Eastern Cape

Region · 🇿🇦 South Africa

Population 7,230,204

Area 169,081 km²

Time zone Africa/Johannesburg

Official website www.ecprov.gov.za

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Featured Lists

Daniel Case / CC BY 2.0

Eastern Cape Essentials

The Eastern Cape showcases South Africa’s geographical and historical diversity, from the 216-meter bungy jump at Bloukrans Bridge to the dolerite pillars of the Valley of Desolation. The region holds significant cultural sites, including the University of Fort Hare and the Sarah Baartman Memorial. Wildlife conservation is centered at Mountain Zebra National Park and Tsitsikamma’s coastal forests, while the Magwa Falls highlights the rugged topography of the Wild Coast. Major urban landmarks include the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium and the colonial-era architecture of Makhanda.

13 places

Leo za1 / CC BY-SA 3.0

Dramatic Viewpoints & Peaks

This collection highlights the Eastern Cape's geological diversity, from the 120-meter dolerite columns of the Valley of Desolation in Camdeboo National Park to the rare marine waterfalls of the Wild Coast. It features South Africa's highest mountain pass at Naudé's Nek and the dramatic river gorges of the Tsitsikamma region, including the engineering feats of the Bloukrans and Storms River bridges. The list also includes unique formations like the Kalkkop impact crater and the Cape Vulture breeding colonies at Msikaba.

13 places

Aliwal2012 / CC BY-SA 3.0

Nature & Water Wonders

The Eastern Cape landscape is defined by significant water infrastructure and natural formations. This collection features the Gariep Dam, South Africa’s largest reservoir, and the Kouga Dam, an engineering landmark on the Kouga River. Natural highlights include Waterfall Bluff, one of the few global instances of a waterfall plunging directly into the ocean, and the 144-meter Magwa Falls. Urban green spaces like the historic St George’s Park and the Donkin Reserve offer central coastal views, while the Hogsback region provides indigenous forest settings for the Madonna and Child and Bridal Veils falls.

17 places

Jebulon / Public domain

Historic Sites & Monuments

This collection of landmarks in the Eastern Cape spans centuries of South African history, from the 15th-century landing of Portuguese explorers to the struggle against apartheid. The list features significant sites such as the grave of Xhosa King Sandile, the Sarah Baartman Memorial, and Boer War memorials. These monuments and ruins offer insight into the region's colonial conflicts, missionary influence, and the enduring legacies of influential figures like Nelson Mandela.

12 places

Daniel Case / CC BY 2.0

Top Camping & Caravan Sites

Explore the diverse landscapes of South Africa's Eastern Cape through its premier camping and caravan destinations. This selection spans from the rocky Indian Ocean shoreline of Tsitsikamma and the Wild Coast's subtropical beaches to the semi-arid Karoo plains and the rugged Baviaanskloof World Heritage Site. Featured locations include national park rest camps, riverfront sites in Addo, and mountain retreats in Hogsback, offering access to 4x4 trails, endemic wildlife, and coastal hiking paths.

16 places

Eastern Cape — Map

Practical information

Currency: South African Rand ZAR R · Card payments · Widely accepted
Electricity: Type C / Type D / Type M / Type N
230 V · 50 Hz

Languages: Afrikaans, English, South Ndebele, Swati, Southern Sotho, Tswana, Tsonga, Venda, Xhosa, Zulu
Tap water: Safe to drink
Driving side: Left
Calling code: +27