Marydale, Upper Karoo

To the average person Marydale seems in the middle of nowhere. It lies far north west – only the town of Kenhardt stands between it and the Augrabies Falls National Park on the border with Namibia.

Marydale's NG Church, the reason for the little town's existence, still stands on Snyman Street across the street from the Marydale Supermarket with its own in store Standard Bank ATM. The town was named after the wife of the man who sold the church a portion of his farm for its use.

The river that is supposed to run through town is invariably dry and, on the face of it, this is a little town that time forgot.

Yet drive Connan Street and the little Karoo huisies are pleasing. Those who want a break from it all to a place where crime is almost unheard of and the locals greet you like a long lost friend head here. It's a great place to chill and watch the world go by. But the emphasis is on complete down time. Not much happens in Marydale, but the nothingness is attractive.

The Orange River and Boegoeberg Dam near Groblershoop provide watery diversion, whilst 8 km outside Kenhardt there is a quiver tree forest. The kokerboom, or quiver tree, is one of the most distinctive plants of the far north-western parts of South Africa and critically endangered due to climate change. The Kenhardt to Cape Town road is littered with hundreds of these unusual trees.

Most people, if they've heard of Marydale at all, know it as the town closest to the Putsonderwater railway station (yes, it really does exist, and there is a well without water). Putsonderwater might have been voted 'best railway station in the country' during the late '80s but today it serves as little more than a whirlwind photo moment stop.

Travellers' Reviews

1 Review from SA-Venues.com travellers. All reviews are verified.

Verified reviewvery good

We were looking for a break away place to buy and found it in Marydale.This is where we will take our breaks and annual holidays.The town is almost a forgotten place and yet one can really take a well earned break in this little dorp.It is so peaceful and the locals are very friendly with almost no crime.The ideal place to chill and not far from the Orange river and a dam.We believe this town will become a lot more vibrant as there are projects being started to help the local residents.An ideal place to purchase that breakaway house with large grounds.

ANDREW STURGISS (cape town)

In the vicinity

Hotels & other accommodation options

Noteworthy attractions

Find accommodation in Marydale

FIND / South Africa Accommodation / Northern Cape Accommodation / Upper Karoo Accommodation / Marydale Accommodation

Marydale as a destination

Want to stay overnight?

Dates

When would you like to stay?
Choose dates

Number of Guests

Why book with SA-Venues.com
  • Your card is safe with us; strictest card verification in the industry and we don't store card numbers.
  • No airy fairy service fees; you save!
  • We care. Service with integrity.
  • Multiple payment methods:
    credit card, SID instant EFT, bank transfer.
  • All Marydale property owners / managers are verified (our experience protects you from online fraud).
  • Secure your booking
Our Payment Protection Guarantee only applies if your deposit payment is made via SA-Venues.com
Destinations
South Africa. Explore. Experience. Stay

SA-Venues.com® has been assisting travellers with their South Africa travel plans since 1999, and is the largest, independent online travel guide for South Africa available in both English and German.