THE PICTURESQUE Eastern Cape hamlet of Kirkwood is positioning itself as the centre of the growing wildlife tourism industry in the western half of the province. Situated in the Sunday’s River Valley and just 75 kilometres outside Port Elizabeth, Kirkwood is ideally placed to benefit from the growth in wildlife tourism, says chairman of the Kirkwood Wildlife Festival, Johan Swart. According to the Sundays River Tourism Forum there are nine game farms and lodges in the immediate vicinity of Kirkwood. Two 4x4 routes have been developed over the past few years, and there are 47 bed and breakfast establishments – up from three four years ago. Four new gift shops have also been opened in recent years. The Wildlife Festival, which will be held at the end of June 2002, is a first for the Eastern Cape. “Virtually the whole of the Sunday’s River Valley is hard at work preparing the adventure events, crafts and, of course, the home-made delicacies for the three-day festival,” says Swart. One of the highlights of the festival, which runs from June 28 to June 30, will be the first Kirkwood Game Auction, where 18 species of game, including Cape buffalo and White Rhino will go on sale. “These are top-quality animals which will help to boost the appeal of the game farms and lodges which buy them by improving the quality of their existing herds,” says Swart. There is great interest in both the festival and the auction from around the country, according to Swart. “Kirkwood is recognised as the centre of the Eastern Cape’s rapidly-growing wildlife tourism industry. “Nature lovers from around the country will be converging on our picturesque and friendly town for the festival, which is being held in partnership with the neighbouring Addo Elephant Park” he says. Festival organisers aim to offer something for everyone. Addo will be auctioning a large number of animals, including rare breeding pairs of disease-free buffalo and two breeding pairs of white rhino, as well as mature kudu and eland bulls. Private game farms in the area will also selling animals during the auction. Festival events include 4 x 4 trails and competitions, target shooting with both hunting rifles and bows and arrows, clay pigeon shooting, and tracking. During the day, the air will be filled with the tantalising aroma of spices as boerewors sizzles and potjies bubble while the chefs of the Sunday’s River Valley compete for the honours in the first Crown National game cooking competition. Other cultural activities include visits to an authentic Xhosa village built specially for the festival. Visitors to the village will enjoy a fun cultural experience, including dining on traditional dishes, watching crafters making beadwork, and tasting the local brew in the shebeen. It is planned to make the festival an annual event. More information is available on the web site www.sundaysriver.com