The Adventure Province Eastern Cape - Where else can you surf some of the world’s best waves or ski down the only snow slopes in Africa? Where else would you be able to go on a `Big Seven’ safari and see lion, buffalo, cheetah, rhino, elephant, whales and great white sharks and much more wildlife than you'd ever imagined?
The Eastern Cape is a remarkably diverse area - ranging from the lush, evergreen Tsitsikamma Forest to the rugged Baviaanskloof Wilderness Area, the southern slopes of the Drakensberg Mountains and the arid Great Karoo desert. It is known as the land of rolling hills, endless sweeps of rocky coves and stunning beaches, towering mountain ranges and fertile forests.
The largest attraction in the Eastern Cape is its astonishing coastline, which is a paradise for water sports enthusiasts: surfers ride perfect waves, anglers reel in king-size catches, and windsurfers take on the inviting challenge of the wind.
The Eastern Cape comprises seven different biomes, of which the Grassland, Nama Karoo, Thicket and Savanna biomes are the most extensive.
A total of 316 threatened plant species are found in the province, more than one fifth occurring in the Thicket biome. The Forest and Fynbos biomes contain the highest number of threatened plants per unit area. There are three centres of endemism in the province, namely the Albany, Drakensberg and Pondoland centres. The province is home to 4 endemic freshwater fish species, 8 threatened marine fish species, 6 threatened frog species (4 of these are endemic), and 19 threatened reptile species (18 of these are endemic).
More than 10% of Eastern Cape's surface area is conserved in some way.
Some of these areas include proclaimed provincial nature reserves, marine reserve, and coastal islands; while others are referred to as conservation or wilderness areas.
Spectacular examples of local vegetation are ericas, protease, wild daisies, the Cape Thatching reed, the Yellowwood, Schotia and Coral Trees, Spekboom (favourite food of the elephant), tree fuschia, sneezewood, guarri, the num-num and other shrubs (found predominantly in the Addo area), many varied grass types, Euphorbia, Aloe and other succulents, along with herbs and bulbous plants.
South Africa's native fauna is the premier attraction of the many wildlife game reserves the Eastern Cape. Boasting some magnificent and almost untouched scenery, the area is malaria-free and is fast becoming one of the foremost game viewing destinations in the country. Various private game farms in the area have ensured that the Eastern Cape is well stocked with wildlife. Varieties of buck (bushbuck, duiker, grey rhebok, mountain reedbuck, grysbok) and birdlife inhabit the region and just 72kms from the city centre, one can view the Big 5 (Elephant, Lion, Leopard, Rhino, Buffalo) plus zebra, giraffe, and more....Malaria Free.
Some of the Eastern Cape's MAGNIFICENT natural attractions:
Valley of Desolation
Hole in the Wall
Baviaanskloof Wilderness Area
Addo Elephant National Park
Tsitsikamma National Park
Alexandria Dune Fields
Ben Macdui
Hogsback
Camdeboo
.
The Eastern Cape is one of South Africa’s leading nature and conservation based tourism destinations, offering a wealth of game viewing, diverse scenic beauty and boasting all seven of South Africa’s plant biomes. The Nature Reserves managed by the Eastern Cape Parks cover an area of 438,000ha.
A commitment to protecting biodiversity and conservation of the biomes will see:
* a total increase of this area by 10 000ha annually
* mutually beneficial relationships with neighbouring communities
* the preservation of natural resources.
* a total increase of this area by 10 000ha annually
* mutually beneficial relationships with neighbouring communities
* the preservation of natural resources.
The reserves extend in scope from the 184 385 ha Baviaanskloof Nature Reserve in the Baviaanskloof mega conservation area - the third largest protected area in South Africa, to the 400 ha forested valley reserve on the Wild Coast, Silaka.
Accommodation ranges from luxurious lodges and renovated classic Cape-style farm homesteads to wooden chalets, bungalows and hikers huts. Picnic and camping sites are available at selected reserves.
Eastern Cape is one of South Africa's leading nature and conservation based tourism destinations, offering a wealth of game viewing, diverse scenic beauty and boasting all seven of South Africa's plant biomes.
The nature reserves managed by Eastern Cape Parks cover an area of some 438,000 hectares. A commitment to protecting bio-diversity and conservation of the biomes, will see a total increase of this area by 10,000 hectares annually; the eradication of non-indigenous flora and fauna; mutually beneficial relationships with neighbouring communities and the preservation of cultural resources.
Accommodation ranges from luxurious lodges and renovated classic Cape-style farm homesteads to wooden chalets, rustic cabins, bungalows and hikers huts. Picnic and camping sites are available at selected reserves.
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 shoreline of this province extends from the Umtamvuna River in KwaZulu-Natal, to the Storms River mouth on the scenic Garden Route.
The Eastern Cape is the only province of South Africa to have all seven of its ecological zones within its boundaries. This gives the province a tremendous diversity of climates, allowing for a vast range of activities. The Eastern Cape also enjoys more than 300 "sunshine" days per year.
Eastern Cape Parks is a public entity established in terms of the Provincial Parks Board Act 12 of 2003. The Eastern Cape Parks mandate is a biodiversity conservation inside the Nature Reserves. It is striving to be one of the world’s renowned biodiversity conservation agencies and prides itself in its unique rich biomes and malaria free network of Provincial Nature Reserves.
Nature Reserve / Wilderness Ar... Price: from R 800.00
This peaceful, malaria free hunting area is situated 125 miles north of Port Elizabeth in the EASTERN CAPE near Somerset East.
City or Town: Somerset East
Farm Venue, Bird Sanctuary, Na... Price: from R 200.00
Wilton Guest Farm Accommodation at Somerset East
City or Town: Somerset East
Bed and Breakfast, Caravan and... Price: from R 200.00
Kamala Game Reserve hosts the Big 5. Accommodation ranges from self catering, b&b to fully catered. Our Adventure centre has the unique gorge glide.
City or Town: Somerset East
Accommodation Booking Agent, B... Price: from R 0.00
There are 2 garden cottages which are fully equipped for either B&B or self catering sleeping 6 and5 people respectively
City or Town: Somerset East
Guesthouse, Nature Reserve / W... Price: from R 200.00
Farm Accommodation
City or Town: Somerset East
Nature Reserve / Wilderness Ar... Price: from R 200.00
Nature Reserve with 4 chalets in the picnic area.
City or Town: Somerset East
