The Starlit Path

Blog, Karoo

A South African Railway Hotel

I spent my birthday in a haunted hotel in the Great Karoo of South Africa!

The Starlit Path

July 10, 2026

1–2 minutes

historic places in south africa, Karoo, matjiesfontein

I spent my birthday weekend (July 5!) road-tripping through the Great Karoo to the tiny village of Matjiesfontein. Surrounded by dramatic mountains and steeped in history, it’s one of South Africa’s most fascinating hidden gems. I couldn’t believe how much history is packed into this little town! I didn’t know much about the Lord Milner Hotel before I arrived, but I loved learning about its incredible history. Built in 1899 by Scottish railway pioneer James Douglas Logan, the hotel welcomed travelers during the golden age of steam travel. During the Second Anglo-Boer War, it became a temporary headquarters for British officers and soldiers heading north by rail. Today, many of the original Victorian furnishings and period details remain, making it feel like you’ve stepped back in time.

A cozy and elegantly furnished hotel bedroom featuring a king-sized bed, two armchairs, a wooden coffee table, a vintage dresser, and large windows with a view. The room has a warm color palette and wooden ceiling, creating a welcoming atmosphere. — My room overlooked the Wittenberg mountains a.k.a. The White Mountains

Aerial view of a small town with historical buildings, greenery, and a railway track in the foreground, set against a backdrop of mountains and vast plains under a cloudy sky. — Matjiesfontein is one of South Africa’s smallest historic towns

Famous people to have visited include Cecil John Rhodes, Olive Schreiner, The Sultan of Zanzibar, Lord Randolph Churchill (Winston Churchill’s father) + The Duke of Hamilton!

The grand mahogany staircase is original!

One response to “A South African Railway Hotel”

Ringing The Bell of The Famous Pink Church – The Starlit Path

July 13, 2026 at 10:00 am

[…] didn’t know much about the Lord Milner Hotel before I arrived, but I loved discovering that this beautifully preserved Victorian town it lives in. Matjiesfontein […]

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