Home  Eastern Cape Wild Coast & Berg
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The Wild Coast and Berg |
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 The
region of the Eastern Cape known as the Wild Coast and Berg is probably
the most beautiful part of South Africa, much of it untouched by the
development. The region stretches from the Great Kei River mouth
along the Indian Ocean coastline as far as the Kwazulu-Natal
border, follows the border to the Lesotho border and that
until it reaches the Orange River. It then cuts South following
the Tsomo River to the coast. The region includes the area that used to
be called the Transkei and the coastal strip cannot be equalled
for its wild beauty and offers what can be argued as the best hiking,
fishing and swimming in South Africa. There is no tarmacked road
following the coast – all roads to the coast from the N2 are gravel and
the visitor should expect possible delays in bad weather. |
 High
in the Drakensberg Mountains just to the North of the historic
picturesque town of Rhodes is situated the only ski resort in South
Africa, Tiffindell. The resort is at an altitude of 3000
metres and is situated on the South facing slopes of the Berg. The main
piste is backed up by a snow-making system and is some 600 metres long.
Some of the roads in the area can only be reached by 4x4s and visitors
should check beforehand about driving conditions. Also handy for the ski
resort is the Berg town of Barkly East, which has the dubious
reputation of being the coldest place in South Africa. This part of the
region is well known for its trout fishing and partridge shooting. This
region of the Berg is renowned for its many unique caves, some large
enough to shelter a herd of sheep. |
 The
coastal region of the Wild Coast is dotted with small resorts, all
with a tale to tell. There is Coffee Bay, situated at the mouth of the
Nenga (whale) River and named after the cargo of a ship which ran
aground there in 1863. Just up the coast from Coffee Bay is the Hluleka
Nature Reserve, resplendent with its Coral trees, Quinine trees and
Natal figs. The trees attract dozens of species of birds, many of which
emerge from the forest to feed on wild figs. Just along the coast from
Coffee Bay is Hole-in-the-Wall where an extraordinary rock formation has
been fashioned over millions of years to form a tunnel big enough for a
fishing boat to pass through. |
| At the extreme north-eastern end of
the Wild Coast region is the picturesque small coastal resort of
Port St Johns sitting at the mouth of the large Mzimvubu River.
Over millions of years the river has carved its way through ancient
rocks to leave a 300 metre wide gap around which the town has been
built. The settlement originated in 1846 when the British ship Rosebud
slipped across the sandbar at the mouth of the river to open up the area
for trade. In those early days Port St Johns was considered to be one of
the best ports in South Africa but silting of the river has proved to be
too overwhelming. |
 The
largest town in the Wild Coast and Berg region of the Eastern Cape is
Umtata, named after the river on which it sits. Umtata was the
capital of what was known as the Transkei homeland in days gone by. The
town was originally built as a buffer between the Mpondo and Thembu, two
warring Xhosa tribes in the region. The town boasts two cathedrals and
is renowned for its fish restaurants. President Nelson Mandela was born
in the area in a small village near to Umtata, and his clan is related
to the Thembu royal family.
Other small towns of note in the Wild Coast and Berg region of the
Eastern Cape include Lady Grey with its trout streams, rock art
and rich fossil beds, Maclear and the nearby village of Ugie, an area
rich in stock and dairy farms and excellent timber, and Mount Frere,
surrounded by indigenous forests. |
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