Fun things to do in Province of Eastern Cape

We visited Tsitsikamma Park when we did the garden route from Plettenberg Bay to Port Elizabeth. We were lucky that we could do the walk between the rain showers.

When you only have a few hours or less time do the walk towards the suspension bridge over the Storm River. It's a good chance to stretch your legs and the landscapes are good.

The trail starts just behind the restaurant and the first thing you see is a small waterfall coming down from the rocks. And from there on the track starts. Most of it is on a wooden log floor.

During the trail you get some glimpse of the suspension bridge and when you arrive at this bridge, you probably can see why they call this the Storm River.

When you want to know more, see my Tsitsikamma Nasionale Park travelogue: A short walk towards the suspension bridge

But there is also the option to book accommodation or go on a 5 day hike, for more details for these and other activities check their website.

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PE → Jeffrey’s Bay → Tsitsikamma National Park → Bloukrans →Onwards to the Western Cape
Take the N2 (direction Cape Town), and make your first stop in Jeffrey’s Bay (only about 75km). Stays overnight in this lovely coastal town and do enjoy the great waves and shopping.
Continue along the N2 to Stormsriver, where you can have a look at the “Big Tree”; a very old yellow wood tree, worth visiting.
Drive on to the Tsitsikamma National Park where you should try and stay at least a few nights. There is a lot to do and enjoy.
A few kilometres from Tsitsikamma, you will reach Bloukrans Bridge, where you can test your bravery and do the very high bungee.
From Bloukrans, you enter the Western Cape and continue with the Garden Route towards Plettenbergbay, Knysna, George etc.

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PE → Baviaanskloof → Zuurberg → Addo Elephant National Park → PE
Leave PE on the N2 (direction Cape Town). After crossing Van Stadens Bridge, look out for the sign directing you to Baviaanskloof. Try and stay over for a night or two. After driving through the Baviaanskloof, drive to Addo Elephant Park, via Steytlerville and Kirkwood. Do stay at least one night at the Addo Park. During this time, visit the Zuurberg National Park (which is now part of the Addo Park). Then return to PE.

The Gariep Dam is on the border of the Eastern Cape and the Free State. It is a very big dam, with a road on the dam wall. It is especially nice to see when it is very full and water outlets are opened. There is also a very nice resort at the dam, with good facilities where you can stay overnight, especially if you are taking a road trip from up North to Cape Town or Port Elizabeth.
The dam is easy accessible from the N1.

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These two Karoo towns (on the R390) are very small and a bit off the beaten track. I usually drive through if I take the alternative route from Cradock to Bloemfontein. It is mostly sheep farming areas. The towns don’t have much to offer, but one could say that it is very typical of what we would call a “plattelandse dorpie”, which means a small town in the rural area.
Hofmeyr does have some nice old buildings.

http://www.routes.co.za/ec/steynsburg/index.html
http://www.routes.co.za/ec/hofmeyr/index.html

One of the bigger towns in this area. The church (1868) on the Market Square is said to be built in the style of St-Martins-in –the-Field in London.
Although I did not have the opportunity to visit the Mountain Zebra National Park, it is one of the things to do in this area.
It is worth spending a few hours in this town, as it has quite a rich history.

A very small town high in the mountains of the Eastern Cape. It is a very small town, but beautiful surroundings. There are many waterfalls (like the Madonna & Child) and hiking trails, in and around the forests.
Accommodation is available if you want to stay over, which is recommended, as there is enough to do for a few days.
To get there, take the N2 (Grahamstown), after passing through Grahamstown you will find signs towards Alice, follow those and you will get signs directing you to Hogsback.
For more info, the following website is very helpful.

This is a very large and diverse area of conservation, now a National Park. Although I have seen people driving through with a normal passenger vehicle, it would say it is advisable to use a vehicle with a high clearance, and differential lick (2x4) option. It is not necessary to have a 4x4.
It is an absolutely beautiful wilderness area. The vegetation is varied, beautiful mountains and streams. You will definitely get to see the baboons that the area is known for.
There are facilities to stay overnight – and I would recommend that. You do feel completely removed from civilization, no noise etc. When we last visited, it was out of season, almost no other visitors, which was a fantastic experience.