Blaauwkrantz on the Eastern Cape
The Eastern Cape has a reputation for its superb eco-tourism infrastructure. The Eastern Cape is a 100% malaria free environment. It enjoys a daily average of 7 hours of sunshine annually. Winter (April-August) temperatures range from 7.1 degrees Celsius (44.8 degrees Fahrenheit) to 19.5 degrees Celsius (61.3 degrees Fahrenheit) and 25.4 degrees Celsius (77.8 degrees Fahrenheit). In general, the weather of the Eastern Cape is kind to visitors. Rarely reaching extremes except perhaps in the height of the Karoo summer.
The Eastern Cape boasts a remarkable natural diversity, ranging from the lush, evergreen Tsitsikamma Forest to the rugged Baviaanskloof Wilderness Area, the southern slopes of the Drakensberg and the arid Great Karoo. It is known as the land of rolling hills, endless sweeps of rocky coves and sandy beaches, towering mountain ranges and verdant forests.
A feature of the Eastern Cape is its astonishing coastline, which is a paradise for water sports enthusiasts; surfers ride the perfect waves, anglers reel in king-size catches, and board sailors revel in the challenge of the wind. Fine leisure resorts and splendid facilities ensure that there is something for every one!
The Eastern Cape Province, also known as "The Cradle of Human Culture" played a very prominent and important role in South African history. Black and white met for the first time, but long before the ensuing black-white contact of the 18th century, man had already left his mark in this area. The discovery of the Nahoon footprints in 1964 marks human presence in the area to about 200 000 years ago, thus making the Eastern Cape city of East London, the site of the world's oldest fossilized human footprints.
The Eastern Cape is in the fortunate position that it is home to the largest land based mammal (the elephant), the tallest (the giraffe), the fastest (the cheetah), the smallest (dwergskeerbek-mouse), the largest non-flying bird (the ostrich) and the largest flying bird (the kori bustard).
Visit the Eastern Cape Tourism website for more information.
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