Nature Reserves
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Kenton-on-Sea 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.
Things to do near
Kenton-on-Sea
*Distances are shown as the crow flies and not necessarily the actual travelling
distance.
Beaches
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Bushmans River Mouth (1.9 km from Kenton-on-Sea) The beach at Bushmans River Mouth delivers incredible sunsets and stunning views of the coast and Bushmans River. It lies next to one of South Africa’s most picturesque holiday villages, Kenton-on-Sea, with the Kariega River on the other side. Both tidal rivers are safe for swimming and water sports. The marine and birdlife is abundant and whales return each year during the winter season.
Beaches
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Kasouga (7.4 km from Kenton-on-Sea) Kasouga Beach is one of the Eastern Cape’s best-kept secrets combining pastoral country living with a stunning beach. Although it's incredibly tranquil, there's no shortage of things to do. Here you can view amazing birds and wildlife including shy bushbuck and the ultra rare Oribi antelope; or go canoeing, swimming, hiking and surfing. The surrounding farms and entire coastline are an artist or photographer’s dream.
Beaches
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Boknes (11.6 km from Kenton-on-Sea) The main attraction of Boknes Beach is the excellent kitesurfing and fishing conditions and blissfully warm water for swimming. One of the Eastern Cape’s beautiful beaches, the area is named for the river, derived from the Khoekhoen word for “father’s river”. There’s a lovely walk along the undeveloped beach to the next coastal village, Bushman’s River.
Beaches
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Cannon Rocks (16.7 km from Kenton-on-Sea) The unspoilt beach at Cannon Rocks offers superb fishing, surfing windsurfing and kiting conditions. Tucked between the little village of Boknes, farmlands and the Greater Addo Elephant National Park, it provides a peaceful escape for families and nature lovers.
Golf Courses
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Port Alfred (24.7 km from Kenton-on-Sea) 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 1900s 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 m 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!
Galleries and Museums
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Port Alfred (25.8 km from Kenton-on-Sea) The Kowie History Museum is focused on displaying the social history of the historic Albany District and the activities of the early settlers between 1820 and 1889. There is an old card index with the names of the 4,000 British settlers and immediate descendants who landed in the area in the 1800s.
The mysterious story of Briseis is also on exhibit. Briseis ran aground on a reef while returning from India in 1859, and has now become a popular ship-wreck site for divers. The town is well known for its large variety of shells all along the shore and there is a fascinating collection of sea shells from the Port Alfred area on display.
The museum is housed in Port Alfred's old post office and is open from Tuesday to Saturday between 10am and 1pm.
Beaches
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Port Alfred (26 km from Kenton-on-Sea) Kelly's Beach on the Sunshine Coast is one of South Africa's prestigious international Blue Flag beaches. The sandy beach is situated near the Kowie River estuary mouth and is well worth a visit.
Two viewing decks offer fantastic viewpoints to watch whales, beach goers, and stunning sunsets. It’s a great swimming beach and offers 5-star facilities. Interpretive boards provide interesting information about some of the unique characteristics of this wonderful beach. The Blue Flag Beach award assures cleanliness, safety, amenities and the upkeep of environmental standards.
Popular Attractions
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Bathurst (26.6 km from Kenton-on-Sea) 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.
Hiking Trail
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Alexandria (30.2 km from Kenton-on-Sea) This totally awesome trail begins in the stunning Alexandria forest at the park offices. The two Langebos Huts are the base huts for the trail and it is recommended that hikers stay at these huts the night before leaving for the first day. The huts are newly constructed huts, sleeping 6 people each. They are equipped with hot water showers, toilets, a stove, fridge and braai area.The first section of the hike travels through magical forest where ancient yellowwoods and spectacular coral trees can be seen. The "Waterboom" or "Lekkerboom" - a gigantic yellowwood named for the reservoir of water held at the base of its trunk - provides an interesting stop. After crossing the open fields of Perdevlei, the trail moves onto the beach where the stark sandy beach ecosystem and dramatic dune cliffs provide breathtaking scenery. Six kilometers of untouched coastline stretches out in front of the hiker. The dramatic cliffs of Woody Cape provide the hiker with two options, either walking along the boulder-strewn base of the cliffs (impassable at high tide) or climbing a log ladder to reach the top leading onto the dune fields Southern right whales can be seen just off shore in certain months and dolphins are often spotted playing in the waves. The wreck of the Nidaros - an old steamer - can be investigated, as well as the fascinating natural debris washed up by the sea.After a walk through aromatic coastal fynbos, hikers will find the Woody Cape hut nestled in thick coastal forest on top of the cliffs with a view of Bird Island in the distance. This hut has 12 beds with mattresses and rainwater tanks.On the second day the trail traverses sand dunes of the largest coastal dune field in the Southern Hemisphere. Early morning offers hikers an opportunity to investigate the signs of animals, such as jackals, duikers and the endemic hairy-footed gerbil, left on the dunes from the previous night. Tall posts guide hikers through the shifting dune fields. Fascinating ancient middens sites, evidence of the strandloper people that wandered these shores, can also be seen. The last five kilometers of the trail winds again through indigenous forest, where Knsyna loeries paint the canopy. then into the Langvlakte valley where a chicory stack can be seen which was built in 1820's.Listen for the haunting calls of the rare tree dassie by night and awake to a chorus of birds in flitting through the forest canopy. Look out for trumpeter hornbills, ground hornbills, Knysna turaco, tree dassies and bushbuck.Need to know? Situated: Woody Cape section of the Addo Elephant National Park, departing from the offices near Alexandria.Length: Approx 36 km two day circular route of which the first day is 19.5km and the second day is 16.5 km. Estimated duration: 2 daysSuitable for: Those who want a challenging walk along the coastline. Hikers carry their own provisions and the hike is not guided.Logistics:Keys for the overnight huts are collected at the park offices near Alexandria. (Tel: +27 (0)46 653 061)Fees can be paid at Matyholweni rest camp or at the Addo main camp reception. At the Woody Cape hut, no fires are allowed and the hikers must carry their own cookers. Water at the Woody Cape hut is only for drinking and cooking as the hut relies entirely on rainwater.At least one or more of the hiking group should be able to read a map and compass, and to wear a brightly coloured jacket that can be seen from the air if a search and rescue is launched. The Langebos huts are available to hikers on the two-day Alexandria Hiking Trail, as well as those simply wanting an overnight stay in the forest. The 7km Dassie Day Trail begins at the huts and the breathtaking Woody Cape coastline of the Park is a short drive and walk away.
Nature Reserves
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Alexandria (34.5 km from Kenton-on-Sea) Woody Cape Nature Reserve is now incorporated into the Greater Addo Elephant National Park.Listen for the haunting calls of the rare tree dassie by night and awake to a chorus of birds in flitting through the forest canopy. The Langebos huts are available to hikers on the two-day Alexandria Hiking Trail, as well as those simply wanting an overnight stay in the forest. The 7km Dassie Day Trail begins at the huts and the breathtaking Woody Cape coastline of the Park is a short drive and walk away.5 Things to Seek1. Trumpeter hornbill2. Ground hornbill3. Knysna turaco4. Tree dassie5. BushbuckContact MatyholweniTel: +27(0)41 4680916/8Fax: +27(0)41 4680949Email: matyholweni@sanparks.orgRanger at Woody Cape – Tel: +27(0)46 6530601
Nature Reserves
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Grahamstown (38.5 km from Kenton-on-Sea) 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.
Nature Reserves
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Pumba Private Game Reserve (40.1 km from Kenton-on-Sea) 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.
Galleries and Museums
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Grahamstown (44.4 km from Kenton-on-Sea) 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.
Golf Courses
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Port Alfred (55.4 km from Kenton-on-Sea) 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.
Golf Courses
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Port Alfred (55.4 km from Kenton-on-Sea) Regarded as a must-play course, Fish River Sun Country Club presents players unique challenges in a natural landscape.
This superb 18-hole is a Gary Player design, located just 1.2 km away from the ocean. Facilities include a pro shop and cart hire. Reservations are essential.