EPIC EASTERN CAPE GREAT CHOICE! DO N0T JUST SIT AROUND THIS SUMMER PACK SOME PADKOS AND HIT THE ROAD

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1 YOUR EPIC EASTERN CAPE SUMMER GUIDE EPIC EASTERN CAPE DECEMBER JANUARY 2019 DO N0T JUST SIT AROUND THIS SUMMER PACK SOME PADKOS AND HIT THE ROAD YOU ARE VISITING THE EASTERN CAPE AGAIN THIS HOLIDAY GREAT CHOICE! You think you have done it all and seen all there is to see here. THINK AGAIN There are so many beautiful places to visit, fascinating stories to be heard, fabulous people to meet and amazing adventures to be had in every corner of the Eastern Cape. So wherever you are in the Eastern Cape have an epic summer holiday - get up, pack some padkos and hit the road!

2 AMATHOLE MOUNTAIN ESCAPE VISIT: STUTTERHEIMTOURISM.CO.ZA for more information FRIENDLY N6 KAROO HEARTLAND & BAVIAANS WILDERNESS ADDO FRONTIER COUNTRY SUNSHINE COAST AMATHOLE MOUNTAIN ESCAPE WILD COAST TSITSIKAMMA KOUGA KING WILLIAM S TOWN ALICE HOGSBACK STUTTERHEIM THIS ROUTE STRETCHES FROM ADELAIDE IN THE WEST TO STUTTERHEIM IN THE EAST, WITH THE MAJESTIC AMATOLA MOUNTAINS STANDING AS A CLEAR BEACON ON THE HORIZON. VISIT AN AREA STEEPED IN XHOSA CULTURE AND SETTLER HISTORY. From East London, drive to King William s Town where Black Consciousness leader, Steve Biko, is buried. Then it s on to Alice and the picturesque little town of Hogsback - inspiration for Tolkien s book, The Hobbit. Other interesting places that warrant a stop-over are the towns of Fort Beaufort with its excellent museum, Keiskammahoek, where a great battle was waged between the Xhosa chief Ngqika, his uncle Ndlambe and Seymour in the Kat River Valley, where one of the earliest published works in Afrikaans was written and Cata Village where the local community is working to build a better life for all who live there...

3 Do a bit of soul searching this holiday. Take a roadtrip to Hogsback and spend some time there discovering the true soul of the Eastern Cape. Walk through the indigenous forests to numerous beautiful waterfalls. More strenuous walks include the 3 Hogs or Gaika s Kop mountains and world class climbing includes the bolted routes at Madonna and Child waterfall, Robinson Falls and Hog 1. HOLIDAY HAPPINESS IN HOGSBACK There s something for everyone in Hogsback - abseiling, mountain biking, horse riding and an arts and crafts route, including the Labyrinth and Eco Shrine. (From East London, take the N2 to King William s Town, the R63 to Alice and then left onto the R345 and up beautiful Hogsback Pass that leads to the town.) Visit the magnificent Steve Biko museum that pays tribute to the life of the great South African struggle icon in a frank, beautiful way. More than a tourist attraction, it provides interesting historical context on Biko s life and it is also a place of learning and performance, literally coming alive with music, dance and creative interpretations of South African history. The Museum includes an archive centre, library resource centre, commemorative garden honouring human rights activists, a community media centre and a great restaurant. It s just outside King William s Town - in Ginsberg. With parking right outside and friendly staff to take you on a tour of the museum and facilities, it s a mustdo on your Eastern Cape holiday roadtrip. Operating Hours: Mon - Tue: 07h00-21h30, Wed - Fri: 07h30-22h00, Sat: 09h00-23h00, Sun: 10h00-18h00 Call: for more info INSPIRING, EMOTIONAL & POWERFUL THE STEVE BIKO MUSEUM Cata lies close to the town of Keiskammahoek (about a two hour drive from East London) in the Amatola Mountains, surrounded by indigenous forest and grasslands. It s inspiring to experience how the local community has re-organised itself after forced betterment removals during apartheid when they had to abandon their kraals, their grazing rights, and fields. Cata Museum lies in the heart of the village and describes the community s story - how they fought to reclaim their land, worked together to form a trust and how their lives have changed for the better through working and building together. EXPLORE CATA Stay overnight at the fabulous community-built chalets and take the 2 km guided walk along a heritage trail, with information boards en route covering the social and natural history of Cata. Make it your mission to be part of a local rural community this holiday... Make it Cata?

4 KING WILLIAM S TOWN Considered one of the most interesting towns to visit in the region, along with Grahamstown, King William s Town began its life on the banks of the Buffalo River as a mission station in About 50km west of East London, King William s Town is renowned for its beautiful stone buildings, many of which date back to the Frontier wars. King William s Town has a number of interesting museums - one of which houses the body of Huberta the hippo who walked some 1500 kilometers across KwaZulu Natal to the Eastern Cape in the early 1900 s and the Amathole Museum has the biggest collection of mammals in Africa. STEVE BIKO MUSEUM - AMATHOLE MUSEUM - ALICE Alice is situated about 20kms to the East of Fort Beaufort. Here you will find the Martello Tower - a historic, small defensive fort built around 1840 and the only one in the world not built along the coast. It is also the site of the University of Fort Hare, the alma mater of Nelson Mandela, Walter Sisulu and many other leading political figures. You will take the Alice route to Great Fish River Nature Reserve, one of the many Eastern Cape provincial nature reserves, offering the great outdoors at its panoramic finest. HOGSBACK Hogsback is famous for its 3 flat-topped Hogsback Mountains, the spectacular views, indigenous forest and plethora of romantic waterfalls. Hogsback is all about nature, with Cape Parrots, Samango Monkeys and Knysna Touracos all daily visitors. Hogsback is a truly versatile break-away destination. Whether you are planning a romantic weekend, or want to experience the local arts or try some extreme mountain sports, Hogsback will cater for all your needs! AMATOLA HIKING TRAIL - AMATHOLE HORSE TRAIL - CAMELOT FAIRY MEANDER - THE ECO SHRINE - THE LABYRINTH - GUIDED BIRDING WALK - HOGSBACK ADVENTURES - WALKS OF HOGSBACK - LOUWESTOFFE GUIDED HORSE RIDES - SLOWRIDING CYCLE TOURS - CULTURAL TOURISM - STUTTERHEIM Stutterheim is the central point of the Escape Route. Nestled at the foot of the Amatola Mountains, Stutterheim is located 75km from East London on the N6 en route to Bloemfontein. The Escape Route includes the areas of Stutterheim, Thomas River, Cata and Keiskammahoek. Stutterheim boasts the second largest indigenous forest in South Africa, the Kologha Forest with a picturesque picnic spot and well sign posted scenic walks of varying lengths and difficulty. A timber boardwalk has been constructed in the forest to allow less able-bodied people to also experience the wonder of the forest. There is an assortment of accommodation on offer on the Escape Route ranging from rustic camping to the comfort of hotel rooms. Activities in Stutterheim and the areas surrounding include trout fishing, canoeing or picnicking at Gubu Dam; bass fishing at Wriggleswade Dam; mountain biking; archery, abseiling or guided walks at Natural High, visiting the Stationary Engine Museum, visiting the Old Thomas River museum and rock art museum, and much more. KOLOGHA FOREST WALKS - NATURAL HIGH (Abseiling, Kayaking, Archery) - CATA COMMUNITY MUSEUM - STATIONARY ENGINE MUSEUM - ROCK ART CENTER & VINTAGE VEHICLE MUSEUM - WRIGGLESWADE DAM - GUBU DAM - ECO MOTOR BIKES - FLY FISHING - BIRD WATCHING -

5 FRIENDLY N6 VISIT: EASTERNCAPEMIDLANDS.CO.ZA for more information FRIENDLY N6 KAROO HEARTLAND & BAVIAANS WILDERNESS ADDO FRONTIER COUNTRY SUNSHINE COAST AMATHOLE MOUNTAIN ESCAPE WILD COAST TSITSIKAMMA KOUGA QUEENSTOWN TARKASTAD CALA ELIOT & DORDRECHT UGIE MACLEAR RHODES BARKLEY EAST MATATIELE THIS HIGHWAY, LINKING BLOEMFONTEIN, CAPITAL OF THE FREE STATE WITH EAST LONDON, OFFERS UNIQUE ACCESS TO SOME OF THE FINEST AND MOST VARIED COUNTRYSIDE. DIVERT TO THE EAST OR THE WEST OF THE N6 SPINE AND A WHOLE NEW WORLD OPENS UP... It passes through rural countryside where sheep, cattle and goats graze, past Anglo-Boer War battlefields and many small villages and towns. Motorists have dubbed this motorway The Friendly Way because of the hospitality of the people of these small, mostly farming, communities. Take a week off and explore the Eastern Cape Highlands with towns such as Lady Grey, Rhodes, Barkley East and Elliot and an abundance of cultural and heritage sites. There are innumerable rock art sites that can be visited with local guides as well as indigenous plant viewing and fly-fishing outings. Birding trips to the region offer the opportunity of seeing unique endemic species. Mountain bikers and offroad motorcyclists can soak up the mountainous scenery. Perfect for the 4x4 enthusiast, the ultimate driving adventure is completing the 8 passes of the Eastern Cape which include Naude s Nek, the highest mountain pass in South Africa. This area played a significant role in the liberation of South Africa and the routes provide valuable insight into the heart and soul of a people who fought tirelessly to free themselves from an unjust system of government. It is here where the great struggle icons Chris Hani, after whom the municipal district in named, Walter Sisulu, Dr AB Xuma and James Calata were born and in almost every town and remote rural area you can find traces of the local heroes and heroines who made the ultimate sacrifice in the fight for freedom.

6 Spend a day, and take a drive up Naude s Nek Pass the Eastern Cape s most beautiful mountain pass. Summiting at just under 2600 metres, this pass is worth every minute. Take along a picnic basket and stop at the top to enjoy the stunning views of the road just travelled. Turn around and the view is expanded across the Drakensberg Mountain Range. Continue your trip to the small village of Rhodes. Lots of gravel roads, and tons of nature! DRIVE UP NAUDE S NEK PASS Include a visit to Tenahead for coffee and scones. From Rhodes, drive all the way to Maclear which should take you about two hours if you do not stop for photos! Or approach from Barkley East which is a 60km drive on a dirt road and will take about an hour. Either way it is a must do for every adventurer. If flyfishing is your thing, pack the rods and try out the beats on more than 200km of running water in the Rhodes area. Opportunities range from small, crystal clear streams high up near the escarpment to the mighty Kraai River formed at the confluence of the Sterkspruit and the Bell River at Moshesh s Ford. Wild rainbow trout and smallmouth yellowfish provide great sport in summer. Day permits can be obtained from the Wild Trout Association office at Walkerbouts Inn in Rhodes. FLYFISH IN RHODES Stay over in Rhodes and hike Ben Macdhui - the highest peak, situated entirely in the Eastern Cape, at an impressive metres. This area is known for its cool summers and very cold winters. In fact, snowfall is possible at any time of year! HIKE BEN MACDHUI Hiking Ben Macdhui is not for inexperienced hikers or the unfit, but the beauty of this area really is something special, and makes the tough conditions well worth the hike!

7 QUEENSTOWN If you are interested in architecture and historic British Colonial buildings, especially those built at the height of Queen Victoria s reign, Queenstown is a treasure house of Victorian-era churches, administrative buildings and schools that echo a past of wealth and stylish elegance. Queenstown was established 150 years ago as one of a string of outlying forts. The surveyor, Thomas Bowker, took an open lot of ground and established the fort in a hexagonal shape with six thoroughfares down which cannon fire or rifle fire could be directed. Today, the famous Hexagon of Queenstown has been turned into a large garden.. Visit the Queenstown Frontier Museum on Shepstone Street and you will learn fascinating things about the early era of the town. Exhibits include a full-size, furnished frontier cottage and a natural history collection. QUEENSTOWN AND FRONTIER MUSEUM - TSOLWANA GAME RESERVE - STERKSTROOM Sterkstroom (strong stream after the nearby Hex River) is at the foot of the Stormberg Mountain Range. It was once a coal mining town, founded in 1875 the by Dutch Reformed Church. Visitors Visit the Museum, nature reserves and the Marico Waterfall or go bass fishing, walking or hiking. STERKSTROOM MUSEUM - HIKING - BURGERSDORP For those with a sense of adventure, Burgersdorp, is the ideal place to explore. The town is filled with historical buildings and museums, and even ghost hunters will discover a few stories, while fishermen and hikers will find perfect spots to enjoy their outdoor pursuits. This is the original homeland of the San and there is much evidence of their way of life found in the surrounding areas. BURGERSDORP CULTURAL HISTORICAL MUSEUM - BURGERSDORP MUSEUM COMPLEX - VENTERSTAD Venterstad began life back in the mid-1860s as a farming town, with its tuishuise (town houses), shops and church buildings. During the six years that it took to build Gariep Dam ( ), the little Eastern Cape settlement of Venterstad became quite a cosmopolitan centre. In fact, legend has it that during this time there was as much French and Italian spoken in the streets of Venterstad as English or Afrikaans. The Frenchmen and Italians may have departed, but they left behind a monumental piece of dam architecture in the form of Gariep Dam - South Africa s biggest stored water resource. Today, Venterstad is a good launch-pad for anyone wanting to enjoy the Gariep Route, which covers Gariep Dam, Gariep village, Bethulie, Springfontein, Smithfield, Jagersfontein, Philippolis and Colesberg. GARIEP DAM - OVISTON NATURE RESERVE - ALIWAL NORTH The town came by its unusual name by a convoluted route. Sir Harry Smith (Governor of the Cape) named it Aliwal to commemorate the famous battle in which he defeated the Sikhs of India in It lies on a strategic ford on the Orange River which was used by the Bushmen and the Voortrekkers. This was upgraded with a pontoon in The town is the centre of a prosperous farming community whose main products are wool, maize, wheat, beef and dairy. The many attractions include museums, historical places and buildings, nature reserves, a beautiful golf course as well as San rock art. ALIWAL NORTH MUSEUM COMPLEX -

8 LADY GREY Founded in 1856, Lady Grey is tucked away in a valley below the awesome Witteberg mountain range. This little town and area is rich in sandstone, fossil beds and San rock art. A variety of birds, game, alpine plants, rock and stone formations can be seen here. Lady Grey was also known for its railway track, where the train had to manoeuvre backwards and forwards up the slopes in some areas. The Cape Vulture Sanctuary in the Karnmelkspruit gorge is well worth a visit where you can get an eye-level view of these magnificent birds. This area has some of the best fly-fishing waters in the country with crystal clear streams and breath-taking scenery. Fishing is catch and release only. You will catch yellow fish and trout in these waters. Lady Grey hosts a few artists and The Arts Academy produces young artists in drama, dance, music and singing. The choir has live performances throughout the year. Exhibitions are held regularly. Apart from the church and the museum, other historical places include the Powder Magazine, historic buildings and the cemetery with graves of Boer war soldiers. Accommodation varies from backpackers to four-star lodges, camping sites, game farms and self-catering establishments. There are a number of restaurants and coffee shops in town. LADY GREY CAPE VULTURE SANCTUARY - RED PALETTE ART ROUTE - LAMMERGEIER HIGHLANDS RESERVE (fly fishing, 4 x 4 trails, hiking, birding, mountain biking, river games, star gazing, wild flowers, photography etc) - JOUBERTS PASS - OTTO DU PLESSIS PASS - LADY GREY MUSEUM - STERKSPRUIT Surrounded by the Eastern Cape Drakensberg, Sterkspruit is a small rural town consisting of many rural villages. If you are in need of tranquillity and peace of mind, are a nature, or history and culture lover then this is the perfect place for you. Hospitality is friendly and the area is wonderfully scenic. Places worth visiting are the Maptla Mohapi Memorial, the many battle sites and graves as well as San rock art found throughout the district. Visit the Wittenberg Missionary station where Olive Schreiner spent her early years and began notes for the writing of a Story of an African Farm. POTTERY MAKING AND BEADWORK - RHODES Just getting to the holiday hideaway of Rhodes in the Eastern Cape Highlands is an adventure, as you drive through stunning mountain passes and valleys that take you within sight of the Maluti range between South Africa and Lesotho. The entire village of Rhodes was declared a South African National Monument in Rhodes is the perfect weekend hideaway and a travel base for adventurers taking on the many mountain passes in the area. Winters are all about deep snow, and summers mean a riot of mountain colours. Looming above Rhodes is Naude s Nek, the highest pass in South Africa at 2 500m. At the bottom of the pass is the Naude s Nek Monument, dedicated to Stefan and Gabriel Naude, who pioneered this pass on horseback in Rhodes is made up of an alluring jumble of architectural styles, from the rather grand traders residences of old to the flat-roofed houses of local farmers. FLY FISHING TIFFINDELL SKI RESORT - ROCK ART TOUR - WALKING TRAILS AND ROCK ART TOURS - NAUDESNEK PASS - CARLISLESHOEK PASS - LUNDEAN S NEK PASS - VOLUNTEERSHOEK PASS - BARKLEY EAST Nestled between the picturesque mountains of the Southern Drakensberg, between Lady Grey and Elliot in the North Eastern Cape, this small town has a lot to offer. If fly-fishing is your passion, the Langkloof River is the place to be. The Barkly East Angling Society was established in 1932 making it the oldest in the Eastern Cape. Birdlife is plentiful with a bird list of approximately 230 species recorded. The district roads will lead to exceptional scenic places and San rock art sites. BARKLEY PASS - BASTERVOETPAD PASS - BARKLEY EAST MUSEUM - FLY FISHING

9 ELLIOT & DORDRECHT Situated at the foothills of the Southern Drakensberg, Elliot s myriad activities all play out against the backdrop of dramatic mountain scenery - San rock art, abseiling, fly-fishing, horse-riding trails, hiking, 4x4 routes and trips to dinosaur footprints and skeleton sites. Dordrecht, is very popular as a trout fishing destination. The well-wooded, tranquil Dordrecht Kloof, with the Hogsett Reservoir, on which the town depended for its water supply for almost a century until 1991, is a popular picnic spot and hikers should find plenty of evidence of San rock art. It is also the venue for the popular two-day Kranskop Hiking Trail. FLY FISHING - ANDERSON MUSEUM - HIKING - UGIE Ugie is named after the Ugie River in Scotland, this little town on the banks of the Inxu River lies between Maclear and Elliot and prides itself on the natural surroundings of towering mountains and winding streams. Ugie s undoubted charm will make it hard to leave this beautiful part of the country. The numerous icy streams and dams are ideal for trout and offer superb fly-fishing. Streams and dams are stocked with brown and rainbow trout and, although different waters require different fishing styles, the thrill of catching a large, strong trout on a thin trout rod is quite unparalleled. Many anglers opt for a catch-and-release policy, but for others, the delicacy of fresh trout is too much to resist. Ask a local tour guide or your guesthouse operator to assist you with permits and/or fishing equipment. TRACTOR MUSEUM - PRENTJIESBERG TRAIL - DINOSAUR FOOTPRINTS - MACLEAR Maclear is situated in the foothills of the Drakensberg and is famous for its wild trout, San rock art, dinosaur footprints and spectacular scenery. Annual festivities include the Fees Zonder Naam, the Trout River Festival during April/May and Kapaailand Classic golf tournament during November. TSITSA FALLS ADVENTURES (kayaking, abseiling, waterfall zipline etc) GOLF (9 hole course) - FLY FISHING - MATATIELE If you like photography, mountain trails, rock art or patiently waiting for that big old trout to take your fly, then Route 56 in the Matatiele region is a great way to drive from Durban to Cape Town. The Matatiele area was once an area dominated by wetlands and marshes. The name, derived from Sesotho, means the ducks have flown. Route 56 is marketed as the shortest route between the Western Cape and KwaZulu-Natal. However, it s not really the best way to go if you re in a tearing hurry. There s just too much to do in this wondrous mountain country that straddles Lesotho, the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal. MEHLODING HORSE AND HIKING TRAIL - FLY FISHING - MOUNTAIN BIKING - BIRDING X 4 TRAILS - ONGELUKSNEK NATURE RESERVE MATATIELE NATURE RESERVE - WILFRED BAUER NATURE RESERVE MATATIELE MUSEUM -

10 WILD COAST VISIT: WILDCOAST.CO.ZA for more information MTHATHA LUSIKISIKI PORT ST JOHNS COFFEE BAY KEI MOUTH MORGAN BAY CHINTSA FRIENDLY N6 KAROO HEARTLAND & BAVIAANS WILDERNESS ADDO FRONTIER COUNTRY SUNSHINE COAST AMATHOLE MOUNTAIN ESCAPE WILD COAST TSITSIKAMMA KOUGA THE WILD COAST IS ONE OF SOUTH AFRICA S MOST REMOTE STRETCHES OF SHORELINE WITH MORE UNSPOILT COASTLINE THAN ANYWHERE ELSE IN SOUTH AFRICA. Stretching from East London all the way north to Port Edward and the southern border of KwaZulu-Natal, the Wild Coast is home to some of the most beautiful coastal scenery in the world. It got its name from the sailors of the 1700s and 1800s, who considered it one of the most treacherous bits of coastlines in the world, and the long list of shipwrecks makes intriguing reading. To this day it is still one of the most beautiful and untouched sections of coastline in the world, due to its remote and difficult access. It is a place of steep green hills atop which sit clusters of traditional Xhosa mud huts; a land of windswept cliffs, deserted white-beaches, forests, untamable waves and numerous shipwrecks. It is also the birthplace of two former South African presidents, Nelson Mandela and Thabo Mbeki, and the historical home of the Xhosa nation. The magnificent Wild Coast nature reserves - Hluleka, Dwesa, Silaka, Mkhambathi, welcome guests with affordable accommodation, game viewing, bird watching, whale viewing and fishing activities. Linking the Wild Coast and the Sunshine Coast is the Jikeleza Route, often labelled the tame area of the Wild Coast. Made up of a cluster of more than 50 tourism attractions, this fast growing popular scenic coastal tourism route offers over 28 unique accommodation establishments ranging from five star luxury boutique hotels to South Africa s best rated backpackers. Only 30km away from East London s airport, this mild-to-wild bush-to-beach route is perfect for the adrenaline junkie or for those wanting to escape for a while!

11 Travel to Qunu, birthplace of Nelson Mandela for a guided tour of the Nelson Mandela Museum and heritage trail that follows in Mandela s footsteps. Opened in 2000, on the 10th anniversary of Nelson Mandela s release from prison, Madiba insisted that the museum serve to uplift and develop the surrounding community, instead of being just a tribute to him. GET TO QUNU NELSON MANDELA MUSEUM The museum covers three separate locations Bhunga, a building in Mthatha which tells the story of Madiba s life in the leader s own words from his book, The Long Walk to Freedom, the open-air museum called Mvezo, where he was born, and the Nelson Mandela Heritage and Youth Centre in the village of Qunu, where he spent his childhood. Operating Hours: Mon - Fri: 08h00-16h00, Sat: 08h00-15h00, Sun: 08h00-13h00 Call: for more info You have not done the Wild Coast unless you have been to the Hole in the Wall. It is a rocky archway on the Wild Coast that was created millions of years ago by the relentless action of the waves crashing against the sandstone. There is a little holiday village of the same name overlooking this rocky phenomenon located at the mouth of the Mpako River in Coffee Bay. Local legend has it that the Mpako River (running through the hole) once formed a landlocked lagoon - its access to the sea was blocked by a cliff. One of the sea people (semi deities who looked like humans but had flipperlike hands and feet) fell in love with a beautiful girl who lived in a village on the banks of the lagoon. The girl reciprocated but the father found out and forbade her from seeing her lover. One night, at high tide, the sea people forced their way through the cliff with the help of a huge fish that rammed a hole through the centre. They shouted and sang as the made their way through the hole. In all the commotion the lovers were united and disappeared into the sea. At certain times of the year, it is said, the music and singing of the sea people can be heard. Hole in the Wall is situated roughly in the centre of the 300km stretch of Wild Coast, mid-way between Port Edward in the north, and East London in the south. LEGENDARY HOLE IN THE WALL Xhosa legend holds that this is the gateway to the world of their ancestors and they refer to it as esikhaleni, which means place of thunder or place of sound. Situated on the coast of north-eastern Pondoland, the Mkambathi Nature Reserve offers 7 720ha of open grasslands, dotted with indigenous forest patches and swamp forests flanked by magnificent forested ravines of the Msikaba and Mtentu rivers. FALL FOR MKAMBATHI NATURE RESERVE This spectacularly scenic, authentic, coastal wilderness will take your breath away. Here the river tumbles down precipices into deep, dark rock pools, finally cascading directly into the ocean (one of only 19 waterfalls in the world which plummets into the ocean). You will fall for Mkambathi!

12 Travellers say the more difficult the road the bigger the reward at the end of it - something spectacular, handcrafted by nature to ignite your senses and take your breath away. Lying 30 km south of Port St Johns, Hluleka Nature Reserve is one of the Wild Coast s most rewarding experiences. HARD TO LEAVE HLULEKA NATURE RESERVE Upon your arrival at Hluleka you will be mesmerised! It is well-priced and well-equipped. The fabulous double storey wooden chalets overlook the most spectacular beach Spend your days relaxing on the protected, pristine beach, meandering on paths through the forest and up to the hill tops, spotting the elusive blue duiker and eland and delighting in the abundant bird life and curious herd of zebra. It is not the return trip that makes it hard to leave Hluleka! Get to Hluleka this holiday - You will never want to leave! Other magnificent provincial coastal nature reserves include Dwesa and Silaka. HERE ARE THE TOP 10 THINGS TO DO IN COFFEE BAY, ACCORDING TO COFFEE SHACK BACKPACKERS: 1. Take surfing lessons 2. Go on a guided hike to Hole in the Wall 3. Make your own Djembe drum 4. Spend a homestay night in Rhini village and experience traditional Xhosa culture 5. Go on a guided hike to Mapuzi Cliffs and Caves 6. Experience a Village Dinner - a fun night of dancing and singing with traditional Xhosa food and beer 7. Learn to play the Djembe drum 8. Horse ride on Coffee Bay beach and in the surrounding hills 9. Lie in a hammock with a cocktail and relax 10. Take an early morning walk and watch the sun rise on Coffee Bay beach Coffee Bay is 200km north of East London along the N2, 80km down the coastal road to the Wild Coast. TOP 10 THING TO DO IN COFFEE BAY How about a guided tour of a petrified forest and fossil hunt at Mzamba on the most northern part of the Wild Coast? Although called a petrified forest, the trees that formed it did not actually grow there. They were washed down the rivers. The wood got waterlogged, submerged and penetrated by marine worms. Over time the wood became silicified (converted into silica) and formed what can be seen there today. A MUST DO MZAMBA FOSSILS & PETRIFIED FOREST TRAIL The fossils, that form part of the Mzamba Cretaceous Deposits, can be seen under and in between almost every rock and found in deposits of sandstone and limestone in an exposed 10-metre cliff band along the beach. It is extremely rich in fossil material dating back 80-million years. Masses of marine shells - tightly coiled ammonites, echinoids (sea urchins) and bivalve shells can be found here. Look out for shark teeth. A series of cliffs and overhangs, called White Man s Cave, is at the furthest end of the trail. Sitting inside them and looking up at fossils in the cave roof is aweinspiring. Exploring this rare piece of rare natural history is a must do on every road tripper s list.

13 MTHATHA Many of South Africa s black leaders, including Walter Sisulu and the late Nelson Mandela come from this area. Mthatha is the home of one of the three Nelson Mandela Museums. Spread across three sites, it collects, interprets and exhibits key aspects of the story of the life and times of the late Nelson Mandela in context. The three historical sites of the museum are all in the locality at Mvezo, Qunu and the Bunga Building in Mthatha itself. In the Bunga Building is the story of the Long Walk to Freedom and an exhibition of the many gifts received by Nelson Mandela on behalf of the South African people. NELSON MANDELA MUSEUM - LUCHABA NATURE RESERVE - NDULI NATURE RESERVE - MTHATHA DAM - LUSIKISIKI Lying on Route 61, just inland from the beautiful coastal villages of Port St Johns and Mbotyi, Lusikisiki is wild. The countryside is rugged, remote and untamed, and time has virtually stood still in a part of the world known as God s country or Pondoland. The little town gets its name from the sound of the wind moving through the grass. Here the countryside, a series of rolling hills, lush tropical forests, wide open spaces, untouched beaches and an untamed mystery supports the local people s lifestyle that has changed little over the years. MAGWA WATERFALL - WILD COAST PONDO WALK - PORT ST JOHNS If you are after rustic authenticity and big smiles, then Port St Johns, South Africa is the place for you. Port St Johns is renowned for its unparalleled natural beauty and relaxed lifestyle, which makes it a wonderful place to have a holiday. Port St Johns is probably named after the São João, a Portuguese ship that was wrecked off this coastline in Port St Johns is a swashbuckling village of legend on the Pondo side of the Wild Coast. It is also one of the highlights on any international backpacker s world itinerary because of its natural setting, frontier atmosphere and appeal to more adventurous younger travelers. The village lies on the Umzimvubu River - Xhosa for hippo. The most famous hippo ever to have visited Port St Johns was Huberta who ventured south in 1931 and settled upriver for more than four months during her trek from Zululand down to the Eastern Cape. Port St Johns to Coffee Bay Hikes - Fishing - Sardine Run - and Port St Johns Museum - COFFEE BAY Coffee Bay sits in magnificent surroundings at the mouth of the Nenga River (meaning river of the whale). The town looks out over a kilometre-long stretch of beach, backed by gentle hills and steep cliffs, crisscrossed by a network of trails that lead through nearby villages to secluded spots. Not only is the beach safe for swimming, but the area off the bay s southern point offers one of the few consistent surfing waves on the Wild Coast. Three small rivers, the Nenga (river of the whale), Bomvu (red) and Maphuzi (place of pumpkins) reach the sea in the area of Coffee Bay. The locals also refer to it as Tshontini, the name of a dense wood there. Coffee Bay is one of only two former Transkei towns to be serviced by a tarred road (the other being Port St Johns). Hole in the Wall is 10km away by road. It is not quite known where Coffee Bay got its name from, but general consensus is that the name comes from the wrecking of a ship there in The ship is said to have deposited its entire cargo of coffee beans on the beach. Some of the beans are said to have taken root, only to give up some years later. HOLE IN THE WALL - XHOSA VILLAGE TOUR - SURF LESSONS - ABSEILING -

14 KEI MOUTH The lovely seaside holiday village of Kei Mouth, is situated an hours drive from East London in South Africa s scenic Eastern Cape Wild Coast region. You will find a wide variety of Kei Mouth accommodation available in the town. Kei Mouth is popular due to its location as the southern entry point to the Transkei Wild Coast and is also the starting point for the challenging Imana Wild Ride and the Wild Run series events, which are held annually. There are several sandy beaches, warm hospitality, good fishing and many activities to offer. Kei Mouth has a 9-hole links golf course and country club, two horse riding operators, a game reserve just outside of town, several easy coastal hikes, a popular surf spot, ski-boat launch site and bird watching spots. Kei Mouth is also home to the Pont, one of South Africa s two remaining car-transporting pontoon river ferry services. The Pont carries vehicles, passengers and livestock across the Great Kei on a daily basis and the trip is an unforgettable experience. For more info: tourism@keimouth.co.za FISHING - STRANDLOPER HIKING TRAIL - HORSE RIDING - RIVER CRUISES - TOWNSHIP TOUR - HAZEL JEFFRIES SHELL MUSEUM - TREVOR S TRAIL - MORGAN BAY The peaceful seaside holiday village of Morgan Bay is located less than an hour from East London on the Wild Coast. Morgan Bay is blessed with a mile-long beach, safe swimming lagoon and picturesque sea cliffs. Activities on offer in the area include horse riding, golf, game drives, hiking trails and fishing. Morgan Bay has been a favourite holiday destination with generations of South African families, who are lured back there year after year. It is not hard to see why. Far from the stresses of city life, it is the perfect place to unwind and enjoy some well-earned relaxation, breathe in the fresh sea air and forge fond memories and strong friendships. There are lots of things to keep the young ones entertained, particularly on Morgan Bays excellent beach, which is patrolled by lifeguards during the festive season, and shallow swimming lagoon. During the day you can gaze at passing ships on the horizon, relax on the beach with a book, play a round of golf in Kei Mouth, or take a walk along the beach and picturesque cliffs / krantzes. There are several good fishing spots in the area and ski-boats can be launched from the mouth of the nearby Kei River. The more adventurous may enjoy a canter along the Morgans Bay beach with Mkulu Kei Horse Trails, or a game drive at Endalweni Private Game Reserve, while those in need of some pampering can enjoy spa treatments at the Morgan Bay Hotel. Slightly further afield and only a short drive over the cliffs from Morgan s Bay, is Double Mouth Nature Reserve and the ever popular Bead Beach (Treasure Beach), site of a 16th century Portuguese shipwreck, where Carnelian Beads, Money Cowries and shards of broken Ming Porcelain lie scattered amongst the shells. Many good times have been enjoyed by families and friends who meet, every evening in summer, for sundowners on the Morgan Bay cliffs. It is the perfect way to reflect on the day and forget your troubles. At night you can lie relaxed in comfortable accommodation while being lulled by the ocean, glorious stars and the intermittent beam of the Cape Morgan Lighthouse across the bay. DOUBLE MOUTH - HIKING AND WALKING TRAILS - HORSE RIDING - and TOWNSHIP TOURS - ROCK CLIMBING AND ABSEILING - GOLF - ENDALWENI PRIVATE GAME RESERVE - MORGANVILLE MOTORCYCLE MUSEUM - FISHING, GOLF, SURFING, CANOEING - CHINTSA With a clear 15km stretch of beach, natural forest, exciting outdoor adventures, cultural encounters on tap and a range of accommodations and restaurants, Chintsa is recognised as one of South Africa s prime coastal destinations. It is the perfect chill-out hideaway for travellers of all ages. Chintsa has become one of the top voluntourism centres in South Africa. Chintsa (formerly spelt Cintsa ) lies on both flanks of the mouth of the Chintsa River in the Eastern Cape, about 40km north of East London off the N2 highway. For many generations it has been a favoured holiday and fishing spot for both locals and visitors from further afield. There are few more attractive sights than watching a group of riders and their mounts galloping across the stretch of wide, clean beach that makes Chintsa so special. Then there is also the very pleasant sensation of chilling out in a hammock on a resort lawn overlooking the Chintsa Lagoon, sipping a cold drink, reading a book and occasionally lifting one s eyes to the Indian Ocean for a sighting of a passing whale or a frolicking pod of bottlenose dolphins. AREENA RIVERSIDE RESORT (Abseiling, Quad Biking, Canoeing, Ziplines, Fishing, Open Air Movies, River Cruises, hiking, Sea Kayak, Paintball, Archery, Segway Safari Tour) - BUCCANEERS BACKPACKERS SURF SCHOOL EMERALDVALE BREWERY - CINTSA HORSES - HEALTH AND WELLNESS - OUTREACH AND VOLUNTEER -

15 SUNSHINE COAST VISIT: SUNSHINECOASTTOURISM.CO.ZA BUFFALOCITYMETRO.CO.ZA NMBT.CO.ZA for more information FRIENDLY N6 KAROO HEARTLAND & BAVIAANS WILDERNESS ADDO FRONTIER COUNTRY SUNSHINE COAST AMATHOLE MOUNTAIN ESCAPE WILD COAST TSITSIKAMMA KOUGA EAST LONDON PORT ALFRED KENTON ON SEA ALEXANDRIA BATHURST PORT ELIZABETH UITENHAGE DESPATCH THIS ROUTE EXPLORES THE SPECTACULAR STRIP OF COASTLINE BETWEEN PORT ELIZABETH AND EAST LONDON WHERE YOU TRAVEL VIA COASTAL TOWNS AND HAMLETS LIKE COLCHESTER, ALEXANDRIA, KENTON ON SEA, PORT ALFRED AND KIDDS BEACH. The route s major attraction is its magnificent sandy coastline with many rivers, resorts and activities along the way. This area is well positioned to deliver on a fantastic Beach and Bush experience with a number of game reserves in close proximity to the coast. There are also opportunities for dolphin and whale viewing from the shore and from licensed ocean going tour operators. The world s first Big Seven reserve: the Greater Addo Elephant National Park extends from the Sundays River Valley to the coastline. Adventurers and historians alike will never want for something new to capture their interest. Hiking, biking and 4x4 trails and many other adventure sport options abound along this route, and there are many monuments and places of historical interest, especially in the cities of Port Elizabeth and East London.

16 TEN THINGS TO DO IN AND AROUND KENTON-ON-SEA AS RECOMMENDED BY CONISTON HOUSE IN KENTON: FABULOUS KENTON-ON-SEA Enjoy beautiful beaches and sandstone formations, including Blue Flag Kariega Beach and stunning Shelley Bay Have sundowners at the Sandbar Floating Restaurant, followed by seafood and white wine; Sunday lunch at Stanley s Restaurant, coffee at one of the stunning restaurant/coffee shops in the village or steaks, calamari and pizzas at The Goat Shed Canoe along the Bushmans and Kariega Rivers (canoe hire available from Woodlands Cottages) Go horse-riding on the beach Walk along the beach to Kwaaihoek, or beyond to Diaz Cross - if you are the energetic type Go birding on the coast, along two beautiful rivers and at the inland vleis and dams Enjoy an evening river cruise on the Howzat Go cycling on a choice of MTB trails in the area Fish off the coast or in the rivers Kenton-on-Sea is a small coastal town on the Sunshine Coast. It is situated between the Bushmans and the Kariega Rivers and lies approximately half way between East London (180 km) and Port Elizabeth (130 km). The Royal Port Alfred Golf Course is one of the oldest and best known in South Africa. The course undulates through thickets of coastal forest and over hilly dunes with panoramic views from many of the fairways. In true links tradition every slope, mound and dip remains untouched, demanding creative shot making and deft reading of angles. The sounds and scents of the Indian Ocean close by and the resident wildlife bushbuck springbok, impala, blesbok, duiker, fallow deer and giant tortoises - add to the allure and enhance the experience. Visitors are always welcome. Contact: The Fish River Resort, set between the Great Fish River and the winding Old Woman s River, just 1.2km from the Indian Ocean, boasts a magnificent Gary Player-designed championship 18-hole course and fabulous accommodation so stay a while... The course presents bent grass greens and some unique natural landscape challenges. It is open to golfers of all levels. The resort is situated on the R72 - the main coastal route between Port Elizabeth and East London. It is a 185km from Port Elizabeth (2 hours drive), a 100km from East London (1 hour s drive) and 27km from Port Alfred. Contact: TAKE YOUR CLUBS ALONG When on a roadtrip along the Sunshine Coast, make sure you take your clubs along. There s some great golfing to be played here! A great idea to add to your roadtrip itinerary is a day at Sibuya Game Reserve. A leisurely cruise up the Kariega River, a game drive and a delicious lunch on the banks of the river and a sundown cruise back to Kenton - a fitting end to a wonderful experience with nature. CRUISING SUNSHINE COAST Call: for more info

17 BIG PINEAPPLE BATHURST Here is another fun attraction for a family roadtrip. The Eastern Cape is synonymous with pineapples and pineapple country around Bathurst has its very own landmark - the largest pineapple on earth. Located just outside the town, on Summerhill Farm, the Big Pineapple at 16.7m tall celebrates one of the region s biggest natural exports, first planted here in It houses a gift shop, a 60-seat auditorium, some fascinating displays and an observation deck. The kids can enjoy a tractor ride through the pineapple fields. There is no entrance fee. EAST LONDON East London, affectionately called Buffalo City by the locals, is situated 1000 kilometers from Cape Town on the South East coast of South Africa. Lying in between the Nahoon River in the north and the Buffalo River to the south, it is the only river port in South Africa. The shores are lapped by he warm waters of the Indian Ocean and with its sub-tropical climate is a sought after tourist destination for locals and international travellers alike. With a genuine sense of hospitality and laid back style of living, East Londoners will make you feel more than welcome. There are only a few hotels in the city which has opened up a niche for local Bed and Breakfast and Self-Catering establishments, with their great service and true Eastern Cape cordiality. East London is at the northern end of a 300 km stretch of coastline referred to as the Sunshine Coast which has Port Elizabeth at the southern end. East London, Bhisho and King William s Town municipalities have been incorporated into one - known as the Buffalo City Municipality. JONGINENGE - ADVENTURE ACTIVITIES (Rock Climbing & Abseiling, Surf Lessons, Canoe Trail, Sand Boarding, Snorkelling, Guided Fishing, Kayak Expedition, Kloofing) - MPONGO PRIVATE GAME RESERVE - INKWENKWEZI PRIVATE GAME RESERVE - EAST LONDON MUSEUM, CALGARY TRANSPORT MUSEUM AND GATELY HOUSE - NAHOON POINT NATURE RESERVE - ANN BRYANT ART GALLERY - VILLAGE EXPERIENCE TOUR - AVALON KIDDS BEACH - CULTURAL TOURS - and EAST LONDON URBAN & CULTURAL EXPERIENCE TOUR - PORT ALFRED Port Alfred boasts not only the climate, the water, the beaches and the historical connections, but have stepped into the modern world with top-class shopping malls, sophisticated healthcare, a Royal golf course, intimate small-boat harbour, light industry, international hospitality university and 43 Air School, a world-class training facility for pilots and air traffic controllers. Port Alfred also has the stunning Royal Alfred Marina, one of few in the world where every homeowner enjoys private water frontage and a personal jetty! Visitors can enjoy boat cruises through the Marina canals or could hire a water pedalo or canoe to make the trip. Unique in geographical situation, Port Alfred is surrounded by the most exciting array of game reserves and parks, yet to be equalled in Southern Africa. There are international artists who live and work here. Each year in July, nearby Grahamstown hosts the world-renowned National Arts Festival and Port Alfred also welcomes many of the visitors who come to enjoy the music, plays, art, comedy and crafts that attract thousands. The warm Indian Ocean and many inland water surfaces offer endless opportunities for bathing, boating, water-skiing, surfing, windsurfing, angling, diving, canoeing and bird watching. This is the world of eco-tourism where you can hike and holiday to your heart s content at a wide variety of venues. BOATING, RIVER AND SEA CRUISES - CANOEING - DUNE BOARDING, HYDRO BIKES, POWERKITING AND MORE - DIVING - HIKING - FISHING - HORSE RIDING - GOLF -

18 KENTON ON SEA Kenton has a temperate climate and more recorded sunshine hours than anywhere in the country. Temperatures seldom go above 27 C or below 10 C. Summer and winter rainfall regions meet in this area but more rain falls during the summer months. The warm Mozambique current flows down our Indian Ocean coastline and so sea temperatures are normally comfortable throughout the year. The rivers flanking Kenton are safe for boating, canoeing and all river watersports. The Kariega and Bushman s Rivers are navigable for 15 and 33 km respectively. Upriver one can view a host of indigenous bird life, from the colourful sunbird to the soaring fish eagle. Wildlife can be spotted along some parts of the banks of the rivers. Addo National Elephant Park and Shamwari, Kariega and Sibuya Game Reserves are also close to Kenton for Big 5 viewing. RIVER CRUISE AND LUNCH - BOAT, LUNCH AND GAME DRIVE - BEACH OR BUSH WALK AND PICNIC - BATHURST TOUR - RIVER CRUISE - GAME DRIVE AND OVERNIGHT - KENTON MOUNTAIN BIKE RIDE - KAYAK UP THE BUSHMANS RIVER - CULTURAL TOUR ON MOUNTAIN BIKE - HORSE AND HIKING TRAILS - BOAT AND CANOE HIRE - ALEXANDRIA Alexandria is a small farming town situated 100 km North East of Port Elizabeth on the way to Bushman s River Mouth, Kenton-on-Sea and Port Alfred. It was named Alexandria in 1856 after Reverend Alexander Smith. Alexandria is known for pineapple production and dairy farming. The Alexandria area also includes the Alexandria State Forest, known as Woody Cape, which is a narrow stretch of pristine indigenous forest bordering the Alexandria dune field, one of the largest active dune fields in the world. Mammals that occur within the area include bushpig, bushbuck, Cape Grysbok, steenbok, common duiker, Vervet monkey, and large and small grey mongoose. The bird diversity is considerable and includes the westernmost population of the trumpeter hornbill, there are also crowned hornbills, crowned eagle, Stanley s bustard, narina trogon and Damara tern. The Woody Cape Nature Reserve, which stretches from the Sundays River mouth to the Bushman s River mouth and includes the dune field and the indigenous forest, has been incorporated into the Addo Elephant National Park. QUINN SCULPTURE GARDEN AND GALLERY ALEXANDRIA HIKING TRAIL - BATHURST Bathurst is about 12 kilometers inland from Port Alfred, on the R67. Its chief claim to fame is that it was the administrative centre for the 1820 British Settlers who were established in the district as a buffer between the Cape Colony and the Xhosa pastoralists who were migrating southwards and westwards along the coast. Bathurst is part of the Ndlambe Local Municipality in the Sarah Baartman District. Many of the original settler houses and other buildings have been preserved, and there remains much of the look and feel of an English village of the early 19th Century. The Pig and Whistle, at the heart of the village, is reputedly the oldest existent pub in the country. Built in 1831 by Thomas Hartley, a blacksmith who came from Nottinghamshire with the Settlers. Later accommodation was added and it became known as the Bathurst Inn. Legend has it that it was nicknamed The Pig & Whistle by the men at the nearby 43 Air School in WWII. While time has moved slowly in Bathurst, there is an increasing population of artists, academics (Rhodes University is only 40 km away), and retirees who have chosen to live in this tranquil environment. Bathurst neighbours the Waters Meeting Nature Reserve, home to many species of animals, bird and plants. The reserve offers hiking trails, picnic spots and a remarkable viewpoint of the river and valley. The surrounding area hosts pineapple farms, game reserves and cattle and sheep ranches. It is a 10-minute drive to the beach town of Port Alfred and 45 minutes from the cultural mecca of Grahamstown. BATHURST AGRICULTURAL MUSEUM BATHURST TOUR - NATURE RESERVE AND HIKING - PORT ELIZABETH Port Elizabeth offers visitors a choice of stunning beaches, interesting museums and memorials, award-winning wildlife destinations, cultural and historical nuggets, and some of the friendliest folk in the country. Port Elizabeth is a coastal hub in the Eastern Cape where locals proudly proclaim that everything lies within 15 minutes drive of the airport. It is one of the largest cities in South Africa, and lies 770km east of Cape Town, where it forms part of the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro, which links the city with the inland industrial towns of Uitenhage and Despatch.

19 Algoa Bay, the coastal strip of Nelson Mandela Bay, incorporates a 40km stretch of beaches, with protected areas for swimming at Kings Beach, Hobie Beach, Humewood Beach, Pollock Beach and Denville Beach. Fishing, surfing, scuba diving, snorkelling and sailing are enjoyed at lesspopulated spots such as Wildside, Sardinia Bay, Blue Horizon Bay, Bluewater Bay, Beachview and Schoenmakerskop. Port Elizabeth is also home to Route 67 a collection of 67 art pieces celebrating the years Nelson Mandela devoted to public life. It is a mix of visual arts, urban design and heritage, showcasing old Victorian churches; terraced cottages on Donkin Street where massive silver pipes catch the famous winds of Port Elizabeth and make music; a lighthouse that once guided ships into Algoa Bay; and a large pyramid built by Donkin in memory of his wife. There is also a large metal cut-out of Nelson Mandela symbolically leading South Africans to vote in the country s first democratic election. While in Port Elizabeth, you cannot pass the opportunity to visit the city s multipurpose, multi-tiered Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, an impressive legacy of the 2010 FIFA World Cup. The city is an outdoor-lovers paradise, so do not miss out on boat cruises; diving opportunities; or a trip to the lush forests of the Kragga Kamma Game Park, where buffalo, cheetah, giraffe, zebra, nyala, bontebok, lechwe and other animals roams freely. Also worth a visit is a 52m tower with 204 steps leading to the top, known as the Campanile Memorial, a monument that stands sentinel over the Port Elizabeth harbour. It was built in 1923 to honour the arrival of 1820 British Settlers. Another memento of Settler influence is No 7 Castle Hill, built in This is one of the oldest surviving Settler cottages in the city and encapsulates domestic life of 19th-century middle class, complete with cobbled courtyard and an operational well. OCEAN CRUISE - WHALE AND DOLPHIN WATCHING - PENGUIN PATROL - DIVING - and SARDINE RUN - and HIKING - GOLF - HORSE RIDING - and AFRICAN DRUMMING - CULTURAL TOURS - THEATRE - ART GALLERIES - MUSEUMS - UITENHAGE Lying on the Zwartkops River just 38 km north west of Port Elizabeth, Uitenhage is also known as the Garden Town for its gorgeous position in the foothills of the Winterhoek Mountains, its many rambling parks and a climate that allows gardens to flourish with little input. Add to this already pretty picture the fact that the town s official flower, the Strelitzia, blooms just about everywhere, and you begin to see why Uitenhage might be a good place to stop. It is also just 45 km away from the Addo Elephant Park, so makes a gentle stopover en route from Port Elizabeth, with numerous view stops along the way. The town itself was founded in 1804 so has a rich history demonstrated in a number of old buildings maintained in excellent condition, like the Town Hall, the Drostdy and the Court House. Victorian and Settler architecture add to the town s historical attraction. GOLF - MOHAIR - MUSEUMS - VW AUTOPAVILION - HIKING - and DESPATCH The town of Despatch is situated on rich clay soil and in the late 1800s was the site of a flourishing brick industry. Despatch s name was derived from this brick industry history on the account that the bricks were dispatched or more preciously despatched away from a railway siding near Uitenhage. Much of the older buildings in Uitenhage and Port Elizabeth were built from these bricks. Most of these early bricks can be identified by the word Despatch imprinted on the top and bottom of the brick. The only reminder of the town s brick industry past is a chimney built in 1882 which formed part of the Brick Works. The Chimney is situated in a field on the outskirts of the town to the north next to the railway tracks. In recent years restoration work has brought it back to its former glory including supports which now give it the appearance of a space rocket. In 1903 the remains of a Stegosaurus were discovered near Despatch. MUSEUM -

20 FRIENDLY N6 KAROO HEARTLAND & BAVIAANS WILDERNESS ADDO FRONTIER COUNTRY SUNSHINE COAST AMATHOLE MOUNTAIN ESCAPE WILD COAST TSITSIKAMMA KOUGA FRONTIER COUNTRY VISIT: GRAHAMSTOWN.CO.ZA for more information GRAHAMSTOWN FORT BEAUFORT ADELAIDE BEDFORD THIS ROUTE TRAVERSES THE AREA THAT WAS THE SCENE OF NINE FRONTIER WARS BETWEEN THE BRITISH AND THE XHOSA AND THE MEETING PLACE OF FIVE GREAT CULTURES, SAN, KHOI-KHOI, DUTCH, XHOSA AND BRITISH. FRONTIER COUNTRY IS SPECTACULARLY BEAUTIFUL. Frontier Country is one of the most biologically varied regions in South Africa, with many of the biomes still unspoilt and spectacular. Here is where one can experience untamed Africa at is best and view the Big 5 in malaria- and bilharziafree reserves rich in bio-diversity. The area is well known for its range of game and nature reserves and the new trend of returning farmland to its original condition is on the rise. Thousands of hectares in the region are devoted to nature and game conservation, bringing with them the return of great herds of wildlife to the places where they once roamed free. Offerings are from self-drive to fully catered all inclusive game viewing and outdoor adventure packages. Visitors can explore and visit the beautiful towns and villages the British Settlers established years ago. Quaint historical rambles trace the colourful early decades of the European colonisation of the Eastern Cape. Grahamstown, Africa s Art Festival Capital, anchors the hinterland attractions and provides a fascinating opportunity to explore on foot. Other towns en route include Alicedale, Salem, Fort Brown, Bedford, Adelaide and Fort Beaufort. Activities on offer range from mountaineering, zip-lining, abseiling and hang-gliding, to paragliding. An aerodrome with micro-light aviation is considered to offer the best sky diving in the country. Hunting (including bow hunting), fly-fishing and birding contrast with donkey cart rides, hiking, river rafting, elephant and horse riding and game drives. The area boasts world class accommodation facilities in some of the finest game reserves the country has to offer, and the true rural hospitality will make your stay memorable.

21 One of South Africa s literary treasures, The National English Literary Museum (NELM) in Grahamstown houses a vast collection of creative writing by southern African authors - novels, short stories, plays, essays, poetry, theatre, television and film scripts, autobiography, travel, letters, memoirs and diaries. Critical writing on the authors and their works is also collected, as well as writings on related subjects such as literary history, censorship and literary awards. 5 STAR GREEN BUILDING THE NATIONAL ENGLISH LITERARY MUSEUM Not only is a visit to NELM an informative and interactive experience, it is also worth seeing why the Green Building Council of South Africa certified this the first (5 Star) Green Star project in Public & Education Buildings in South Africa. This modern building with installed energy saving measures, humidity controlled sealed archives, and a green garden area at the back of the building on the first level is well worth a visit on a road trip through Frontier Country. Operating Hours: Mon - Fri: 09h00-16h30 Call: for more info When your family needs time out together, leave the smart phones behind and head out to Great Fish River Nature Reserve. Spend time doing the simple things like picnicking, going for game walks, braaing on the deck overlooking the river, or simply chilling together. BE SMART THIS HOLIDAY - The Great Fish River Nature Reserve is located just over 200 km from Port Elizabeth along the N2 and 141 km from East London. The reserve is approximately midway between Grahamstown and King William s Town GREAT FISH RIVER NATURE RESERVE - nature-conservation/provincial-parks/great-fish-river/ SIMPLY GREAT FISH RIVER NATURE RESERVE If your interested in physics, a visit to the topmost tower of the Observatory Museum, an unusual multi-storeyed 19th century Victorian building in Grahamstown, is a must! It houses one of last two existing Victorian Camera Obscura, once considered The Magic Mirror of Life, in the world. The other is in Bath, England. Using a design of lenses and a mirror in the revolving turret of a darkened room, this clever device projects a beautiful full colour panorama of the activities in the town onto a flat surface. A Telescope Room nearby houses an 8 inch reflector telescope. Initially installed in the rooftop observatory, this gave the house its name. ONE OF ONLY TWO CAMERA OBSCURA IN THE WORLD! OBSERVATORY MUSEUM Known also for its identification of the Eureka diamond in 1867, this house had a place in the identification of the first diamond that was found in South Africa, and a display on the ground floor tells this story. This connection with the Eureka prompted De Beers Consolidated Mines Ltd. to purchase and restore the Observatory in the 80s to commemorate the start of the diamond industry in South Africa. THE OBSERVATORY MUSEUM IS PART OF THE ALBANY MUSEUM COMPLEX

22 GRAHAMSTOWN The City of Grahamstown together with the nearby towns of Alicedale and Riebeek East and the quaint villages of Fort Brown, Salem, Seven Fountains and Sidbury make up the Makana Municipality in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. This region also forms part of the popular Frontier Country route so named because it was literally the 19th century frontier between the British Cape Colony and the Xhosa territories. It was the scene of first contact, cultural clashes, confusion and, inevitably, conflict. Much of what happened here set the tone for South Africa s turbulent multi-cultural history. Fast gaining in popularity, this part of the world offers visitors easy access to the unspoilt beaches of the Sunshine Coast and premier game reserves in a malaria and bilharzia-free environment. View the Big 5, enjoy our spectacularly rugged scenery, immerse yourself in our rich history and enjoy warm hospitality! GOLF - or HORSE RIDING - or HIKING - SAFARI / GAME VIEWING - WORKING FARM EXPERIENCES - and MUSEUMS - FORT BEAUFORT Fort Beaufort is a town in the Amathole District. The town was established in 1837 and became a municipality in The town lies at the confluence of the Kat River and Brak River between the Keiskamma and Great Fish Rivers. Fort Beaufort serves as a mini- dormitory for academic staff and students of Fort Hare University, based in the nearby town of Alice, and is also close to sulphur springs. Schools in the area include the historic Healdtown Comprehensive School. FORT BEAUFORT HISTORICAL MUSEUM - KATBERG HIKING TRAIL - MPOFU GAME RESERVE - GOLF - ADELAIDE Literary records of frontier life, autobiographies, as well as stories have their settings in and around Adelaide. Authors such as Thomas Pringle, Sir Andries Stockenström, Pieter Retief, FA Venter and Iris Vaughan (The Diary of Iris Vaughan), are but a few. Thomas Baines recorded places and events through his paintings, which capture the early history of the Adelaide Area in the Eastern Cape, thus adding colour to it s fascinating scenic environment. Many historical graves can be seen near the battlefield sites, old posts, and forts and in the Adelaide cemetery. HERITAGE MUSEUM - THOMAS BAINES NATURE RESERVE BEDFORD A vibrant country district famous for its garden festival, (last weekend in October) fun-loving farmers and fabulous hospitality, Bedford is waiting to welcome you. The historic village is tucked up against the Kaggaberg mountain (part of the Winterberg range) and many farms stretch across extensive grasslands and up into the dramatic Mankazana, Cowie and Baviaans River valleys. Angoras, merinos, beef cattle, goats and game are to be seen all over. Bird watching, hiking, cycling, fishing, golf, tennis, bowls and bridge are among the local activities you can join in on. The area is a treasure trove if your passion is history, botany or geology. Raconteurs tell a story better than anyone in the Eastern Cape and local legendary cooks, inspired by local produce, never fail to amaze. You might even find yourself moving to Bedford so you can indulge in the pleasures 24/7. Often referred to as the hidden treasure of the Eastern Cape, Bedford is a quaint village that offers a pleasant reprieve from the hustle and bustle of South Africa s cities such as East London and Port Elizabeth. Situated near the foot of Kaga Mountain, Bedford combines with its neighbouring village of Adelaide to form the Nxuba Municipality. The town has a distinct historical atmosphere and Bedford real estate is typically full of character. Many of the buildings are old, but well maintained, and are excellent examples of colonial-style settler homes. With its tree-lined streets and wide-open spaces, Bedford has a slow pace and offers a stress-free lifestyle. Huge skies, fresh air, friendly people and overwhelming natural beauty bring our visitors back again. LARGEST BIRD EGG COLLECTION IN SOUTH AFRICA - BUTTERFLY AND MOTH COLLECTION - GOLF - CYCLE SAFARI - BEDFORD GARDEN FESTIVAL -

23 KAROO HEARTLAND & BAVIAANS WILDERNESS VISIT: KAROOSPACE.CO.ZA for more information FRIENDLY N6 KAROO HEARTLAND & BAVIAANS WILDERNESS ADDO FRONTIER COUNTRY SUNSHINE COAST AMATHOLE MOUNTAIN ESCAPE WILD COAST TSITSIKAMMA KOUGA COOKHOUSE SOMERSET EAST CRADOCK MIDDELBURG NIEU BETHESDA GRAAFF REINET JANSENVILLE STEYTLERVILLE WILLOWMORE THE KAROO HEARTLAND S RUGGED AND INTENSE BEAUTY IS DOMINATED BY VAST, FLAT PLAINS, ROCKY MOUNTAINS, AND THE BIGGEST ASSORTMENT OF SUCCULENTS IN THE WORLD. This beautiful area, subject to red dust, thorny acacias, stunted vegetation, aloes, windmills, sheep and the odd Angora goat, boasts some of the quaintest towns in the country, authentic farm stays, the dramatic Valley of Desolation, the Owl House, Olive Schreiner Museum, Mountain Zebra National Park and the Camdeboo National Park. Today the Karoo Heartland has been repackaged as an enviro-region that charms with its unusual and unpretentious characters, eccentricities and diversity of activities. South Africa s outback, regarded in the past as good for little other than sheep, ostriches and whirlwinds, has become distinctly hip. Some of the best star-gazing and sunsets in the country are available in this incredible vastness as there is little light pollution. The Karoo Heartland has been sequestered by a group of artists, hoteliers, restaurateurs and other creative souls seeking a lifestyle other than that offered by the country s cities. The boom of consequent galleries, guesthouses, game reserves and restaurants has turned the Karoo into a place well worth visiting. This is definitely where the land meets the sky.

24 Located amongst barren Karoo landscape in the Camdeboo National Park just 14km from the town of Graaff-Reinet, the eerily named Valley of Desolation offers a variety of viewpoints and trails where the highlight is a sheer cliff face. It smade up of a series of vertical dolerite cliffs and columns that hang 12 metres above the valley below. This unusual sight took more than 100 million years to form and stands majestic and proud amongst scenic vegetation where more than 220 species of birds and 43 animal species roam free. There is a circular hiking trail offering spectacular views of Graaff-Reinet and the Valley itself. VALLEY OF DESOLATION GRAAFF-REINET From Cape Town, take the N1 highway towards Beaufort West. Pass through the town of Beaufort West and then turn right onto the R61 to Aberdeen. At Aberdeen, take the N9, left towards Graaff-Reinet. approx. 605 km. From Port Elizabeth, take the R75 to Jansenville and Graaff-Reinet km Beaufort West to Graaff-Reinet km The gate is reached 5km out of Graaff-Reinet on the R63 to Murraysburg Four tall concrete pillars tower over the Cradock landscape honouring four assassinated anti-apartheid activists - school teachers and activists Matthew Goniwe and Fort Calata, Sparrow Mkonto a railway worker and unionist, and Sicelo Mhlauli, a childhood friend of Matthew Goniwe. On the 27th of June 1985, on their return from a UDF (United Democratic Front) meeting in Port Elizabeth, they were intercepted by members of the Special Branch secret police who set up a roadblock to stop them just outside Port Elizabeth and they were never seen alive again. Their deaths provoked a national outcry, and increasing unrest. The funeral, in Cradock, was one of the biggest political burials in the Eastern Cape since the death of Steve Biko. Visit the garden of remembrance memorial to pay tribute to the Cradock Four whose lives were not lost in vain! THE CRADOCK FOUR The Owl House in Nieu Bethesda is one of the main reasons visitors stray off the N9 National Road past Graaff-Reinet. The arch leading into the Camel Yard and the many cement owls with glass bottle eyes that hold vigil on the boundary distinguish the place as being distinclty different from anything else. OWL HOUSE A work of outsider art The Owl House was created by Helen Martins between 1945 and Driven to despair by the dullness of her daily life, she took steps to transform her world with light, colour and texture. Known by the locals as Miss Helen, she employed local labourers, most notably Koos Malgas, to help her build Camel Yard and the many inspiring sculptures of mermaids, camels, and pilgrims jouneying to the east. Basic materials - cement, glass, mirrors and wire were transformed by Miss Helen s marvellous imagination into a magical, secret world. The interior walls of her home were painted in bright colours overlaid with a layer of crushed glass. At night the Owl House came alive, as candle and lamp light danced off the many mirrors that she shaped for her home. Inspired by her work, playwright, Athol Fugard wrote the Road to Mecca. Let the magic of the Owl House touch your life on your roadtrip through the Karoo Heartland Operating Hours: Mon - Sun: 09h00-16h00 Call: for more information

25 The Schreiner House museum in Cradock is a faithfully restored cottage, containing artifacts and information about Olive Schreiner (writer of Story of An African Farm, feminist, liberal and ahead of her time); a small but precious collection of some famous old publications; as well as the superbly maintained home of Olive Schreiner. SCHREINER HOUSE MUSEUM The conference room at the back houses well annotated boards about the Karoo - it s geology, fauna and flora and fascinating information about the political history of Cradock and its people. Well worth a visit! Operating Hours: Mon - Fri: 08h30-16h30 Call: for more info There is a long history of fly fishing in Somerset East, starting with stocking of the waters in the early 1970 s by the Somerset East Angling club. The abundance of food and the quality of the water in the Karoo, make for incredible growth. The trout are mostly stocked as fry and left to fend for themselves. Somerset East is one of the few places in South Africa that boasts eight freshwater species that can be caught on fly, within 20 minutes of each other. It is just you and mother nature. The waters are private and pristine. Access is strictly monitored to ensure that you experience the magic of fly fishing in the Karoo. If fly fishing is your thing, a Somerset East weekend is on this holiday s roadtrip itnerary! FLY FISHING MAGIC SOMERSET EAST COOKHOUSE The name of this small town is said to have originated in the late 1700 s when Suzanna van Aardt supplied provisions from her Cookhouse to transport riders waiting to be able to cross the Great Fish River. Cookhouse is sited on what was once the border between the Cape Colony and the Xhosa territories, and the area was visited and written about by early explorers such as Gordon, Sparrman, and Le Vailant. Cookhouse has a famous railway station, once vital and bustling, and now, though still in use, a shadow of what it was in its heyday. It also has much for the history buff; the Slachter s Nek monument, on the site of the infamous hangings, the Thomas Pringle cairn, the monument erected to commemorate the Fallen Heroes of the Struggle, and the Fairworld Fine Wool Museum, showing the history of farming and wool production in this rich farming area. FAIRWORLD FINE WOOL MUSEUM - SOMERSET EAST Somerset East, founded by Lord Charles Somerset in 1825, lies at the foot of the Boschberg Mountains. It s a quaint, serene little town that is as famous for the surrounding natural beauty as it is for its many beautiful provincial heritage sites. It is on the Blue Crane Route that follows the national road R63 from Pearston, via Somerset East, to Cookhouse. The forested, mountainous backdrop creates a dramatic setting for the town (which is within sight of no less than 16 waterfalls). This is where you ll find the thickly wooded Boschberg Nature Reserve, with its popular hiking trails - including a 15 km circular route to an overnight hut at the summit of the mountain. As the Route s name suggest, Somerset East is an excellent bird-watching destination - other outdoor adventures include trout fishing on five local dams, as well as rainbow and brown trout fishing in the Glen Avon Waterfall pools.

26 The highly rated 9-hole golf course, Golf Central is said to be one of the most beautiful in the country. Amongst the many noteworthy buildings in the town are the Old Wesleyan Chapel, which now houses the Somerset East Museum, and the officers mess, which now houses the largest collection of paintings by the renowned South African artist Walter Battiss. Annual events include the Biltong Festival, which started in 1991, the Bruintjieshoogte Marathon, Bruintjieshoogte Cycle Tour (run between Pearston & Somerset East) and the Spring Rose & Flower show - Somerset East is known to produce some of the finest roses in the country. FISHING / FLY FISHING X 4 ROUTES, HIKING, GAME VIEWING, ABSEILING, SWING, QUAD BIKING ETC - HORSE RIDING - HIKING - MOUNTAIN BIKING - and SOMMERSET EAST MUSEUMS - CRADOCK The Great Fish River cuts through the little Karoo town of Cradock on its way to the Indian Ocean off the Eastern Cape coast. Since 1975, Cradock has had the pleasure of a major river flowing past its downtown suburbs, filling up the Victorian furrows and bringing life to this part of the Grassy Karoo. Cradock began life in the early 1800s as the last stop you made before you ventured into the dry hinterland on your way north. You fixed your wagon wheels here, you loaded up with supplies and you had the local blacksmith beat out a few necessary tools needed on such an epic journey. Today, travelers still overnight in Cradock before heading for their coastal destinations. Many bus tours also have Cradock firmly on their cross-country itineraries and visitors love to walk its streets and marvel at the Victorian Karoo architecture. This normally blue-collar Karoo settlement comes alive when the Fish River Canoe Marathon happens in early October, and more than fit, strong sportsmen and women and their friends hit town. It is three days of fun on the water, and out of it and there is not a room to be had in Cradock during this time. Cradock s historic heroes are legendary. The indomitable Olive Schreiner, author of Story of an African Farm and an early women s rights campaigner, spent many of her early years in the area. More recently Matthew Goniwe, the anti-apartheid activist and popular local teacher, made Cradock the national focus of the Struggle when he led rent and consumer boycotts locally. Tragically, he was murdered by the apartheid regime along with three other activists, who together are known as the Cradock Four. MUSEUMS - CAT CONSERVATION - HEALTH AND WELLNESS - HIKING - MOUNTAIN ZEBRA NATIONAL PARK - WALKING TOUR - MIDDELBURG Surrounded by mountains in the heart of the Great Karoo, Middelburg is unique, yet similar to the average Karoo town. The area is recognised for its herbal plant life that grows naturally in the fields, and is also one of the few and best places in the world where fossil life has been discovered as well as San Rock Art in caves from the first known human inhabitants, the San Bushmen. Scenic beauty is the town s main asset, with open spaces, Karoo sunsets, stargazing, fresh air and snow-capped mountains during the winter months. HIKING, WALKING, MOUNTAIN BIKING, CLIMBING, ROCK ART, FOSSILS ETC - NIEU BETHESDA Nieu Bethesda is a mountain village 55 km to the north of Graaff-Reinet, in a valley with the Kompassberg, South Africa s highest free standing mountain as a backdrop. It was established by the Dutch Reformed Church in 1875 and given a biblical name by the Rev Charles Murray of Graaff- Reinet. In the twentieth century it began to wither as people left the rural areas. It was so quiet with so little traffic that the council leased certain streets for growing potatoes. During this time one inhabitant, Helen Martins, began creating fantastic concrete sculptures in her house and yard, often of owls. She changed the interior of her little house by embedding crushed glass into the walls to bring in more light. The community sometimes looked askance at her eccentric activities. She committed suicide in 1974 because of her failing eyesight but her creations saved her village. The playwright Athol Fugard wrote a play about her life called The Road To Mecca, which was later filmed. People then flocked there to see her house, known as the Owl House and discovered that there is a lot more to Nieu Bethesda, such as the stunning setting, the streets lined with pear trees, the beautiful church and the dry river bed where fossils can be found. OWL HOUSE MUSEUM - BLAAUWATER RAILWAY EXPERIENCE - DAMESFONTEIN MUSEUM - HIKING AND BIKING - MEDICINAL WALK - FARM EXPERIENCE - ROCK ART AND FOSSILS - and GRAAFF REINET Set in a curl of the Sundays River, the Karoo town of Graaff-Reinet is the fourth oldest settlement in South Africa and has seen more than two centuries of travelers, adventurers and prospectors pass through its streets. Today it is a vibrant centre for tourism, game farming and traditional agriculture. Graaff-Reinet is the only town in South Africa to be surrounded by a national park - Camdeboo National Park. Graaff-Reinet has been a traveler s oasis in South Africa s semi-arid desert, the Karoo, for more than two centuries, since it was founded in It s a stylish town, with at

27 least 200 historical buildings, restored pre-victorian homes in almost every street and a collection of museums and galleries celebrating its past. Tucked into a bend in the Sundays River, Graaff-Reinet is best viewed from the heights of the Camdeboo National Park. From here, you can also see the Valley of Desolation and get a good sense of the utter vastness of the Great Karoo. This remarkable town lies on the western frontier of the Eastern Cape. It has bred many famous people, like the charismatic and eloquent founder of the Pan Africanist Congress, Robert Sobukwe, who spent most of the 1960s detained by the apartheid government on Robben Island. Another son of Graaff-Reinet was Anton Rupert, the billionaire who helped restore and build the vibrant community of his home town. Modern Graaff-Reinet is based on tourism, game farming and traditional stock like Merino sheep and white gold : angora goats, which give mohair. Holding sway in the centre of Graaff-Reinet is the magnificent Victorian Gothic Dutch Reformed mother church, which looks a lot like Britain s Salisbury Cathedral. A local farmer cut, prepared and donated all the stone for this great building. MOTOR AND QUAD BIKING - CYCLING - FISHING - HIKING - GAME VIEWING - VALLEY OF DESOLATION - MUSEUMS - JANSENVILLE This little town of Jansenville owes its origins to the Dutch Reformed Church that formed a parish there in 1854 and was named after the last Dutch Governor of the Cape. Jansenville is north of the Zuurberg Mountains in an area known as the Noorsveld, after a cactus-like succulent that abounds in the district. Between Jansenville and the Zuurberg to the south is a plain that marks the northern boundary of the Addo Elephant National Park, while to the north are some hills which are a scenic drive and, at the summit, shortly before the giddy descent down the Ratelskloof Pass, one has a spectacular view across the Camdeboo plains to the peaks of the Sneeuberg. Jansenville has a number of fine buildings, dominated by the large Dutch Reformed Church heritage site, a building in the basilican style made of local stone. The Anglo-Boer War fort north of the town attests to the guerilla activity in the area at that time. MOHAIR EXPERIENCE MUSEUM - SID FOURIE HOUSE MUSEUM - ANGLO BOER WAR FORT - STEYTLERVILLE Situated in the western parts of the Eastern Cape, Steytlerville is the home of peace and tranquility. Here one can rest, relax, refresh yourself and recharge the inner batteries of your soul, while exploring, enjoying yourself and indulging your need for some unusual entertainment. Steytlerville lies at the entrance to the eastern parts of the Baviaanskloof and showcases a host of architectural gems like quaint Edwardian- and Victorian-era houses with tin roofs and large street-facing verandas complete with broekie lace and stained glass windows. BAVIAANSKLOOF WORLD HERITAGE SITE - MUSEUMS & MONUMENTS- STEYTLERVILLE FOLLIES - WILLOWMORE Willowmore was officially established in 1874 after starting out as a trading centre on the farm, The Willows. According to some, Willowmore was named after William Joseph Moore, who occupied the farm The Willows on which the town was laid out. More romantically, there are others that believe it was named by a farmer who combined his wife s maiden name, Petronella Catherina Moore, with a large willow tree that stood close to the house. For years, farming has been a main source of income for those living in the area and since the late 1900 s it has been one of the biggest mohair producing areas in the world. The town is one of the few in the area not to have to worry about water as a plentiful supply is obtained from boreholes on the farm Wanhoop, 26km from town. Even though Willowmore is considered as the western gateway to the Baviaanskloof it is a worthwhile destination in its own right, offering the visitor numerous places of interest and exceptionally friendly people. Add to this a crime free, safe and secure environment, you have found the ideal Karoo holiday destination. BAVIAANSKLOOF WORLD HERITAGE SITE - HIKING, 4X4 TRAIL, GOLF & BIKING - and trails

28 TSITSIKAMMA ADVENTURE VISIT: TSITSIKAMMA.INFO for more information FRIENDLY N6 KAROO HEARTLAND & BAVIAANS WILDERNESS ADDO FRONTIER COUNTRY SUNSHINE COAST AMATHOLE MOUNTAIN ESCAPE WILD COAST TSITSIKAMMA KOUGA STORMS RIVER EERSTERIVIER / OUDEBOSCH KAREEDOUW JOUBERTINA THE TSITSIKAMMA ADVENTURE ROUTE STRETCHES FROM THE BLOUKRANS RIVER IN THE WEST TO THE TSITSIKAMMA RIVER IN THE EAST, IS BORDERED ON THE NORTH BY THE IMPOSING TSITSIKAMMA MOUNTAINS AND IN THE SOUTH BY THE INDIAN OCEAN. TSITSIKAMMA IS A KHOI WORD MEANING PLACE OF ABUNDANT OR SPARKLING WATER. The area is covered in large tracts of indigenous forest, commercial plantation and Fynbos. Deep river gorges cleft the plateau as they make their way down to the sea, creating spectacular waterfalls and deep kloofs (ravines). The water in the rivers is a characteristic dark brown (Coca Cola Water) due to its high tannin content leached from the surrounding vegetation. Adrenaline addicts may demonstrate their courage by doing some black-water tubing down the Storms River or bungeejumping from the Bloukranz Bridge (the world s highest commercial bungee jump). Other interesting activities include a trailer ride through the indigenous forest or, for something completely different: being suspended 25m above the forest floor in a full body harness on a steel-pulley system. Three of the country s most popular hiking routes, the Otter, Tsitsikamma and Dolphin Trails, are located on this route. Segway Tours are also a great way to explore the magic of the forest and the gems found in and around the Stormsriver Village. The Tsitikamma section of the Garden Route National Parks is also fantastic to explore and a number of activities are on offer such is a snorkelling trail, kayak and lilo tours and a walk to the suspension bridge spanning the Stormsriver mouth.

29 Calling all nature lovers The magnificent fairytale Tsitsikamma Forest on the Garden Route is renowned for its exquisite yellowwood trees, which are protected under the country s National Forests Act. A visit to the Big Tree, the most famous tree of all, is not to be missed. DESTINATION BIG TREE TSITSIKAMMA (N2 STORMSRIVER) Head out from Port Elizabeth on the N2 to Stormsriver. You will be there in under two hours. Get close and personal with the between 600 and 800 year old Outeniqua Yellowood standing 36.6 metres high, with a trunk circumference of 9 metres. A 10-minute stroll through the verdant, cool forest gets you there. And, as you re already in the mood, why not hit one of the 2.6 or 4.2 km trails. This fabulous experience is free! Calling all adrenaline junkies. It is time to hit the road again Take the N2 out of Port Elizabeth as you head for Bloukrans Bridge. Stop off at Jeffreys en-route for a shot of caffeine (give breakfast a miss until after the big event)! For many adrenaline junkies, a highlight of visiting the spectacular Tsitsikamma is to bungee jump off the Bloukrans Bridge - an arched road bridge that is the highest in the African continent, standing 216 metres above the floor of the gorge. Here you will get to experience the world s highest commercial bungee jump.if you prefer keeping upright there is also a Bridge Walk across the gorge or a scenic stroll along the catwalk to the top of the arch. The bridge, which is located 40km from Plettenberg Bay info@faceadrenalin.com BBBB BUNGEE! BLOUKRANS BRIDGE BECKONS For a unique adventure, why not go ziplining across the Kruis River? This exciting experience is available within the Tsitsikamma region, 8km from the Storms River Bridge. There are ten slides in all, the longest of which is 211m, and those brave enough can zip across the river gorge, up to 50m above the water. You can control the speed of your trip across the gorge, so that you can stop en route to take in the spectacular scenery. Guides offer commentary about the area. Quad biking tours, wall climbing and abseiling are also on offer. ZIPLINE TSITSIKAMMA The Tsitsikamma canopy tour is every adrenaline junky s dream. Unlike the bungee, which takes a split second, the tour is prolonged and takes up to three hours. Taking the canopy tour in Tsitsikamma is not just about ziplining, it is a layered, unique experience that draws a lot from the surrounding area. If you love nature as much as you love adventure, the canopy tour offers a good balance. The canopy tour is not for those of us who do not enjoy heights. The longest of its ten slides measures 91 metres in length. Each slide ends on a 30m high platform constructed in the trees. Operating Hours: Mon - Sun: 08h00-17h00 Call: for more info

30 A WORLD HERITAGE SITE BAVIAANSKLOOF WORLD HERITAGE SITE Baviaanskloof means Valley of Baboons in Dutch, and this magnificent narrow valley is a World Heritage Site not only because of its scenic beauty, but also because it is one of the few places on earth with evidence of human history going back a million years! The valley is a little less than 200km in length and nestles between two mountain ranges, the Baviaanskloof Mountains on one side, and the Kouga Mountains on the other. Here, a variety of wild animals and birds have made their home in a wilderness that is not only scenic but extremely tranquil and remote. STORMS RIVER Storms River is a little village set in the heart of the forests and in the foothills of the majestic Tsitsikamma mountain range. Storms River Village has become a bustling little town with a very special ambience and feel, a Village where one may wander through the streets where elephants once roamed, walk down the old pass where convicts toiled at the rock face, admire the giant forest trees where once weary woodcutters rested in their shade, have a cool drink where old buffalo hunters told tales of daring and dash. KAYAK AND LILO ADVENTURE TSITSIKAMMA FALLS ADVENTURE - BLACK WATER TUBING - BUNGEE JUMP - BRIDGE WALK - TREE TOP CANOPY TOUR - WOODCUTTERS JOURNEY - OTTER TRAIL - HIKING TRAILS - SEGWAY TOUR - HORSE RIDING - and MOUNTAIN BIKING - BIG TREE - BEER TASTING - EERSTERIVIER / OUDEBOSCH Hidden on the rugged eastern coastline of the Tsitsikamma is a little gem that not a lot of people know of. Somewhere you can get away from it all and enjoy stunning scenic coastal landscapes bordered by cliffs and lush vegetation. Somewhere you can take in a bit of beach life and lots of vitamin Sea without being trampled underfoot by crowds. This little hidden corner on the Garden Route is Eersterivier. GOLF - PROTEA FARM TOURS -

31 KAREEDOUW The small but vibrant town of Kareedouw is conveniently situated on a crossroad linking it to many other regions. Only 8 km over the Tsitsikamma Mountains finds one on the N2, an hour from Plettenberg Bay and even less to Jeffreys Bay. It is also a gateway to the Baviaanskloof Wilderness area lying to the north and is close to the Formosa Nature Reserve. The town derives its income primarily from farming and forestry and has paid tribute to past woodcutters with the erection of a statue. The famous Rensilfier furniture factory produces fine blackwood, yellowwood and stinkwood furniture. The town derives its name form the Khoi phrase meaning a path or pass by the Karee trees. The attractive Dutch Reformed Church, constructed with stone, is a landmark worth seeing. BAVIAANSKLOOF WORLD HERITAGE SITE - HORSE RIDING - JOUBERTINA Joubertina is situated about halfway down the scenic 190 km Langkloof (long valley) between the Kouga and Tsitsikamma ranges. Overlooked by Peak Formosa (1675m), the highest point in the Tsitsikamma Mountains. This beautiful region is famous for its apples and the friendly farming community and tranquil surroundings make for a delightful visit here. Blossom time in the Langkloof is a memorable and fragrant experience but throughout the year fertile valley of fruit and flowers charms many visitors. The Langkloof Fees (Blossom Festival) is held around August. Home to the Kouga Mummy, the Honeybush Tea industry and a huge wealth of biodiversity and scenic splendour to be remembered and treasured. You can enjoy horse riding, hiking through the fynbos, 4x4 trails and dining out. 4 X 4 ROUTE - and easterncape/sukkelpoort-4x4-trail/

32 KOUGA VISIT: JEFFREYSBAYTOURISM.ORG STFRANCISTOURISM.CO.ZA BAVIAANS.NET for more information FRIENDLY N6 KAROO HEARTLAND & BAVIAANS WILDERNESS ADDO FRONTIER COUNTRY SUNSHINE COAST AMATHOLE MOUNTAIN ESCAPE WILD COAST TSITSIKAMMA KOUGA HANKEY PATENSIE HUMANSDORP OYSTER BAY ST FRANCIS BAY CAPE ST FRANCIS PORT ST FRANCIS JEFFREY S BAY THE KOUGA ROUTE STRETCHES FROM THE TSITSIKAMMA RIVER TO THE VAN STADENS RIVER. IT INCORPORATES THE TOWNS OF HUMANSDORP, PATENSIE AND HANKEY IN THE GAMTOOS VALLEY, THE LANGKLOOF VALLEY, THE BAVIAANSKLOOF WILDERNESS AREA AND THE COASTAL TOWNS OF CAPE ST FRANCIS, ST FRANCIS BAY AND JEFFREY S BAY. The Langkloof Valley offers spectacular scenic drives, especially during spring (August/October) when the apple, apricot, plum and peach orchards are in blossom. However, this route also offers access to an exceptional diversity of natural features, mountain-wilderness areas, clean, bilharzia-free rivers and a strip of coastline world-renowned for its excellent surfing. Human occupation in this area dates back to more than a million years ago and the world s oldest cultural groups, the San and Khoi-Khoi (Khoisan), were responsible for the rock art that abounds. Enjoy activities from beach horse rides and hiking to calamari tasting and golf, the St Francis Links course designed by Jack Nicklaus is a course set to challenge golf enthusiasts.

33 Located 65km from Port Elizabeth, Jeffreys Bay is one of the five top surfing destinations on earth, and the primary reason for this is what is largely considered one of the most predictable and perfect right hand point breaks in the world in Supertubes. This high speed wave reaches anything from 1.2 to 3 metres in height and varies in length from 150m to 300m. The best waves occur in winter between May and mid-september. SUPERTUBES JEFFREYS BAY A great place to learn to surf HANKEY Hankey is one of four towns that make up the Gamtoos Valley an exceptionally beautiful part of the world that stretches up to Komdomo at the start of the Baviaanskloof wilderness, now a World Heritage Site. Hankey is the oldest and probably best known because of its claim to the largest sundial in Africa (18m high and weighs a ton) as well as the burial place of Sarah Baartman now an icon for human rights. Her life story is one of abysmal treatment during which she was cajoled into leaving her place of birth to be exhibited as a freak in the UK and Europe. Years of negotiation with the French government, spearheaded by Nelson Mandela, finally culminated in her remains being returned to a burial place just outside Hankey, her final resting place, something of a victory for humanity and a symbol of freedom. 4 X 4 ROUTE - SARAH BAARTMAN GRAVE - PATENSIE Patensie is the last stop before entering the Baviaanskloof Wilderness area. Guarded by the majestic Cockscomb Mountain, this little town s activities revolve around the Citrus Industry. It has become a very popular tourist destination with many B&B s and self-catering establishments, as well as fuel-stops, banks and shops to choose from. Tourism Information can be obtained from the Tolbos Country Shop and Tea Garden. Visit the impressive Kouga Dam built in the first double-arched dam engineered in South Africa. Along the way, look out for unique rock formations - you may even be surprised to see Queen Victoria s profile! HIKING AND 4 X 4 TRAILS - BAVIAANSKLOOF WORLD HERITAGE SITE - HUMANSDORP Humansdorp is a country town that lies at the foot of the Kouga Mountains and is surrounded by magnificent Fynbos (Indigenous Flora). In 1849 Matthys Gerhardus Human donated a section of his farm Rheboksfontein, to the church for development of a town. The town was originally named Alexander, and only in 1859, ten years after the start of its development did it become known as Humansdorp. Humansdorp is the ideal base from where to explore the surroundings. A magnificent coastline boasting sandy beaches, some of the best rock angling and the best waves for surfing enthusiasts are only minutes away. FISHING X 4 TRAIL - MUSEUM - GOLF -

34 OYSTER BAY Oyster Bay is one of the undiscovered gems of the Eastern Cape. This small holiday outpost however has long been popular with avid fishermen and lovers of nature. The unspoilt stretch of coastline between the Tsitsikamma National Park and Cape St. Francis remains largely inaccessible by vehicle. Hours of fun can be had exploring the rocky shores and pools, soaking up the sun or swimming along the pristine beaches and coves. The area is rich in its coastal biodiversity and appeals to ecologically friendly visitors. Oyster Bay remains a perfect place to unwind, destress and get in tune with the environment. TOWNSHIP TOUR - RIVER KAYAK - HORSE RIDING - DAIRY FARM EXPERIENCE - SAND BOARDING - PICNIC - MASSAGE THERAPY - MOUNTAIN BIKING - HIKING TRAILS - FISHING - BEACH DUNE SAFARI - BOMA BUSH BRAAI - BIRD, FYNBOS AND WETLAND WALK - ST FRANCIS BAY / CAPE ST FRANCIS & PORT ST FRANCIS The first thought that jumps to mind is that this was the site of ten-million-to-one surfing waves seen in the 1966 surf/travel documentary, The Endless Summer. The town boasts a beautiful canal system surrounded by picturesque homes in a uniform building style, black thatched roofs and white walls. Towards Santareme and Port St Francis, the uniformity is repeated, this time with Mediterranean and Tuscan homes filling in the dune fields and fynbos. The unique and exclusive St Francis Bay draws holiday makers and visitors from all over the world to enjoy the glorious beaches lapped by the warm Indian Ocean. The sportsman can enjoy over 50 different sporting codes, which includes various water sports, two world class golf courses and two glass backed double squash courts. A leisurely lifestyle in the magical beauty of natural and unspoilt surroundings. The canal system offers residents and holiday makers an exotic marina lifestyle. If fishing off your own jetty, swimming or exploring the canals with a canoe or SUP is not enough, the canals are linked to the Kromme River, navigable for 10km, where more fishing, boating, paddling, kite and windsurfing, waterskiing can be enjoyed and jetskis have access to the ocean through the Kromme River Mouth. Whales can be spotted in the Bay from May to late October and dolphins can be seen daily on their way back and forth between the bays of Cape St Francis and St Francis Bay. The Cape clawless otter is also ever present, frolicking in the waves and rock pools around Port St Francis and at Otters Landing. Bird life is abundant with over 200 species recorded in the area including the rare African oystercatcher and fish eagle. Port St Francis includes a commercial and recreational harbour, built to host the squid industry freezing vessels, as well as a small harbour resort village. It lies in a sheltered nook of the bay and provides a safe anchorage for the boats, pleasure craft, and oceangoing yachts. St Francis Field is an airpark close to the Port that caters for those who wish to fly in. The gentle sloping beach stretches for kilometers all along the curve of the land between the estuary and the Granny s Pool, from where Bruce s Beauties, world famous surfing spot, lies. St Francis Bay is the business centre of the greater St Francis and boasts two shopping centres and an industrial area, mainly for the building and boat building trade. CANAL CRUISE - HIKING - and and directories/duneridge-hikes-and-frog-safaris WHALE / DOLPHIN WATCHING & DEEP SEA FISHING - DAY TOURS - KNITTING AND QUILTING PROJECT - CRUISES - FISHING - NATURE RESERVE - FROG SAFARI - LIGHTHOUSE - SANDBOARDING KITE AND WINDSURFING - WATER SPORTS - PADDLING AND SUP - GOLF - and MOUNTAIN BIKING AND TRAIL RUNNING - and stfrancistourism.co.za/directories/zuurbron CALAMARI TASTING - SURFING - AQUA TRAINING BETTY S TOUR -

35 FRIENDLY N6 KAROO HEARTLAND & BAVIAANS WILDERNESS ADDO FRONTIER COUNTRY SUNSHINE COAST AMATHOLE MOUNTAIN ESCAPE WILD COAST TSITSIKAMMA KOUGA SUNDAYS RIVER VALLEY & GREATER ADDO VISIT: SUNDAYSRIVERVALLEY.COM for more information KIRKWOOD ADDO COLCHESTER BIG 7 DESTINATION The Addo Elephant National Park, with its core situated in the Sundays River Valley and stretching from the Karoo region north of the Zuurberg Mountain Range to the coast and islands of Algoa Bay of South Africa s Eastern Cape Province, is the heartbeat of the Greater Addo area. Proclaimed in 1931 to protect eleven surviving Eastern Cape elephants, this amazing park consolidates the unique combination of land and seascapes. It is one of the most biologically diverse areas in the world, lying across five of the country s nine biomes. It has one of most densely populated elephant herds in the world and is home to the locally endemic flightless dung beetle and the endangered black rhinoceros. The famous Alexandria dune fields in the South, are the longest and widest coastal dunes in the southern hemisphere, and it is here where the park inherits the whale and shark, making the park one of the rare Big 7 destinations internationally. Here among the dunes are the less well-known species such as the endemic dune grasshopper, the pygmy hairy-footed gerbil, the Damara tern and the African black oystercatcher as well as many more. The Greater Addo Route circles this unique South African Destination and includes the villages of Addo, Colchester, Canonville, Kirkwood and Paterson. Quality graded accommodation in the form of luxury lodges, guesthouses, B&B s, self-catering and camping facilities are available throughout the route. The visitor can opt for relaxed home stays, luxury spas, comfortable colonial country houses or basic backpacker accommodation complimented by guided tours and safaris, ferry rides, horse trails, hiking trails, 4 x 4 and off road / adventure facilities with visits to conservation and community projects also offered. The Greater Addo Route is 100% malaria free and offers some of the best and easily accessible Big 7 game viewing in South Africa.

36 Stretching over ha, Addo Elephant Park is the third largest game park in South Africa. Originally a park with just 11 elephants, the park has transformed into a major wildlife sanctuary and is now home to more than 600 elephants as well as lions, black rhinos, buffaloes, hyenas, leopards, zebras and a plentiful variety of antelopes. It s famous for the Big Seven, the Big Five wild animals plus the Great White Shark and the Southern Right Whale, as well as a huge population of penguins. The a main camp features a swimming pool, restaurant, floodlit water hole and different types of accommodation. ADDO ELEPHANT NATIONAL PARK There are also amazing options for stays close to the reserve some in spectacular settings overlooking the magnificent Zuurberg Mountains. Operating Hours: Mon - Sun: 07h00-18h00 On this hands free 500-metre-long zip line you will experience flight without wings! It is South Africa s highest, longest and fastest double zip line. The impressive departure tower, some seventy metres above the Sundays River, is reached via a short raft ride across the river and a 10-minute hike through the indigenous bush. The views from here will take your breath away and when you let go, travelling at average speed of about 60 km/h, the adrenalin kicks in. Heavier riders may even exceed 80km/h! The built-in automated braking system ensures that your exhilarating flight comes to a smooth stop. Enjoy the ride! ADRENALINE ADDO KIRKWOOD Kirkwood is situated in the heart of the Sundays River Valley and can be considered the citrus capital of the Eastern Cape. It is hard to believe that this beautiful valley was witness to bloody border wars a mere 200 years ago. A little more than a 100 years ago Afrikaner farmers (Boers) fought for freedom against the British Empire. Kirkwood boasts a fine lookout point with wide vistas over the valley. During the Citrus picking season (April to Sept), tractors with trailers brimming with oranges rumble into town and the local co-operatives come alive with activity. There is a 9 hole golf course in the village of Kirkwood. The Moravian Mission Station built for the Khoi at Enon in 1818 is also a must-see. A pitted gravel road leads to this pastoral village where sacraments are still given in the church with its yellowwood rafters, teak window frames and brass hanging lamps. CHEETAH PROJECT -

37 ADDO En route to the main entrance and main reception area of the Addo Elephant National Park, on the R335 from Port Elizabeth, lies the quiet hamlet of Addo encompassing the communities of Hermitage and Sunland. Situated on the southern end of one of the biggest citrus producing areas in South Africa the local community flourishes in the hospitality of a bygone era. Lying at the foot of the Zuurberg Mountains activities are as varied as citrus farm and pack house tours to close encounters with local reptiles and birds of prey as well as winter polo tournaments. Addo is home to award winning spas, restaurants and country houses. ADDO ELEPHANT NATIONAL PARK - LONGEST DOUBLE ZIPLINE AND GIANT SWING HIKING TRAILS - BLACKSMITH MUSEUM - RIVER SAFARI - HORSE TRAILS - QUAD BIKING - GAME DRIVES and RAPTOR AND REPTILE CENTER - COLCHESTER Colchester is known as the Jewel of the Eastern Cape. The town is situated on the banks of the Sundays River, in between magnificent sand dunes. Various hiking trails area available, and the Addo Elephant Park and local game farms are situated close by. The tidal Sundays River finds its way through villages and the Alexandria Dune Fields, and provides opportunities for fishing, ferries, canoeing and swimming. The dunes are home to various wild animals and over 200 bird species. Only 20 minutes from Port Elizabeth, Colchester is the ideal place to come and relax. ADDO ELEPHANT NATIONAL PARK - FERRY CRUISE AND SAND SLEDDING - QUAD BIKING -

38 FARM STALLS BIRA CRAFTS AND M & J S KITCHEN Bira Crafts is situated on the R 72 in between Hamburg and Birha on the outskirts of Wesley Village. Great stop for crafts and curios and lovely homemade treats and eats at M & J s Country Kitchen. No heartburn pies, sex in a pan (decadent chocolate cake with caramel and cream) and great coffee make this a worthwhile stop. NATURE VIEW FARM STALL On the R72 Route on the Port Alfred side of the Fish River you will find this delightful farm stall set back from the road. Great stop for all things pineapple, from juice to crunchies to chutneys. TAM JAZI COUNTRY FARM STALL Tam JaZi gift and coffee shop is situated a few kilometers outside Alexandria on the Port Elizabeth side of the R72 in the Eastern Cape. It is family friendly and offers lovely homemade goodies and a good value for money breakfast and lunch menu. and getaway.co.za/food/laughter-side-tamjazi-country-farm-stall/ OAKLY FARM STALL Situated on the R72 some way out of Alexandria en route to Port Elizabeth you will find this wonderfull farm stall selling furniture, arts and crafts and all sorts of wonderful home baked treats, jams and ginger beer. This is well worth a stop whether to browse or make a purchase. Lovely to sit down for a coffee or refreshment and a light bite. NANAGA FARM STALL Situated at the interchange where the N2, R72 and N10 meet you will find the Nanaga Farm Stall which is a landmark site on any travelers route through the region. Whether you are on the run or have time for a sit down meal you will not be disappointed with the rustic charm and wholesome food items on offer. CROSSWAYS COUNTRY KITCHEN Enjoy country style food at Crossways Country Kitchen at the Crossways Farm Village just outside Port Elizabeth, in the Eastern Cape. They serve tasty and fresh food and their farm stall sells all kinds of fresh produce, gifts, preserves, and much more. All their food and condiments are home made and they try to be as green as possible. OUDEBOSCH FARM STALL Situated just off the N2. When travelling along the N2 you take the Eersterievier, Kareedouw off ramp and you will find the stall on the corner of the R102 and Eersterivier Rd, Tsitsikamma, 6303 Humansdorp, Eastern Cape. The farm stall offers a supermarket and restaurant offering wholesome home cooked meals, roosterkoek, cakes, soups and so much more. Lovely arts and crafts and wines on sale and an added tourism information facility available to pick up your provincial tourism information. This is also the departure point for the Protea Tours. PADLANGS COUNTRY RESTAURANT AND SHOP Enjoy a champagne breakfast or blow out lunch in the Gamtoos Valley. Situated just 7 km outside Patensie en route to the Baviaanskloof Wilderness Area, Padlangs Country Restaurant and Shop is definitely worth a visit. Anne and her team only use freshly- picked seasonal produce to create their scrumptious signature dishes. Tuck into a hearty Leeuloop Breakfast or enjoy high tea with yummy baked delights served in bone china and silver. The milk tarts, lemon meringues, muffins and Greek chocolate cake are all made by local farmers wives. DANIELL CHEETAH PROJECT AND PADSTAL Traveling between Uitenhage and Jansenville on the R75, make a stop at the Padstal at the Daniell Cheetah Project for refreshments and other arts and crafts. They stock Shirts, Hats, Mohair socks, Ostrich eggs, Hides, Nguni hides, Hooligans clothing, African Craft, Modern Craft, Homemade preserves, Cold drinks, chips, Liqueurs and much more. Make a pit stop at their shop while on your travels or come on a daytrip to their Cheetah Project and enjoy some time in the countryside. LENMORE RESTAURANT, DELI, BAKERY AND FARM STALL Situated on the R335 en route to the Addo Elephant National Park, Lenmore is more than just a farm stall, they offer sit down or takeaway meals, freshly baked goodies, pizzas etc. Great stop for day-trippers or for visitors staying in self-catering establishments in the area. DAGGABOER FARM STALL Travelling between Cradock and Port Elizabeth. you will find Daggaboer Farmstall +- 50km from Cradock. Daggaboer are well known for their fresh roosterkoek, homemade pies, lemonade and ginger beer. A variety of more than 50 homemade jams and preserves, dried fruit, Dutch cheeses, biltong, dry wors, mouth watering homemade tarts, biscuits, fudge, nougat as well as a big range of quality gifts await you. Come and relax on the stoep with real moer-coffee, soak in the tranquility of the Middle Karoo and beautiful mountain scenery whilst enjoying a very generous slice of the best cheese cake, lemon meringue or milk tart.