Eastern Cape Provincial Article - South African Vacations

ADVENTURE AND SPORT
Hiking: Beervlei Dam: The dam is situated 27km out of town and the
surrounding area has hiking trails, picnic spots and other sport facilities.
FAUNA AND FLORA
New plant species: Around the year 1900, Rudolf Marloth discovered several
previously-unrecorded species of plants in the area. These species are part of
the Karoo vegetation and grow undisturbed on Aasvoëlberg, north of
Willowmore.
N9 Camdeboo/Sneeuberg Tourist Route: The route starts in Willowmore and
passes through some lovely countryside, through Aberdeen, Graaff-Reinet,
Nieu Bethesda and on to Middelburg.
HISTORY AND ARCHITECTURE
Architecture: The town has many beautiful and elegant old Victorian and
Edwardian buildings and houses.
UKHAHLAMBA (NORTHERN) REGION
Eastern Cape Tourism Board (Northern Region)
Street address: 97 Somerset Street, Aliwal North, 9750
Postal address: PO Box 198, Aliwal North, 9750
Tel: +27 (0) 51 633 3567
E-mail: ectban@intekom.co.za
Website: www.ecotourism.co.za
The Northern Region of the Eastern Cape is markedly different from the rest
of the province. As the rivers of the Great Escarpment flow down to the Indian
Ocean, the lands of the northern region rise towards the plateau. The area is
characterised by semi-arid Karoo plains to the south and the wetlands of the
Wild Coast to the east and beyond them, a mountainous area of spectacular,
rugged peaks and troughs alternating with smooth grassy slopes and valleys.
The position of the Northern Region, in relation to the Free State Province and
Lesotho in the north, has caused unique historical events to take place in the
area. In the early 19 th century “trekboere” (migrant farmers) from other parts of
the Cape moved into these northern areas because of differences with the
British government of the Cape Colony and because of continuing unrest and
wars on the Eastern Cape Frontier. The towns they established on their
journey all have very “Afrikaans” (the language spoken by the trekboere)
names, such as Burgersdorp, Venterstad, and Steynsburg; a legacy of their
“Great Trek” (migration) to the interior of the country.
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