Images and photos of the Eastern Cape

New 2010 Stadium                         

International salt brand Cerebos has been produced near Port Elizabeth since the 1960s. Port Elizabeth has two sea water salt pans whereas in the rest of the country’s salt is produced through a pan brine source. Photographer: Mike Holmes                         

The mighty Mzimvubu River spills into the Indian Ocean at the small verdant coastal town of Port St Johns. Often referred to as the Jewel of the Wild Coast, Port St Johns was probably named after a Portuguese ship, the Sao Joao, which was wrecked in 1552. Photographer: Mike Holmes                         

Port Elizabeth is the biggest city in the Eastern Cape and is commonly known as the “The Friendly City”. Situated on an expansive bay and with a moderate climate all year round Port Elizabeth is a mecca for water sports. Photographer: Mike Holmes                         

The Tsitsikamma Mountain Range spans both the Eastern and Western Cape and is a key feature of the popular Garden Route. Tsitsikamma is a Khoi-San word which means ‘place of plenty water’ and rainfall in the region exceeds 1 000mm per year. Photographer: Mike Holmes                         

Wildebeest are a regular sight in game reserves in the Eastern Cape and are generally seen in herds, although from time to time young and aging males are cast out to a solitary life. The principal food source of wildebeests is grasses and the seasonal nature of the African grasslands forces wildebeest to migrate. Photographer: Mike Holmes                         

Waterfall Bluff is an awe inspiring 60m waterfall that plunges straight into the Indian Ocean. There are only two such waterfalls in the world. Waterfall Bluff is best accessed with guides and some even organise an abseil off the falls. Photographer: John Costello                         

Established in 1946, Volkswagen of South Africa is a wholly owned subsidiary of Volkswagen Aktiengessellschaft (VWAG) in Germany. It is the largest German investment in South Africa. Volkswagen of South Africa is located in Uitenhage, an industrial town some 35km from Port Elizabeth in the Eastern Cape. Photographer: Mike Holmes                         

The vertical cliffs and dolerite columns of the Valley of Desolation surround the Karoo town of Graaff-Reinet and is a product of volcanic and erosive forces that have taken 100 million years to form. The Valley of Desolation is home to a remarkable range of fauna and flora. Some 220 species of bird, 336 plants and 43 types of mammal are resident here. Photographer: Mike Holmes                         

The imposing 1400m high Spandaukop is a volcanic feature just outside Graaff-Reinet. Years of erosion has left the dolerite core intact with visible lateral sandstone strata which give Spandaukop its unique appearance.Vegetation is varied, birdlife abundant and if one hikes to the west of Spandaukop there is a good chance of sighting kudu, Cape mountain zebra, mountain reedbuck, springbok, baboons and perhaps a bat-eared fox. Photographer: Mike Holmes                         

Patensie derives its name from the Khoisan word for ‘resting place of the cattle’. It serves an extensive agricultural producing region often known as the pantry of the Eastern Cape and is an hour’s drive from Port Elizabeth. Situated in a flood plain, agriculture thrives here and Patensie is surrounded by a mosaic of cultivated lands and orange groves. Photographer: Mike Holmes                         

The are numerous small communities of privately owned homes where solitude is a certainty – Ou Bos is one of them - where whale and dolphin spotting are more likely than seeing another human being. For the opportunity of experiencing two summers per year consider the Eastern Cape. Photographer: Mike Holmes                         

The Nahoon River named after the Xhosa chief Nxaruni is one of East London’s more beautiful landmarks. It wends its way lazily out to sea at Nahoon Beach adjacent to the Nahoon Reef which is has hosted international and national wave-ski and surfing competitions. The fossilised footprints of man were discovered in 1964 at Bat’s Cave at Nahoon Point. Photographer: Rob Pollock                         

The Mzimvubu River Valley is home to many endemic plant species and the indigenous forests which cover this area are commonly known as Pondoland Scarp. Closer to the Indian Ocean near Port St Johns fruit like banana, paw-paw, mango, litchi and avocado are grown and sold by local farmers along the road sides. Photographer: Mike Holmes                         

Mngazana is a coastal hamlet on the Transkei coast. The Mngazana Estuary is regarded as the most important estuary in the Eastern Cape as it forms part of a 140 hectare stand of mangroves, the third largest in South Africa. Mangrove conservation and community tourism initiatives at Mngazana have experienced promising success. Mangrove timber has a number of benefits over other timber, but the importance of preserving the delicate ecological balance is a value communities are buying into. Photographer: Rob Pollock                         

Mercedes-Benz South Africa (MBSA) has had a long association with East London. Since the mid 1950s Mercedes-Benz vehicles have been assembled in East London and in 1984 Mercedes-Benz South Africa established a manufacturing plant here. Photographer: Mike Holmes                         

Mary and Martha are two flat topped mountains probably named after the biblical sisters Mary and Martha who tended Jesus’ needs. They are distinctive northerly landmarks just outside the Karoo town of Tarkastad. Mary and Martha are a favoured destination for mountain climbing and motorcycle clubs. Photographer: Mike Holmes                         

Magwa Tea Estate at Lusikisiki is South Africa’s largest tea estate and comprises 1800 hectares of cultivated tea. Magwa Tea is the largest employer in the area and employs up to 2 500 people at peak season. Rising global tea prices and shrinking supply has seen Magwa’s tea move into new markets. It now exports to China, Pakistan and the United Kingdom. Photographer: Mike Holmes                         

Maclear is a small Eastern Cape town that mainly serves a sheep and cattle farming community. Nearby Ugie has undergone a recent metamorphosis with a sizeable Steinhof investment in a chip board plant which has seen significant economic development in the area. There are many San rock art sights along the walls of caves in the district. Photographer: Mike Holmes                         

Kleinemonde is a rustic holiday seaside village 20km from Port Alfred. Within easy reach are a number of game reserves, excellent golf courses, and for those who just want to relax, there is lazy boating up one of the twin rivers where the beautiful indigenous vegetation reaches down to the riverbanks. Photographer: Mike Holmes                         

Prior to democracy in South Africa the Great Kei River used to provide a false border between South Africa and the bantustan Transkei. On both sides border posts existed and travelers needed to produce their identity documents to pass from one side of the river to the other. The Great Kei River flows 520km and ends at the Indian Ocean. Photographer: Mike Holmes                         

The Kariega and Bushman's rivers enclose the pretty seaside town of Kenton-on-Sea. Nature lovers have a range of game reserves in the region to choose from including Eastern Cape’s premier Shamwari Game Reserve. The area is well known for abundant birdlife. Photographer: Mike Holmes                         

Jeffery’s Bay is a surfing paradise and home to the best right hand point break wave in the world. Fondly known as J’Bay it hosts the annual Billabong Pro surf contest which sees international surfers make the waves work with them for this prestige title. With a wonderful sunny climate, Jeffery’s Bay is a popular holiday destination. Photographer: Mike Holmes                         

Port Elizabeth hosted its first Ironman South Africa triathlon in 2005, and was the first city in Africa to do so. In 2007 East London hosted a half Ironman. The Port Elizabeth Ironman Triathlon entails a 3.8km swim across the bay, a 180km cycle and a 42.2km run. Some 1700 people competed in the Port Elizabeth 2008 Ironman many from around the world.                         

Hole-in-the-Wall is a fascinating land mark formed by millennia of constant erosion. Added to its interest is how the headland has stood while surrounding land masses have crumbled back into the sea. The sullen crashing roar of the sea through the hole has given this famous natural feature the isiXhosa name esiKhaleni (the place of sound). Access to Hole-in-the-Wall is mostly along tarred roads and it has a hotel which also offers free surfing lessons. The beach at Hole-in-the-Wall is good for swimming, fishing and snorkeling.                         

Grahamstown is known as the City of Saints because it has over forty religious buildings in this small city and its Anglican Cathedral is the diocesan seat of the Anglican Church of Southern Africa. Grahamstown hosts the biggest and most vibrant celebration of South Africa’s rich and multi-faceted culture - the annual National Arts festival, held each year in July during which the city becomes the country’s creative crucible.                         

The Garden Route is a popular and scenic stretch of the southern coast of South Africa and it takes in a portion of Eastern Cape from the Bloukran’s Bridge through to Humansdorp. Thought to initially be named the Garden of Eden, it is one of the most popular holiday routes in the country. Along its stunning coast the Garden Route displays steep rocky cliffs alternating with white sand beaches and dense evergreen rainforests. Numerous rivers originating in the bordering mountain range add to the visual beauty.                         

The Kat River Valley near Fort Beaufort is the centre of a prosperous citrus farming area. Surrounded by the majestic Katberg and Amatola mountain ranges, Fort Beaufort is home to the Martello tower, a national monument, that features a mounted cannon that pivots through 360° and is considered one of only two in the world.                         

The East London Industrial Development Zone (ELIDZ) is a South African government initiative to encourage export-oriented growth in the country through the attraction of foreign and local investors. The East London IDZ offers investors a globally competitive combination of geographic position, infrastructure, services and labour. Currently 14 manufacturers have already taken up the opportunity of settling within one of South Africa’s prime industrial estates. The zone’s Automotive Supplier Park positions Mercedes-Benz suppliers within easy reach of its manufacturing plan. The ELIDZ also accommodates aquaculture and transport and logistics companies.                         

Eastern Cape is dolphin territory and it is a common sight while viewing the hypnotic lullaby of the shore line to see it punctuated with dolphins swimming through the waves, sometimes lazily and at other times at lighting quick speed. Bottlenose dolphins are most common. There are a number of conservation programmes in place to ensure that dolphin and whale are protected in our waters.                         

Situated in the Greater Addo Elephant National Park, Darlington Lake is adjacent to Darlington Lodge which forms part of Addo’s extensive accommodation options. The Lodge boasts unique and exquisite fauna and flora, including the rare Karoo Noors Cactus which is found nowhere else in the world. Addo is home to 450 elephants which have grown from the original 11 elephants when the park was proclaimed in 1931. Currently Addo is home to one of the densest African elephant populations on earth.                         

Collywobbles on the Mbashe River is well known for its endangered Cape Vulture colony with sightings recorded there since the 1890s. As the Mbashe River tightly curves its way down to the coast, it forms ideal locations for hydroelectric power and is the site of a hydroelectricity generation plant for Eskom.                         

Ngqura Port demonstrates the province’s vision to develop infrastructure that supports economic growth. Completed in 2006 the deepwater port is South Africa’s eighth and latest commercial port development and it was built as the centre piece of the Coega Industrial Development Zone just outside Port Elizabeth. Ngqura Port can accommodate vessels of up to 80 000 tons deadweight, and a draught of up to 23 metres which enables it to serve new generation vessels.                         

Alexandria near Port Elizabeth is a high production dairy area and rolling farmlands dotted with cows ready for milking is a common pastoral scene. Alexandria is also the chicory capital of South Africa and it has been grown commercially there since 1895. There are five game reserves within 100km of Alexandria, as well as one of the world’s most active dune fields.                         

The Cape Recife Nature Reserve is situated at the southern western tip of Algoa Bay and offers beautiful beaches, natural dune vegetation of fynbos, rocky outcrops and a lighthouse which was commissioned in 1851. Cape Recife Nature Reserve, established in 1973 is a haven for birds and one of the hikes in the reserve is aptly named after the rare roseate tern which is one of seven tern species that are often sighted in the reserve.                         

The small historical railway town of Alicedale is an economic growth fairy tale. It was transformed several years ago when the Mantis Collection Group saw its potential and established Bushman Sands which comprises a golf estate, hotel and game reserve there. Unemployment has reduced and many of the young people who grew up there are able to find employment close to home. The Mantis Group offers annual hospitality bursaries to school leavers. Bushman Sands has received wide acclaim for its approach to sustainable ecological and community tourism.                         

The Bloukrans River Bridge has Guinness world record recognition for being the highest commercial bungy jump in the world at a whopping 216m (708ft). Another unique experience is the Tsitsikamma Canopy Tour which includes gliding on a suspended rope system between the some of the 116 indigenous trees in the Tsitsikamma forest and hopefully spotting a rare Knysna Loerie flying along with you. Also in the area is an 800 year old giant yellowwood tree known as the Big Tree.                         

Bird Island is aptly named – it is home to the world’s largest gannet population and some 160 000 pairs of gannets, roseate terns and African penguins breed here. Bird Island comprises a cluster of four islands, one of which is Black Rock which is home to 5 000 seal and it forms part of the Addo Elephant National Park.                         

The small farming community of Bathurst is synonymous with the world’s largest pineapple. This tourism attraction stands 16.7m high and has three floors. It is constructed out of a fibreglass outer skin covering a steel and concrete superstructure. From the top observation deck there are magnificent 360° views over rolling pineapple lands to the Indian Ocean.                         

The Alexandria dune field in the Woody Cape Nature Reserve, is one of the largest active dune fields in the world. The reserve forms part of the Eastern Cape’s major tourist attraction, the Addo Elephant Park. Woody Cape stretches from the Sundays River Mouth to the Bushman’s River. The area boasts an abundance of birds and wildlife, with a wide variety of trees including yellowwoods. Bird lovers are likely to see the rare damara tern, jackass penguins, fish eagle and Knysna loerie in the pristine indigenous forests.