History of Hantam National Botanical Garden
The farm Glenlyon forms the core of the, new Hantam National Botanical Garden.
The previous owner of the farm, Mr. Neil MacGregor, has recorded this history of the farm. In 1883 the farm Katlaagte (later Glenlyon) was purchased by James MacGregor, who came out from Scotland with his family in 1840. One of his sons, Joseph MacGregor, moved to the farm and started to farm on Groenrivier. He married Elizabeth Moyle, eventually known to everybody in the district as "Mumsie". Joseph later became very ill and moved to Cape Town.
Managers were appointed to look after the farm. After his death in 1922, Gordon, the eldest child, was compelled to terminate his studies at Oxford University to save the sinking ship in 1925. In 1928 Gordon married Helen Lyon. In 1929 the Glenlyon homestead was built, having been designed by John Lyon, Helen's father, who had qualified as an architect in Scotland. Glenlyon was named by Gordon to honour his wife, Helen Lyon, and his own Scottish origins.
In 1968, their son Neil married Neva Jankowitz from Germiston. The door at Glenlyon was eventually opened to ecotourism which brought many ecologically-minded people from all over the world to the farm. Botanists and scientists became involved in exciting projects on the farm, culminating in the three-year Conservation Farming Project managed from Kirstenbosch by Professor John Donaldson.
Visitors over the years
In 1960 Glenlyon started flower tours on the farm, hiring the only bus in Nieuwoudtville. In 1991 an old Bedford bus, seating 25 people, was purchased and it has become quite legendary in the ecological world. The tours rapidly became very popular and ultimately a 45-seater bus, pulled by one of the farm tractors, was purchased.
In 1991 the BBC Natural History Unit approached Neva and Neil in connection with the filming of The Private Life of Plants. Excellent rains fell in 1993 and the team stayed on the farm for three and a half weeks.
In January 1994 Sir David Attenborough returned with the team again to photograph the area during the dry season. The Director of Kew Gardens, Sir Ghillean and Lady Anne Prance visited the farm on two occasions. Sir Ghillean's commented that "This farm is a botanical treasure of international importance."
Many school and university groups from near and far visited the farm for various projects.
Glenlyon becomes a National Botanical Garden
As none of Neva and Neil's four children wanted to farm, Glenlyon was sold to SANBI in 2007 and has now become the ninth National Botanical Garden managed by SANBI.
When visiting the garden here is some rules to adhere too.
Please do:
- Learn more about plants and animals
- Explore the Garden and marvel at the richness and diversity of all forms of life
- Bring your camera and binoculars
- Watch birds, and spot wild animals like the steenbok, bat-eared fox and Cape porcupine
- Walk, cycle, jog or just sit and relax or explore wild secrets under endless skies
Please don't:
- Walk in the veld, trample, break or remove any plants, flowers or seeds
- Disturb, harm or remove any wildlife
- Litter
- Light fires, drop cigarettes or let off fireworks
There are several routes to walk and enjoy the gardens. There are two approaches to the cache well three if you veer to the left, but leave that for another day. However please please stick to the existing paths. Be on the look-out for porcupine, taking the route to the left you should walk past a huge active porcupine burrow. Walking there you'll notice a jeeptrack but it is not allowed to drive to the cache. The route is flat and can be completed within an hour. The route makes an S around camel koppie and your approach to the cache should be from the back. I know us geocachers like to take the direct route, but please do not compromise the cache by breaking the rules and cutting accross the veldt.
You should find it at about chest height under some rocks naturaly. Please replace where found
Please park your vehicle at parking one or two, both indicated from the office.
Take note of the opening hours and also of the fact that during flower season there is a nominal fee to gain access. See below. Info was accurate as at February 2017.
Operational Hours
- All year: Mon-Fri:07h30-16h30
- except Aug-Oct (flower season) Mon-Sun: 08h00 to 17h00
Entrance fees
· Free except for flower season
· Aug-Oct
· Adults: R20
· SA students (with card): R15
· Senior Citizens: R12
· Children: R12
· BOTSOC members: Free
· Bus Tours: R120.00 p.p.