“Imonti”, the Xhosa name for East London, was derived from the Dutch word “mond” (mouth) and refers to the position of the city on the mouth of the Buffalo River. In 1836, George Rex was sent to survey the river mouth area. Not long after, the Union Jack was hoisted on Signal Hill, signifying the […]
Fort Beaufort, in the Kat River Valley, is set in the horseshoe formed by the Kat River on the one side and the Brak River, on the other side. It was the site of one of the most effective forts set up to serve as a buffer between the Settlers and the Xhosa people during […]
This charming seaside village lies 75 km north-east of East London. The warm summers and sunny winters offer ideal conditions for outdoor enthusiasts. The town and its surrounding area have been declared a conservancy to protect rare indigenous species of animals, such as the Cape clawless otter and the blue duiker (a small antelope). Adventure […]
This village, originally called Tooi, was founded in 1857 to settle veterans of Britain’s disbanded German Legion. The name of this small seaside town on the Sunshine Coast was later changed to that of the German city Hamburg. Its position next to the ocean and on the banks of the Keiskamma River has earned it […]
Opinions differ as to the origin of the name of this picturesque little town, situated at the western end of the great Amatola Mountain Range and surrounded by enchanting indigenous and pine forests. Some say the town may have been named after Capt. Hogg of Fort Mitchell, the first European settlement in the area but […]
Most motorists regard this little town only as the place where one turns off the N2 main road to reach the Dwesa Nature Reserve, Kobb Inn and Mazeppa Bay. However, the town has several hotels, sporting facilities and a camping site. It is also famous for hosting the ”Abakhwetha” dances that form part of the […]
The village of Kei Mouth was founded during the Frontier Wars to serve as a staging post. The Great Kei River is up to 200 m wide in places and flows into the Indian Ocean. The pontoon at Kei Mouth ferries vehicles across the Great Kei River to the road leading to the Kentani and […]
Keiskammahoek lies in a curve of the Keiskamma River, protected by the Amatola Mountains and Hills. The town has several charming Victorian and German Settler buildings and various other buildings of national historical interest. A modern hospital takes pride of place, albeit in stark contrast to the ruined but still impressive stone Keiskammahoek Post, an […]
After the London Missionary Society’s mission station on the banks of the Buffalo River had been destroyed, the Governor, Sir Benjamin D’Urban, wanted to rebuild it and establish a town named after King William IV of Britain. When the British Government turned down his application to extend the territory of the Cape, the land was […]
This small town, just 16 km from Kei Mouth, is situated on the banks of the Ntshala River. The bay boasts a landscape of dramatic high cliffs and “kranzes”, a lovely lagoon, some 200 species of bird and fascinating indigenous flora. The town and its neighbour, Cape Morgan, both take their name from AF Morgan, […]
