Idwala Game Lodge

European Weather in Africa

by Androidius

If you are going to the festival, keep in mind that it's winter and the region is mountainous. Although it's Africa the weather is like European Autumn, especially at night it gets pretty cold. Take woolen clothes: hats, sweaters, scarves, coats..

SALEM.

by PEE-WEE

the village,25 km south -west of Grahamstown,is one of the original 1820 settler villages.
It was the home of Richard Gush,the famous Quaker pacifist.
The Methodist Church where settlers took refuge from attacks is a national monument.
This church is also the oldest Methodist Church in South Africa.

Garden Route

by nebulaflash

"Knysna River"

This area is one of the greener - with lush forest and clear blue waters fronting the Outeniqua, Tsitsikamma and Langkloof mountain ranges. Even though we travelled here in the winter the sun was warm and and the sky bright.

Because of the beauty of the area there are some wonderful places to stay, including the Phantom Forest Resort which is a collection of tree houses on the side of the mountain. This place is luxurious and beautiful and you can watch the baboons play in the trees while you sit in your bathtub. Yes that's right. The chalets are designed so that other people won't be able to see you in your birthday suit, but the wildlife will , if they care to look through the wall high windows.

"Tsitsikamma National Park"

Among the many scenic trails in the park is the beautiful wild trail to Storms River Mouth where you can walk over the suspension bridge and view the waves clashing against the rocks. There is a also picnic ground where you can have lunch before or after your walk to the river mouth.

Be sure to wear good walking shoes as the trail takes you up and down through the forest on rock and boardwalk.

National Arts Festival

by Androidius

I must say it really was worth visiting
Grahamstown for the National Arts Festival.I really had fun and partied a lot, however the downside was that many of the shows didnt meet up with the quality i expected.Even though it's a lovely small town with interesting architecture reflecting the settlement of the 1820 Brittish immigrants.

Grahamstown - City of Saints

by Kurtdhis

Grahamstown is situated in a temperate valley between the coastal plain and the hinterland of the Eastern Cape. Its position 60km from the coast and 535m above sea level endows Grahamstown with a mild climate, which is famous for its changeablity: locals claim it is possible to experience all four seasons in a single day. Grahamstown is 127km from Port Elizabeth and 180km from East London. An airstrip links the city to the rest of the country and several long-distance bus companies include Grahamstown on their schedule.

Grahamstown was founded in 1812 as a military outpost. Its unique atmosphere is a result of its long and varied history. This is frontier country where people of Khoisan, Xhosa, Boer and British origin met. The result was a fascinating history that influenced the subsequent events that took place in South Africa. The longest and most expensive colonial war ever fought by the British against the indigenous people in Africa took place in frontier country, which has more forts than the rest of South Africa combined. It is where people of British origin first settled in Africa, and where the philosophy of African Nationalism was first developed.

Known as South Africa’s festival capital, Grahamstown at present celebrates 6 festivals, of which the largest and most colourful event is the Arts Festival. It offers the best of both indigenous and imported talent, with well over 500 000 people flocking to the city for a feast of arts, crafts and sheer entertainment. The festival offers more than 500 shows from opera, cabaret, jazz and drama to stand-up comics and folk music.

Grahamstonians are proud of their city’s historical heritage, a pride that is evident in the care taken to preserve and enhance the many historic buildings which endure to this day. Prominent among these are the city’s many places of worship – over 40 – which testify to the variety of cultures which coexist in the city, the premises of Rhodes University and several excellent schools, all of which lend the city its air of cultural diversity.