The Eastern Cape provice of South Africa is strikingly varied in it's scenic beauty. The landscape of the Eastern Cape ranges from pristine forest to arid desert, from looming sandstone cliffs to unspoilt emerald green coastline. This paradise The Eastern Cape is a tourist destination which offers accommodation and tours to fit every budget and style.
The
Eastern Cape national parks and game reserves are home to a wealth of wildlife
including the rare mountain zebra. Over 200 elephants inhabit the
Addo Elephant Park and most unusual, are the signs erected in the park entreating
visitors to yield to the flightless dung beetle found almost exclusively in
Addo. In addition, the black rhino, buffalo, eland and warthog have been
reintroduced to the park.
There are various hiking trails that traverse the valleys and cliffs of the mountainous regions of the Eastern Cape with breathtaking views. The Eastern Cape also has some of the finest displays of prehistoric art in the form of rock paintings.
The magnificent shimmering Eastern Cape coastline, the Wild Coast offers splendid opportunities for fishing, swimming and sunbathing. Canoeing, rubber ducking and windsurfing are a few of the many water sport attractions while surfers, in search of the perfect wave, frequent the internationally known surfing spots. The cities, known for their friendliness, are ideal for family holidays - beaches, restaurants, theatres, cinemas, museums and summer entertainment programmes are sure winners to make the holiday-maker's stay an enjoyable one.
Scenic diversity of the Eastern Cape is one of the most striking characteristics of the region, ranging from the lush, evergreen Tsitsikamma Forest to the rugged Baviaanskloof Wilderness Area, the southern slopes of the Drakensberg and the arid Great Karoo.
|
Request more information about tours and accommodation in the Eastern Cape |
Alternating between sweeping sand, river mouths, rocks and covers, the coastline is a paradise for water sports enthusiasts. Among them, surfers ride the perfect waves, anglers reel in king-size catches, and board sailors revel in the challenge of the wind. Sunshine all year round, fine leisure resorts and splendid facilities ensure that the great outdoors is always in style.
When pleasures of a more sophisticated kind appeal, you'll find plenty to entertain you in Port Elizabeth and East London. Both are ideal for family holidays, large enough to offer all the amenities of a city, yet small enough to be genuinely welcoming and friendly. They also provide convenient access to unspoiled areas of exceptional natural beauty.
Eastern Cape Tourism
Board
Local Tel: 0406 352115 Local Fax: 0406 392756
INT Tel: +27-406 352115 INT Fax: +27-406 392756
Enquire
Superbly set on the shores of Algoa Bay, "The Friendly City" is the fifth biggest city in South Africa and the largest on the coast between Cape Town and Durban. A popular leisure resort, Port Elizabeth beckons with an attractive atmosphere of year-round holiday fun against a backdrop of urban activity. Its warm, welcoming nature is matched by a climate which boasts more sunshine than any other coastal town in the country.
| Request more information about tours and accommodation in the Eastern Cape |
Algoa Bay encourages all forms of water sport; in, on and under the sea, where there is a colourful diving region. The beaches are always alive with sun worshippers, and conditions are excellent for surfing, sailing, diving and angling. Close by, the Swartkops River offers endless opportunities for enjoyment. In addition to sport, land-based leisure options encompass a wide range.
Port Elizabeth has beautiful parks, botanical gardens and nature reserves with an abundance of bird life. Many inland and coastal walking trails can be explored in the area. In Port Elizabeth, the 1820 Settlers were introduced to their new land, and there they built some of the graceful period homes that still enhance the city's landscape. Since then, the tiny settlement has grown into a busy commercial, industrial and educational city with attractive shops, parks, theatres, museums and restaurants. After exploring the city of Port Elizabeth, a day trip can be made to the beautiful Tsitsikamma Park. The accommodation looks across stunning sea views.
Addo Elephant National Park supports about 200 elephants in addition to Cape buffalo, black rhino, kudu and over 180 bird species. It's fascinating to watch the elephants emerging from a dense tangle of creepers and trees, guiding their young towards to water holes. From historical and architectural points of view, Grahamstown and Graaf-Reinet should not be missed.
South Africa's only river port city is set on the broad Buffalo River and one of the most attractive stretches of the Eastern Cape seaboard. East London's sweeping white beaches extend for miles; unpolluted, uncrowded, unspoiled. Swimming, sailing, water-skiing, boardsailing and boating are enjoyed all year round, while the river mouths, lagoons and gullies provide a paradise for fishermen.
|
Request more information about tours and accommodation in the Eastern Cape |
East London is the ideal base from which to explore the north-eastern mountains and the Wild Coast. The city has bowling greens, tennis and squash courts and golf clubs with grand views of the Indian Ocean. The city's ancestry is evident. Against a typically African backdrop, strong links with England and traces of the German lineage are found. Several well-preserved examples of 19th-century architecture enhance the charm of the city. Traffic snarls and overcrowded city streets are the exception rather than the rule. Courtesy friendliness and good old-fashioned hospitality will enhance your holiday pleasure.
When the sun goes down, there are theatres, cinemas and a selection of restaurants to pamper the discerning palate. If it's the one-armed bandits you crave, roulette, black jack and the chance of making a mint, Bisho's casino is practically on the doorstep.
One
of the liveliest coastlines in the world stretches from Port Alfred to the
Tsitsikamma National Park; a place of awe-inspiring beauty and grandeur.
On the outskirts of the forest, beauty of a gentler kind is found in the Langkloof,
renowned for its orchards and a rich indigenous flora.
In the hinterland, the Great Karoo epitomises the essence of Africa. Vast open spaces; sparse veld bushes and distant brooding mountains. Sheep and game farming are carried out on a grand scale in the region, where millions of years ago, dinosaurs roamed the plains, leaving in their wake fossils which attract the attention of paleontologists from all over the world.
The tranquil landscape of Settler Country, studded with historical towns and villages, invites a close scrutiny of its intriguing background of conflict, courage, despair and success. This is where the Xhosa, Dutch and British had their first encounters, leading at first to frequent clashes and later to a cultural learning curve and mutual acceptance. Cape Dutch homes, ornate Victorian buildings and the lime-washed homesteads of the rural Xhosa provide tangible symbols of three vastly different cultures coming together in peaceful coexistence.
From East London, the road
parallel to the Wild Coast leads through a region of unspoilt
grandeur; thick indigenous forests, hilly grasslands and sheer
cliffs falling to white, unspoilt beaches. The Wild Coast is one
of South Africa's most exciting and unexploited areas, with a
special appeal for fishermen all year round. Crowned cranes are
frequently seen along the coast. The Xhosa people of the
district believe that if one of these birds is killed, death
will afflict the hunter's family.
An easy drive leads to the great sweep of the Amatola Mountains, embellished by stately yellowwood and white stinkwood trees. Scattered about in the foothills and beyond, Xhosa homesteads, circular and thatched, are often grouped around a cattle kraal, usually situated on the ridge of a hill, leaving the fertile valleys free for cultivation.
The north-eastern region, dominated by the southern Drakensberg, is characterised by mountains, sandstone cliffs, green valleys, crystal-clear streams and crisp, clean air. The wildwater fly-fishing is the finest in the country; an unbeatable combination of enormous trout and scenic surroundings. Charming country hotels, hot springs, Bushman paintings, hiking trails and enchanting little towns await your arrival. Exciting discoveries are guaranteed!
Addo
Elephant Park
Deep within the shadows of the dense
valley bushveld of the Sundays River region of the Eastern Cape
lies the Addo Elephant National Park. The park was proclaimed in
1931 and the main attraction of the Addo Elephant National Park is
the park’s 350 or so African Elephants. Enquire
Emlanjeni
Private Game Reserve
The Emlanjeni Private Game Reserve, on
the lush banks of the Bushman’s River, is situated in a malaria
free area adjacent to the famous Garden Route. The Emlanjeni bush
experience combines superb guided African game viewing from 4x4
vehicles as well as from a purpose designed river cruiser. The
Emlanjeni Reserve teems with birdlife and encompasses the well
known Ghio Wetland Nature Reserve. Enquire
Inkwenkwezi
Private Game Reserve
On reaching of Inkwenkwezi Game Reserve,
leave your car and your responsibilities behind as you are
transported by 4X4 through a tunnel of indigenous bush, out onto
the open plains. Inkwenkwezi is home to an abundance of animals
from Rhino, Wildebeest, Giraffe, Warthog and Zebra to Springbok,
Impala, Gemsbok and the unique Eastern Cape Kudu. Enquire
Kariega
Game Lodge & Reserve
Kariega Luxurious Lodges in a private Game Reserve, which also
offers beaches, hiking, game/bird viewing, golf, river sports and
more. Enquire
Kwande
Private Game Reserve
Kwandwe Private Game Reserve is located in the beautiful
and historically rich Eastern Cape. The Kwandwe Conservation
Initiative strives to ensure an ecologically balanced wildlife
reserve. Kwandwe means "Place of the Blue Crane" in
Xhosa, and is home to a population of these majestic endangered
birds. Enquire
Mountain
Zebra National Park
The craggy heights of the Mountain Zebra National Park's Bankberg embrace
rolling plains and deep valleys, and has become an entrancing preserve for
the Cape mountain zebra.
Shamwari
Game Reserve
Shamwari is an African dream. A game reserve in which a multitude of
plant, animal and bird life unfold the very soul of untamed Africa, along
with the most luxurious and leisurely means by which to enjoy it.
Double
Drift Game Reserve
Sprawling over 23000ha of dense, pristine valley bushveld, and
hosting abundant wildlife, Double Drift Game Reserve is the
perfect wilderness retreat. Enquire
Zuurberg
Inn
Mountain getaway surrounded by Addo National Park with a sweeping
view over the Addo Elephant Park down to Port Elizabeth. Enquire
Mountain
Zebra Hiking Trail
This trail passes through typical Karoo midland vegetation and the
formost attraction is the Cape Mountain Zebra, as well as various others
game-species and abundant birdlife.
Ecca
Nature Reserve
Follow a well-marked trail through this reserve near Grahamstown,
to find out more about its fascinating plants, geology and
history. Enquire
Hogsback
Nature Reserve
Situated in the beautiful Eastern Cape, this reserve is dominated by
three ridges said to resemble the bristle's on a hog's back. Come enjoy
its indigenous forest with parrot and lourie, the great angling, waterfalls,
horse-rides and various walks.