Eastern Cape Provincial Article - South African Vacations

Kwa Zunga Nature Trail: This relatively mild, two-hour (guided) off-road trail
starts at a spot approximately 30-minutes drive from East London. The trail
passes through lush fynbos vegetation as well as indigenous forests. The trail
also offers possibilities for swimming and canoeing.
ART AND CRAFTS
Ann Bryant Art Gallery: The gallery is housed in a beautiful old Edwardian
home, built in 1905. Mr Edward Bryant bequeathed the house, originally
named “The Gables”, to the city on the death of his wife. His only condition
was that it should be turned into an art museum. The gallery houses a
valuable collection of works dating from 1880 to the present. The building itself
is well worth a visit, the pressed steel ceilings and stained-glass windows
being works of art in their own right.
CULTURAL/COMMUNITY TOURISM
Khaya la Bantu: This is an intimate Xhosa village, an actual family homestead
on a working farm that has not been developed for tourist purposes. Instead,
the two families that make up the group allow visitors to share in their daily
routine. Interpreters accompany the visitors to explain the layout of the village
as well as the traditional activities that the inhabitants engage in.
Demonstrations of traditional singing and dancing and sheep-shearing (in
season) are popular among visitors.
Township Tours: Trained guides take visitors on tours of the township, filling
them in on the history, culture and way of life of the local inhabitants and
accompanying them to venues such as pubs and restaurants to meet the
people.
ENTERTAINMENT AND SHOPPING
Craft markets: There are many formal and informal craft markets in and
around the city and near the beaches, especially near the popular tourist
venues.
Latimer’s Landing: Historic Latimer’s Landing is an old fishing dock on the
banks of the Buffalo River. This historic site is now an exciting waterfront
development housing a variety of restaurants and pubs. A flea market is held
here every Saturday and Sunday.
Nightlife: East London is a modern city with a busy nightlife and all types of
entertainment, both cultural and in a lighter vein, are catered for.
Shops and malls: Bargain hunters will love the factory shops, especially those
of the local textile industry, and the shops and malls in the inner city.
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