The Eastern Cape has it all! Where else
can you surf the world’s
biggest waves, ski down the only snow slopes in Africa,
go on a `big seven’ safari, get to visit the birthplace
of our great Madiba (Nelson Mandela) and even bungee-jump
off the highest bridge in the southern hemisphere?
The second largest of South Africa’s nine provinces,
the diverse Eastern Cape landscape ranges from the dry
desolate Great Karoo to the steamy forests of the Wild
Coast and the Keiskamma Valley. The area also embraces
the fertile Langkloof, renowned for its rich apple harvests,
and is cradled by the mountainous southern Drakensberg.
Widespread hills stand aside sandy beaches;
small-town South Africa comes to greet you – gently
offering five-star hospitality and friendship and expecting
nothing in return. The Eastern Cape is where you'll find
the `big seven’ roaming,
where tropical forests share their space with
an abundant array of birdlife. Truly a magical province.
The shoreline extends from the Umtamvuna River in
KwaZulu-Natal, to the Storms River mouth on the scenic
Garden Route. The extent of the Province stretches inland
to the west and to the north bordering
on Lesotho. Today, the Eastern Cape incorporates the
previously independent `homelands’ of
the Ciskei and Transkei. Despite its colonial past, the
Eastern Cape remains the home of the Xhosa-speaking people
of South Africa. With almost seven million inhabitants,
the Eastern Cape has the third-largest provincial population,
living on about
169 600 km2 of land.
The climate in the Eastern Cape varies
considerably, but has an all year-round holiday climate.
The Eastern
coastal
regions
enjoy hot summers and moderate winters and Port
Elizabeth experiences a daily average of 7 hours sunshine. Northern
regions are much cooler. Certain areas receive erratic
rain throughout the year.
Source: South Africa Tourism
• Port
Elizabeth, sunshine capital of the Eastern
Cape with its friendly people and excellent beaches.
• The Tsitsikamma National Park, forests and rivers.
• East
London, South Africa's only river port, originally
established as a supply port to serve the miltary
headquarters at King William's Town.
• The village of Qunu, former President Nelson
Mandela's childhood home, which features a museum
about the great man's life.
• The world's highest bunjee jump (180m) at
the Bloukrans Bridge on the Storm's River.
• Outstanding and varied game reserves: the
Addo Elephant, Mountain Zebra and Mkambati parks.
• Grahamstown National Arts Festival - Africa's largest and most
colourful cultural event takes place, annually, in this University town,
offering a choice of the very best of both indigenous and imported talents.
• Experience the perfect wave in Jeffreys Bay, the surfing capital
of South Africa and a major international surfing
venue that attracts visitors from all over the
world to experience the “perfect wave”.
• Tiffindell is the only ski resort in Africa. Situated in
the Southern Drakensberg on the slopes of the highest mountain peak
in the Eastern Cape (3001m). The resort was started in 1994 with basic
small accommodation, a rough road and few facilities and has since
become a popular destination for those in search of an exciting snow
adventure.
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