Big Five Safaris and the Wild Coast
The Eastern Cape is a province on the south-eastern coast of South Africa, known for its Big Five game reserves, the untamed Wild Coast, the surf of Jeffreys Bay and its deep Xhosa heritage. It stretches from the dry Karoo to the Indian Ocean, taking in mountains, forests, farmland and some of the country's least crowded beaches. Gqeberha, formerly Port Elizabeth, is the main gateway on Algoa Bay, while East London anchors the north-east. For travellers who like their journeys varied, few regions offer wildlife, coastline, culture and adventure in such an easy sequence.
Safari is the star. Addo Elephant National Park, close to Gqeberha, is renowned for its large herds of elephants and has expanded to include marine areas, so visitors can see the Big Seven, including whales and great white sharks, in a single park. Private reserves such as Shamwari and Kariega offer lodge stays with game drives, in malaria-free country, which many families value. Those who enjoy wildlife on a grand scale can compare this with Rwanda, where gorillas and chimpanzees offer a different kind of encounter.
Mandela Country, Hogsback and Coffee Bay
Culture runs deep here. The province is the homeland of the Xhosa people and the birthplace of Nelson Mandela, who was born in the village of Mvezo and grew up in Qunu, and the Mandela story draws many visitors to the Eastern Cape. Makhanda, the university town formerly known as Grahamstown, hosts the National Arts Festival each year, a gathering of theatre, dance, music and film that fills the old streets. The 1820 Settlers left their mark on the architecture of towns such as Makhanda and Port Alfred, a graceful contrast to the rural Xhosa villages further east.
Scenery is the second draw. The Wild Coast, with its green headlands, wide beaches and rondavel villages, is home to places such as Coffee Bay and the Hole in the Wall, a sea-carved arch that is both a natural wonder and a local legend. In the Amatola mountains, the village of Hogsback is a favourite for forest walks, waterfalls and creative cafes, with a storybook, fairy-tale air. A tourist board has a rich canvas here, and the contrast with the polished beaches of Australia and the adventure landscapes of New Zealand shows the province's wide appeal.
Read the full The Eastern Cape guide on Visit Travel Group, or see VisitEasternCape.co.uk on Visit Travel Group.