| Welcome to South Africa. | | | | average of 7 hours sunshine. Northern regions are |
| The Eastern Cape South Africa. Where else can | | | | much cooler. Certain areas receive rain throughout |
| you surf the worlds biggest waves, ski down the | | | | the year albeit erratic. |
| only snow slopes in Africa, go on a `big seven | | | | Major attractions in the area: |
| safari, visit the birthplace of Nelson Mandela and | | | | Nelson Mandela Museum |
| bungee the highest bridge in the southern | | | | The museum was officially opened on the 11 |
| hemisphere? The Eastern Cape, of course! | | | | February 2000, at a function to coincide with the |
| The second largest of South Africa's nine | | | | tenth anniversary of the release from prison of |
| provinces, the diverse Eastern Cape landscape | | | | Nelson Mandela in 1990. The birthplace/museum is |
| ranges from the dry desolate Great Karoo to the | | | | situated at Qunu, along the N2 highway, south of |
| steamy forests of the Wild Coast and the | | | | Umtata. |
| Keiskamma Valley. The area also embraces the | | | | Addo Elephant Park |
| fertile Langkloof, renowned for its rich apple | | | | Situated 73km from Port Elizabeth, in South |
| harvests, and is cradled by the mountainous | | | | Africa's Eastern Cape, the park is a true |
| southern Drakensberg. | | | | conservation success story. |
| Here, widespread hills are juxtaposed with sandy | | | | Valley of Desolation |
| beaches; here small-town South Africa comes to | | | | The product of volcanic and erosive forces of |
| greet you - gently offering hospitality and | | | | nature over 100 million years, the Valley of |
| friendship and asking for nothing in return. This is | | | | Desolation is one of the most spectacular sights in |
| where the `big seven' roam, and where the | | | | the country. A steep and narrow road leads into |
| tropical forests share their space with abundant | | | | the mountains that surround the valley - a |
| birdlife and nature at its most generous. | | | | journey not to be dared by the faint-hearted. |
| The shoreline of this province extends from the | | | | Grahamstown National Arts Festival |
| Umtamvuna River in KwaZulu-Natal, to the | | | | Africa's largest and most colorful cultural event |
| Storms River mouth on the scenic Garden Route, | | | | takes place, annually, in this University town, |
| in the west, and stretching inland, to the north, | | | | offering a choice of the very best of both |
| bordering on Lesotho. Today, the Eastern Cape | | | | indigenous and imported talents. |
| incorporates the previously independent | | | | Hole in the wall |
| `homelands' of the Ciskei and Transkei. Despite its | | | | Just south of Coffee Bay, on the eastern |
| colonial past, the Eastern Cape remains the home | | | | seaboard, is a prominent rock formation with a |
| of the Xhosa-speaking people of South Africa. | | | | big hole in the centre. This distinctive site has |
| With its almost seven million people, the Eastern | | | | become a symbol for the Xhosa in remembrance |
| Cape has the third-largest provincial population, | | | | of a great historical tragedy - the "Great Cattle |
| living on about 169 600 km2 of land. | | | | Killing". The unique structure with a huge detached |
| The Eastern Cape climate varies considerably but | | | | cliff that has a giant opening carved through its |
| has, a year-round holiday climate. The Eastern | | | | centre by the waves. The local Xhosa call this |
| coastal regions enjoy hot summers and moderate | | | | place "izi Khaleni", which means "place of thunder". |
| winters and Port Elizabeth experiences a daily | | | | |