At The Lord Milner Hotel in Matjiesfontein, our team recently embarked on a 125 km transhumance trek with a local Karoo sheep farming family, gaining deep insight into the heritage behind our beloved Karoo lamb. This time-honoured journey through the rugged landscape, marked by resilience, tradition, and connection to the land, revealed the true soul of the Karoo and the people who sustain it. Now, every dish of Karoo lamb we serve...
A Step Toward a Greener Future

Nestled in the heart of the Karoo, Matjiesfontein has always been a place where history and heritage meet the endless beauty of the South African landscape. Now, this beloved village is adding a new chapter to its story — one that looks firmly toward the future.
We’re thrilled to announce that Matjiesfontein has gone solar, taking a major step toward becoming fully off-grid and environmentally sustainable. Our newly installed solar energy system now powers much of the village, reducing our reliance on traditional energy sources and ensuring a more sustainable way forward for generations to come.
The Karoo is famous for its wide-open skies and endless sunshine — and we’re putting that natural resource to good use. The new solar system captures and stores solar energy throughout the day, providing clean, renewable power to our facilities. This move not only reduces our carbon footprint but also helps preserve the pristine environment that makes Matjiesfontein so special.
For more than a century, Matjiesfontein has stood as a living time capsule of Victorian charm and South African history. Going off-grid allows us to protect that legacy responsibly. By minimizing our environmental impact, we’re ensuring that the unique character, landscapes, and biodiversity of the area remain untouched and vibrant.
This solar transformation is part of our broader commitment to sustainability. From water-saving initiatives to waste reduction and now renewable energy, Matjiesfontein is proud to set an example of how heritage and environmental stewardship can coexist beautifully.
We believe that true preservation isn’t only about maintaining old buildings — it’s about safeguarding the world around them too.
Visitors to Matjiesfontein can now enjoy the same timeless atmosphere — with the added knowledge that their stay supports a cleaner, greener future. Whether you’re wandering the historic streets, enjoying a meal at the Lord Milner Hotel, or watching the sunset over the Karoo plains, the power of the sun is quietly working behind the scenes to make it all possible.
Matjiesfontein has always stood the test of time — and with solar energy lighting the way, we’re ensuring it continues to do so sustainably.
Further Reading
Olive Schreiner (1855–1920) is remembered as one of South Africa’s most influential literary figures and a pioneering feminist. Her works and activism during the late 19th and early 20th centuries left a lasting impact on literature, politics, and social reform in her home country and beyond.
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