaling one of the hundreds of climbing routes in the area. Montagu is famed for its crags, and whether you’re a seasoned mountain goat or a nascent enthusiast, there’s an array of options to tackle.
If the closest you get to a harvest is the farmers’ market, it’s time for a trip. Pack your bags and revel in this abundant region that exudes vitality.
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