Explore the Eastern Cape - South Africa, Virtually!
The Eastern Cape Parks and Tourism Agency has recently developed an interactive platform for consumers to explore unique attractions within the destination. The tours can be accessed from anywhere in the world where there is internet connectivity. These attractions and locations were strategically chosen to offer a mix of adventure, nature, marine and historical experiences with a wide geographical spread to be representative of most of the Eastern Cape’s tourism regions.
The Owl House, Nieu-Bethesda
Outer appearances can be deceiving. In life, Helen Elizabeth Martins was a shy, retiring figure, rarely seen outside on the streets of Nieu-Bethesda. But this recluse was the custodian of a magical inner kingdom that she breathed into life. Weird to some, wonderful to others, The Owl House is a work of outsider art created by Helen Martins between 1945 and 1976. Driven to despair by the dullness of her daily life, she took steps to transform her world with light, colour, and texture.
Steve Biko Museum
Located in the Ginsberg Township of King William’s Town in the Eastern Cape, the Steve Biko Centre & Museum focuses on translating global interest in the legacy of anti-apartheid activist Bantu Stephen Biko into a developmental resource for the region.The Steve Biko Centre is comprising of a Museum, conference space, Biko Heritage Trail, restaurant, business centre and library.
Hole in the Wall, Wild Coast
The Hole in the Wall is one of the most interesting landmarks of the Wild Coast. The cliff consists of dark-blue shales, mudstone, and sandstones of the Ecca Group, dating back some 260 million years. These rocks were subsequently intruded by a dolerite sheet. The “hole” was created over millions of years by erosion of the buffeting waves and the flow of the river, which eroded the softer rocks underneath the dolerite to form an arch. The same processes also eventually separated the cliff from the mainland. It stands before the mouth of the Mpako River and is the source of many legends.
Sundays River Adventure Sandboarding
Experience Sandboarding or Sandsledding the famous Alexandria Dune Field – the largest and least degraded coastal dunes in Africa. The fresh ocean air will embrace you as your board skips across the sand on your way down to the Sundays River –it’s one wild ride!
You’ll depart from the dock at Colchester, Addo, with a short boat cruise along the Sundays River to the soaring dunes. There’s time to take in the beauty of the river, birdlife, and the coastal section of the Addo National Park before the fun really starts. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned sandboarder, our guides will have you boarding like a pro in no time! Excursions are available in two- or three- hour tours, which will give you enough time to get into your groove, master some new skills and cool off in the river.
Ocean Safari, Nelson Mandela Bay
Raggy Charters is a licensed boat-based Whale Watching permit holder in Port Elizabeth (Gqeberha), South Africa. The most amazing marine life can be found in the Algoa Bay, also known as the Bottlenose Dolphin Capital of the world. African Penguins, Bottlenose Dolphins, Common Dolphins, Humpback Dolphins, Bryde’s Whales, Minke Whales, Southern Right Whales, Humpback Whales, Cape Fur Seals, various species of sharks (Great White Shark), Cape Gannets and various species of Pelagic Birds including Terns, Petrels, Skuas, Shearwaters and Albatrosses can be found in the Algoa Bay. This is a unique marine activity ideal to book on a good weather day before heading to any of the Private Safari Reserves or the Addo Elephant National Park to complete a ‘Big 7’ Safari experience in the Eastern Cape.
Madonna & Child Waterfall, Hogsback
The Madonna and Child Falls in Hogsback are accessible by either starting at Wolf Ridge Road or alternatively you can take a slightly longer route, starting from the Main Road just next to where the 800-year-old Big Tree stands. The blissful walk through the untouched forest will lead you down a steep descent about 150 meters long. There are stairs and railings along this route to ensure your safety. Once you’ve reached the waterfall and you’ve tilted your head slightly and tapped into your imagination, the shape of a mother and child will finally come to sight when looking at this popular formation of bed rock and waterfalls. Once you have taken in the beauty of the falls and rock formation you can relax in the plunge pool beneath the waterfall.
St Francis Bay Canal Cruise
Experience the beautiful St Francis Bay Canals and Kromme River on a luxury 12-seater barge. Built in 1967, the canal system of St Francis Bay has become a leading South African tourist destination. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the tranquil canal waters as your professional skipper escorts you through the waterways offering you wonderful views of the architecture, wildlife and as evening draws in, the spectacular sunsets.
Giraffe Safari
Possibly the most distinctive animal of all, the skyscrapers of Africa dominate the treetops of the bushveld at Bellevue Forest Reserve. An exhilarating, authentic African experience is to join a giraffe tracking safari on foot in the 2500-hectare private game reserve. Giraffe are quite remarkable creatures and much more so from the perspective of being on the ground looking up! The walk lasts about 1 hour and 45 minutes. The terrain is suitable for those of average fitness. Bookings are essential and larger groups can be accommodated by prior arrangement.
Amazwi Museum of South Africa Literature
The National English Literary Museum was founded with a small collection of South African manuscripts by the late Professor Guy Butler of Rhodes University in the 1960s. Butler had a vision of a national repository for South African literary manuscripts, and this was the genesis of the museum. The Thomas Pringle Collection for English in Africa was founded in 1972. In 1974 this became the National Documentation Centre for English. It became a Declared Cultural Institution in 1980, funded by the then Department of Education. Amazwi still maintains close links to Rhodes University. In 2016 the museum moved into its new custom-designed building. The building has a 5-star rating from the Green Building Council of South Africa, the first museum in the country to achieve this. The museum now has a mandate to collect literary artefacts relating to the literatures of all South African languages.
Kayak & Lilo Experience, Tsitsikamma
This unique award-winning adventure is in the beautiful Storms River Mouth, Tsitsikamma. Start by kayaking over the pristine ocean and then go over to kayak deep into the breath-taking storms river gorge filled with marine life and ancient forests. Explore deeper in the gorge with our unique relaxing lilo’s. Ideal for the whole family with no experience required.
