Benvie farm, located in the Karkloof, was established in 1882 by Scottish emigrant John Geekie and is well known throughout South Africa by both the gardening and bird-watching fraternities. Geekie, who was a cabinet maker by profession, also loved trees, and imported seedlings from across the world. Many of the trees which he planted are still standing today, including three giant eucalypts.
The trunks of these Mountain ash trees (Eucalyptus regnans) boast massive circumferences of more than 6.8 m, and are a rare sight in South Africa. The hundred and twenty seven year old garden covers an area of about thirty hectares, and consists mainly of large conifers, rhododendrons and azaleas, all of which is bordered by a typical indigenous mist belt forest. Karin Nelson and Pam Nicol at Benvie
The garden features a walkway, about two kilometres long, directing visitors with a series of signs posted along the way. Eleven birders enjoyed the beautiful day, led by Eve Hughes. Many birds were seen including the Orange Ground-Thrush, Olive Thrush, Chorister Robin-Chat, Black Sparrowhawk, Forest Canary, Greater Double-collared, Southern Double-collared and Collared Sunbird, Amethyst Sunbird, Dark-backed and Village Weaver, and African Olive Pigeon, to name a few.
With thanks to Rosemary Forrester for the article and Chris Theron for the photograph