East Griqualand

East Griqualand has trails, crafts, guest farms and magnif

The rolling green hills of East Griqualand offer some of the most picturesque and restful scenery in the Province of KwaZulu Natal. East Griqualand is dotted with small, welcoming bed and breakfast venues and guest cottages which provide an ideal place to get away from the frantic pace, and noise, of city life.

Presently largely a stock farming area, East Griqualand also holds a great deal of historical interest. Focusing on the many different early pioneers and settlers. This wild and beautiful piece of country was settled in the 1860s by the Griqua. They were a hardy breed of frontier people who, after clashing with the Boers and the British in the interior, trekked east and settled in the place known simply as No Mans Land. Under their leader, Adam Kok, they established Kokstad, now a bustling town providing for the needs of the surrounding farming and trading communities. Evidence of their journeys can be found in place names, monuments and small museums.

East Griqualand is also popular for trout fishing in the many rivers and dams. Both brown and rainbow trout can be seen - catching them requires more skill. The area is also the home of three nature reserves, Mt Currie, Wildfred Bauer and the Mountain Lake Nature Reserve.

East Griqualand has trails, crafts, guest farms and magnificent mountain ranges just waiting to be explored.

Settled by Adam Kok and his Griqua followers in 1863, this southwestern tip of Kwazulu Natal is the southern gateway to the entire Kwazulu Natal Midlands.

Cradled by the mighty Drakensberg, the Nungi and Ingeli Mountains are characterized by numerous rivers and streams, wide open spaces and unspoilt vleis. Covering an area of 4000 square kilometers, this is the ideal holiday destination for those wishing to get away from it all. The diverse and interesting fauna, flora and geographical features of the region and the sweeping panoramic views, make this area the unspoilt jewel of the province. It is well worth the time needed to explore it’s many facets

From Mountain Lake outside Maratiele to the Franklin vlei, from the heights of Mount Currie near Kokstad to the Cedarville Flats, from the sheer cliffs of the Bokkiesberg to the beauty of the cosmos – East Griqualand has so much to offer visitors.

This is outdoor country. So allow yourself to be tempted to explore – whether it’s hiking, walking or on a mountain bike. Go in your 4 x 4 to view Bushman paintings, paragliding from the heights over crystal clear trout waters or relax beneath 100 year old trees while the children visit a dairy. Have your every wish catered for in a luxury guest house, or choose a rustic self catering unit. Or if you are just passing through, stay in any of the gracious bed and breakfast establishments scattered throughout the area.

With cold frosty winter nights, mild days and warm rainy summers it’s a place where the four seasons can be experienced in one day. Here, snow capped mountains reflect the glow of the moon and stars. Originally known as ‘Nomansland’, today everyone is welcome. A place where each town and village is as individualistic as the people who populate the area, a place where hospitality takes on a whole new meaning, where you feel the warmth of the smiles and friendliness of those who greet you.

WHAT TO SEE AND DO

Natural Heritage

East Griqualand is home to three nature reserves. The largest, Mount Currie, is a Kwazulu Natal Nature Conservation Service reserve covering some 1700 ha. Situated within this reserve is the Crystal Springs Dam, which offers fishing – bluegill, bass and trout – as well as boating and water sports. For those who wish to scale it’s heights, the 2224 m Mount Currie provides stunning views of Kokstad and surrounding areas. Drive your 4 x 4 up to the Mountain Lake Reserve – the only way to negotiate this road, which rises from 1200 m at Matatiele to 2000 m over a 12 km stretch – to reach the reserve’s pristine grasslands and wetlands. Fish for trout in a lake covering 30 ha and reaching depths of 6 m in places. Or identify over 80 recorded bird species in the area, including the rare Rudd’s Lark. If you prefer sights of a different nature, visit the Wilfred Bauer Nature Reserve, 5 km west of Matatiele on the Lesotho road. There you can see the extraordinary Zebdonk, while picnicking in this popular fishing and walking spot. The 5000 ha surrounding the Mountain Lake is soon to become a game and nature reserve with accommodation for hikers and birders.

Birding

From Mountain Lake in Matatiele, nesting site of the rare Rudd’s Lark, to Franklin Vlei, home of the Whitewinged Flufftail, East Griqualand offers the professional and amateur arnithologist a wide variety of species to identify. Take a leisurely farm walk while identifying over 80 recorded bird species. Or stand motionless beside a wetland and view one of the largest remaining Wattled Crane populations in South Africa. There are 333 recorded species of birds in East Griqualand – lists available at the info office.

Fly Fishing and Angling

Situated in the southwestern corner of Kwazulu Natal, East Griqualand is a fisherman’s paradise, where the size of the trout, bass and carp are still a well kept secret. Host to many popular tournaments, which draw entries from far and near, the three fly fishing clubs in the region provide the opportunity to try waters of a different nature and the chance to catch trout of record size. As for bass, all you require is basic equipment and long enough arms to describe the one that got away. And don’t forget to lowly carp, found in water throughout the region, for they always offer good sport and tight lines.

Farm Experience

A holiday in the country provides a wonderful and relaxing experience for the whole family. Children love making friends with animals. Take them to visit a dairy or for a pony ride. Ride on a trailer to the top of a mountain, or watch those young faces as they witness a sheep being shorn. Picnic next to crystal clear stream with sheep grazing nearby, or stroll over hills where the only sounds are birds singing and cattle lowing, in the evening, relax beside one of the many dams while casting a line into shimmering waters, and who knows, perhaps the children will provide supper this time.

4 x 4 Adventures

Set between the mighty Drakensberg range and Nungi and Ingeli Mountains, and criss-crossed by numerous rivers and streams, this is an ideal 4 x 4 destination for those seeking to get away from it all. Test your skill on the Bokkiesberg or head for any of the other tracks scattered throughout the region, including the track at Misty Mountains in the Mvenyane, which is not just another 4 x 4 trail. Here your adventure begins the moment you leave the tar road and wind your way over the switchback roads to the farm. Or try the short sharp, but testing Die Kroon trail. But for a trail that makes Sani look like a highway, there is always Thule Rustler Route – a private pass built by farmers on private land to the Lesotho border. This is true grit country, and a test of any man and his machine.

Hunting

No matter how experienced a hunter you are, East Griqualand offers a whole new hunting experience. The area offers the sportsman mountain reedbuck, common reedbuck, blesbuck, geese (Egyptian and Spurwing), duck and pigeon – and the chance to hunt in one of the most beautiful regions of South Africa. Spread over 350 000 ha, this region is a hunter’s paradise, vleis, pans and wide open plains. Whether it’s buck or bird you are after, this unique area will be remembered long after the hunt is over.

Historical Heritage

Take a historical tour around Kokstad, ‘capital’ of East Griqualand. Start at the Adam Kok and Boy Scout Memorials, situated within the Mount Currie Nature Reserve. Visit the Kokstad Museum and other buildings of particular interest, not forgetting the Griqua National Independent Church, opened in 1877 by Margaret, wife of Adam Kok, still with the original ‘Peach Bell’. Bushman artifacts from the early stone age are among the many fascinating and diverse displays chronicling the growth of Matatiele that are to be found in Matatiele Museum. All of East Griqualand is a geologist and palaeontologist’s dream, with hunter gatherers artifacts from 100 000 years ago (and fossilized wood dating 250 million years) to be found. Cut stone buildings with shooting apertures still visible, churches dating from the 1800’s, old hotels once used as staging posts – each give an insight into the people who pioneered Nomansland.

Golf

The area is home to two beautiful golf courses. Matatiele boasts the cheapest golf in East Griqualand, while Kokstad has the only 18 hole course in the area.

Paragliding

Soar from the top of sheer cliff faces that drop straight to flat farmland below. With no obstruction in your flight path and no hindrance to your landing. East Griqualand offers one of the most spectacular paragliding destinations to be found anywhere. Spend time gliding from the Bokkiesberg, where you only soaring companion is a Black Eagle, or allow yourself to be tempted to any of the other favoured spots scattered throughout the area.

Polo

Polo in East Griqualand is a family tradition, usually with fathers and sons playing on the same team. Swartberg, Matatiele and Kokstad each boast active clubs, which take part in numerous tournaments around the country and in neighbouring states. Each club has provided many competing in international tournaments. The sight of polo ponies at full gallop, turf flying through the air, and the sound of sticks clashing is an exciting scenario, particularly when set against the backdrop of mountains and rolling green plains.

Sporting Clubs

Apart from golf and polo, each town and village in East Griqualand has a wide variety of sporting clubs. Tennis, squash, bowls, cricket, hockey, rugby, cycling, road running and 4 x 4 clubs abound throughout the area. Visitors are always welcome to join in the activities, so no visitor to the area need miss out on their favourite pastime.

Accommodation in and around Drakensberg (East Griqualand)