Eastern Cape Popular Attractions

The African Penguin Rehabilitation Center is used for the rescue and rehabilitation of the endangered African Penguin, other marine birds and marine animals. The center is equipped with a receiving area, ICU, washing, drying and pool facilities and provides opportunities for research as well as an education centre. Visitors can view the rehabilitation process without disturbing the animals and enjoy watching the feeding of penguins in the finishing pool. There is also a pleasant coffee shop for relaxing with tea or coffee and cake afterwards.

Five… four… three… Experience the extreme thrill of the highest commercial bungy jump bridge in the world. So you’re brave enough? After being secured in a full body harness, you walk along a 200-metre catwalk suspended beneath the road surface. This gets you to the place where it all happens – the top of the arch – 216 metres above the Bloukrans River! Not into plunging headfirst? Try the exhilarating zip across the gorge on a 200-metre Flying Fox cable slide (foofie slide in South Africa speak). This takes you to the top of the arch where you can watch all the action. For the less fearless you can walk along the catwalk to the top of the arch from where you look out over the gorge to the mountains and the sea in the distance.

Visit a sparkling ancient African cave system in the Karoo. One of the major attractions in the Garden Route and Oudtshoorn area is the Cango Caves, which extend for kilometres into the extensive limestone hills. Situated in the Swartberg Mountains, 30km north of Oudtshoorn are the 20 million year-old Precambrian caves. Africa's largest show cave system is definitely worth a visit just to see the beautiful crystal and flow structures alone. Although the massive system of tunnels and chambers stretch for over four kilometres, only a quarter of this is open to visitors. You can do a guided standard one hour tour or tackle the more adventurous one and a half hour tour, which includes some tight squeezes.

Die Tuishuise in Market Street are fifteen beautifully restored mid-19th century houses with different styles of period furniture in each. Originally these houses were occupied by craftsmen who worked on wagons and with horses before the advent of the motor car. The intention is to convert the whole of Market Street into a tourist attraction, and to restore it and all the houses to their former glory, so that one maintains the historical heritage of this town. The restored houses serve as overnight tourist accommodation and are a major attraction in Cradock.

The little hamlet of Bathurst lays claims to the biggest pineapple on the planet! Standing 16.7 metres tall, this gigantic structure is not a cell phone tower in disguise; but rather a tribute to the agricultural success of the prickly fruit. Early farmers struggled to grow any crops here until the first pineapple top was planted in 1865. The interior boasts a tourist shop, static displays, and a great view. It’s a fun place to take the whole family and learn about the pineapple industry or find a little memento. Head to the Porcupine Pub afterwards and try their popular pineapple cocktails! Summerhill Farm, Kowie Road, Bathurst.

Monkey about and zip between the tree tops for a unique forest experience. Situated in the magnificent Tsitsikamma Forest, the Tsitsikamma Canopy Tour was the first tree top canopy tour to be developed in South Africa. Combining a generous shot of adrenaline with a stunning setting, the trip through the trees consists of 10 platforms and 10 slides, the longest of which is 100 metres. Steel cables are suspended up to 30 metres above the forest floor and most of the platforms are in massive Outeniqua Yellowwood trees. The scenery and bird life is amazing from this height. Well-trained professional guides keep you entertained with interesting details about the forest during the two to three hour trip. Tours start with a thorough safety briefing followed by a kitting up session. At this stage you will be issued and assisted with a full body harness, pulleys and climbing equipment which is then checked. A short drive takes you into the Tsitsikamma Forest and then the fun begins!

Looking for hip and unusual things to do on the Garden Route? Segway Off-Road ECO-Tours offer guided tours on a Segway Personal Transporter, a great way to see the outdoors. The Segway Personal Transporter is easy and safe to use. Before each tour, guests receive a thorough orientation from an experienced trainer. Tours pass through the quaint Storms River Village, into the Tsitsikamma pine forest and over the historical Witteklip Bridge. Booking is essential. www.segwaytours.co.za

Tubby is a little railway inspector’s cart formerly used to inspect the district’s rail tracks. Today it is used to take visitors on two-hour trips up Lootsberg. The views are lovely and there are opportunities to spot kudu and smaller antelope on the ride. Passionate owner Charles Kingwill is the driver and narrates the old stories of the railway on his farm Blaauwater and the surrounding area. Take a picnic basket with you to enjoy at the picnic spot. Charles Kingwill 082 573 0827

The Valley of Desolation – often called ‘The Cathedral of the Mountains’ – is a national monument and the premier tourist attraction in the Camdeboo National Park.Experience the breathtaking view of piled dolerite columns against the backdrop of the plains of the Great Karoo. Absorb yourself in the timeless sense of wonder at a landscape said to be the product of volcanic and erosive forces of nature over a period of 100 million years.Enjoy the unique view of the historic town of Graaff-Reinet, set like a jewel within a horseshoe bend of the Sundays River. Nature lovers will appreciate the Karoo mountain flora and fauna and the opportunity to view black eagles at close range.The Valley of Desolation rock formations consist of dolerites which have formed jointed pillars. Erosion of the softer sedimentary beds has left dolerite pillars which rise to heights of 90 to 120 metres.The Valley of Desolation was declared as a National Monument of geological and scenic significance in 1939. The original road to the Valley of Desolation was constructed by labourers using picks, shovels and barrows. The road to the top of the valley was tarred in 1978 and today provides tourists with easy access to the viewpoints with their panoramic views of the landscape. To the north, the highest peak in the Sneeuberg mountain range – Compassberg (2504m) – is prominent, while on a clear day, the southern horizon stretches as far as the distant Cockscomb Mountains. To the east lies the ‘Driekoppie’ (in the park) and the Nardausberg (beyond the park boundaries), both of which are often covered in snow during winter. The Plains of Camdeboo lie spread out south of the Sneeuberg from Pearston to Murraysburg. The viewpoints at the valley itself provide a breathtaking view of piled dolerites columns against the backdrop of the plain of the Great Karoo and a timeless sense of wonder. The Crag Lizard Trail starts at the Valley parking area and extends for about one and a half kilometres via the Valley viewpoints. It is about a 45-minute walk and is well marked with the Crag Lizard logo.