Eastern Cape
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Eastern Cape
Includes Why Go? Storms River. . . . .171 From lush tropical forests to uninhabited desert expanses, Jeffrey’s Bay. . . . .175 from easygoing hammock time to adrenaline-pumping ad- Port Elizabeth. . . . 179 ventures, the Eastern Cape offers a wide range of topogra- phy and experiences. Compared with the wealthier and more Addo Elephant National Park . . . . 186 developed Western Cape, it can feel like a different country and provides opportunities to learn about Xhosa culture. Grahamstown. . . . 189 Some of South Africa’s finest hiking (and slackpacking) trails Port Alfred...... 195 wind along the province’s stunning coastline and through its East London . . . . .198 mountainous, waterfall-filled landscapes. Hogsback...... 200 Private wildlife reserves and national and regional parks abound; see the Big Five (lion, leopard, buffalo, elephant Coffee Bay. . . . . 208 and rhino) or migrating whale and dolphins. You’ll find Port St Johns . . . . 213 tranquillity and culture in the towns of the semiarid Karoo; Graaff-Reinet...... 218 the imposing Drakensberg peaks and little-known valleys in the Highlands; good surfing in the Indian Ocean, coupled with amazing cultural experiences on the Wild Coast; and history throughout, including the legacy of some famous Best Places to Eat local sons – Nelson Mandela, Oliver Tambo and Steve Biko. ¨¨Veld to Fork (p220) ¨¨Hazel’s Organic When to Go Restaurant (p189) Port Elizabeth ¨¨Stanley St (p184) °C/°F Te mp Rainfall inches/mm ¨¨Haricot’s Deli & Bistro (p194) 40/104 12/300 30/86 10/250 8/200 20/68 Best Places 6/150 10/50 to Stay 4/100 0/32 ¨¨Bulungula Lodge (p210) 2/50 ¨¨Buccaneers Lodge (p206) -10/14 0 J FDM A M J J A S O N ¨¨Mdumbi Backpackers (p210) ¨¨Die Tuishuise & Victoria Apr Between the Jul Africa’s largest Sep–Oct Spring wild summer rains arts festival in flowers and bearable Manor (p225) and the winter Grahamstown and presummer heat ¨¨Edge Mountain Retreat chill; good wildlife a world surfing in the Karoo, and (p202) watching and quiet competition in Hogsback’s Spring beaches. Jeffrey’s Bay. Festival. ¨¨Terra-Khaya (p202) 167 Eastern Cape GNearatuttidreenng’ sRout There Vallee E&yas Artound
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lists self-catering accommodation on its accommodation lists self-catering 044-531 6805; 044-531 6663; 044-531 044-534 8148; 044-534 044-531 6700; 044-531 A range of accommodation options and of accommodation A range % % % % an enchanted clearing in the wood. Swingin the wood. an enchanted clearing up on (fired chairs, a donkey-boiler Jacuzzi are scat and magical bathrooms Fridays) a lovely spot at the edge of the river east of river of the the edge spot at a lovely and the roaring waves, Tranquility has seven Tranquility and the roaring waves, furni beach-house with out decked rooms thatched brick building has a big lawn, a a big lawn, brick building has thatched and small, kitchen, a lounge, self-catering Trans bathrooms. tidy rooms with outdated chalets R900) chalets Nature’s Valley Rest Camp Rest Valley Nature’s Nature’s Valley Guesthouse Guesthouse Valley Nature’s Haven & Hikers ( is offered port Trail to the start of the Otter (R480 for up to four people). Lodge Tranquility ( Ws ture, African art and surf trimmings. Guests and discounts for the lagoon get free kayaks on local activities. tion) Road Rocky ( forest. of indigenous tered on the fringes lead through the trees, and trails Walking include comfort options accommodation able safari tents and cabins with adjoining is signposted from Rte 102 It bathrooms. about 1km from the N2. posted9km downruns it as 102 Rte from near Kurland from the N2 Valley to Nature’s Rte Valley, AfterVillage. Nature’s passing theit at to the N2, crossing 102 loops back east of Kur toll plaza, 14km Tsitsikamma land Village. 4 Properties Valley Nature’s ( bathroom R350/600; bathroom Patrick’s Ave; Patrick’s com; R190/280; St Michael’s Ave; St Michael’s www.naturesvalleyproperties.co.za/accommoda website. ends and the 60km Tsitsikamma Mountain Mountain Tsitsikamma the 60km ends and (p171 Trail shorter this part in hikes which of the park, Section. is referred the De Vasselot to as sign the village, above are found eateries 170 (p Trail This Otter 46km the is where
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in - % ( 0861 own and 0861 % % ( 0860 008 888; % ( ) are also worthy of (City to City; 0861 589 282; www.cityto t runs between Cape T % in Jo’burg 011-611 8000; www.grey % own 021-380 4400; www.intercape.co.za) ( Getting There & Around & There Getting 8 he major bus companies, including Grey including companies, bus major he Further off the beaten track, notably on the Wild T he easiest way to explore the province is by car, 589 282; www.translux.co.za), Intercape www.shosholozameyl.co.za) trains connect connect trains www.shosholozameyl.co.za) Port Elizabeth and East London with Jo’burg via and East London Elizabeth, Port Bloemfontein. airports. have Mthatha Coast and in the Highlands, travellers on public transport will have to take shared taxis to reach impassable be can Roads spots. more-obscure after heavy rains. Some places on the Wild Coast horseback. or foot on accessible only are Nature’s Valley for nestled is in yellow-wood Valley Nature’s est next beach and lagoon to a magnificent Park. National of Tsitsikamma in the west attention. known destinations such as Baviaanskloof known destinations Wilderness Area (p173 GARDEN ROUTE EAST This of edge region includes the western the Eastern Cape coast, an extension of the Route and, for that Garden well-travelled reason, is probably the most visited partof Park National the province. Tsitsikamma is deservedlybut other lesser- known well city.co.za), ply the same coastal route and also serve the hinterland, linking the Eastern Cape and Johannesburg (Jo’burg) Bloemfontein, with Meyl Shosholoza Pretoria. hound Translux hound.co.za), 8 T but backpacker shuttle the Bus Baz Start practising – Xhosa istongue clicks those in the Eastern Cape. language the predominant Local and Afrikaans. English whites speak Language 229 287; www.bazbus.com) is a good option for touring the coast. I Port Elizabeth (R2020 one way hop-on, hop-off; 15 hours) five days a week in both directions, stopping at backpackers in the Crags (near Nature’s Valley), Bloukrans Bridge, Storms River and Jeffrey’s Bay. Baz Bus also runs between Port Elizabeth and Durban (R1830 one way hop-on, hop-off; 15¼ hours) four days a week, stopping in Port Alfred, East London, Chintsa and Mthatha. Seven- to run Backpackers available. also passes are 21-day from and Hogsback, to East London from shuttles Mthatha to Coffee Bay and Port St Johns. CapeT and City to City (