Swartruggens is situated on the Elands River. The town was proclaimed in 1875 on the farm Brakfontein. The first shop 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.There are several game lodges in the area. Some offer business/conference and wedding packages. For hunters there are hunting packages available, complete with butchery and cold room facilities. Most of the Swartruggens game lodges offer guided game drives in an open vehicle.Children are catered for in the form of a safe childrens pool and play area. More than 400 species of birds are in the Swartruggens area, so it is 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 a malaria free area and conveniently situated on the N4 national road. It makes for an ideal stopover point if you wish to enter Botswana early in the morning.