Mont Eco, a new Big Five private game reserve in the Klein Karoo has opened this month. It is 25km outside the historic town of Montagu, close to Cape Town.
A 6 500-hectare rehabilitated conservation stronghold, the reserve offers an experience that is truly off grid. Guests will enjoy not only the diversity of game but the vast open plains, mountains, rocky outcrops, and riverbeds.
Mont Eco is a unique, malaria-free area along the Langeberg mountain range. Falling within the Cape floral kingdom, it encompasses three significant biomes – Nama Karoo, Succulent Karoo and Fynbos – making it home to a wide diversity of succulent plant species.
Through a successful re-introduction programme based on intense research into animal species that lived previously in this region, Mont Eco will feature not only the Big Five, but also iconic Karoo species such as Brown hyena, aardvark, eland, oryx and klipspringer.
There are two separate lodges within the reserve. Kingsley Lodge, built on an ancient river bend, is the first to open; the second, Mountain Lodge, will come later. Both will offer luxurious suite accommodation for 14 guests, making it a low-density Big Five wildlife tourism project, based on a philosophy of ‘less is better’.
Each suite has been designed and decorated to include a large living room-bedroom, walk-in shower, and a private deck overlooking the dry river course. A well-equipped self-catering kitchenette is suited to families with special dietary requirements. Each suite also has a dedicated optical fibre WiFi station and air-con.
A swimming pool on an extended deck leads from the dining and lounge area, and a games room has a pool table and TV. Wine tasting offerings are available, and an on-site curio shop is packed with African art and trinkets.
A range of introductory packages are available, and other experiences include game drives, intimate dinners and star gazing.
Guests are also encouraged to plant a tree to offset their carbon footprint.
