Makhanda (as of 04/10/18) (formerly Grahamstown). Grahamstown is a town 128 km north-east of Port Elizabeth. It grew from military headquarters established in 1812 on the farm Rietfontein (some say Noutoe, now Table Farm), and named Graham’s Town after Colonel John Graham. The town lies on the wooded slopes of the Suur Mountains near the source of the Kowie River.

Home to Rhodes University – this quaint town is a blend of history, art and culture packaged in a rustic town with architectural wonders, superb restaurants and nature on the doorstop – the perfect fusion of the past and present.

The Grahamstown area is outstanding for outdoor activities such as fishing, golf, hiking, mountain biking, rock climbing and skydiving. For the nature lover there are plenty of world class game lodges, private game reserves and a wealth of plant and bird life to discover.

Bucklands Private Game Reserve is located 43 km,s from Grahamstown. A notable park the Addo Elephant National Park, R335 Paterson Road, Addo, is situated just over an hours drive away at 94 km’s.

Frontier Country Route

Grahamstown is situated on the Frontier Country Route in the Eastern Cape. The Frontier Country landscape is varied, with many pineapple and chicory plantations.

Grahamstown, home of the annual National Arts Festival, forms the centre of the Frontier Country. Shaped by the spirit of the Khoi, Xhosa, Boer and British cultures, the Frontier Country is popular to outdoor enthusiasts and adventurers.

Did you know? The Frontier Country inhabits more forts than the rest of the country combined.

National Arts Festival

Did you know? The National Arts Festival is the biggest annual celebration of arts on the African continent.

The annual National Arts Festival is annually celebrated in the town of Grahamstown. The event takes place in July and compromises a programme of drama, dance, physical theatre, comedy, opera, music, jazz, visual art, exhibitions, film, student theatre, street theatre, lectures, craft fair, workshops, city and historic tours and children’s entertainment.

National Arts Festival
Tel: +27 (0) 46 603 1103 | Web: info@nationalartsfestival.co.za

Grahamstown Game Reserves

Most of the private game reserve’s in the area are home to Africa’s Big 5 namely the elephant, rhino, buffalo, lion and leopard. The reserves are all malaria-free and situated between 20 and 60 km’s outside Grahamstown. There are many accommodation options in the area that cater for everyone’s needs, from luxury accommodation, to self catering chalets and perfectly neat camping terrains.

You can choose one that compliments your ideal African experience. The area also boasts more than five eco-systems, thus enabling the support of many forms of plant, animal and bird life. Go on a sunset game drive, an escorted bush walk or a night drive and let the spectacular valleys, amazing rivers and abundant wildlife inspire you.

AMAKHALA GAME RESERVE
This private game reserve boasts a wide selection of owner managed accommodation ranging from intimate bush lodges to majestic colonial residences.
Tel: +27 (0) 46 636 2752 | E-mail: centralres@amakhala.co.za
Web: www amakhala.co.za
BUSHMAN SANDS HOTEL, SPA & GOLF COURSE
The 4-star hotel is a delightful blend of rich heritage & modern luxury – from the great outdoors to pampering and relaxation.
Tel:+27 (0) 42 231 8000 | Web:www.riverhotels.co.za/bushmans
GREAT FISH RIVER RESERVE
The reserve is rich in history, with several forts bearing witness to the frontier conflicts between Xhosa and settler.
Tel: +27 (0) 40 635 2116 Web: www.ecparks.co.za/parks-reserves/great-fish-river
KARIEGA PRIVATE GAME RESERVE
This private game reserve is set in 5 000 hectares of pristine wilderness above the Kariega River Valley.
Tel: +27 (0) 46 636 7904 | E-mail: reservations@kariega.co.za
Web: www.kariega.co.za
KWANDWE PRIVATE GAME RESERVE
Situated on the Fort Beaufort road and straddling the Great Fish River, this luxury Big 5 reserve is dedicated to the preservation of the magnificent but endangered Blue Crane.
Tel: +27 (0) 46 603 3400 | Web: www.kwandwereserve.co.za
KWANTU PRIVATE GAME RESERVE
Experience Five-Star accommodation, mouth-watering meals, our elephant sanctuary, endangered and exotic wildlife.
Tel: +27 (0) 42 203 1400 | Web: www.kwantu.co.za
LALIBELA GAME RESERVE
Lalibela spans 4 ecosystems and offers luxury accommodation
Tel: +27 (0) 41 581 8170 | Web: www.lalibela.co.za
PUMBA GAME RESERVE
With its 5 star game lodge luxury, guests have every opportunity to enjoy the ultimate essence of South Africa’s luxury and style.
Tel: +27 (0) 46 603 2000 | Fax: +27 (0) 46 603 2001
Web: www.pehotels.co.za/pumba
SHAMWARI GAME RESERVE
The Cape’s Premier Big 5 Game Reserve – Choose between 5 different lodges, or experience a day programme including a visit to the African Arts & Culture Village.
Tel: +27 (0) 41 407 1000 | Web: www.shamwari.co.za
THOMAS BAINES NATURE RESERVE
Home of “Tom the Rhino”, Thomas Baines Nature Reserve is named after the famous 19th Century artist who left a valuable record of the rich diversity of fauna and flora in the region, including the now extinct quagga. Thomas Baines Nature Reserve lies just 12 km’s outside of Grahamstown, en route to Port Elizabeth on the N2.
Tel: +27 (0) 46 622 7216

Travel to Grahamstown

Located on the junction of the R350 and R67 just off the N2. The closest Airport is the Port Elizabeth International Airport which is 131 km’s from Grahamstown. The East London airport is 125 km’s away. There are regular flights from Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban to the airports in Port Elizabeth and East London.

Grahamstown

ALBANY MUSEUM COMPLEX

The original Albany Museum was established in 1855 by the Grahamstown medical-Chirurgical Society. The Museum today consists of a family of seven buildings which includes the Natural Sciences Museum, the History Museum, the Observatory Museum, Fort Selwyn, the Old Provost military prison, Drostdy Arch and the Old Priest’s House.

THE 1820 SETTLERS NATIONAL MONUMENT

The Monument was built to commemorate the contributions made by English-speaking Settlers to South Africa. Since its opening on 13 July 1974, this superbly equipped building has been a centre of creative thought and activity.

Grahamstown Tourism

Tel: +27 (0) 46 622 3241 | Web: www.grahamstown.co.za
E-mail: info@grahamstown.co.za

Frontier Country is a vibrant mix of all the best of Africa – where many intense battles were fought & many famous warriors are remembered.

True country hospitality reigns in this area with its world class game lodges, hotels & guest houses. You will feel as though you are immersed in an old Victorian town as you are surrounded by some of the most beautiful examples of the eras architecture, however you won’t lose touch with all the comforts of the modern world. The region manages to keep its historical roots and charm in not only its buildings but in the hospitality of its people.

You will find nature reserves and magnificent golf courses yet still be immersed in a land of history, art and culture. You could find yourself engrossed in the stories of our history by the locals for hours on end, while enjoying a relaxing afternoon or evening at one of our ambient eateries.

Grahamstown, the centre of Frontier Country is known by many colourful names such as the ‘Settlers City, City of Saints and City of Schools’. Grahamstown hosts a number of festivals during the year, the most popular being the National Arts Festival during June/July and is also home to the prestigious Rhodes University.

The delightful towns of Alicedale and Riebeeck East are also situated in the area and are fast gaining local and international popularity for their lingering history and the many prestigious game reserves that surround them.

The relaxed atmosphere mixed with the richness of culture in this region of the Cacadu District will allow you an enriching experience filled with thrills, beauty and hospitality. The area is made up of a number of little towns, each with their own story to tell. Visitors can also get a true taste of South African culture as they interact with the friendly people and experience Frontier Country.

GAME RESERVES, NATURE AND ADVENTURE

The Frontier Country originally boasted herds of game that rivaled all others. The region’s climatic diversity also meant that a great range of game existed in the many varied biomes compacted into a relatively small area. Unfortunately, after the arrival of European hunters, a large proportion of the game was shot out, and it was only with the beginning of the conservation ethic in the mid-twentieth century that the situation was reversed and the wildlife of the area made a strong natural comeback. Today Frontier Country is still the only place in Africa where one can view the big five in an environment free of malaria, bilharzia and other tropical diseases and in their natural habitat.

The area now has nearly a million hectares devoted to game. A range of public and private nature reserves span the area, from the world famous Shamwari in the west to the magnificent Double Drift and Kwandwe reservesin the east.

The combined nature reserves of Frontier Country and the Sunshine Coast have more biomes, (vegetation types) than any comparable place in Africa.