Murraysburg

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Geography and History

The Murraysburg district is situated in the Central Karoo region of the Western Cape province in South Africa. Framed by the beautiful Sneeuberg mountains on one side and the Buffalo River and stunning Karoo scenery on the others, Murraysburg is a town that time has almost passed by. To the West the topography is more variable with plains, ridges and isolated mountains. The Buffalo River with its branches flows from East to West through the district.

Murraysburg came into being in December, 1855. The church tried to acquire the farm Toverfontein – said to have a magic fountain - for the establishment of a town, but it was not in the market, so they settled for Eenzaamheid and went ahead. Oddly enough this little town remained the property of the church until June 8, 1949, when the Council bought it. The town was named to honour Rev Andrew Murray and Barend J J Burger, of the farm Vleiplaas, who in time became known as "the father of Murraysburg."

Murraysburg is a town for all seasons, and for all reasons, that captures the essence of the pristine Karoo and it's wonderful people better than any other town we know.

Activities

This area is a bird watcher's paradise for on any given day one can spot about 100 species. Over the years there have been about 269 bird species recorded by the regular bird watchers. Black Eagle can be spotted in abundance. A wide variety of smaller eagles and falcons is to be seen like the Jackal Buzzard, Black Chested Snake Eagle, Black Shouldered Kite, Cape Eagle Owl, Barn Owl, Greater Kestrel and Nightjar too many to name all. Even the Martial Eagle can be seen once in a while.

Along the perennial Buffalo River you may be so fortunate to hear Fish Eagle calling from time to time, and at Badsfontein’s dam you will find the Flamingo. There you can also sight the Pigmy Kingfisher and Giant Kingfisher as well as the rare Ground Woodpecker. The area is privileged to have our national bird the Blue Crane as a resident.

Almost in the center of the town is the Dutch Reformed Church with its striking clock tower. It cannot be missed. The original building’s cornerstone was laid on 20 October 1856.

Murraysburg district is so privileged to provide the habitat for about 50 mammal species, 40 reptile species and about 50 butterfly species, surely something to be proud of!

The Karoo with its open spaces is synonymous with the Springbuck, an ideal hunting trophy. Bring your friends and relax on one of the farms. Have a braai under the open sky while you listen to the silence of the Karoo and recall the day’s action.