Tag: Eastern Cape

National Arts Festival Cultural Detour

South Africa,Travel Tips,Traveller's tales
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By Megon Venter on

There are some beautiful safari destinations in the Eastern Cape of South Africa but sometimes the journey is long and calls for a detour! One of the major attractions in this area is the National Arts Festival. This festival takes place for 11 days during the month of July and is where the best musicians, dancers, stage actors, poets and artists all come together to showcase their work. The philosophy of the event is that there be no censorship and that all are welcome in the spirit of anti-apartheid activists in the cultural sector.

Rhodes University is settled in this little town so plenty of students bring fresh ideas and energy to the festivities. Join us on our little side track through to the sleepy town of Makhanda (previously Grahamstown) for an immersion in the arts.

Accommodation & Transport

National Arts Festival
Photo Credit: Daniel Hackney

Early booking is key to finding accommodation for the National Arts Festival as we soon discovered when we decided to go just a month shy of the actual event. There are lovely B&B’s and hotels on offer and some people even open up their homes during this time of year. The town is very small and so everything is in walking distance – except if you don’t manage to get space at the limited accommodation selection…

There is no Uber in Grahamstown and taxis are fairly expensive but you shouldn’t need to drive between shows. However, for when it starts to become darker in the evenings, we found out that there is a rather ingenious method of transport on offer – the tuk-tuk. This small scooter-like cab is ideal for crossing the short distances between the shows and your accommodation with only a minimal fee to pay.

Show Guide

National Arts Festival
Photo Credit: Megon Venter

The shows and exhibitions are scattered throughout town but National Arts Festival programs and tickets are available from the National Monument, now in memory of Mandela, located near the entrance to town. There are Main (curated and selected by an artistic committee) and Fringe events (a diverse assortment of works that doesn’t need to adhere to the selection process). You can book online or telephonically before you go but it’s also exciting to show up outside a venue that looks interesting (you can normally spy some pre-show rehearsals happening) and just get tickets then.

Our experience included a steam punk band, a couple performing off-the-cuff, a dramatic interpretation of South African poet Ingrid Jonker’s artistic nature, a noir detective play that turned into a tango, a black and white video installation and a stand-up comedian performance. These do not even include all the shows that were on our wishlist (we were not there for the entirety of the festival) which included a rendition of Animal Farm and installations by revered South Africa artists of the apartheid protest era. There is so much to see and very little time!

Restaurants, Cafés & Bars

National Arts Festival
Photo Credit: Megon Venter

The beauty of this small and artistic town is that you can try something new every night, including the restaurants! While coffee was never in short supply at the venues themselves, we found a range of culinary styles in town as well as a little further out.

Rat & Parrot

While normally frequented by students (thankfully those not performing are on vacation) this bar is actually an integral part of the town’s heritage having served drinks of all kinds to many generations.

Picnic

Our friend introduced us to this treasure which lies just outside of the main town square. Every table is a chalk board and comes with a few pieces of chalk for your enjoyment. There are also a few vegetarian options available from their harvest table!

Madhatter’s Coffee Shop

We stopped here one morning for breakfast, captivated by the quaint little English-style storefront with a giant hat hanging as the sign. They serve traditional English meals and a provide a hearty breakfast before you start out on your day of shows.

Red Café

Walking up the stairs of an older building in the main square we discovered the Red Café, perfect for quiet evenings coloured by Van Gogh paintings. They serve a mixed batch of meals but once again we found it to be very accommodating in terms of vegan and vegetarian choices. There is also a deck from where you can view some stray mimes or witness stressed tourists running to make their seating time.

We hope this advice is helpful and entices you to venture off the beaten path in South Africa. There are so many places, just slightly more remote than the usual destinations, that are well-worth the visit.

A Complete Guide to South Africa’s Eastern Cape

South Africa
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By Jemma Brewitt on
Waterbuck antelope in the Eastern Cape of South Africa.
Waterbuck antelope in the Eastern Cape of South Africa.

The Eastern Cape, South Africa‘s ‘wild province’, is a place of contrast. From uninhabited deserts as far as the eye can see to lush, tropical forests and wild beaches, the Eastern Cape will mold itself into your dream trip and to top that off – it’s easily accessed. This is a province so diverse in experiences and topography that it feels like a country of its own. Quaint and culture-filled towns scatter the province, perfect barrels roll out for surfers and malaria-free Big 5 safaris attract visitors from all ends of the globe. There’s a lot to do and see: here’s our complete Eastern Cape Guide and travel advices.

Our complete guide to the Eastern Cape of South Africa

Geography in South Africa

The Eastern Cape is a South African province which was formed in 1994 out of the Xhosa homelands together with the eastern portion of the Cape Province. It’s  located in the south-east of the country and gets progressively wetter from east to west.  One of the province’s greatest traits is that it is home to all seven of South Africa’s biomes –  it’s no wonder the Eastern Cape is teeming with fauna and flora! These seven biomes of South Africa are grassland, savanna, succulent karoo, nama karoo, forest, fynbos, desert, and thicket and make the Eastern Cape one of South Africa’s most diverse provinces.

Map of the Eastern Cape of South Africa
Map of the Eastern Cape of South Africa
Dwyka Tented Lodge in the Shamwari Game Reserve of South Africa
Dwyka Tented Lodge in the Shamwari Game Reserve of South Africa

Culture in South Africa

The eastern and central part of the Eastern Cape are predominantly Xhosa. The province therefore has a strong cultural tie to the Xhosa traditions and is home to many important South African politicians, such as Nelson Mandela. Traditional African villages are scattered around its countryside and its undeveloped coastline ensuring an authentic experience for travelers. The Eastern Cape also reflects South Africa’s colonial past with traces of British and Cape-Dutch architecture and language.  Our favourite cultural things to do in the Eastern Cape are visiting the Owl House in Nieu-Bethesda and attending the Grahams Town Art Festival.

Nelson Mandela
Nelson Mandela
A Xhosa woman in the Eastern Cape of South Africa
A Xhosa woman in the Eastern Cape of South Africa, Photo credit: South African Tourism

Wildlife & Safari in South Africa

Many private reserves and national parks make up the Eastern Cape and make it one of the top destinations for action-packed safaris. Home to the Big 5 and other indigenous fauna and flora, the Eastern Cape is not only a wildlife haven but boasts a spectacular coastline, too. Wild and exquisite beaches are the prefect look-out points for whale and dolphin spotting during their migration periods.

Giraffe walking in Eastern Cape
Giraffe walking in Eastern Cape
Bee eater bird in the Eastern Cape of South Africa
Bee eater bird in the Eastern Cape of South Africa

Climate & When to go in South Africa

April is one of our favourite months to visit the Eastern Cape (although it’s pretty spectacular all year round) because it falls between the summer rains and the winter chill and it’s also a great time to see wildlife and simultaneously enjoy quiet beaches. July allows for attendance to events such as the Grahams Town National Arts Festival and Jeffreys Bay Surf Competition. September and October showcase spring wildflowers, temperatures haven’t soared too much in the Karoo, and it’s also a fantastic time to visit magical places like Hogsback.

Jeffreys Bay beach - surfer
Jeffreys Bay beach – surfer on the spot
Sunset at the Kwandwe River in the Eastern Cape of South Africa
Sunset at the Kwandwe River in the Eastern Cape of South Africa

Eastern Cape Guide: Top Destinations

The Sunshine Coast

  • The Sunshine Coast is made up of charming seaside towns and a dramatic coastline along the 500km stretch from Tsitsikamma to East London.  As its name suggests, the Sunshine Coast has year-round sun and is known for spectacular hiking, indigenous vegetation, bird life, surfing, abseiling, nature trails, rivers and its warm and inviting waters. Towns such as Kenton-on-Sea, Port Elizabeth, Oyster Bay, Port Alfred and Jeffreys Bay lie along this coastline and offer a unique beach getaway.
    Kenton-On-Sea on the Eastern Cape of South Africa
    Kenton-On-Sea on the Eastern Cape of South Africa
    Aerial view of Port St Francis
    Aerial view of Port St Francis

    Private Game Reserves

  • Private Game Reserves are scattered throughout the province capturing the seven biomes of South Africa and the great news is that they’re all in malaria-free environments. Marvel at the world renowned Big 5 and be spoiled for choice with the many reserves available.  Embark on bush walks, game drives, go birding with over 400 species and make use of the special activities arranged for children. Each with their own unique characteristics, these are our favourite game reserves in the Eastern Cape: Kwandwe, Shamwari, Kariega and Lalibela.
  • Rhino viewing at Kwandwe Game Reserve
    Rhino viewing at Kwandwe Game Reserve
    Lion cubs at Kariega Game Reserve
    Lion cubs at Kariega Game Reserve

    Addo Elephant National Park

  • Addo Elephant National Park is South Africa’s third-largest national park. With over 600 elephant in the park, Addo has one of the highest densities of elephant on the planet.  Look out for the Big 7, which include the southern right whale and the great white shark, and spot zebra, black rhino and hyena. Only an hour’s drive from the Port Elizabeth Airport, watch as landscapes vary from diverse Karoo with succulents and shrubs to rolling plains and subtropical forests.
    Elephant family walking in Addo Elephant National Park, South Africa
    Elephant family walking in Addo Elephant National Park, South Africa

    Wild Coast

  • The Wild Coast is composed of a dramatic and rustic coastline and is not for the faint-hearted. A backpacker’s and adventure’s dream, the Wild Coast is perfect for spectacular hikes, birding, horse riding, cultural visits and surfing. This section of coast is 350km long and stretches from East London to Port Edward. Often referred to as the Transkei, the Wild Coast consists of many rural settlements and clusters of rondavels (huts) can be seen dotted around the rolling hills.

    The Wild Coast of South Africa
    The Wild Coast of South Africa

Get in in South Africa

Another great aspect about the Eastern Cape is that no charter planes are needed to access its top destinations. Airports in Port Elizabeth and East London make the Eastern Cape safaris some of the easiest to get to. The Eastern Cape is also often self-driven. The roads are good in most parts of the province although it wouldn’t be the Wild Coast without a little bit of ‘off the beaten track’ charm.

Cape Buffalo in the Eastern Cape
Cape Buffalo in the Eastern Cape
Kwandwe Ecca Lodge in the Eastern Cape of South Africa
Kwandwe Ecca Lodge in the Eastern Cape of South Africa

Travel Tips & Important Travel Information

  • No vaccines are essential, however we ask that you verify specific precautions with a certified doctor or travel clinic.
  • A yellow fever certificate is required from visitors traveling from or through areas where yellow fever is prevalent.
  • A South African visa is required to enter the country. Ensure you have arranged one in advance of your travels. Furthermore, proof of guardianship, custody or consent from a guardian is needed for unaccompanied minors.  Children under the age of 18 years will also need an Unabridged Birth Certificate.
  • Currency is in ZAR (South African Rand). Credit cards are widely accepted and ATMs can be found in all towns.
The Garden Route - Eastern Cape, South Africa
The Garden Route – Eastern Cape, South Africa, Photo credit: South African Tourism

Our consultants at Rhino Africa have been to the Eastern Cape many times and are happy to answer questions or help tailor your trip. If this Eastern Cape Guide calls out to you, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

We recommend: Shamwari Game Reserve

Garden Route,Safari,South Africa
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By Matthew Sterne on

Go wild in the Garden Route

I recently visited the Shamwari (meaning “friend” in Shona) Game Reserve on the Garden Route and was lucky enough to stay in two of their seven luxury lodges. We left the Kwandwe Private Game Reserve, also in the Eastern Cape, and took a back road short cut to access Shamwari. It was about an hour’s drive past scenic bush and other game reserves. At the lodge, we were warmly welcomed and went straight to a much-awaited three-course lunch, accompanied by the friendly Deputy General Manager, Gunther Strauss.

Home to the coveted Big 5, Shamwari offers an excellent nature experience. Situated in the malaria free Eastern Cape province of South Africa, it is the biggest and oldest game reserve in the Garden Route and offers the best game viewing in the region. See lion, leopard, cheetah, buffalo, white and black rhino, elephant and giraffe, as well as the lesser spotted animals such as genet, serval, bushbabies, jackal, bat-eared foxes, and more.

This privately owned 25 000 ha reserve has received numerous international awards. And it’s easy to see why. They have great conservation projects (including Born Free – see below) and an excellent anti-poaching department. They employ mostly people from the local and nearby communities. The landscape is typical of the Eastern Cape, with rivers, deep valleys, open plains and wild flowers. One special extra is the opportunity to have your entire holiday there filmed. A TV crew will video your stay for you and you’ll receive your memories on DVD to take home. Of course, you’ll probably not want to let them into the bathroom with you…

Watch our Shamwari video here:

BEST PART: Definitely the walking safaris and the wide open spaces.
WORST PART: That would be having to leave and having to work when there. I could happily have stayed for much longer.
GAME VIEWING: It was spectacular. We spotted the rare serval and saw elephants playing in the mud, which was quite unique. The area is very open so it’s easy to see wildlife.
FOOD: It is 5 star all the way. We enjoyed a delicious braai and a 5 course dinner, paired with wines.
ACCOMMODATION: We spent one night at Long Lee Manor which is very typically colonial, and were luckily able to experience another night at the brand-spanking-new Sarili Lodge, which is amazing, modern and overlooks a river. We had a look at all the lodges though and they were all superb.
FAVOURITE LODGES: Eagles Crag, Bayethe and Sarili.
ENTERTAINMENT/ACTIVITIES: We enjoyed all kinds of activities, including massages at the spa, swimming in the luxurious pools that overlook the game, walking safaris and game drives. The Born Free Big Cats Sanctuary at Shamwari is also a must! The centre is part of the Born Free Foundation, an international wildlife charity working to stop the suffering of wild animals and protect threatened species in the wild. Shamwari is passionate about conservation and it was great to stay at a place that gives back and works to help these abused cats from all over the world. The centre has a museum and educational facility to create awareness of the horrific way wildlife is exploited in captivity around the world. After a game drive we visited the two Big Cat Sanctuaries and saw leopard triplets and lions in their enclosures – where they’re kept away from other animals in the reserve.
STAFF: The staff are really friendly and passionate. They went out of their way for us, especially our ranger, Ryan.
ROMANTIC? After dinner we enjoyed a candle lit bubble bath with rose petals and a bottle of champers… So yes!
RECOMMEND IT? Hugely.

Lion at Shamwari Game Reserve

Leopard at Shamwari's Born Free Centre

Cheetah yawning in Shamwari

Seven Unique Lodges

Shamwari Longlee Manor
Long Lee Manor is a well restored Edwardian Manor House that offers guests refined comfort, congenial service and enticing cuisine.

Shamwari Riverdene Lodge
Shamwari’s Riverdene Lodge caters well for families and groups. It offers a mixture of elegance and stylish colonialism set in the beautiful surrounds of the African wilderness.

Shamwari Bayethe Lodge
Bayethe Tented Camp in the Shamwari Private Game Reserve in the Eastern Cape offers the ultimate luxury tented safari stay. Set on 25,000 hectares of unspoiled land and in a malaria-free area, it provides a great game experience!

Shamwari Bushmans River Lodge
Shamwari Bushmans River Lodge is a beautifully restored Victorian homestead and has magnificent sweeping views of the Bushmans River valley. The game viewing is great and it’s malaria-free too.

Shamwari Sarili Lodge
Shamwari Sarili Lodge is an environmentally-friendly safari lodge providing the perfect combination of colonial and bush experiences great for families and small groups wanting to enjoy a private safari experience.

Shamwari Eagles Crag
Eagles Crag Lodge is an avant-garde masterpiece of thatch, stone and glass for the discerning traveller who is looking for privacy and tranquility.

Shamwari Lobengula Lodge
Shamwari Lobengula Lodge offers a magical game viewing experience with traditional African elegance, luxurious amenities and tranquil surrounds.

Shamwari also has a Townhouse, not in the reserve but in Port Elizabeth on the coast. It is without a doubt the most exclusive accommodation in Port Elizabeth, the newly opened Shamwari Townhouse offers seven luxury suites, an outdoor terrace and heavenly spa all a stone’s throw away from the Indian Ocean on the beachfront.

Enjoy a dip in the swimming pool at Riverdene Lodge

Enjoy great views from your deck at Shamwari Sarili Lodge

Watch the video about the Born Free Foundation here:

For more information about Shamwari and to book your stay at this incredible Garden Route destination, speak to one of our consultants today – they are experts at combining safari and beach holidays and will tailor make a trip to your budget, style and interests.

You can read more about Garden Route safaris here.

Focus on Samara

Doing Good,Garden Route,Photography & Videos,South Africa
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By Matthew Sterne on

 

At Rhino Africa we’re constantly on the lookout for fantastic new places and new experiences to bring to our clients. Samara is one such place.

Samara Private Game Reserve

One of the least visited, but most breathtaking provinces in South Africa is the Eastern Cape. Samara has created a unique wilderness experience in a heart-stoppingly beautiful  amphitheatre of mountains on 70,000 acres of pristine land. We wouldn’t send guests here who are dead set on seeing the Big 5 – there are no elephant or lion at Samara. But there’s a very good reason for that. At Samara, they really want guests to be at one with nature, to roam freely, to dine on a mountain top and to marvel at the sun rise and unspoilt nature. Not only are lions and elephant dangerous, but elephant cause mass destruction and would soon wreck the harmony of this peaceful retreat. That’s not to say you’ll go wanting on the wildlife front, with over 66 mammal species and 220 bird species recorded. The emphasis at Samara is on total rest and relaxation through tailor made pampering. And with three accommodation options, there is something for everyone.  The Karoo Lodge has three luxury suites and three individual, Karoo-style cottages. But if it’s exclusive use with friends or family that you’re after, look no further than the Manor or the The Mountain Retreat. Drop us an enquiry if you would like to find out more about staying at Samara.

Samara Private Game Reserve

Conservation is paramount at Samara. A place where magical tales are woven about the millions of springbok which once roamed this area, the “Vanished Kings”, the Cape lion who majestically strode the Plains of Camdeboo, the rhino, the cheetah, the explorers, the characters of yesteryear and the haunting beauty of the semi-desert land. Nearly 125 years after it was last seen, the cheetah reigns again. Privileged to be home to the highly endangered cheetah, Samara also hosts a remarkable individual. Born a wild cheetah, Sibella’s life nearly ended at the hands of hunters. After being savagely treated in captivity, she was fortunate enough to be rescued and underwent life-saving surgery and rehabilitation at the De Wildt Cheetah and Wildlife Trust. In December 2003, Sibella started a new chapter in her life when she and two males were released into Samara. We’ll be keeping an eye on Sibella as well as taking a closer look at the accommodation and experience at Samara in future RA Blog entries, so watch this space…

Samara Private Game Reserve

The passionate Samara owners have completely rejuvenated this magnificent land. They are completely smitten by the Great Karoo. We think you will be too.

Samara Private Game Reserve

Discovering the Eastern Cape

Doing Good,General,Honeymoon,South Africa,Traveller's tales
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By Craig Harding on

I had the privilege of visiting the Eastern Cape for four days this last week. It was the first time I was visiting this part of our country and I must say, I was thoroughly impressed! The Eastern Cape is an extension of the Garden Route and has an extraordinary variety of scenic beauty, ranging from the vast and arid Great Karoo to the Knysna Forest, to the fertile lands of the Little Karoo. The two main cities are Port Elizabeth (you can fly here from Durban, Johannesburg or Cape Town) and East London, with the historical town of Grahamstown situated inland.

The properties I visited include three different and unique areas of this province. We started by visiting 7 Worcester Street Luxury Guest house. This is a historic building that offers beautifully designed luxury suites and combines wonderfully with the history of the town. It is located in the heart of the historic educational city-town of Grahamstown, which was once a British Garrison and centre of British settlers in Southern Africa. To enforce our education of the area, we were privileged to meet Alan Weyer, a renowned historian and raconteur. He gave us a captivating tour and lecture on the history of the area, which was much more spectacular and comprehensive than any of my history lessons back in High School! I was completely captivated and thrilled to learn so much about our history of this unique country! Alan conducts these tours on a regular basis and I will convince anyone who is heading towards Grahamstown to embark on an insightful journey with Alan – it is truly unforgettable.

Heading north from Grahamstown towards Graaf Reinet, we finally arrived at the superb private game reserve called Samara. This is the largest private game reserve in the Eastern Cape with 70000 acres of malaria-free wilderness. It is simply amazing the vast plains you can see from the mountain tops of this newly established game reserve that seems untouched by man. The lodge itself is a true reflection of luxury and the service is also outstanding! There are countless activities, such as early morning and afternoon game drives, guided bush walks or cheetah tracking on foot, star gazing, picnics on the hill top with outstanding vistas, tennis and guided visits to the unique historical and paleontological sites created by the Khoi San. My favourite experiences were enjoying traditional Karoo Lamb, seeing the endless Plains of Camdeboo and tracking cheetah on foot!

Addo Elephant Park

Our next stop was further south to the well-known Addo Elephant Park. Here we stayed at River Bend Country Lodge and sadly due to the cold and rainy weather, not many elephants were to be seen on our trip, however I was rightly assured that it was due to the weather and if we had stayed a further 2 or 3 nights, we would’ve been blessed with many more elephant sightings! Our stay at River Bend was truly a great and personal one because the six of us stayed in the Long Hope Manor, not a far distance from the main lodge. This is their private ‘villa’ with only 3 rooms (accommodating 6 persons) complete with it’s own chef and private game ranger – well at least we felt like royalty and we were beautifully hosted for dinner by the Managers themselves, Marius and Lorraine. Our ranger and chef were also superb.

Finally we ended our stay at which is a Big 5 game reserve composing of 5000 ha. The lodge is small and intimate with only 7 suites and the service was great. This is another game reserve where you are able to ‘walk and stalk’ cheetah on foot and this was a true highlight. I will admit that the weather was pretty much okay for the majority of our trip, however on our last morning game drive at Blaauwbosch, we all were seriously freezing.

Our ranger was really great in that he organised warm blankets, hot water bottles and poncho’s for our game drive, however we still managed to get quite cold – it must have something to do with being in the Karoo! But our game drive was highlighted with us seeing 5 magnificent cheetah! After a lot of persuading, I was also able to get up close and personal with these beautiful animals on foot, which is something I will never forget. The pictures we took were simply amazing (some were taken by our game ranger, Warren, since he seemed to be the only confident one to get really close!).

I came to the conclusion that the Eastern Cape is a unique place – complete with South African history and the origination of the many cultures we see there today, and a big gaming area, which leaves the Kruger National Park to be reckoned with (and it is malaria-free)!

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