Travel Guide of Eastern Cape, South Africa

Port Alfred, Eastern Cape.

You will find an abundance of sunshine during the entire year in the Eastern Cape. This is an excellent spot to choose for a vacation. If you’re the type of person that loves beautiful green scenery, astounding seaside, or spots filled with tons of natural beauty, than the Eastern Cape is somewhere you would want to visit. Enjoy ours Travel Guide os Eastern Cape.

People come to this area to get out of their usual element which is usually strenuous city life. The Eastern Cape serves as a great resort with its astonishing mountains, beaches, game reserves, and amazing landscape. Out of South Africa’s 9 provinces, the Eastern Cape is the 2nd largest. This is also the birth place of famous leader Nelson Mandela.

History

The Eastern Cape has had its moments in history of unfriendly confrontation. This is the place where Xhosas, Afrikaners & the English encountered each other for the very first time. In the course of white settlement of the Eastern Cape, the Xhosa groups stayed inland most of the time, within the region of Bushman’s River as well as the Kei River. Ever since 1770, they’d been up against the Afrikaner Trek Boers whom approached from the west part. The two Boers and the Xhosa settled as stock-farmers.

The two groups had competition for land and eventually had disputes with one another, which then lead to wars referred to as grensoorlöe. Politics of the colonial authorities made an effort to impose the separation of black and white settlement spots with Fish River serving as the border. However, the more the community progressed into an up to date state along with a powerful military services, caused the whites to aim towards a plan of land annexing plus the subjugation associated with the African population.

In the midst of the Nineteenth century, the land that was previously inhabited by Xhosa was now in the hands of white settlers. In 1910, the South African union was founded. The British colony as well as the independent Boer Republics became united. This resulted in a modern “democratic” state where only whites could vote.

Port Alfred, Kellys Beach

Climate

There are several varying factors of the Eastern Cape’s Climate. If you are on The west, you’ll most likely face a dry sparse rain during the later months, with frosty winters but nice warm summers. The area Tsitsikamma to Grahamstown gets much more precipitation, and this is somewhat equally dispersed and temperature ranges but are usually mild. If you happen to go further east, rain fall tends to be plentiful along with humidity increasing, sort of like a subtropical region along the coast including some summer rainfall.

Elephants family

Ways to get around in the Eastern Cape

When you fly into the Eastern Cape you will be led to one of the two airoports located in Port Elizabeth and East London. Traveling around in a car or truck is the ideal option specifically between towns and cities.

Minibuses are also offered when moving in longer distances. The train services are suitable pertaining to areas like the Wild Coast if you want beautiful scenery otherwise; being on the road is the best decision.

Tsitsikamma Sunset

Tourist Attractions in the Eastern Cape

- Seaview Lion Park

The Seaview Predator Park is a privately owned, 120-hectare animal park, over-looking the sea in the beautiful area of Seaview. The Seaview Predator Park offers the public educational animal interaction and invites you to become ‘Part of the Pride’, as you come, ‘Face to Fur’, with our lions, tigers, and many other beautiful wild animals, many of which are free roaming, get a chance to play with lion cubs.  Self-drive through the Seaview Predator Park, in your own vehicle, (4X4 vehicles not needed).

- Nelson Mandela Museum  

The Nelson Mandela Museum is situated on the N2 highway in Mthatha in South Africa's Eastern Cape province. It promises visitors a memorable cultural experience and insight into the life of Nelson Mandela, with guided tours and a heritage trail that follows his in his footsteps.

- Tsitsikamma  

Along the South Coast of South Africa lies one of the most beautiful stretches of coastline in the world, home to the Garden Route National Park.

- Sunshine Coast

The Sunshine Coast is a centre for tourism, containing attractions such as water sports, beaches, nature reserves, and sheltered coves and Steve Irwin's Australia Zoo, UnderWater World marine park, Aussie World with the Ettamogah Pub, The Buderim Ginger Factory, The Big Pineapple and the Majestic Theatre at Pomona.

- Addo Elephant Park 

Addo Elephant National Park is a diverse wildlife conservation park situated close to Port Elizabeth. There is a main camp, featuring a swimming pool, restaurant, flood lit water hole and various accommodation, four other rest camps and four camps run by concessionaires.