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The Eastern Cape offers travellers unrivalled beauty and experiences beyond their wildest dreams.
On a hill above Graaff-Reinet, you’ll encounter masses of soaring dolerite columns rising out of the Valley of Desolation, having been unveiled by millions of years of erosion.
A similar remoteness exists along this region’s coastline in the former Transkei, known as the Wild Coast for its spectacular, untamed coastline and perilous seas. Former president Nelson Mandela was born in a small village here, and tourists are profoundly moved by a visit to his humble childhood home.
The two major cities of this region are Port Elizabeth, the ‘Friendly City’, which has wide open beaches and an impressive promenade, wonderful examples of early Victorian architecture and a huge nature reserve with riverside walks within shouting distance of the city centre and East London, the museum in the latter housing the coelacanth which was caught nearby in 1938 when the strange fish was thought to have been extinct for about 80 million years. Nearby is the quaint university town of Grahamstown which hosts the country’s biggest arts festival every July.
And there’s natural drama aplenty at the exclusive, award winning Shamwari Private Reserve, which provides a truly magnificent, malaria-free safari experience.
Near Coffee Bay is a prominent rock formation with a big hole in the middle, which has become a symbol for the Xhosa of a great historical tragedy, the "Great Cattle Killing".
It is a unique structure with a huge detached cliff that has a giant opening carved through its centre by the waves. The local Xhosa call this place "izi Khaleni", which means "place of thunder".
Highlights
NELSON MANDELA MUSEUM
ADDO ELEPHANT NATIONAL PARK
HIGHEST BUNGEE JUMP IN THE WORLD
VALLEY OF DESOLATION
GRAHAMSTOWN NATIONAL ARTS FESTIVAL
HOLE IN THE WALL
TSITSIKAMMA NATIONAL PARK
THE HOLE IN THE WALL
BAVIAANSKLOOF WILDERNESS AREA
THE OWL HOUSE
HOGSBACK
JEFFREYS BAY - SUPERTUBES
SNOW SKIING
HOT SPRINGS - ALIWAL NORTH
800 KM OF UNSPOILT COASTLINE
MALARIA FREE BIG 5 GAME VIEWING
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