Things to do
History, Culture and Heritage
History, heritage and living culture are drawcards for tourists in this region. The cultural heritage includes the strong indigenous cultures of the Xhosa. With its colonial past, the area has been marked by German and British influences and there are some well-preserved examples of 19th century architecture in both East London and King William's Town. The forts and other military fortifications attest to the many wars fought in this region. But history goes back further than that: in the Amatole and Maluti mountains are good examples of rock art. In fact, paleontology areas can be found throughout the area (South Africa's first dinosaur fossil was discovered near Grahamstown). The fossilised footprints of man were discovered in 1964 at Bat's Cave in Nahoon. They are thought to be about 200 000 years old.
Attractions and Activities
The East London Museum
The museum has the world's only dodo egg, a large natural science collection, collections ranging from the prehistoric times of South Africa to the early history of the Xhosa people. It also has a remarkable collection of southern Nguni beadwork as well as maritime history displays. It also has a model of a coelacanth. This ancient fish species is estimated to be about 350-million years old and was believed to be extinct until a fisherman from East London caught one in 1938. In the following years more catches were made in the extremely deep waters at East London. The garden has an impressive collection of cycads, the area being home to at least nine different species. (Outside the museum is a unique avenue of cycads - Lukin Road - where 22 massive cycads are equally spaced over a distance of one kilometre.)
Contact details
The museum is in Oxford Street. (Entrance and parking in Dawson Road)
Telephone: (043) 743-0686.
It is open from 9.30am to 5pm on Mondays to Fridays and from 2pm to 5pm on Saturdays and from 11am to 4pm on Sundays and public holidays.
Amathole Museum
King William's Town Amathole Museum is home to the second largest collection of mammals in the southern hemisphere. It is also the home of Huberta, the wandering hippopotamus. The Xhosa Gallery, in the old post office building, has information on the cultural history of the Xhosa nation, including all the tribes.
Contact details
cnr Alexandra and Albert roads, King William's Town
Telephone: (043) 642-4506
It is open on Mondays to Fridays from 9am to 1pm and from 1.45pm to 4.30pm. It is open on Saturdays from 10am to 12.30am.
Steve Biko Garden of Remembrance
You can visit the grave of Steve Biko, one of South Africa's most famous political martyrs in Ginsberg, just outside King William's Town. The Ginsberg home where Biko was born was recently declared a national monument. Contact the Steve Biko Foundation on (043) 642-1177 for details. Read more about Steve Biko.
The Missionary Museum
This museum, in King William's Town, exhibits the missionary history of the area and South Africa.
Contact details
Berkley Street (former Methodist Church)
Telephone: (043) 642-4506
Open Mondays to Fridays from 9am to 1pm and from 1.45pm and 4.45pm. Closed on weekends and public holidays.
The Ann Bryant art gallery
The gallery is in an Edwardian building and features a mix of Cape Dutch and Victorian artworks. The collection is representative of South African art from 1880 onwards. Temporary exhibitions are held regularly.
Contact details
The gallery is in St Marks Road.
Telephone: (043) 722-4044
It is open from 9.30am to 5pm on Monday to Friday and from 9.30am to noon on Saturdays. Admission is free.
Gately House
Built in 1878, this was the residence of John Gately, the first mayor of East London, his wife Mary Ann and their 12 children. It was declared a national monument in 1973 and is furnished in period style. In fact, almost all that is on display belonged to the original owners.
Contact details
1 Park Gates Road
Telephone: (043)722-2141
Open Tuesdays to Thursdays from 10am to 1pm and 2pm to 5pm. On Saturdays and Sundays it is open from 3pm to 5pm.
City Hall
The foundation stone of the stately City Hall was laid in 1897. The clock tower commemorates the diamond jubilee of Queen Victoria. Built in the Victorian Renaissance style, the marble for the imposing staircase was imported from Carrar, Italy.
Contact details
Oxford Street
Telephone: (043) 705-1068
Calgary Transport Museum
Home to a fine collection of old carts, wagons and handcarts. Also on show are a gypsy caravan, a tack room and a wheelwright's workshop and forge.
Contact details
About 13 km from East London on the Stutterheim road (N6)
Telephone: (043) 730-7244
Open daily from 9am to 4pm. Closed on Good Friday and Christmas Day
Natural resources and wildlife
The landscape of the region varies from beautiful sandy beaches to rugged mountains and deep river valleys. There are many small holiday resorts along the coast. The region is the meeting place of five different biomes (main vegetation types), creating an ecosystem that is home to a wide variety of plants and animals. The Wild Coast is one of the most pristine wilderness areas left in Africa. Its coastal forests, mangrove swamps and sweeping beaches are home to a diverse range of plant and animal life. It's a birdwatcher's paradise, with colourful and exotic birds, such as paradise flycatchers, trumpeter hornbills, narina trogans and the rare mangrove kingfisher. With more than 500 game farms in the region, you can view the Big Five in a malaria-free area. The Eastern Cape is also South Africa's leading destination for foreign trophy hunters and safari enthusiasts. Contact the Eastern Cape Tourism Board on (043) 635-2115.
Attractions and activities
Orient Beach: East of the river mouth and closest to the city, this is a popular beach with families. It has a tidal pool, a playground, water slides and other child-friendly attractions. Since 1847, about 150 ships have been wrecked within a 5km radius of the Buffalo harbour, but the only visible wreck is the Orient, which can be seen at low tide from Orient Beach.
Eastern Beach: this is the main long beach fronting the Esplanade. In its high dunes, the Bat's Cave area can be explored.
Nahoon Beach: On the northern headland, this is a beautiful stretch of beach. Nahoon Reef is a well-known and popular surf spot.
Gonubie Nature Reserve
Gonubie's small nature reserve has 130 species of birds, mostly waterfowl, have been recorded. There is also a wide variety of indigenous plant species.
Contact details
Telephone: (043) 705-9777
Open Mondays to Fridays from 8.30am to 4pm. Weekends by prior arrangment.
Sport and outdoors
The Buffalo City region has much to attract the sporting and outdoor enthusiast. Buffalo City is a sportsman's mecca. With its good weather and infrastructure, it plays hosts provincial, national and international sporting events and attracts thousands of fans to the area every year. Some of South Africa's best international sporting heroes come from this region, such as Makhaya Ntini, Tony Greig and Peter Kirsten. According to Tourism Buffalo City, Mdantsane is seen as the unofficial capital of boxing. Many clubs operate in the area with names such as "Happy Boy" Mgxaji, Welcome Ncita, Vuyani Bungu and "Hawk" Masibulele Makepula associated with them. Major international boxing tournaments are held at Sisa Dukasha stadium in East London. International athletics meetings are held at Jan Smuts Athletics stadium, while rugby is played at the Absa stadium. Cricket is played at Buffalo Park, while swimming events are held at the Joan Harrison Aquatic complex, which offers four underwater hockey fields.
There is also a wide variety of eco-walks and hiking trails that take in both the coastal areas as well as the indigenous forests. The good weather and wide range of outdoor activities and facilities make it a perfect place for families and holidaymakers.
Climbing and hiking
The rugged Amatole mountains offer plenty of climbing opportunities. Read more about climbing in the area on the very comprehensive Climbing the Amatoles website. The Border Outdoor Adventure Association also offers interesting information on outdoor adventure and activities, including detailed information on the various hikes and trails in the area. Telephone: (043) 642-1747. For information and to book trails in the King William's Town area, contact the Keiskamma Ecotourism Network on (043) 642-2571.
Queen's Park Zoo and Gardens
Queen's Park is a 30-hectare national monument, a pocket of indigenous trees and shrubs in the city. The well-kept gardens border the zoo that has a variety of mammals and reptiles. There are pony rides for children (10am to 3pm on weekends only) and a refreshment kiosk. Click here for the East London Zoo site
Contact details
Beaconsfield Road, East London
Telephone: (043) 722-1171.
Open daily from 8.30am to 4.30pm.
Aquarium and whale-watching deck
Opened in December 1931, the aquarium is the oldest in South Africa. More than 400 species of fish, penguins and seals can be seen. Make sure you make it in time to see the seal show (twice daily at 11.30am and 3.30pm). The display of Cape Pigmy clawed lobsters is the only one of its kind in the world. The whale deck has a telescope.
Contact details
On East London's Esplanade
Telephone: (043) 705-2637
Open from 9am to 5pm on Mondays to Sundays
Diving
If you'd like to join a diving expedition to explore the shipwrecks off the East London coast, contact the Border Undersea Club on (043) 748-2958. Or enquire at Pollock's Sports Shop in East London. A certificate of competency is required.
Golf Dating back to 1893, East London Golf Club is one of South Africa's oldest courses. Set in high dunes and surrounded by typical Cape coastal vegetation, this 18-hole golf course is challenging. Be careful not to be distracted by the spectacular views of the Indian Ocean and the beachfront. For a change of scenery, why not play a round of golf in Gonubie (nine-hole course); Kei Mouth (nine holes) or King William's Town (18 holes). Contact details
East London Golf Club: (043) 735-1356
Gonubie Golf Club: (043) 740-2068
Kei Mouth Golf Club: (043) 841-1083
King William's Town Golf Club: (043) 642-9939
West Bank Golf Club: (043) 736-3646
Alexander Golf Club: (043) 736-2313
Red Bishop Golf Course: (043) 748 1566
Fish River Sun: (040) 676-1101
Bunkers Hill driving range: (043) 735-0870
Water World Fun Park
In West Bank, this complex is open in summer only. It has a supertube, paddling pools, speed rides and river cascades.
Contact details
Telephone: (043) 748-4265
Open in summer only
Buffalo Regatta
The first regatta took place in 1881. It attracts more than 1 000 rowers and visitors to East London.
Fishing
The warm waters of the Indian Ocean and the wide choice of sheltered beaches, make this area a fisherman's dream. You can get fishing licences and other marine licences from any post office.
The Frontier Acclimatisation Society in King William's Town is the oldest fishing club in South Africa. It holds regular freshwater fishing events at the Maden Dam outside town.
Cove Rock
An impressive and unusual rock formation 16 km from East London. It is a great bird-watching spot.
Shopping & Entertainment
Attractions & Activities
Lock Street Gaol shopping complex
Built in the 1800s, this was South Africa's first women's jail. Winnie Madikizela-Mandela and Daisy de Melker, who was accused of poisoning two husbands and a son, were both held here. It is now an office and shopping complex, with craft, curio and antique shops. For those with a macabre slant, the original gallows can still be seen.
Hemingways Casino
Opened in September 2001, the casino complex has a retail section, a variety of fast food outlets as well as activities for children (game arcade, a climbing wall and adventure golf). The curio and speciality shops along the beachfront are popular with tourists.
Contact details
Two Rivers Drive, off Western Avenue
Telephone: (043) 707-7777
Latimer's Landing
This is a waterfront development on the Buffalo River with restaurants and pubs. A flea market is held on Sundays. Boat and yacht rides are available.
Mini steam train trips
Catch a ride on the first Sunday of every month at the Gonubie Farmers Hall.
Contact details Gonubie Farmers Hall
Telephone: (043) 736-1868
Information provided by www.buffalocity.gov.za