Grahamstown Accommodation- Events

The Observatory Museum Bathurst Street. An enchanting period house with the only genuine Victorian camera obscura in the Southern Hemisphere and a Meridian Room for ascertaining exact local noon.

The National English Literary Museum & Bookshop, 87 Beaufort Street. South Africa Literature in English including books for children. NELM has comprehensive collections of scholarly books and articles, press-clippings, photographs, interviews and biographical works on South Africa writers.

The SA Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity, Somerset Street. Renowned as the home of the famous coelacanth fish. Interesting arrays of other fish exhibits are on display.

Walk through the Drostdy Gateway, top of High Street, which once formed the entrance to the military parade ground. The stout wooden posts on either side of the Gateway were intended to protect the plaster word from damage by the protruding “timber” of gun carriages.

The Eastern Star Gallery, 4 Anglo-Africa Street, futures printing machinery and other historical items related to printing, including John Fairbain’s editorial desk.

The Grahamstown Arts Studio, paintings, photography, print work, ceramics and sculpture displayed in part of the home which renowned author Andre Brink owned when he lived in the city. Approximately 800 works varying from traditional art forms to avante garden contemporary works.

Do the Oldenburgia Hiking Trail, grade medium / difficult. Trail starts and end at the Grahamstown Municipal caravan park and is a two-day circular trail. Overnight accommodation at the Thomas Baines Nature Reserve.

Artificer’s Square, Cross Street. The old artisan quarter with many restored original house which reflect a number of 1820 Settlers architectural styles.

Visit the Commemoration Church in High Street whose foundation stone was laid in 10 April 1845 “this being the anniversary of the arrival of the 1st Party of British Settlers”. The Church can seat 1200 people, has ten stained glass memorial windows and possesses one of the finest organs in the country.

The Cathedral of St. Michael & St. George, Church Square, whose belfry houses the heaviest and first full ring of 8 bells on the African continent. The building was started in 1824 and finally completed 128 years later in 1952.

Walk through the Rhodes University campus to appreciate the specious estate and wealth of the historical buildings. Some of these are Selwyn Castle, which represents the first serious domestic essay in Gothic style in South Africa, the Lillian Britten House which was the first purpose-build sanatorium at Rhodes, the Royal Engineer’s building, The Retreat, the Drostdy Lodge and Drostdy Barrack and the Chapel of St. Mary and All the Angels. Among the research institutes associated with the university are the world-renowned SA Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity (JLB Smith Institute), the International Library of African Music, and the Institute for the Study of English in Africa.

The City Hall and Settler Memorial Tower in High Street bears the simple marble table commemorating the heroic 600 mile (960 km) ride of Dick King from Port Natal to Grahamstown, 24 May to 4 June 1842, which led to the relief of the besieged British garrison at the Old Fort in Durban. The Tower was built to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the British Settler’s arrival in 1820. The City Hall was publicly open on 24 May 1882.

On the traffic island in High Street, The Winged Figure of Peace graces a monument to “the Men of Albany” who lost their lives in the Anglo-Boer War of 1899 – 1902. The sculpture is by Stanley Nicholson and Rudyard Kipling specially wrote the inscription. The site was chosen as one which was “in the midst of our daily work and so would serve as perpetual remembrance of the dead and be an inspiration of peace”.

Drive up to the 1820 Settlers National Monument on Gunfire hill, which was built to commemorate the British Settlers in South Africa and was officially opened in July 1974. It serves all South Africans irrespective of race and creed, and contains a large theatre and many conference facilities. From the upper floors there are panoramic views of Grahamstown and the beautiful Belmont Valley beyond. On a clear day, the mountains of the Winterberg and Amatola escarpment to the north are visible. The Monument is home to the Grahamstown Foundation, the organizers of the annual National Arts Festival and the Sasol National Festival of Science, Engineering and Technology.

Post a letter in the Oldest Official Letter Box in South Africa, at the north-west end of Worcester Street, where it intersects with Somerset Street. Though not the oldest letter box known, the Grahamstown “Oldie” might rank among the top twenty of the world’s traditional “Red Box” survivors.

The International Library of African Music (ILAM), Prince Alfred Street. ILAM is a research, publishing and teaching center for the traditional African music and houses a collection of more than 200 traditional African music instruments.

Visit the Egazini Memorial, one of the first township based heritage sites in South Africa. The Memorial marks the events of the Battle of Grahamstown which took place in 1819.Visit the artist’s and crafter’s at the Egazini Outreach Project who will share their interpretations of Grahamstowns’s rich heritage through authentic art and craft available for sale.

The Natural Science Museum Somerset Street. A fascinating converage of man and his environment, which includes a reconstruction of the first South African Dinosaur, an Egyptian Mummy, the Hall of Bird’s and Mammals and a Foucault’s Pendulum.

The History Museum, Somerset Street. The history and art of the people of the Eastern Cape with beadwork from the Eastern Cape traditional Xhosa dress, 1820 Settlers history and art galleries in which exhibitions change regularly.

Amahlati Excursions – 5 in 1 outdoor adventure. Hike along rugged farmland and succulent valley bushveld. Abseil down Waterfall Cliff. Camp on Iliwa Istand in dome tents. Take a game drive. Go water rafting down the Great Fish River. Situated 40 km north east of Grahamstown.

Only 20 minutes from Grahamstown is Kwandwe Private Game Reserve located on 30 kilometers of privately-owned Fish River frontage, surrounded by 16 000 hectares of exclusive, malaria-free wilderness. The reserve is rich in game including the “Big-Five” black & white rhino, elephant, lion, buffalo and leopard, roan antelope, kudu, springbok and impala. A paradise for bird watchers, the Fish Eagle and endangered Blue Crane are among a wide variety of birds found in the Reserve. Immensely rich in history, the area was the site of many historical battles. Luxury accommodation in the Reserve.

Surrounded by spectacular mountains, Fort Beaufort lies in the Kat River Valley – a rich citrus producing area that is delight in orange blossom time. The town, 82 km from Grahamstown, was established as a military stronghold in 1823 and is steeped in Xhosa and Settler history. The renowned engineer and road builder, Andrew Geddes Bain, liked Fort Beaufort to Grahamstown. Visit the Martello Tower and Military Museum, which display relics of clashes between Xhosas and Settlers. The tower, built in 1847, is one of only two in South Africa. Fort Beaufort is only 6 km from the De Beers Centenary Museum at Fort Hare University.

The Addo Elephant National Park, just over an hour’s drive from Grahamstown, near Paterson, is home to approximately 200 elephant, 60 Cape buffalo, black rhino, bushbuck, eland, red hartebeest, kudu, ostrich, duiker, grysbok and bushpig. Over 185 species of birds have been identified.

Quaint and charming Bathurst is the Eastern Province’s own “ English Village”. About 40 km from Grahamstown on the road to Port Alfred. Bathurst is small but full of interest for visitors. It has national monuments, Bradshaw’s Mill, a village pub, churches, the Pig & Whistle Hotel ( said to be the oldest inn in SA ), Summerhill Estate, home of the Big Pineapple and the Toposcope. Bathurst hums with activity twice a year – during the Bathurst Agricultural Show ( March ) and the huge dusk-to-dawn Bathurst Ox Braai ( December ).

Just outside Bathurst is the St. Francis Health Centre that offers steam baths, indoor and outdoor pools and aquarobics, flotation tanks, beauty treatment, acupuncture and more.

Straddling the banks of the beautiful Kowie River, navigable by small craft for 25 km, is Port Alfred , 60 km from Grahamstown. Long stretches of magnificent beaches and a residential marina contribute to make this the “heart” of the Sunshine Coast. The famous 18-hole Royal Port Alfred Golf Course is situated here. Horse riding across beach, farm and country side is available with the Three Sisters Horse Trail, situated just 14 km outside Port Alfred.

Good thermals and accessible take-offs make Mountain Drive a favorite spot for paragliding. The Eastern Province Skydiving Club is based in Grahamstown and jumping takes place every weekend. Micro light flights over Grahamstown is also available.

The Quin Sculpture Garden at Alexandria can be visited. Works from representational wildlife studies to abstract expressive work with a strong African influence. Other interesting stops in Alexandria include a tour of the Chicory Factory, the Woody Cape Nature Reserve and a scenic circular 55 km drive from Alexandria, through indigenous forest and the grassy hills of the nature reserve, past Cannon Rocks to Boknes, with beach, lagoon and a view over Kwaaihoek – site of the Diaz Cross. Three islands of the Bird Island group are visible on the route.

Situated between two rivers, Kenton-On-Sea has a superb beachfront with shallow lagoon waters, sheltered coves and rock pools and lies only 58 km from Grahamstown. The Kariega River is navigable for 17 km and Bushman’s River for 32 km.

Kariega Game Reserve, half-an hour’s drive from Grahamstown on the Kenton road, offers a 2 hour game drive lunch at the Day Centre and a cruise on the Kariega River. Hiking trails amongst the game, swimming in the river pools, fly fishing and canoe rides.

The quaint Settler village of Salem, 25 km south-west of Grahamstown, has great rustic charm. Apart from its historical buildings, Salem has a village green where cricket matches have been played since 1844. The Salem Methodist Church was open in 1823.

Alicedale, 18 km off the Port Elizabeth road, is a rail road centre. Near the town is the New Year’s Dam and bird sanctuary, a popular fishing and picnic spot. Esingeni Luxury Tented Camp near Alicedale is only 38 km from Grahamstown and is a birder’s paradise, whilst a wide variety of game can be seen nearby the camp. The Burchell Game Reserve is also situated in the area.

A 42 km scenic drive north-west of Grahamstown leads to Riebeeck East. A quiet country village set in rolling hills. Place of interest include a farm which belonged to the Voortrekker leader Piet Retief. The farm homestead is a national monument and fine example of Cape Dutch architecture. A second building of note is the Dutch Reformed Church, built in 1841, which has been carefully restored.

The Valley of Ancient Voices, only 20 minutes from Grahamstown offers a 4 hour journey that spans thousands of years. Rock art, relics and artifacts give clues to the myriad of animals and people that have crossed through this place. The towering cliffs are home to innumerable types of birds, reptiles and mammals, a nature lovers paradise.

5 km from Adelaide at the foothills of the Great Winter Berg Mountains lies Koedoeskloof Private Game Reserve. Game viewing, horse trails, bird watching, hiking and mountain biking. Local places of interest include the Fort Fordyce Nature Reserve, Post Retief, Adelaide Museum and the nationally known private gardens of the Kowie Valley just outside Bedford.

The world renowned Shamwari Game Reserve, only 66 km from Grahamstown, has received international recognition for both conservation and tourism. Shamwari offers you big game adventure (they have the BIG FIVE), including the endangered black rhino, legendary ranger service, is malaria free and has luxury accommodation.

Visit Belton Hiking trails, 30 minutes from Grahamstown on the Kenton-on-Sea road. Seven hiking trails, from 2,5 km to 16,8 km in wonderful countryside with plenty of birds and lots of peace and quiet.

Go Bird Watching – Grahamstown is situated in the middle of a region where four geographical zones meet, making it a bird watchers paradise.

Visit the Amakhala Game Reserve, 59 km from Grahamstown on the N2 towards Port Elizabeth. Day/Night safaris and accommodation available. Guided tours of crocodiles, tame ostriches and farmyard animals at the Reed Valley Crocodile Farm.

Angling. Within a 20 km radius of the city there are over 400 acres of water containing small and large-mouth bass, barbell, mullet, yellowtail and trout.

The Thomas Baines Nature Reserve on the Kenton-on-Sea road has a fully equipped environmental education center for school and youth club outings. Game population includes Cape buffalo, white rhinoceros, kudu and other antelope species. The Settlers Dam recreation site is situated in the reserve and offers bass fishing, sailing, boardsailing and canoeing.

Fort Brown, Situated between Grahamstown and Fort Beaufort on the R67, was established as a military post in 1817 by Lord Charles Somerset. The fort was built in 1838 to counter attacks during the Frontier Wars. The gun tower and adjoining walls of the fort are a national monument.

The Great Fish River Reserve, which comprises the Andries Vosloo Kudu Reserve, the Double Drift Reserve and the Sam Knott Reserve is situated about 38 km from Grahamstown on the Fort Beaufort road. This Reserve of 43 000 ha encompasses a divergent variety of vegetation types which in turn offer a variety of habitats specific to a great diversity of wildlife species which are found in the Reserve. Game population includes giraffe, zebra, eland, kudu, rhinoceros, hippopotamus and warthog.