BUCKET LIST


THE EASTERN CAPE IS FAST BECOMING THE MUST-VISIT DESTINATION OF SOUTH AFRICA. WITH ITS MANY RICH EXPERIENCES, AUTHENTIC CULTURE, EXTREME LANDSCAPES, MAGNIFICENT COASTLINE AND ABUNDANT WILDLIFE, THERE IS SO MUCH TO EXPLORE!

Here is the ultimate Eastern Cape bucket list! How many can you already tick off?

  • The Tsitsikamma rainforest region, with the Tsitsikamma National Park, is a must-visit. The forest has some of South Africa’s largest trees; the rock pools are teeming with marine life; and there’s a swing-bridge over the Storms River mouth. The area is a hub for activity seekers with treetop ziplining, canoeing and black water tubing.

  • The Addo Elephant National Park, considered one of the best nature reserves in southern Africa, offers self-drive and guided game drives to view the Big 7 (leopard, lion, rhino, buffalo, elephant, Southern Right whales and Great White sharks).

  • Get to Tiffindell in Barkly East in the winter months.It’s South Africa’s only ski resort and a great skiing holiday destination with a difference.

  • Surfers flock to Jeffrey’s Bay and nearby Cape St Francis to ride the supertubes.

  • Visit the Hole in the Wall – a large hole at the centre of cliffs, punched out by gradual wave motion, offshore at Coffee Bay on the Wild Coast. It’s an iconic landmark.

  • Hike the Amatola Mountains. The challenging 6-day Amatola Hiking Trail is a spectacular 106km, sixday/five-night serious hiker’s dream. It is also known as the Waterfall Trail, due to the incredible waterfalls along the way.

  • The picturesque town of Graaff-Reinet in the Great Karoo, first established in 1786, has 220 national monuments best explored on foot. It’s the gateway to the Valley of Desolation – Camdeboo National Park, a basin filled with incredible dolerite pillars, some as much as 120 metres high!

  • Visit the fascinating Owl House near Nieu-Bethesda to view the incredible world-renowned artwork of Helen Martin, a solitary artist known as South Africa’s queen of outsider art, and learn about her tragic story.

  • Watch the annual Sardine Run on the Eastern Cape Coastline – a unique phenomenon for all lovers of ocean life. As millions of sardines swim up the Eastern Coast, a feeding frenzy occurs – creating a diverse assembly of sharks, marine mammals, birds and humans all captivated by this spectacle.

  • Immerse yourself in a historical experience by taking a walk down Route 67 in Nelson Mandela Bay. The walking route includes 67 public art pieces by 67 different local artists in a total of 67 giant steps. This creative expedition is a way to celebrate Nelson Mandela’s life and his contribution to freedom in South Africa.

  • Strap on your boots and hike the Camino Route – a challenging yet rewarding 95km hiking trail traversing the North Eastern Cape Highlands. The area is teeming with unique wildlife and gives hikers the chance to discover 7 of South Africa’s 9 biomes.

  • Submerse yourself in the incredible surroundings of the Kouga Region – an area so rich in bio-diversity that it was declared a World Heritage Site. The invigorating fresh air, beautiful scenery, idyllic atmosphere and an abundance of wildlife is sure to offer you an unforgettable wilderness experience in the Baviaanskloof World Heritage Site.

  • Explore the beauty of the Mountain Zebra National Park – a sanctuary for the endangered mountain zebra since 1937. Roughly 12 km from Cradock, this region is home to more than 350 zebras. All welcoming visitors with an authentic African charm.

  • Come to St Francis to enjoy the Chokka Trail, while simultaneously challenging yourself with walks of up to 18km a day. While you enjoy the hike, your luggage gets transported to the next overnight point where a cold beer, hot shower and cooked dinner all welcome you to relax after a long day.

  • Exhilarate yourself with a tandem skydive in JeffreysBay – the ultimate introduction to one of the world’s most rewarding extreme sports. Unleash your inner super hero and enjoy an experience that will stay with you forever!

  • Think you’re a daredevil? We challenge you to try the highest commercial bungy jump in the world! The Bloukrans Bridge is 216 metres above the Bloukrans River and is open 365 days of the year.

  • Experience the sights and sounds of life in a traditional South African township in Nelson Mandela Bay and Buffalo City. Tag along on a Township Tour to submerse yourself within an authentic fusion of urban and township culture – taste the local food, experience the vibrant atmosphere, and of course, enjoy some great company!

  • Visit the Nelson Mandela Museum – a place promising to inspire and enrich all who visit. The museum comprises of three separate structures: the Bhunga Building in Mthatha, the Qunu component and an open-air museum at Mvezo, where Madiba was born.

  • Take a mouth-watering adventure through the Karoo Heartland – the heart and soul of delectable dishes. Discover the Karoo’s picturesque landscapes, together with tasting the local cuisine on the Karoo Food tours.

  • Make your way to magical Magwa Falls – one of the few accessible waterfalls on the rugged Wild Coast. This waterfall is one of the most spectacular natural features you can encounter in South Africa, and because photos don’t do it justice – this is a must on your bucket list!

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