The Eastern Cape is home to Nelson Mandela, Thabo Mbeki, Steve Biko and many other apartheid struggle and war heroes of the Xhosa people. Celebrating this amazing history are our many and diverse Heritage trails.

Alice Heritage trail

Celebrates Chief Maqoma's military genius, Poet John Knox Bokwe's fearless intellectualism during colonialism giving voice to black people in publishing. The Nkonkobe Garden of remembrance pays homage to the spirited fighter who struggled against apartheid. The home of Fort Hare University and Fort Thompson that protected the lives of many.

Fort Beaufort Golden Walkway

Home of conflict between the British and Xhosa People. Nine wars of dispossession were fought here - follow the intrigue on this tour.

The Sandile Heritage Route

Honours the life of Paramount Chief Sandile, a chief of rare diplomatic excellence in the same mould as Steve Biko – who gave his life in the apartheid struggle.
It's a journey of resilience, courage and the pursuit of dignity and self worth.
It includes the Steven Biko Garden of Rememberance, Amathole Museum, Prof Jabavu - educator

The Makana Heritage Route

This route spans 200 years of history in the frontier wars, the resistance of the Xhosa people to the invasion of their ancestral land. Learn about Makana, who led his people to take back their land. This route includes the Dick King memorial, the German Villages, various forts, monuments and battle grounds and a spiritual awaking to Christianity.

King Williams Town

Home of one of South Africa's greatest Royal genealogies - the Rharhabe Kingdom. Also full of architecture, historical museums, apartheid heritage sites and graves, exquisite nature and home of the Aloe Ferox.
The Amathole hiking trail is one of the longest trails, at 105km.

Cultural Tours

Experience at first hand, the ancient culture of the Xhosa people, with it's fascinating folklore, mystery and traditions.

Mountain retreats

Visit the Katberg and Amathole Mountains in Stutterheim, or the Hogsback Mountains that inspired Tolkien to write "The Lord of the Rings".

Beach Culture

East London, also known as the Sunshine Coast, is the start of the Garden Route on one one side and the Jikeleza tourist route on the other.
This shores of this laid back holiday city is lapped by the warm waters of the Indian Ocean, with a subtropical climate that is a sought after tourist destination.

Within a short driving distance you can experience beach culture from swimming, canoeing, scuba diving, sailing, yachting, catamaraning to river and beach fishing, kite surfing, beach paragliding and beach hiking trails. On a good day you can sight Whales and Dolphins, and in season watch the "Sardine Run frenzy"

Safari Game Lodges

Visit our many malaria free private game reserves like Inkenkwezi where you can feed elephants, Mpongo, and the Matola Private Game Reseves. Just down the road you can visit another of the big 5 - our very own white lions at the Lion Park.

                                            

Historical buildings

Many beautifully restored buildings from the turn of the century are in and around East London, including many old forts.

For the kids

Mpongo park - touch farm and hippo pool
Lion park - with white lion, and touch farm with some exotic creatures
Burnside touch farm
East London Zoo
East london Aquarium
Strawberry fields / Lavender blue child playgrounds
Jonginenge Eco adventure for kids including surf lessons, environment appreciation,
canoe trails, abseiling and beach safety