Things to Do in Fort Beaufort

The spectacular Great Fish River Reserve lies in the Great Fish River valley between Grahamstown and Fort Beaufort and extends all the way to the Kieskama River. This malaria-free destination is still pretty much off the major tourist radar, offering visitors an awesome wilderness experience. The typical Eastern Cape succulent bushveld and rocky terrain provides the prefect habitat for black rhino, Cape buffalo, kudu and hippo. Not only is it a haven for all shapes and sizes of wildlife, the reserve has several historical sites and offers outstanding safari and wildlife adventures. Visitors can choose numberous ways to experience this rugged wilderness including exciting walking and hiking trails, day and night game drives, picnics on the riverbanks, bird watching trips, birding from a waterside bird hide and visits to the fabulous Adam Krantz viewpoint.

The challenging six-day Amatola Hiking Trail traverses the Amatola Mountains through the most breath-taking landscape imaginable. The route rambles between indigenous forests and glades, grasslands and pine plantations. The trail starts at Maden Dam near King Williams Town and finishes at Tyume Forest station three km from Hogsback. The lovely little village of Hogsback is an ideal base and all that’s needed is an arranged transfer to the start of the trail. Most of the route passes through ancient indigenous rainforest with towering Outeniqua yellowwood, sneezewood, wild olive and lemonwood. Colourful fungi, orchids, watsonias, falling stars, and red hot pokers contribute to the enchanting forest scenes. Hikers have no shortage of cascading waterfalls and swimming pools to cool off in. Parts of the trail are steep and strenuous but the effort is rewarded by the magnificent views alone! The Amatola Mountain range is home to leopard, bushbuck, duiker, porcupines, bush pig, otters, baboons, and Samango and vervet monkeys. Birds you might see include Knysna turaco, Cape parrot, Cape sugarbird, crowned eagle, barbet, woodpecker, flycatcher, robin and black eagle. Look out for the giant earthworms! Overnight huts with bunks and mattresses, braai facilities, firewood, water and toilets are provided. The weather is extremely variable at all times of year and hikers need to be well-equipped for rain, snow and very hot weather. Not recommended for unfit hikers.

Visit a rare Victorian amusement once considered 'The Magic Mirror of Life'. This unusual multi-storeyed 19th century Victorian shop and home is now a museum housing interesting displays, a Meridian room, an observatory and the only camera obscura in the southern hemisphere. Known for its identification of the Eureka in 1867, this house had a place in the identification of the first diamond that was found in South Africa, and a display on the ground floor tells this story. This connection with the Eureka prompted De Beers Consolidated Mines Ltd. to purchase and restore the Observatory in the 80s to commemorate the start of the diamond industry in South Africa. The Observatory Museum is part of the Albany Museum complex – www.ru.ac.za/albanymuseum. Weekdays 09:00 – 16:30 Saturdays 09:30 – 13:00.

Named after the famous 19th century artist, naturalist and explorer, Thomas Baines Nature Reserve is a great spot for a day trip if you’re visiting the Grahamstown area. It’s an easy 12-kilometre drive from Grahamstown in the direction of Port Elizabeth. Thomas Baines explored the region extensively and contributed a valuable record of the amazing plant life and wildlife that occurred here. The reserve represents three of the major vegetation types of the Eastern Cape – Grassy Fynbos, Valley Bushveld and Afromontane Forests. There’s so much to do here – game drives, canoeing, hiking, camping, picnics, bird watching; and sailing and bass fishing at Settlers Dam. Look out for Cape buffalo, eland, red hartebeest, bushbuck, kudu, oribi, aardvark, warthog, vervet monkeys, genets and numerous small mammals. Birders will find plenty to spot with 175 species of birds recorded in the reserve. Picnic sites, braai facilities and ablutions are available at Settlers Dam.

Lying on the edge of the commanding Winterberg range, Tsolwana Nature Reserve’s landscape is one of austere beauty. The climate can be extreme with greatly varying temperatures and unpredictable heavy summer rain storms with hail. In winter snow falls frequently and cold, wet southerly wind spells can cause wildlife losses, particularly in plains antelope species. Animals and birds to spot include ant bear, bat-eared fox, black backed jackal, black wildebeest, blue crane, Cape mountain zebra, mountain reedbuck, oryx, blesbok, Cape vulture, baboon, springbuck, dassie, eland, gemsbuck, kudu, lynx, mongoose and suricate. Tsolwana's friendly rangers take visitors on unique game drives, combining a 4X4 adventure with excellent plains wildlife viewing. There is also the option of guided or unguided hiking, horse riding, bird watching and rock art trips.

Situated in a stunning Eastern Cape landscape, Pumba Private Game Reserve is the perfect destination for a malaria-free African wildlife experience. In addition to leopard, buffalo, rhino and elephant, guests of Pumba Private Game Reserve have the rare opportunity of seeing beautiful white lion. Visitors can discover Africa’s wildlife in their natural habitat by joining a birding safari, guided bushwalk, stargazing and game drives. There’s so much to see including lion, hippo, hyena, giraffe, wild dog, cheetah and numerous antelope species. The birdlife is phenomenal and will keep birders busy with over 300 bird species to spot. Guests at Pumba have the choice of staying in luxury at two unique five-star lodges. The Water Lodge is beautifully appointed on the shore of the Kariega Lake. Msenge Bush Lodge overlooks the waterhole on the Kariega River floodplain and boasts panoramic views of the Zuurberg Mountains.

Bushman Sands Golf Course is conveniently situated near Shamwari Game Reserve and Addo Elephant National Park just 80 kilometres from Port Elizabeth. Designed by South African golfing legend, Gary Player, the 18-hole championship course lies on the banks of the Bushman's and New Year's Rivers. Characterised by undulating fairways and pot bunkers, this challenging but friendly Links course has some unique features. The first stroke is played over an active railway line. A double green is shared by the second and fifth holes, crossing the Bushman’s River and New Year’s River on several holes. The final hole finishes with a drive over a small cemetery in the centre of the fairway. Bushman Sands facilities include a halfway house, pro-shop and gents and ladies locker rooms with showers and steam rooms. This stunning property has had new life breathed into it with the rescue work done by River Hotels Team. The tar road is complete all the way from Port Elizabeth. So now the 100 kilometer trip is easy and without any stoppages or stone chips. The golf course is certainly in a fine condition.

Malaria free and home to an impressive diversity of animals, Bushman Sands Game Reserve boasts wonderful Big 5 wildlife viewing opportunities. Situated on 40 square kilometres of former farmland, the reserve has reintroduced animals that once roamed here over 200 years ago. Lion, leopard, cheetah, buffalo, elephant, rhino, black wildebeest, red hartebeest, zebra, giraffe, hippo, kudu, eland, springbuck and waterbuck can all be found. Sunset cruises on the reserve’s large dam present perfect opportunities for spotting wildlife such as elephant and antelope. Other things to see are the Bushman rock art paintings that date back thousands of years.

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.

Enjoy an ultimate safari experience on the Sunshine Coast in the malaria-free Kariega Game Reserve. Situated near the ever-popular Garden Route, this family-owned and operated private reserve spans 9 000 hectares of pristine Eastern Cape wilderness encompassing the stunning Kariega and Bushman's Rivers. Awesome Big-5 viewing along with an extensive diversity of fauna, flora and birdlife in five different eco-systems offers an authentic and unforgettable African encounter. Along with lion, elephant, leopard, buffalo and white rhino, other wildlife you are likely to spot include hippo, hyena, giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, waterbuck, Nyala, kudu, warthog and a variety of other antelope. Over 280 species of birds have been recorded including Martial, Crowned and Fish Eagles which nest on the reserve.

One of the largest private game reserves in the Eastern Cape, the award winning Shamwari Game Reserve is a superlative safari destination for discerning guests. Boasting numerous high profile animals including the Big 5 and five of South Africa's seven biomes, the reserve is one of the most successful private conservation initiatives coupled with responsible tourism in Southern Africa. Shamwari is situated in luxuriant bushveld along the Bushmans River. Easily accesable, the malaria-free reserve lies halfway between Port Elizabeth and Grahamstown. There are daily flights from Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban to Port Elizabeth. It’s also an enjoyable drive from Cape Town along the beautiful Garden Route. Guests can choose from seven unique luxury lodges on this private game reserve.

Established in 1907, the historic Royal Port Alfred Golf Club is situated on the Sunshine Coast in Port Alfred, half way between East London and Port Elizabeth. This charming and old-fashioned course has some quirky holes and pretty much preserves the atmosphere of the early 1900's in South Africa.One of the true links courses in South Africa, it is set on the rolling hills of Port Alfred, with plenty of indigenous bush, wildlife and wonderful sea views. The 18 hole course is 5 800 meters and has a unique layout, which, in true links tradition, tests your ability to read the elements as much as the course. A golfing experience not to be missed!

Tee off with breath-taking views of the Indian Ocean. The Fish River Sun Country Club offers golfers a beautifully kept parkland type challenge along this stunning and pristine coastline. This Gary Player designed course is not easy with high vegetated dunes and dense coastal scrub flanking the fairways. There is also the Old Women's River to negotiate at the dramatic 12th hole. The river needs to be crossed twice, requiring good solid shots to the other side. The course design ensures that the exceptional natural features of the terrain were not compromised. The result is a course that takes the golfer on a seaside ramble that is extremely worthwhile no matter what the play is like. Situated next to the Kontiki Club House is the fully stocked Golf Shop. A limited number of golf carts are available that need to be booked in advance.