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The
Eastern Cape is South Africa's second largest and most diverse province.
It's a great sun, sand and sea destination with a coastline that runs from
temperate rocky shores in the south to sub-tropical beaches in the north.
There is a beach for every
reason - from highly developed urban playgrounds to wild and untamed stretches
of wave-washed sand. It has some of the best surf in the country - make
that some of the best surf in the world.
The small towns of Jeffreys
Bay and St
Francis Bay are renowned and very popular surf destinations and the
Wild
Coast has some legendary (and mostly secret) breaks.
 The
Eastern Cape is not classic lowveld, which is the vegetation type found
around the Kruger National Park and is most usually associated with big
game. However, this province has some awesome safari destinations.
The Greater Addo
Elephant National Park, near the town of Addo,
conserves a staggering diversity of plant and animal life. There are a
number of private game lodges, both in the national park and in surrounding
private reserves. Best of all - it's totally malaria-free. South Africa's
first and - to date - only serious commercial ski resort is in the high-lying
northern part of the Eastern Cape. OK, it's not exactly Chamonix or Aspen
- but it is skiing in Africa. Snowboarding's big, too.
The Eastern Cape's cultural
heritage is particularly varied and interesting, and there are so many
interpretive tours, museums and monuments, you'll never be bored. Towns
that will particularly appeal to more culturally minded visitors include
Graaff-Reinet
and
Grahamstown. |
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Locations in the Eastern Cape:
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Eastern Cape Towns:
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Eastern
Cape Villages:
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| Nieu
Bethesda, which is close to Graaff-Reinet,
is a funky little village that owes its popularity to the existence of
the Owl House, which is South Africa's most well known example of outsider
art.
 Port
Elizabeth is renowned for its excellent township and cultural tours.
The Nelson Mandela Museum in Umtata is a loving tribute to South Africa's
first president. There are great tours along the Wild Coast, on which you
get to spend time with the local people and see how they live. The Grahamstown
Festival or, more accurately, the National Festival of the Arts, which
showcases a huge variety of South Africa's visual and performance arts,
is held in Grahamstown at the
beginning of July.
There are some excellent
golf courses, but they're not all as conveniently close together as they
are, for example, on the Garden Route. Some of the better courses are to
be found in or near Port Elizabeth, Port
Alfred, East London and Port
Edward. A brand new golf course has been built at the rather interesting
town of Alicedale, which is experiencing a huge
economic revival after spending years as a virtual ghost town.
©
Safarinow.com
More Reading on the Eastern
Cape:
Eastern
Cape Province Travel Tips South Africa by Gerald Crawford
Welcome to the Eastern Cape
South Africa. Where else can you surf the worlds biggest waves, ski down
the only snow slopes in Africa, go on a `big seven safari, visit the birthplace
of Nelson Mandela and bungee the highest bridge in the southern hemisphere?
The Eastern Cape, of course! ... read
more
Ticket
to Ride wraps up successful South African surfing adventure
by Tim Conibear
Ticket to Ride wrapped up
an extremely successful inaugural three month gap year surfing adventure
to South Africa when all the 'riders' in the group completed internationally
recognised surf coaching and lifesaving qualifications... read
more
Best
Beaches for Beach Bums by RoadTravel
South Africa is renowned
to have some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. And now it's not
only just the locals testifying to this. Recently 23 South African beaches
were awarded Blue Flag status... read
more |
| ADELAIDE
- EASTERN CAPE, SOUTH AFRICA |
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| Adelaide
is a town and area in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. Population
12,000 (2001). Adelaide is situated near the Great Winterberg Mountain
range. |
View
Map of Adelaide
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Stillerus
Game & Lifestyle Farm, Self-Catering Accommodation, Amatola, ADELAIDE
Surely one of the most scenic,
save and relaxed farm holidays you could experience. Newly renovated fully
equipped 3-bedroom farmhouse with separate 2-bedroom lodge and 1-bedroom
thatched rondavel. Hugh outside entertainment stoep overlooking the
tennis court, lush pastures and 3 surrounding rivers. Big irrigation
dam with bass, game drives, hiking trails, horse rides and lots more. Ideal
for 3 families as it sleeps 10 – 15 people. Surely one of the most scenic,
save and relaxed farm holidays you could experience. The main house
consists of 4 bedrooms & 2 bathrooms, open plan lounge/dining/TV, kitchen
& scullery, a huge open stoep with a lovely braai area. The Lodge
consists of 2 huge bedrooms, open plan sitting/lounge, 1 bathroom and kitchenette
and a stoep/braai area. |
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accommodation in Adelaide
| ALICEDALE
- EASTERN CAPE, SOUTH AFRICA |
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| Alicedale
is a very small town 90 km from Port Elizabeth which owes its existence
to the development of the railways in the early 1800’s. Nested in surrounding
hills, Alicedale is set in a horseshoe of the Bushmans River and was named
after Alice Dale (later Alice Slessor), the wife of the engineer in charge
of the junction's construction. The once-forgotten town is very small,
but growing rapidly, with a population of about 6,000. There is a
tourism revolution happening in Alicedale at the moment. The 'new'
multi-faceted tourism village will be able to boast a fantastic golf course
designed by Gary Player to attract golfers from all over the world.
Also see Addo Elephant Park |
View
Map of Alicedale
|
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Bushman
Sands Hotel, Addo Area, ALICEDALE
The 4-star hotel is a delightful
blend of rich heritage & modern luxury. The Gary Player designed Golf
Course is perfect for the keen golfer. Those wanting relaxation,
pampering & peace will find alternatives at the spa or at the poolside
or even on a tranquil sunset boat cruise. The Hotel comprises of
39 bedrooms around a pool area overlooking the Bushman Sands Golf Course.
At the Bunkers Restaurant cuisine is traditionally South African with influences
of Xhosa, English and Cape Malay. Hearty Breakfasts, a la carte lunches
and evening dinners are served here, while a cigar and good single malt
can be enjoyed in the library. Our Spa is located in the Leisure
Centre, the 3 treatment rooms - each with its own shower and air-conditioning
and a small but fully equipped gymnasium offer guests the ideal opportunity
to truly relax and be pampered. The 18-hole championship course follows
the banks of the Bushmans and New Years Rivers, resembling the game's earliest
"links" courses in Scotland with undulating fairways and pot bunkers. |
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accommodation in Alicedale
| CAPE
ST FRANCIS - SUNSHINE COAST, EASTERN CAPE, SOUTH AFRICA |
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| "Cape
St Francis, with its historic lighthouse, is a tranquil Eco – destination
.The pristine beach, the mild temperature and the longest sunshine hours
on the South African Coast ensure a relaxed all year round destination.
Action or leisure, the choices are endless.
Our sundowner cruise through
the marina at St. Francis Bay has become a traditional highlight. On a
less organised note, a trip to Seal Point Lighthouse (built in 1878 to
warn ships of the dangerous reefs that stretch more than a kilometre out
to sea. |
View
Map of Cape St Francis
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| It
is the tallest masonary tower on the South African coast standing at a
height of 27.75 metres), with guided tours departing every 45 minutes,
a round of golf at the nearby 18 hole links style course, bowls, squash,
tennis, a visit to Port St. Francis home to the chokka (calamari) industry,
or simply a stroll along the beach is all part of the Cape St. Francis
experience.
For the more active all of
the following are available: the Sand River with green emerald pools and
big sand dunes, various paths through Irma Booysen fynbos Reserve, or the
Cape St. Francis Nature Reserve at Shark Point, or, a walk to the Beacon
with the most spectacular views. For the more adventurous: Kromme
River boat cruise, diving, deep sea fishing, sea and river kayaking, horse
riding, guided riding safaris through Lambordini Game Farm and surfing
to name but a few.
The area is the ideal base
camp enabling you to visit nearby Addo Elephant Park, Shamwari Game Reserve,
Tsitsikama Canopy Tours, and the Kouga Cultural Centre or experience the
ultimate thrill of Bloukraans bungy jumping. From this most southern
point one is centrally situated to experience all the Eastern Cape has
to offer." Information courtesy Beach
Break |
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Cape
St Francis Lifestyle Estate - Beach Break, CAPE ST FRANCIS
Beach Break, luxurious,
well appointed secure beachfront accommodation with sweeping views of both
Seal and Shark Point and easy access to the beach. Secluded outdoor entertainment
area with swimming pools and Jacuzzi promise idyllic relaxation.
Accommodation - Consists of 3 free standing units all with a swimming pool.
12 en suite bedrooms are spacious, individually decorated. 6 have seaviews,
1 leads onto the Jacuzzi. Room facilities – tea/coffee facility,
hairdryer, safe, guest amenities. Read above about activities available
in the area. |
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Kingfisher
Cottage - Cape St Francis, Self-Catering Cottage, CAPE ST FRANCIS
Cape St Francis is an unspoilt
coastal holiday village set around by nature parks and miles of magical
beach. This is one spot that has not been spoilt by over-development and
is the ideal place for someone who wants a traditional holiday by the sea.
Kingfisher Cottage is a beautifully appointed cottage set in these quiet
and idyllic surrounds. Placed in the centre of an indigenous garden you
will be woken by the duet call of the Southern Boubou Shrike among the
many other feathered visitors. A short walk from the beach, you can leave
your shoes at home and spend your days walking, swimming, fishing, and
surfing to your hearts content. The cottage offers open plan living with
a roomy lounge, large yellowwood dining table and fully fitted kitchen.
The separate scullery has a dishwasher. Upstairs there are two comfy double
bedrooms and a bathroom while there is a further bathroom downstairs offering
shower, basin and bidet... |
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Lyngenfjord
Duplex Cottage, Self-Catering cottage, CAPE ST FRANCIS
Self-catering 2 bedroom
duplex unit – 4 – 6 pax; open plan living area and fully equipped kitchen.
Only 100 m from beach and 400 m from main swimming beach – life guards.
Optional serviced by Cape St Francis Resort. Variety of restaurants
and pubs walking distance. Swimming pool, games room, tennis courts
on premises. Situated 23 km from Humansdorp, 45 km from Jeffreys
Bay and 100 km from Port Elizabeth. |
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Lyngenfjord
House, Bed & Breakfast, CAPE ST FRANCIS
The 6 en-suite bedrooms
are spacious and comfortable and the panoramic views of the sea, Seal Point
surf and the beach break are breathtaking and exhilarating. The safe
swimming beach is a short walk (about 50 m) down the path. The two
lounges are spacious, elegant and comfortable. The lounge balcony upstairs
is ideal for a relaxing read and the verandah downstairs perfect for breakfast.
We are situated about 50 m from the beach and the rooms have spectacular
views. |
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accommodation in Cape St Francis
| CHINTSA,
WILD COAST GAME LODGES/PRIVATE GAME RESERVES, EASTERN CAPE / KWAZULU-NATAL |
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Inkwenkwezi
Private Game Reserve, Chintsa, WILD COAST
Inkwenkwezi
is situated in the malaria free Eastern Cape, only a 30-minute drive from
East London at the start of the Wild Coast. Here one can view the Big Five
and other game housed within the boundaries of the reserve. Inkwenkwezi
is a rare exquisite combination of bushveld, grasslands and forests, with
an area encompassing 4000 hectares. This reserve boasts a Bush Camp,
consisting of six two-person lavish ensuite safari tents. The Valley Camp
offers 8 guests accommodation in four custom designed luxury tents and
2 family units each accommodating a family up to 4, which emphasize space
and quality.
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accommodation in Chintsa/Cintsa
| COFFEE
BAY - WILD COAST, EASTERN CAPE, SOUTH AFRICA |
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| Coffee
Bay has a number of advantages over its, admittedly also fantastic, rival
Wild Coast destinations. Probably the most important, especially for visitors
who are not used to unpaved roads, is the fact that a tarred road leads
all the way there. Other advantages include a friendly hotel, two
backpacker's hostels, fantastic surf and the iconic hole in the wall. This
unusual rock formation is a rocky island a few hundred metres offshore,
with a hole right through the middle. The tunnel is big enough to drive
a ski boat through, but only the foolishly brave or bravely foolish would
attempt to do so, as the sea crashes through there - hence the local name
esiKhaleni, which means "place of noise". |
View
Map of Coffee Bay
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| Most
people visit here for the fantastic scenery, the lovely beaches and the
charm of the local people but there are some more active choices as well.
You could do an abseil right over the sea, a scenic day canoe trip on the
Umtata River or an escorted walk. And, of course, once you've worked up
an appetite, you'll be able to munch your way through lots of lovely seafood.
Coffee Bay is about an hour's drive from the N2 on a tarred, but unfenced,
road, which branches off the N2 about 20km on the East London side of Umtata.
The closest airport is at Umtata - with flights only to and from Johannesburg.
See
more Wild Coast Accommodation |
| © by South
Africa Tourism |
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Coffee
Bay Hotel & Conference Centre, COFFEE BAY
This easily accessible,
owner managed hotel is situated in the heart of Coffee Bay on the Eastern
Cape Wild Coast. The accent here is on friendly service in a comfortable
environment. Guests are encouraged to curl up and read a book in the airy,
spacious lounges, relax under an umbrella beside the private pool, or make
new friends in the convivial pub. For the more adventurous guests
there’s plenty to do – from abseiling down a sheer cliff face with the
waves raging and swirling at its base, to exhilarating guided quad bike
excursions. Hiking and walking are popular leisure options – with
a variety of routes to suit all ages and degrees of fitness. The
hotel is separated from the sea by a small coastal forest, but the beach
is a short walk away through the Milkwood grove, and the sound of the waves
on a still summer’s night is the promise of a glorious day of sea, sun
and sand. |
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accommodation in Coffee Bay
| GRAAFF-REINET-
KAROO HEARTLAND, EASTERN CAPE, SOUTH AFRICA |
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| Graaff-Reinet
is a town in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. It is the fourth
oldest town in South Africa, after Cape Town, Stellenbosch and Swellendam.
The town lies 750 meters above the sea and is built on the, banks of the
Sunday's River, which rises a little farther north on the southern slopes
of the Sneeuberge, and here ramifies into several channels. The Dutch Reformed
church in the town is a prominent stone building in the high street with
seating accommodation for 1500 people. The college is an educational
centre of some importance; it was rebuilt in 1906. Graaff Reinet is a flourishing
market for agricultural produce, the district being noted for its mohair
industry, sheep and ostrich farming. |
View
Map of Graaff-Reinet
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| Tourist
Attractions - The Valley of Desolation, a geological
wonder of weathered dolerite pillars which is a declared national monument
with magnificent views over the Karoo plains. The Camdeboo National
Park of 200 km², on the outskirts of the town with its interesting
flora and fauna. Stretch's Court, a picturesque restored street of
Karoo cottages with brightly painted shutters and doors. Reinet
House Museum - a Cape Dutch building, formerly the Dutch Reformed Church
parsonage. The Agave Distillery - a distillery producing
tequila from the agave plant. The Karoo architecture.
The Dutch Reformed Church in the centre of the town. The Drostdy
Hotel - A Cape Dutch building erected in 1806 as the local seat of government
by the VOC. Currently a hotel.. |
| Wikipedia |
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Andries
Stockenstrom Guest House, GRAAFF-REINET
Situated in the historic
town, Graaff-Reinet, the centre of the Karoo Midlands, this guest house
is one of the culinary oases of South Africa. Food is a passion here
and the dinners are legendary, the highlight of your stay, an experience
to be savored and remembered. The owners & chef, Gordon &
Rose Wright invite you to become part of this experience, Karoo hospitality
at it's best. Bedrooms are cosy and with comforts and extras to pamper.
The floors in the old house are all original yellow wood. Relax on
the pool terrace or in the lounge. Stroll streets filled with architectural
treasures, of which more than 200 are National Monuments. Visit the
awesome Valley of Desolation and nature reserve with plenty of game. |
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Camdeboo
Manor, Bed & Breakfast, near GRAAFF-REINET
It is not often that one
gets the opportunity to luxuriate in the tranquility of the Karoo countryside
knowing that the town centre of Graaff-Reinet is a brief 5 minute drive
away. Stephen & Liesl created Camdeboo Manor so that you could
experience this calmness and serenity to its fullest. From the moment you
drive through the gates of this small farm a sense of well-being washes
over you and the warm welcome makes you feel as if you belong. Liesl
understands what hospitality means, having spent 3 years in the hotel industry
in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. It was here that she and Stephen collected
the unique, and unusual, furniture and décor items that form the
central motif for both suites. Carved out of African mahogany, the exotic
4 poster king size beds give the rooms the appearance of a Sultan's private
quarters. |
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Clifton
Country House, Self-Catering/Country House, GRAAFF-REINET
Gappie and Elsona de Klerk
invite you to Clifton Country House, their 200 – year old farm nestling
in the foothills of the Sneeuberg. The house, dated 1774, is older than
Graaff-Reinet. But their hospitality is vintage 21st century. Each
of the rooms is individually decorated with personal comfort as priority
and an eye for unusual detail. It’s ethnic Africa with an unexpected sense
of humour and a passion for pattern. Elsona’s touch fills the entire lodge,
taking vibrant colour up the walls and lush lawn down to the swimming pool’s
edge. Clifton’s qualified cordon bleu chef provides food that fills
the guest book with gourmet adjectives. The speciality is Kudu fillet and
traditional dishes are served with a creative twist. All venison comes
from the farm and good wine is available. |
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Cypress
Cottage, Bed & Breakfast, GRAAFF-REINET
Two fully restored Karoo
cottages, with 3 bedrooms each, date back to the late 1800's, and have
the charm, decor and ambience of a bygone era. Lovingly refurbished,
air-conditioned and furnished with antiques. Adjoining the nature
reserve with lovely views and beautiful landscaped gardens. Breakfasts
are a treat with free-range eggs, homemade preserves and fruit fron the
orchard. Swim in the bore-hole fed reservoir. Secure parking. |
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accommodation in Graaff-Reinet
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