MURRAYSBURG
Jan-Hendrik Swiegers from Murraysburg writes: The borders of three provinces meet in our part of the country. Murraysburg is just this side of the Western Cape border, but the neighbouring towns of Graaff-Reinet and Nieu-Bethesda are in the Eastern Cape, and Richmond is in the Northern Cape. Any of these districts can get snow in winter. After the Drakensberg, the Sneeuberg range is the highest in the country, with peaks like Meelberg (2 230 m), Toorberg (2 270 m) and Compassberg (2 502 m).
I grew up here and remember how we sometimes built snowmen during our breaks at school. It snows about two or three times a year in the area. Sometimes it’s a light dusting, other times the snow is up to a metre deep in the mountains. Every winter usually has a week or two when the temperatures at night plummet to between -5° C and -8° C. Yup, it gets pretty cold, but the snowfall here is an important source of groundwater for the farmers.
My wife Michelle and I moved from Paarl to Murraysburg in 2020. It’s home to wonderful people and we’re very happy here. Michelle runs our guesthouse in town, the Colonial Karoo Boutique Guesthouse. There was widespread snowfall in mid-July 2021. It was freezing cold when I took this photo. By 11 am it was still -2° C.
Follow Jan-Hendrik on Instagram: @janhendrikswieg
STAY HERE
Colonial Karoo
Boutique Guesthouse
This stylish place is a good base for seeing snow in the surrounding area. It costs R1 000 per person per night, including breakfast. Owner Michelle Swiegers also offers cooking courses (book in advance).
Where? 21 Voortrekker Street, Murraysburg
Contact: 072 905 0656 (Michelle); colonialkaroo.co.za
Ganora Guest Farm
Nearby Nieu-Bethesda (Eastern Cape) has many accommodation options, but it’s always fun to stay on a farm. The Steynbergs have one of the most scenic farms in the district. They have a new campsite for R180 per adult sharing and B&B accommodation from R590 per adult. Half-price rates for children under 12. Other meals are also available. You can see fossils and rock art. Where? About 9 km north-east of Nieu-Bethesda.
Contact: 049 841 1302 (Hester); ganora.co.za