Known as Africa’s festival capital, Grahamstown is home to the annual National Arts Festival, the National Schools Festival as well as SciFest. Boasting more than 70 heritage sites, the town is grounded as a centre of learning through the prestigious Rhodes University. Students from around the world flock to Grahamstown each year while a number of private and state-supported schools offer scholars a solid eduation foundation. Rhodes University is also the alma mater of many African leaders including Nelson Mandela.
Visitors have a choice of accommodation providers ranging from backpacker units to luxury hotels, with lively pubs and restaurants scattered throughout the town.
Fort Beaufort lies in the Kat River Valley, 82km from Grahamstown. The rich citrus producing area is steeped in Xhosa and Settler history. Visitors can view two cannons at the Martello Tower and Historical Museum dating back to the 1814 Frontier War day. Various nature reserves are situated in the Grahamstown area, with many buck species still roaming the mountains. Conservation and controlled hunting work together to maintain the ecosystem.
Grahamstown’s surrounding area includes the towns of Bedford and Fort Brown, both great places to visit if you are an adventure enthusiast or nature lover. Bedford is especially attractive in the month of October – prime viewing time for the beautiful gardens in the area.
SHARE
