Information on Swartruggens, North West, South Africa

Swartruggens is a small farming town located next to the Elands River in the North West. There a several game lodges in the area and there are also hunting facilities available. Swartruggens is a malaria free area.

Swartruggens is situated on the Elands River. The town was proclaimed in 1875 on the farm Brakfontein. The first store was opened 20 years later. A railway station was built in 1907. This is a cattle farm area, but in 1932 diamonds were discovered north of the town. A few mines were started and are still in operation in the Swartruggens area today.

More than 400 species of birds are in the Swartruggens area, making it a bird watchers paradise. Quad bike routes are available, as well as several hiking trails. Bar facilities are available at the lodges, so you can sit and sip your sundowner while watching the animals walking by. Swartruggens is conveniently situated on the N4 national highway. It makes for an ideal stopover point if you wish to enter Botswana early in the morning.