Eastern Cape

Eastern Cape is in South Africa and stretches along the Indian Ocean between Western Cape and KwaZulu-Natal.

Culture and History

The Eastern Cape province includes the former "homelands" of Transkei and Ciskei. With a long coastline on the Indian Ocean it offers great beaches as well as several very interesting National Parks. Its population is mainly Xhosa-speaking and the province is home to several of South Africa`s most important persons in the fight against Apartheid (e.g. Nelson Mandela, Thabo Mbeki, Steve Biko and Oliver Tambo). It's still a poor province especially in the former homelands but beautiful and not so touristy.

Regions

Cities

The main gateways to the Eastern cape are:

  • Port Elizabeth - the largest city in the province is connected to the rest of the country by flights, motorways and rail.
  • East London - the second largest city is accessible by plane, car and train and is the starting point for travelling to the former Transkei and Wild Coast.
  • Grahamstown - heart of the Settler Country offering traditional atmosphere.
  • Mthatha (formerly called Umtata) - the main city in the former Transkei.
  • Graaff-Reinet - the capital of the Karoo desert and a national heritage site.
  • Pearston

Other destinations

  • Cintsa - backpackers haven with two famous hostels and a great atmosphere.
  • 'Xora- Bulungula Lodge a must visit place.
  • Coffee Bay - At the heart of the Wild Coast, with it's idyllic cliffs & beaches. Two great backpackers (Coffee Shack & Bomvu) and 2 great hotels (Ocean View & Coffee Bay Hotel)
  • Jeffreys Bay - The surfer's paradise and host of various famous surfing contests.
  • Paradise Beach - between Jeffreys Bay ands St Francis - a secret, unspoiled paradise in summer for a stunning 10km long beach with not a soul on it. Airfield for flying freeks and motor glider flips. Cheap, simple, clean B&B R200 pppn Fritz +21 42 2920 235, evenings. It is beautiful and great for a walk and a swim or just lying on the beach.
  • Port Alfred - at the Kowie River mouth (great fishing) with miles of unspoilt, deserted beaches.
  • St Francis - village of thatched roof houses, very upmarket, a new Jack Nicklaus golf course. St Francis Golf Club also a great place with a big heart for beginners.

National Parks and Reserves

  • Shamwari Game Reserve, ph: +27 (0)42 203 1111 [4] The most well-known and luxurious of the private game reserves in the Eastern Cape .
  • Schotia Safaris Game Reserve, ph: +27 (0)42 235 1436, [5] Huge stock of game with free roaming lions. One gets the safari feeling here without paying through the nose. It's well worth doing a Game drive, meal and drink R600pp; or staying overnight, with evening and morning drive, meals and drinks for R1200pppn. They also offer free transfer from Port Elizabeth Airport return, and will often pick up guests from accommodation from PE.

Travel to Eastern_Cape, visa requirements

By car

The main motorway in the province is the N2. It runs along the coast from Cape Town via the Garden Route, Port Elizabeth, the Transkei and further through KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga. The road condition is mainly excellent except in the Transkei (Do not travel the Transkei portion of the N2 at night as the potholes can be deep and there are often stray animals ie cows and goats wandering around).

From Cape Town

Follow the N2 via the Overberg and into the Garden Route

From Gauteng, Free State, Limpopo and Mpumalanga

Follow the N1 toll road south until Colesburg, then follow the N9 from there towards Graaf-Reinet and George or follow first the N9 and then the N10 towards Port Elisabeth. Avoid driving the N9 and N10 at night as game often wander onto the road at night and accidents are not uncommon. A full grown kudu or other large antelope and cause some severe damage to you and your vehicle.

Traffic conditions

  • Major roadworks (with single direction traffic diversions) 2km south of Cradock on the N10 may cause a delay of up to 30minutes.
  • Major roadworks about 20km south of Port Elizabeth on the N2. Northbound traffic is restricted to one lane for about 10km while southbound traffic is diverted via to old regional road. Does not generally cause severe delays (maybe 10 minutes extra traveling time), but may be a problem over long weekends or other public holiday periods.
  • Note that you will probably be stopped at a veterinary roadblock (these roadblocks are clearly signposted and manned by both the veterinary service and police) on leaving the province. There is a problem with some swine disease in the province and you are not allowed to take any pork products out of the province. You will be asked if you have any such products in your possession at the roadblock.

Flights to Eastern_Cape, airtickets

Port Elizabeth and East London are the main national airports both with several flights daily to other South African destinations, but no international flights.

By train

Spoornet operates regular trains from Johannesburg to both Port Elizabeth and East London. There is also a once-weekly service from Cape Town to East London, and a daily service between Grahamstown and Alicedale.

Get around

By car

Definitely the best option if you are more than two as several regions and some of the National Parks aren`t accessible by public transport. Road Conditions are mainly good but get informed before you start. Car rental is available in larger cities and along the popular resorts of the Garden Route.

Be careful of wild animals, especially monkeys, on the road. Be especially carefull if driving at night.

Buses to Eastern_Cape

The main companies cross the Eastern Cape on their way from Cape Town to Durban. There are other main routes from Port Elizabeth and East London to Johannesburg.

The Baz Bus traverses the province on its Cape Town - Port Elizabeth - Durban run ; Port Elizabeth is a compulsory overnight stop.

Minibus services are available for local transport between neighbouring towns (and also on several longer distances).

By train

With the limited range of railways this isn`t a real option for touring the province.

Eastern_Cape attractions and sightseeing

  • Port Elizabeth: the provincial capital and major transportation hub
  • East London: Gateway to the Wild Coast
  • Grahamstown: University town with a colonial English atmosphere
  • Graaff-Reinet: a national heritage site and the classical example of an inland town.
  • Wild Coast: spectacular scenery and only a few tourists make this an out-off-the-beaten track destination
  • Tsitsikamma National Park: not as spectacular as some of the other National Parks it offers superb coastlines, whale watching and excellent hiking.
  • Addo Elephant National Park: famous for the elephants this park is after the unification with Zuurberg NP one of South Africa`s largest.Also has lion.
  • Mountain Zebra National Park - small, but only very few people there. See the endangered Mountain Zebras.

City tours

Shopping, Eastern_Cape souvenirs

Good restaurants and cheap meals

  • When in Jeffreys Bay or Paradise Beach, try the beach restaurants near Marina Martinque called Tapas - cheap or the Whale Skipper slightly more expensive. Wherever try the calamari.
  • St Francis - go out to the port and have Cajun Calamari at the Porthole for lunch, sit in the sun, enjoy the food and watch the fishermen at work. What a pleasure

Eastern_Cape nightlife, bars, clubs and pubs.

Hotels, youth hostels, lodging

The Garden Route is a major tourist destination with a broad range of accommodation in all ranges as is Port Elizabeth. East of East London and more inland accommodation is a little bit more limited but their will always be an option.

Get out

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