The Eastern Cape: Home of legends

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Celebrated as the birth province of liberation struggle icons like Nelson Mandela, Steve Biko, O.R. Tambo, Robert Sobukwe, Govan Mbeki and many more, we turn our attention to the Eastern Cape this Mandela Month.

By: Staff Writer

With so much to explore in South Africa’s second largest province, we highlight the Eastern Cape’s nine regions and a few experiences to try the next time you’re there.  

The Wild Coast 

The Wild Coast is the birth and resting place of the late former president Nelson Mandela and stretches from East London to Port Edward. The region is known for some of the most beautiful coastal scenery in the world. Think steep green hills with clusters of traditional Xhosa mud huts, windswept cliffs, deserted white beaches, forests, untameable waves and numerous shipwrecks. 

Visit the Nelson Mandela Museum 

Located in Mthatha, the museum chronicles the life of South Africa’s iconic former president, his struggle for democracy, and the end of the apartheid regime. The Nelson Mandela Museum also operates in a second site, the Nelson Mandela Youth and Heritage Centre in Qunu.

At the centre in Qunu visitors can see sites of significance such as a sliding stone where Madiba used to play with his peers, ruins of a rondel where he was named Nelson on his first day of school, a family grave site not far from the centre, a church where he was baptised and a residential place where he lies buried.

 
Visit the Hole in the Wall 

Set just off the Wild Coast, south of Coffee Bay, the rocky archway was created millions of years ago by the relentless action of the waves crashing against the sandstone. The little holiday village close by shares the same name. According to Xhosa legend, this is the gateway to the world of their ancestors, and they refer to it as “esiKhaleni”, which means “place of thunder” or “place of sound”.

 
Hike the Wild Coast 

Visitors have a selection of trails to suit all types of hikers. The more rugged north with its rocky cliffs and deep river valleys will attract the more adventurous traveller who are prepared to carry their own bags and stay in backpackers and community homestays. The flatter terrain and sandy beaches of the south will appeal to the those who want a gentle hiking experience and comfortable overnight accommodation.

Tsitsikamma 

Tsitsikamma is a Khoi word meaning “place of abundant or sparkling water”. This region stretches from the Bloukrans River to the Tsitsikamma River in the east and is bordered by the Tsitsikamma Mountains and the Indian Ocean. 

 
Hike the Otter Trail 

The 45km Otter Trail runs along the spectacular coastline between the Storms River mouth and Nature’s Valley and is considered one of the finest multi-day trails in the world. The trail is named after the shy, mostly nocturnal, Cape clawless otter which inhabits the estuaries and streams of the South African coast.


Bungee jump off the Bloukrans Bridge  

The view from one of the world’s highest bridges captures all the majesty of the Bloukrans River valley before your bungee jump off the 216-metre-high bridge. Bloukrans Bungy uses pendulum bungy technology for the most comfortable bungy jump possible.

 
Segway the forest 

Discover the Storms River Village and the Tsitsikamma Forest on a Segway. The guided tour takes you around the cool pine forest, indigenous forest over the historical Witteklip Bridge into the local township and to the 1 000-year-old Tsitsikamma Big Tree.

 
Tree-top canopy tour 

A canopy tour takes you on an unforgettable adventure as you zipline from one platform to the next along a series of steel cables set amongst magnificent natural surroundings. Safe for almost all ages (recommended age group is between 7 – 70).

Kouga 

The Kouga region include the towns of Humansdorp, Patensie and Hankie in the Gamtoos Valley, the Langkloof Valley, the Baviaanskloof Wilderness Area (a UNESCO World Heritage Site). and the coastal towns of Oyster Bay, St Francis Bay and Jeffrey’s Bay.

Read more in the latest issue of Sawubona Magazine.

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