Eastern Cape Provincial Article - South African Vacations

FAUNA AND FLORA
Magwa Tea Estate: Take the turn-off to Magwa and drive through the
1 000-ha tea plantation in the Magwa Tea Estate.
Mkambati Nature Reserve: This 8 000-ha coastal reserve preserves the
animal and plant species of the coastal area between the Msikaba and Mtentu
Rivers. The automatic lighthouse on South Sand Bluff falls within the borders
of the reserve. Other interesting and unique features of the reserve include the
impressive Horseshoe Falls, the Msikaba Gorge, the Mzamba Fossil Beds
(cliffs featuring fossils dating back some 60 million years) and the Pondo
Coconut (Jubaeopsis caffra) – this is the only place in the world where it
grows!
Ntsubane Forest: It is quite an experience to pass through the twilight world of
the Ntsubane Forest on the Lusikisiki/Mbotyi road. Be on the lookout for birds
such as loeries, paradise flycatchers, bush shrikes, cuckoos and broadwinged,
crowned eagles (the only forest-dwelling eagle) as well as small
antelopes, bush pigs, monkeys and baboons.
Lupatana Nature Reserve: Take the Mbotyi turn-off on the road from Lusikisiki
to Mkambati to reach the delightful Lupatana Nature Reserve with its
Milkwood Forest, Lupatana River and wild waves. Walk to Waterfall Bluff, the
Cathedral Rock formations and the Mfihlelo Falls.
NATURAL WONDERS
Magwa Falls: A magnificent, 140-m-high waterfall, complete with rainbows,
white plumes and “roaring smoke” that resembles the Victoria Falls in
Zimbabwe, albeit on a smaller scale and only after good summer rains, is
situated in the middle of the Magwa Tea Plantation.
Mfihlelo Falls: These 160 m high falls, situated approximately 5 km north of
Mbotyi, drop straight into the sea and are the highest falls in the world to do
so! Walk to the falls from the Lupatana Nature Reserve.
Waterfall Bluff: The main waterfall crashes into the sea near vertical
sandstone cliffs, from a height of more than 100 m. However, the most
exciting feature of the falls is that one can walk behind the cascading wall of
water. The bluff extends about 5 km along the coast and contains two of the
few waterfalls in the world that plunge directly into the sea. It is a place of
exceptional beauty.
Cathedral Rock: Years of erosion of the sandstone cliffs along the coastline
has resulted in the formation of Cathedral Rock, a towering rock formation
butting out of the sea, reminiscent of the flying buttresses of Gothic
cathedrals.
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