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.
