Although not popularly visited as the adjacent Western Cape, the Eastern Cape Province contributes largely to the history of South Africa. It was in this place that Nelson Mandela was born and later in the year 2000 a museum was opened to correspond with the 10th anniversary of Mandela’s release from prison. The museum located south of Umtata at Qunu on the N2.
In addition the Eastern Cape has a rich natural radiance along with a mild coastline that attracts surfers, an incredible inland landscape of rising and falling farmlands and valleys. It is considered to be one of the moistest strips on the seaside woodland on the entire earth.
On the fur west coastline of the province is the world renowned Garden Route, simplifying the decision to continue in the North-East direction along Africa’s shoreline towards the Eastern Cape.
In addition, the Eastern Cape is a grand safari holiday destination with three national parks that are malaria-free and these are the Mountain Zebra, the Tsitsikamma and the Addo Elephant National Park. The Eastern Cape’s first private conservation project was the Shamwari, between Grahamstown and Port Elizabeth. It has since been a big achievement as an outstanding holiday destination and in regards to environmental moral principles. It offering a comfortable safari experience to its visitors.
Fort Elizabeth is the most important city in the entire Eastern Cape and without a doubt one of the best kept secrets in South Africa. Other than it being an ideal base for day pleasure trip; PE as commonly referred to, it has a wide variety of tremendous golf courses and seaboards. In its urban centre you can involve in several great mountain bike trails, windsurfing, pleasant walks, sailing and surfing, kitesurfing, and unbelievable scuba diving.
Unlike other places which have the “Big Five” the Eastern Cape is a sanctuary to the “Big Seven”. In addition to the “Big Five” which are Lion, Rhino, Leopard, Buffalo and Elephant, you will also see the Southern Right Whale and the Great White Shark.
The Eastern Cape has a number of wonderful game reserves. Shamwari is the greatest game reserve in this area and has won a number of awards for its distinctiveness. The park has bred a number of the Big 5 thus greatly increasing their population through its existing programmes. Other game reserves in the area are the Kwandwe Game Reserve and the Kwantu Game Reserve, which has foreign wildlife and splendid scenery.
This worth visiting reserve is located in a rough country area of the Eastern Cape. It has a number of activities to get pleasure from and they include safaris, hiking, and mountain climbing. When you drive from Port Elizabeth along the N2 highway to King Williams Town, you will take the R63 left to Adelaide, and track the signs to Molweni.
The sole ski resort in South Africa is also found in The Eastern Cape. Tiffindell lays north eastern section of this Province. It is situated next to the town-land of Rhodes, and placed in the Drakensberg Mountain Range. It’s on the position of Ben McDhui, which at 3,000 meters high as the highest mountain summit in the Cape. This ski resort found at Tiffindell was founded in 1993.
Visiting the Drakensberg National Park is mandatory. You will be able to sight at the over thousands of years old mesmerizing paintings of Bushmen drawn on rocks in the sandstone-caves. You can also book your accommodation for your stay in this same area.
You can alternatively opt for a tour in the most important cities of the Eastern Cape, such as Port Elizabeth. There are very many things to entertain you ranging from historical attractions to museums, and superb beaches on the Algoa Bay. The Algoa Bay pride in close to 40 kilometers of golden-sandy beaches washed with warm humid waters of the great Indian Ocean. Some of the attractions in Port Elizabeth are the Bayworld Aquarium, the Market Square St George’s Park and Donkin Reserve.
A trip in the Port Elizabeth region would not be complete if you don’t visit Jeffrey’s Bay! This Bay is located on the N2 west, 70 km from Port Elizabeth. It is a seventh heaven for surfers. Alternatively referred to as “J-Bay” the beach hosts surfing contests annually and it’s well-known for its great surfing waves. The long sandy beaches here attracts many people particularly those interested in getting away and wish to enjoy the beautiful sun!
Among the other places that you should endeavor to visit in the Eastern Province are Buffalo City and East London.they have spectacular beaches, specifically the Orient Beach, Nahoon Reef and the Nahoon Reef. In addition, there are a number of museums in this area, and the greatest is the East London Museum. Mpotshane Private Game Reserve, the East London Lion Park and Inkwenkwezi Private Game Reserve, are some of the game reserves that are recommended.
Tsitsikamma National Park lays the western part of the Eastern Cape, is an area of natural beauty and with coastal reserve in the Garden Route which extends from Tsitikamma found in the north to Mossel Bay that is in the south. Basing on its name which means a “place with much water” it includes almost 80kilometers of coastline and is bordered by the warm Indian Ocean waters. You will enjoy a number of activities such as fishing and watching whale. It is accessed on Road by means of the N2.
Ailwal North is another tourist attraction in the Eastern Cape, and is found on the plateau in the fertile farmlands on the Southern Banks of River Orange. There are two hot mineral springs in this place. From East London heading north, the road runs analogous to the natural Coast leading you on an eye-catching tour of an vicinity viewing its natural beauty, hills, forests, and steep cliffs, which harbor white sandy beaches at their bottom. This not commonly explored area that is ideal for water sports along the coastal trail of the Easter Cape Province.
