The Eastern Cape

We’ve compiled the best of the best in The Eastern Cape - browse our top choices for the top things to see or do during your stay.

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  • 1. Kwandwe Private Game Reserve

    Tucked away in the Eastern Cape, near the historic university "city" of Makhanda (formerly known as Grahamstown, and now increasingly run down), Kwandwe is a conservation triumph as more than 55,000 acres of various vegetation types and scenic diversity, including rocky outcrops, great plains, thorn thickets, forests, desert scrub, and the Great Fish River were just ravaged farmland and goat-ridden semidesert two decades ago. Today it's home to more than 7,000 mammals, including the Big Five and the elusive black rhino, and it's likely you'll see fauna you don't always see elsewhere, such as black wildebeest, bat-eared foxes, and the endangered blue crane (Kwandwe means "place of the blue crane" in isiXhosa). If you spend more than a couple of nights here, you'll likely see a huge and impressive array of animals, including leopards, lions, and herds of elephants marching across the terrain. If you come in winter, you'll see one of nature's finest floral displays, when thousands of scarlet, orange, and fiery-red aloes are in bloom, attended by colorful sunbirds. The reserve also has a strong focus on community development, as evinced by the Community Centre and village within the reserve, both of which are worth a visit.

    Kwandwe Private Game Reserve, Eastern Cape, 3614, South Africa
    27-046-603–3400
  • 2. Samara Private Game Reserve

    Surrounded by the melancholic beauty of the Great Karoo with its scattered koppies and ridges of flat-topped mountains, Samara is a 67,000-acre private game reserve tucked beneath the Sneeuberg mountain range in the fabled plains of Camdeboo National Park some 45 minutes from the historic town of Graaff-Reinet. Owners Sarah and Mark Tompkins opened the reserve in 2005 with a promise to return former farmland to its natural state—the malaria-free reserve encompasses 11 former farms and is home to a variety of reintroduced species, including cheetah, lion, Cape mountain zebra, white rhino and desert-adapted black rhino, giraffe, black wildebeest, and a variety of antelope; there are also meerkats and aardvarks. By day, it’s a build-your-own-adventure of game drives, picnics atop the lofty heights of Mount Kondoa, and exploring the reserve’s topographical diversity at a civilized pace. Due to the lower density of predators and the sparseness of vegetation, rangers stop the game-viewers often so that guests can experience some of their safari on foot. One of its signature experiences is the opportunity to track a telemetry-collared rehabilitated cheetah and her family, and then get within whispering distance of them. The relatively low density of dangerous game also means this reserve is well-suited to families with children.

    Petersburg Rd., off the R63 to Pearston, Graaff-Reinet, Eastern Cape, 6280, South Africa
    27-031-262–0324
  • 3. The Owl House

    This is what Nieu Bethesda is best known for, and why tourists began traveling to this small, once-forgotten hamlet in the first place. Its creator, Helen Martins, was the subject of the Athol Fugard play, The Road to Mecca, which was made into a film starring Kathy Bates. The story of Helen Martins, who was born in 1897 and died in 1976, has been extensively elaborated upon, and the truth may never be known. Whether she was mad with grief, a visionary, or a mystic genius, the reclusive Martins externalized her loneliness by spending the last 30 years of her life (she eventually committed suicide) transforming her home into a jewel-box with bits of mirror and colorful crushed glass all designed to beautifully reflect the candlelight. Her wondrous vision then spread into her backyard, where she and her assistant Koos Malgas spent over a decade creating the country's most famous sculpture garden, a mystical world cluttered with concrete sirens (which everyone mistakenly calls mermaids), sphinxes, serpents, glittering peacocks, camels, owls, and wise men. The figures and scenes find their inspiration in the Bible, in William Blake, in the poetry of Omar Khayyam, and also in the visions and personal obsessions of Martins herself.  Her house and yard are now a gallery and museum at the heart of the village and worthy of an hour or two of your time. 

    Martin St., Eastern Cape, South Africa
    27-049-841–1733

    Sight Details

    Rate Includes: R60; R90 combo ticket includes the Kitching Fossil Centre
  • 4. Addo Elephant Back Safaris

    Nature Preserve/Wildlife Refuge

    This company lets you get up close and personal with a small group of trained African elephants. You get to do a short elephant ride and then go for a scenic walk through the bush with them. You can touch them, feed them, and watch them as they bathe themselves with sand, water, or both (i.e., mud). The whole experience lasts about two to three hours and includes a meal either before or after the safari. You can also arrange for a fly-in day-trip from Port Elizabeth.

    Addo Elephant National Park, Eastern Cape, South Africa
    086-123–3672

    Sight Details

    Rate Includes: R975, Visits by appointment only
  • 5. Addo Elephant National Park

    Smack in the middle of a citrus-growing and horse-breeding area, Addo Elephant National Park is home to more than 600 elephants, not to mention plenty of buffalo (around 400 of them), black rhino, leopards, spotted hyena, hundreds of kudu and other antelopes, and lions. At present the park has just under 445,000 acres, including two islands, St Croix and Bird, which can be visited as part of tours out of Gqeberha. The most accessible parts of the park are the original, main section and the Colchester, Kabouga, Woody Cape, and Zuurberg sections. The original section of Addo still holds most of the game and is served by Addo Main Camp. The Colchester section, in the south, which has one SANParks camp, is contiguous with the main area. The scenic Nyathi section is separated from the main section by a road and railway line. Just north of Nyathi is the mountainous Zuurberg section, which doesn't have a large variety of game but is particularly scenic, with fabulous hiking trails and horse trails, and it's where you might glimpse Cape mountain zebra, mountain reedbuck, blue duiker, red rock rabbits, and—if you are extremely fortunate—aardwolf. There are also hippos in the Sundays River, at the base of the Zuurberg range. You can explore the park in your own vehicle, in which case you need to heed the road signs that claim "dung beetles have right of way." Addo is home to the almost-endemic and extremely rare flightless dung beetle, which can often be seen rolling its unusual incubator across the roads. Watch out for them (they're only about 2 inches long), and watch them: they're fascinating. Instead of driving you could take a night or day game drive with a park ranger in an open vehicle from the main camp. A more adventurous option is to ride a horse among the elephants. Warning: no citrus fruit may be brought into the park, as elephants find it irresistible and can smell it for miles.

    Addo Elephant National Park, Eastern Cape, South Africa
    27-042-233–8600

    Sight Details

    Rate Includes: R360
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  • 6. Camdeboo National Park

    Home to the Valley of Desolation, and some 43 different mammal species, this game-viewing area covers 19,000 hectares (46,950 acres). You may see the endangered Cape mountain zebra, or catch a glimpse quizzical bat-eared foxes, see klipspringers bounding over rocks, and can spend time in the Kwelimanzi hide if you're especially interested in birds. There are a few picnic areas in the park as well as some hiking trails that vary in length and difficulty.  The entire protected area can be explored by car, on foot (the Crag Lizard walking trail is just under a mile and starts at the Valley of Desolation parking lot), or even by mountain bike (cyclists from Graaff-Reinet can be seen puffing up the reserve's inclines most mornings). Summers are very hot (plan your visit in the early morning or late afternoon) and winters can be very cold. 

    Graaff-Reinet, Eastern Cape, South Africa

    Sight Details

    Rate Includes: R150
  • 7. Cathedral of St. Michael and St. George

    This is Grahamstown's most prominent landmark, as much by virtue of its steeple—the highest in South Africa at 176 feet—as the strict geometry of the town. High Street runs in a straight line from the cathedral doors through the Drostdy Arch to the doors of the administration buildings of Rhodes University. The cathedral's eight bells, which you can hear ringing out on Sundays, were the first and still are the heaviest in Africa. Though construction on the cathedral started in 1824, it wasn't completed until 1952.

    108 High St., Grahamstown, Eastern Cape, 6139, South Africa
    046-622–2445

    Sight Details

    Rate Includes: Free, Weekdays 8–1, Closed Sun.
  • 8. Drostdy Arch

    When Grahamstown was a garrison town, the Drostdy Arch, erected in 1841, was the original entrance to the military parade ground. Now it is the gateway through which thousands of Rhodes students pass when leaving campus for town. There is a small crafts market "under the Arch" on weekdays 9–5 and Saturday 9–1.

    High St., Grahamstown, Eastern Cape, 6139, South Africa
  • 9. East London Museum

    There's definitely something fishy going on at the East London Museum. In addition to a whole section on the discovery of the coelacanth, the museum has a large display of preserved fish, including an enormous manta ray. For a different kind of fishy, check out what is claimed to be the world's only surviving dodo egg. Probably the most worthwhile exhibit, though, is the extensive beadwork collection; it's culturally interesting and just plain beautiful.

    319 Oxford St., Southernwood, East London, Eastern Cape, 5201, South Africa
    +27-043-743–0686

    Sight Details

    Rate Includes: R25 adults, R15 children, Closed weekends, Also open on 1st and 3rd Sat. of each month, until 1pm
  • 10. Gonubie Beach

    Gonubie

    Gonubie Beach is at the mouth of the Gonubie River, about half an hour northeast of the city. The riverbank is covered in dense forest, with giant strelitzias (wild banana trees) growing right to the water's edge. A lovely white sandy beach, tidal pools, and a 500-yard-long wooden walkway make this a fantastically user-friendly beach. It's also a good place to watch whales and dolphins, and compared to some of the more central beaches it's pretty quiet. There are picnic tables, fire pits, and a playground. Gonubie is ultimately not just a beach destination, but quite likely the closest to downtown East London you should consider staying. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguard; parking (free); showers; toilets. Best for: sunset; swimming; walking.

    Riverside Rd., East London, Eastern Cape, South Africa
  • 11. Hobie Beach

    Summerstrand

    The 137-meter (450-feet) long Shark Rock Pier is a Gqeberha landmark and definitely worth traversing for the view back towards Summerstrand it affords. It also marks one end of Hobie Beach, where sailing catamarans and jet skis launch, and where some of the city's best-loved annual sporting events and festivals are held. The section of beach nearest the pier is great for swimming and sunbathing, and there are also rock pools to explore; it can get very busy on a hot summer's day. With a view of the pier, Blue Waters Café serves very good food and is a great spot at sunset; you will doubtless also witness countless joggers making use of the long promenade strip that stretch along the seafront. There are plenty of restaurants along the other side of the promenade, including Ginger (offering what's considered the city's most upmarket dining) at the Beach Hotel; next door, the Boardwalk Casino and Entertainment World is a major draw for families, with places to eat, drink, shop, play, and even spend the night. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; parking; showers; toilets. Best for: swimming; sunbathing; walking.

    Marine Dr., Gqeberha, Eastern Cape, South Africa
  • 12. Hole-in-the-Wall

    What makes Coffee Bay stand out from all the other lovely destinations is its proximity—only 9 km (5½ miles)—to the spectacular Hole-in-the-Wall, a natural sea arch through a solid rock island. You can go here on a rather adventurous road from Coffee Bay, and it's included on almost any tour of the Wild Coast. The Xhosa name, Esikaleni, means "place of the water people," and it is believed to be a gateway to the world of the ancestors. If you try swimming through it in rough seas, it certainly will be, but some intrepid souls have made it on calm (very calm) days.

    Coffee Bay, Eastern Cape, South Africa
  • 13. Humewood Beach

    Humewood Beach runs from King's Beach to Shark Rock Pier. This beach has fine white sand and is a great place for families, with shaded areas supplied by an overhead promenade. A convenient parking lot is behind the beach, and there are excellent facilities, including picnic tables, plus lifeguards on duty during peak times. Some grassy areas lead into Happy Valley, but it's not recommended that you walk into the valley, as it's often completely deserted and you may be in danger of being mugged. The beach slipway has a little reef, and the water beside it is great for snorkeling. Humewood Beach is close to the bustling Boardwalk Hotel and all its facilities (including a casino and mall) and the Beach Hotel, where Ginger Restaurant is located. Amenities: lifeguards; parking (free); showers; toilets. Best for: snorkeling; swimming.

    Marine Dr., Gqeberha, Eastern Cape, South Africa
  • 14. International Library of African Music

    A teaching and research center for indigenous music, the library has a collection of more than 200 traditional African musical instruments, including djembes (drums), mbiras (thumb pianos), and marimbas (xylophones).

    Prince Alfred St., Grahamstown, Eastern Cape, 6140, South Africa
    046-603–8557

    Sight Details

    Rate Includes: Free, Mon.–Fri. 8–1 and 2–4, Closed weekends and public holidays
  • 15. King's Beach

    Within the bay and starting closest to the city center and harbor (which is best avoided), the first beach you come to is King's Beach, so named because King George VI slept in the Royal Train here during a visit to the city before World War II. You may want to avoid the far end of King's Beach, as it can get pretty crowded. The beach is one of three Blue Flag beaches in Gqeberha (along with Hobie Beach and Humewood Beach), meaning that it has met international standards of cleanliness, safety, and facilities. It's another very family-friendly beach, too. The Macarthurs Baths pool complex is along the promenade. The Garden Court King's Beach Hotel offers rooms with views across King's Beach. Amenities: lifeguard; parking (free); showers; toilets. Best for: swimming; walking.

    Kings Rd., Gqeberha, Eastern Cape, South Africa
  • 16. McArthur Baths

    The section of beach near McArthur Baths is great for swimming and very popular. If you'd rather swim in flat water, head for the bath complex. Open from September through April, for a small fee you can use a range of pools, two of which are heated to a few degrees above sea temperature. There's no natural grass here, however, so you will need to rent a lounge chair to be comfortable. Amenities: lifeguard; showers; toilets. Best for: swimming.

    Beach Rd., Gqeberha, Eastern Cape, South Africa
  • 17. Nahoon Beach

    Nahoon

    Nahoon Beach, at the mouth of the Nahoon River, is about a 10-minute drive from the city. There's some fantastic surf—but only for people who know what they're doing. It's also just a beautiful beach for sunbathing, watching surfers, and evening walks, and the lagoon is good for swimming and snorkeling. The walk from the parking lot to the beach takes you through a beautiful forest, which helps make the beach feel secluded despite its proximity to the city. There are picnic tables, fire pits, and a playground, making a perfect spot for a braai. Nearby, The Beach Break cafe sells wonderful coffee and breakfasts and all kinds of scrumptious wraps, burgers, toasted sandwiches (or sarnies, as they call them here), and excellent cakes. It's a very pleasant spot pre- or post-beach. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; parking (free); toilets. Best for: sunsets; surfing; walking.

    Beach Rd., East London, Eastern Cape, South Africa
  • 18. National Arts Festival

    The 10-day National Arts Festival, which takes place in late June and/or early July and is purported to be second in size only to the Edinburgh Festival in Scotland, is the country's premier cultural event.

    Grahamstown, Eastern Cape, South Africa
    046-603–1103
  • 19. National English Literary Museum

    The National English Literary Museum houses a comprehensive collection of books, articles, and press clippings on South African writers in the English language, including some unpublished works. There is also a bookshop.

    87 Beaufort St., Grahamstown, Eastern Cape, 6140, South Africa
    046-622–7042

    Sight Details

    Rate Includes: Free, Mon.–Fri. 8:30–4:30, Closed weekends and public holidays
  • 20. Nelson Mandela Museum

    The Nelson Mandela Museum stands as evidence of the love and respect that this awesome statesman inspired in people all over the world, from rural schoolchildren to royalty. The many gifts Mandela received through his life say more about the givers than the receiver, and the exhibitions display the political and personal journey of this beloved politician. In addition to the recently renovated building in Mthatha, there are three other sites. Qunu, the area where Mandela spent part of his childhood, was also the site of his family residence in the years prior to his death; the house can be seen from the N2, 32 km (20 miles) south of Mthatha, as can his grave on the hill inside the property behind the house. On another hill on the opposite side of the road is the Nelson Mandela Youth and Heritage Centre, a beautifully designed building that combines natural stone and unfinished wattle branches to create an interesting pattern of light and shade that complements the black-and-white photographs documenting Mandela's early life and his period of activism and incarceration. There's also a reconstruction of his prison cell on Robben Island. Huge glass windows overlook the fields where Madiba (an affectionate sobriquet for Mandela) herded cattle as a boy, and you can also take a short walk to a smooth rock face that he and his young friends used to use as a slide, and maybe even have a go at it yourself. Mvezo was the birthplace of Mandela. Although the foundations of the house in which Mandela was born are visible and there is a small open-air museum, Mvezo is more a place of pilgrimage than a museum (since there isn't very much to see here). It's best to visit Mvezo as part of a tour—both because it's hard to find and because you'll get much more out of it with a knowledgeable guide—which you can arrange through the museum, or with Imonti Tours. But you can get directions from the museum in Mthatha if you want to go on your own. You'll need to travel down a 19-km (12-mile) gravel road, but a 4x4 is not required. You can take a similar gravel road north of the N2 to Mqhekezweni, which is where Mandela went to live with his cousin under the guardianship of Jongintaba Dalindyebo, regent of the Tembu people, and where he began his education. The rondavel he and his cousin shared remains exactly as it would have been then, as does the great tree where Mandela used to sneak up and secretly listen to the elders during their meetings. It's possible to visit the Nelson Mandela Museum on Saturday and Sunday afternoon if you make an arrangement in advance.

    Owen St. at Nelson Mandela Dr. (N2), Mthatha, Eastern Cape, 5009, South Africa
    047-501–9500

    Sight Details

    Rate Includes: Free, Mon.–Fri. 9–4, Sat. and Sun. 9–1

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