Region: Eastern Cape

Properties in the Eastern Cape region

The Sands, St. Francis Bay, Eastern Cape

The Sands is an exclusive beach-side boutique hotel set alongside a pristine beach

The Sands is perfect for couples seeking  a retreat close to the beach with the soothing sounds of the Indian Ocean. There are five luxury suites and one honeymoon suite. All have sea views, a private deck overlooking the beach, a jacuzzi bath and the finest linen. The decor is modern, light and very tasteful. The property has two pools – one overlooking the ocean. There is a steam room for guests and spa treatments can be arranged. Accommodation is on a B&B basis but the in house restaurant can provide light lunches and an extensive al la carte dinner menu. The wine cellar has to be seen and sampled!

About The Sand’s Location

St Francis Bay is a quiet beach-side town set around a series of canals opening onto the Indian Ocean. Beach and countryside hikes are available. The beaches at nearby Cape St. Francis are pristine, dominated by the historic lighthouse which is the tallest in South Africa. A Penguin and seabird rescue centre is adjacent and there are numerous paths to hike into the coastal nature reserve. For the more adventurous, take a 4X4 excursion into the Baviaanskloof Nature Reserve which is one of the last remaining natural wilderness areas in South Africa. The close by Port St. Francis has some excellent fish restaurants featuring locally caught seafood. The area is known for the squid caught in the bay and called, locally, chokka. Additionally, you will find excellent hake, kingklip and Cape Salmon. For golf enthusiasts, St. Francis Bay has two rated courses including the Jack Nicklaus designed Links. Both courses are within a 5 minute drive. Day Safaris can be arranged at the sister property of Pumba Private Game Reserve where you will encounter their famous white lions.

St. Francis Golf Lodge, St. Francis Bay, Eastern Cape

St. Francis Golf Lodge is a must for golfers set in an enviable position amid a Jack Nicklaus designed course

St. Francis Golf Lodge is a beautifully appointed and tastefully furnished hotel. The 10 stylishly decorated rooms are located on two separate buildings overlooking the first tee. All rooms have large en suite bathrooms. Two of the rooms (without views of the course)  are larger and feature a private patio complete with outdoor showers. Accommodation is on a B&B basis but the nearby clubhouse is available for lunches and for dinners on Mondays and Wednesdays. At other times, St. Francis Bay and Port St. Francis have good restaurants. Golf is, of course, a feature and guests have preferential green fees during their stay.

About St. Francis Golf Lodge’s Location

St Francis Bay is a quiet beach-side town set around a series of canals opening onto the Indian Ocean. Beach and countryside hikes are available. The beaches at nearby Cape St. Francis are pristine, dominated by the historic lighthouse which is the tallest in South Africa. A Penguin and seabird rescue centre is adjacent and there are numerous paths to hike into the coastal nature reserve. For the more adventurous, take a 4X4 excursion into the Baviaanskloof Nature Reserve which is one of the last remaining natural wilderness areas in South Africa. The close by Port St. Francis has some excellent fish restaurants featuring locally caught seafood. The area is known for the squid caught in the bay and called, locally, chokka. Additionally, you will find excellent hake, kingklip and Cape Salmon.

Dune Ridge Country House, St. Francis Bay, Eastern Cape

Dune Ridge is the perfect spot to unwind either at the start of your holiday or at the end of your vacation

Dune Ridge is one of the most tranquil locations we have encountered. Close to the resort town of St. Francis Bay, the lodge is tucked away in the countryside. You can choose between two Garden Cottages, four Garden Suites and one Family Cottage. Whichever you select, you won’t be disappointed. The decor is very tasteful adding to the comfort of the serene environment. There is a pool to relax by, listening to the myriad of birds. Or, perhaps, you will be fortunate to spot one of the Nyala antelopes while you sip a cocktail on the terrace overlooking the gardens. Accommodation is on a B&B basis but the restaurant is available for dinner. Should you wish to be pampered, the lodge boasts a well equipped bush spa for your enjoyment.

About Dune Ridge’s Location

St Francis Bay is a quiet beach-side town set around a series of canals opening onto the Indian Ocean. Beach and countryside hikes are available. The beaches at nearby Cape St. Francis are pristine, dominated by the historic lighthouse which is the tallest in South Africa. A Penguin and seabird rescue centre is adjacent and there are numerous paths to hike into the coastal nature reserve. For the more adventurous, take a 4X4 excursion into the Baviaanskloof Nature Reserve which is one of the last remaining natural wilderness areas in South Africa. The close by Port St. Francis has some excellent fish restaurants featuring locally caught seafood. The area is known for the squid caught in the bay and called, locally, chokka. Additionally, you will find excellent hake, kingklip and Cape Salmon. For golf enthusiasts, St. Francis Bay has two rated courses including the Jack Nicklaus designed Links. Both courses are within a 5 minute drive.

Drosty Hotel, Graaff Reinet

Drostdy Hotel, Graaff-Reinet, Eastern Cape

The Drostdy Hotel is a  great choice for those looking for somewhere off the beaten track with touches of luxury

The Drostdy is a stunning hotel set in the charming Karoo town of Graaf-Reinet. The Executive rooms are set in village style throughout the grounds in individual cottages. The rooms and bathrooms are larger than normal and are well appointed complete with air conditioning, flat screen tv and a claw foot bath as well as a large shower. The hotel has three swimming pools, a spa and gym, wine tasting venue and a great restaurant set in a relaxing garden. The hotel has an extensive wine cellar and you should indulge in wine tasting during your stay. The restaurant serves sumptuous breakfasts as well as lunches and an excellent dinner menu.

About the Drostdy Hotel’s Location

Graaff-Reinet is the fourth oldest town in South Africa and although very Afrikaans, there are a lot of English touches. The main church is a stunning scaled down version of Salisbury Cathedral in England! The historic centre is full of thatched and metal roofed whitewashed cottages and this is the only town that is situated within its own National Park. The Camdeboo National Park includes the atmospheric and spectacular Valley of Desolation where you could imagine you are back in prehistory. It feels logical that this area has yielded some of the finest dinosaur fossils in southern Africa. While you are here you can visit the unusual and artistic community of Nieu Bethesda complete with its rather creepy Owl House which is now a national monument, a charming micro brewery which provides excellent lunches and there is also the ability to hunt for fossils in the river bed. You can also visit a number of private game reserves and the Mountain Zebra National Park which is an hour’s drive away.


Eastern Cape Region

Eastern Cape

Weather in Eastern Cape

Summer (November – March) It can be hot with temperatures likely to reach 35C and it is generally dry.

Spring (September/October) Temperatures generally in the high  20C. There can be rain at this time of year and evenings and early mornings can feel chilly especially on a game drive.

Autumn (April/May) Temperatures generally in the high  20C. There can be rain at this time of year and evenings and early mornings can feel chilly especially on a game drive.

Winter (June – August) Mild with daytime temperatures rarely below 18C. This is the time of year when storms can occur.

Facts about the Eastern Cape

  • History  This is  an interesting area of historic conflict between the Xhosa and the Boers but in 1820 the British settled farmers here in 1820 promising them a land of milk and honey!
  • Beaches   There are some great beaches including Summerstrand, Kenton-on-Sea, East London, Coffee Bay, Umngazi River Mouth.
  • National Parks  The Addo National Park is one of the main attractions but there is also Cradock Mountain Zebra National Park as well as the Camdeboo National Park with the historic and scenic town of Graaff-Reinet at its centre.
  • Private Game Reserves are numerous and range from ultimate luxury to the more affordable.
  •  Towns  Port Elizabeth is rather tired but the historic centre is interesting. The Oceanarium is worth visiting as is the Boardwalk development. Grahamstown is the historic seat of learning in South Africa with Rhodes University.
  • Horse riding can be arranged at many of the properties featured.
  • Golf  There are a number of good golf courses in this area particularly around Jeffrey’s Bay, Port Elizabeth, East London and Grahamstown.
  • The Wild Coast is the most northerly and eastern part of the region and covers the area also known as Transkei. This is the home of the Xhosa tribe as well as the birthplace of Nelson Mandela. Here you will experience rural Africa with hilltops dotted with round thatched huts normally painted green, and deep river valleys. Where the main rivers arrive at the sea there are holiday locations with beautiful coastal scenery and evocative names such as Coffee Bay.Accommodation tends to be modest but with typically South African hospitality. Although the main N2 highway is in good condition, many of the local roads are potholed which makes driving slow and sometimes hazardous so you must allow plenty of time for your journey. Cattle and other domestic animals roam freely providing another driving hazard particularly after dark. Once there, however, you will be rewarded with sensational scenery, way off the beaten track and friendly people who are genuinely pleased to encounter tourists. We do, however, tend to recommend this area only for our clients who are experienced travellers in South Africa

Accommodation in Eastern Cape

For Safari lovers the Eastern Cape includes the Addo National Park This was established in 1931 to protect the last herd of wild elephants in this region. In 1952 the black rhino was reintroduced now most of the indigenous species have been re-established….with the exception of crocodiles! The park was extensively enlarged in the late 1990s and now extends from the Indian Ocean to the Zuurberg Mountains. This is an area of South Africa that is totally free from Malaria and you will be enchanted with the range of accommodation from luxury Private Safari Lodges and boutique hotels to more modest bed and breakfast accommodation.

Avondrust, Graaff-Reinet, Eastern Cape

Avondrust is a Victorian style  property right in the centre of this pretty, historic town

Avondrust is a great, owner run, Guest Lodge located in the centre of Graaff Reinet.  There are  11 beautifully appointed rooms, all decorated in cottage style.  Most rooms are set in the quiet and relaxing garden with a pool and distant views of the surrounding mountains.

About Avondrust’s Location

There are a number of reasonable restaurants within walking distance. Graaff-Reinet is one of the gems of the Karoo with plenty of whitewashed cape dutch houses and a beautiful church based on Salisbury Cathedral in the UK! The dramatic Valley of Desolation is a 10 minute drive and here you will get a sense of walking in the footsteps of dinosaurs. In fact you are! This region is one of the top fossil locations globaly where numerous dinosaur remains have been found. Sleepy and slightly eccentric Nieu Bethesda lies approximately 25 kms outside the town and here you can amble around and view the incredible Owl House which is literally full of strange sculpures from the life of eccentric artist Helen Martins. The village also boasts an excellent micro brewery where you can lunch on home made goats cheese and kudu salami. This is a great location for just exploring this fascinating region which is almost entirely off the international tourist route.
River Bend Country Lodge, Addo National Park

River Bend Country Lodge, Addo National Park

Great accommodation close to The Addo National Park

As a place to stay, now within the borders of the recently enlarged Addo National Park, and be pampered this small hotel of just 8 luxury suites offers their guests a calm and relaxed environment. The hotel’s rooms are exquisitely decorated and are in bungalows set around a central courtyard.

About the Location

After a morning’s game drive, return and have a leisurely breakfast overlooking the beautiful scenery of the Sunday’s River Valley, maybe relax beside the pool and then visit the health and beauty facilities before taking another game drive in the late afternoon. We advise an early and late drive because you will see different varieties of game. In the early morning you will see many different antelope including the massive, but normally shy and reclusive, Eland. Springbok, Kudu and Hartebeest abound and you are quite likely to spot a pair of jackal returning after a hard night’s work! Elephants will be walking to the waterholes for a morning’s refreshment and you will also see Warthog, Zebra, Meerkat, Ostrich and the extraordinary Secretary birds as the search for snakes! In the late afternoon you should see Rhino and Cape buffalo and, as they are introduced, Lion.


Oyster Bay Beach Lodge

Oyster Bay Beach Lodge, Oyster Bay, Cape St Francis

Out of the way charm 

If you are looking for accommodation that is different and in a remote location but relatively easy to get to, then Oyster Bay could be for you. The 10 bedrooms and 4 Cape Dutch style chalets are simply furnished but comfortable. The lodge serves breakfast, a simple lunch and dinner.

About the Location

There is a reasonably sized pool but you are within easy walking of an incredible beach that has the feel of being part of Oyster Bay Lodge. Even in the height of the summer season when nearby Jeffrey’s Bay is heaving with surfers, this location has a wonderful ‘get away from it all’ feel. You should note that access to Oyster Bay is 25 kms along a good quality gravel road. Accommodation can be provided on a dinner, bed & breakfast, bed & breakfast or self-catering basis.


Elephant House

Elephant House, Addo National Park

Elephant House is a charming retreat close to the Addo National Park

Elephant House has a very African feel. The seven rooms are arranged around a courtyard and are thatched with deep verandas; there is also a separate cottage. The rooms are simply, but effectively decorated to a very high standard and they are larger than average. They have a pleasantly cool feel, which is necessary during the summer heat. The pool is very welcome after a hot day spotting game in the nearby Addo Park. We believe the value represented by The Elephant House will amaze you.

About the location

You can take an organised game drives into the Addo National Park with an experienced ranger or maybe you would like to drive yourself into the reserve. Elephant House can also arrange safaris into the private game reserves such as Schotia, Shamwari, Lalibela and River Bend. These will provide a different experience with the rangers able to drive off the main paths into the bush to find game.


Ocean View Hotel

Ocean View Hotel, Coffee Bay, The Wild Coast

A charming location by the side of a spectacular beach

For the adventurous, Coffee Bay will reward you with a beautiful beach, rugged coastline near to the impressive ‘Hole in the Wall’ which is one of the Wild Coast’s renowned views. Ocean View is a simple hotel comprising 30 double rooms (most en suite) some with stunning views over the ocean. We were particularly impressed by the spectacular sunrises! The pretty grounds extend down to the beach and include a pool and bar. The food in the dining room is simple, traditional South African fare served by friendly and obliging Xhosa locals. By South African standards this offers good, if slightly simple, but inexpensive accommodation.

About the Location

Coffee Bay can be reached from the N2 highway near Umtata, along a reasonable tarred road but there are potholes and free roaming domestic and wild animals that means a good hour’s drive. To get to Coffee Bay you will most likely either fly into Port Elizabeth or Durban (7 hour’s drive) or to Umtata (less frequent flights but only 1 hour’s drive. Driving through the Transkei, as this area of the Eastern Cape is known, is an experience – this is ‘real’ Africa with bustling towns and markets and the hill tops dotted with pretty rounds huts. It is, however, a relatively poor area and you will see scenes of poverty, over grazing and appalling soil erosion. Once you arrive at Coffee Bay, however, you will be rewarded with one of the most scenic coastal vistas  and a beach that has been voted one of the best in South Africa.