Eastern Cape Provincial Article - South African Vacations

Dutch Reformed Church: The first pastor of the parish had the church built in
the same style as the St Martin’s-in-the-Field Church in London, in an effort to
make his English-born wife feel more at home.
Grave of Reginald Koettlitz: Koettlitz was a member of Robert Scott’s ill-fated
Antarctic expedition of 1912 and his grave is one of Cradock’s major
attractions.
Great Fish River Cultural History Museum: The museum is housed in the
second Dutch Reformed Church and depicts the typical settler lifestyle of
1806, time of the second British occupation of the Cape.
Local library: The library houses some of the works by Olive Schreiner as well
as a first edition of the Encyclopaedia Britannica.
Olive Schreiner House: Olive Schreiner, one of South Africa’s most revered
writers, the author of “The Story of an African Farm”, lived a solitary existence
in this house, built in typical Karoo architectural style. You can also visit her
grave, a three to four-hour hike to the summit of Buffelskop Mountain.
FAUNA AND FLORA
Commando Drift Nature Reserve: The reserve is situated 60 km north of
Cradock on the Tarkastad road. The Commando Drift Dam is situated within
its borders, This 6 000 ha reserve, a mixture of grassveld and Karoo veld, is
home to the endangered mountain zebra, blesbok, red hartebeest and
springbok as well as about 200 species of birds. Swimming, boating and angling
are allowed in the dam and the reserve also has a 28-km endurance hiking trail,
a circular hike through the reserve.
Great Fish River Reserve Complex: This vast 45 000-ha conservation area
incorporates the Andries Vosloo, Sam Knott and Double Drift Nature
Reserves. The river cuts through kilometres of pristine valley thicket where
large game animals, such as rhinoceros, buffaloes, hippopotami and kudu
roam. Waterfowl and game can be observed from the hide at the edge of a
seasonal water pan. There are several forts, such as Fort Double Drift and
Botha’s Post Fort, signalling towers, barracks and graves of historic interest in
the reserve complex, a legacy of the Frontier Wars. Hunting is allowed in
specially zoned areas.
Mountain Zebra National Park: The mountains and narrow valleys of the
Mountain Zebra National Park are home to the mountain zebra, one of the
world’s most endangered species. The 6 400-ha park was set up in 1937
specifically to protect the mountain zebra. Initially there were only six zebra,
but the present population has grown to over 200. The park is dominated by
the 2 012-m-high Bankberg and is covered with attractive trees, a large variety
of aloes and flowering shrubs. A rich store of archaeological sites can be
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