Eastern Cape

RSA Wildcoast - The Eastern Cape's Wildcoast is a rough piece of nature. Eastern Cape is in South Africa and stretches along the Indian Ocean between Western Cape and KwaZulu-Natal.

Eastern Cape Halal Travel Guide

The Eastern Cape province includes the former "homelands" of Transkei and Ciskei. With a long coastline on the Indian Ocean it offers great beaches as well as several very interesting National Parks. Its population is mainly Xhosa-speaking and the province is home to several of South Africa`s most important persons in the fight against Apartheid (e.g. Nelson Mandela, Thabo Mbeki, Steve Biko and Oliver Tambo). It's still a poor province especially in the former homelands but beautiful and not so tourist.

An Introduction to the Region of Eastern Cape

The Eastern Cape can be divided in the following regions:

Eastern Cape regions - Color-coded map

Tsitsikamma Eastern portion of the Garden Route and the coastal region from Street Francis in the east to the Western Cape in the west.

Langkloof (Route 62)

Baviaans

Sunshine Coast (South Africa) The coastal region between East London in the north and Street Francis in the south.

Karoo Heartland The inland region bordering onto the Western Cape and rest of the Karoo in the Northern Cape.

Settler Country The inland region bordering onto the Free State and Lesotho.

Wild Coast The coastal region between KwaZulu-Natal in the north and East London in the south.

Cities

Bhisho - The capital of the Eastern Cape Port Elizabeth - the largest city in the province is connected to the rest of the nation by flights, motorways and rail. East London - the second largest city is accessible by plane, vehicle and train and is the starting point for traveling to the former Transkei and Wild Coast. Grahamstown - heart of the Settler Country offering traditional atmosphere. Mthatha (formerly called Umtata) - the main city in the former Transkei. Graaff-Reinet - the capital of the Karoo desert and a national legacy site.

More Destinations

• Cintsa - backpackers haven with two famous hostels and a great atmosphere.
• Hogsback - high up in the Amathole mountain range, surrounded by indigenous forests with hiking trails and waterfalls.
• Pearston
• Wartrail and New England

National parks

• Addo Elephant National Park At least 400 elephants all sizes, great lodging, book through parks Board, 30 mins by vehicle from Port Elizabeth
• Cambdeboo National Park
• Mountain Zebra National Park
• Tsitsikamma National Park (Book through the Parks Board) phone: +27 21 423 8005. Wonderful coastal scenery with great hikes and walks, nice lodging, between Plettenberg Bay and Humansdorp including the famous Otter Trail.

Other nature reserves

• Baviaanskloof Mega Reserve,

• Commando Drift Nature Reserve | 60 kilometers east from Cradock
• Dwesa and Cwebe Nature Reserve | dutywa - Two small reserves separated by the Mbashe River, next to the Indian Ocean near Elliotdale.

Private game reserves

• Kragga Kamma Game Park |
• Seaview Game & Lion Park | ☎ +27 42 378-1702
• Schotia Safaris Game Reserve - ☎ +27 42 235-1436 Ggame drive, meal and drink R600pp or staying overnight, with evening and morning drive, meals and soft drinks for R1200pp. Huge stock of game with free roaming lions. One gets the safari feeling here without paying through the nose.
• Shamwari Game Reserve - ☎ +27 42 203-1111 The most well-known and luxurious of the private game reserves in the Eastern Cape.

Travel to Eastern Cape

By car

The main motorway in the province is the N2. It runs along the coast from Cape Town via the Garden Route, Port Elizabeth and the Transkei and further through KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga. The road condition is mainly excellent except in the Transkei (Do not travel the Transkei portion of the N2 at night as the potholes can be deep and there are often stray animals ie cows and goats wandering around).

From Cape Town

Follow the N2 via the Overberg and into the Garden Route

From Gauteng, Free State, Limpopo and Mpumalanga

Follow the N1 toll road south until Colesberg and then follow the N9 from there towards Graaff-Reinet and George or follow first the N9 and then the N10 towards Port Elizabeth. Avoid driving the N9 and N10 at night as game often wander onto the road at night and accidents are not uncommon. A full grown kudu or other large antelope can cause some severe damage to you and your vehicle.

Buy a Flight ticket to and from Eastern Cape

Port Elizabeth and East London are the main national airports both with several Flights daily to other South African destinations, but no international flights.

Travel by train to Eastern Cape

 Spoornet operates regular trains from Johannesburg to both Port Elizabeth and East London. There is also a once-weekly service from Cape Town to East London, a daily service between Grahamstown and Alicedale and a weekend-only service between East London and Mthatha (via Amabele).

Get Around

South Africa-Drive Alive01 - 120px|A monkey off the N10

By car

Definitely the best option if you are more than two as several regions and some of the National Parks aren't accessible by public transport. Road Conditions are mainly good but get informed before you start. Car rental is available in larger cities and along the popular resorts of the Garden Route. Be careful of wild animals, especially monkeys, on the road. Be especially careful if driving at night.

Travel on a Bus in Eastern Cape

The main companies cross the Eastern Cape on their way from Cape Town to Durban. There are other main routes from Port Elizabeth and East London to Johannesburg. The Baz Bus traverses the province on its Cape Town - Port Elizabeth - Durban run ; Port Elizabeth is a compulsory overnight stop. Minibus services are available for local transport between neighbouring towns (and also on several longer distances).

Travel by train to Eastern Cape

With the limited range of railways thit isn't really a viable option for touring the province. However and the route from Grahamstown to Alicedale is very scenic and well worth doing. The newly opened line from East London to Mthatha also traverses some dramatic scenery through the Wild Coast.

What to See

• Port Elizabeth: the provincial capital and major transportation hub
• East London: Gateway to the Wild Coast
• Grahamstown: University town with a colonial English atmosphere
• Graaff-Reinet: a national legacy site and the classical example of an inland town.
• Wild Coast: spectacular scenery and only a few tourists make this an out-off-the-beaten track destination
• Morgan's Bay: Seaside village with magnificent cliffs that plunge into the sea.
• Kei mouth: Southern gateway to the Wild Coast via one of South Africa's two remain pontoon vehicle ferries.
• Tsitsikamma National Park: not as spectacular as some of the other National Parks it offers superb coastlines, whale watching and excellent hiking.
• Addo Elephant National Park: famous for the elephants this park is after the unification with Zuurberg NP one of South Africa`s largest. Also has lion.
• Mountain Zebra National Park - small, but only very few people there. See the endangered Mountain Zebras.

Top Muslim Travel Tips for Eastern Cape

• Visit the bustling cities of Port Elizabeth and East London
• From there, head to the Wild Coast
• Do the National Park loop with Tsitsikamma National Park, this and Addo is a must Addo Elephant National Park and Mountain Zebra National Park and go to Graaff-Reinet for classical Karoo atmosphere (and the Karoo National Park)

• Tiffendell southern Drakensberg ☎ +27 45 974-9004South Africa is not well known as a Alpine skiing|ski destination, but if you do find yourself in South Africa during winter and would like to ski.
• Rock climbing#South Africa|Rock Climbing

Halal Restaurants

• When in Jeffreys Bay or Paradise Beach, try the beach restaurants near Marina Martinque called Tapas - affordable or the Whale Skipper slightly more expensive. Wherever try the calamari.
• Street Francis - go out to the port and have Cajun Calamari at the Porthole for lunch, sit in the sun, enjoy the food and watch the fishermen at work. What a pleasure

eHalal Group Launches Halal Guide to Eastern Cape

Eastern Cape - eHalal Travel Group, a leading provider of innovative Halal travel solutions for Muslim travelers to Eastern Cape, is thrilled to announce the official launch of its comprehensive Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Eastern Cape. This groundbreaking initiative aims to cater to the diverse needs of Muslim travelers, offering them a seamless and enriching travel experience in Eastern Cape and its surrounding regions. With the steady growth of Muslim tourism worldwide, eHalal Travel Group recognizes the importance of providing Muslim travelers with accessible, accurate, and up-to-date information to support their travel aspirations to Eastern Cape. The Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide is designed to be a one-stop resource, offering an array of invaluable information on various travel aspects, all carefully curated to align with Islamic principles and values. The Travel Guide encompasses a wide range of features that will undoubtedly enhance the travel experience for Muslim visitors to Eastern Cape. Key components include: Halal-Friendly Accommodations in Eastern Cape: A carefully selected list of hotels, lodges, and vacation rentals that cater to halal requirements, ensuring a comfortable and welcoming stay for Muslim travelers in Eastern Cape. Halal Food, Restaurants and Dining in Eastern Cape: A comprehensive directory of restaurants, eateries, and food outlets offering halal-certified or halal-friendly options in Eastern Cape, allowing Muslim travelers to savor local cuisines without compromising their dietary preferences in Eastern Cape. Prayer Facilities: Information on masjids, prayer rooms, and suitable locations for daily prayers in Eastern Cape, ensuring ease and convenience for Muslim visitors in fulfilling their religious obligations. Local Attractions: An engaging compilation of Muslim-friendly attractions, cultural sites such as Museums, and points of interest in Eastern Cape, enabling travelers to explore the city's rich heritage while adhering to their values. Transport and Logistics: Practical guidance on transportation options that accommodate Muslim travel needs, ensuring seamless movement within Eastern Cape and beyond. Speaking about the launch, Irwan Shah, Chief Technology Officer of eHalal Travel Group in Eastern Cape, stated, "We are thrilled to introduce our Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide in Eastern Cape, a Muslim friendly destination known for its cultural richness and historical significance. Our goal is to empower Muslim travelers with accurate information and resources, enabling them to experience the wonders of Eastern Cape without any concerns about their faith-based requirements. This initiative reaffirms our commitment to creating inclusive and memorable travel experiences for all our clients." The eHalal Travel Group's Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Eastern Cape is now accessible on this page. The guide will be regularly updated to ensure that Muslim travelers have access to the latest information, thus reinforcing its status as a reliable companion for Muslim travelers exploring Eastern Cape. About eHalal Travel Group: eHalal Travel Group Eastern Cape is a prominent name in the global Muslim travel industry, dedicated to providing innovative and all-inclusive travel solutions tailored to the needs of Muslim travelers worldwide. With a commitment to excellence and inclusivity, eHalal Travel Group aims to foster a seamless travel experience for its clients while respecting their religious and cultural values. For Halal business inquiries in Eastern Cape, please contact: eHalal Travel Group Eastern Cape Media: info@ehalal.io

Buy Muslim Friendly condos, Houses and Villas in Eastern Cape

eHalal Group Eastern Cape is a prominent real estate company specializing in providing Muslim-friendly properties in Eastern Cape. Our mission is to cater to the specific needs and preferences of the Muslim community by offering a wide range of halal-certified residential and commercial properties, including houses, condos, and factories. With our commitment to excellence, client satisfaction, and adherence to Islamic principles, eHalal Group has established itself as a trusted name in the real estate industry in Eastern Cape. At eHalal Group, we understand the importance of meeting the unique requirements of Muslim individuals and families seeking properties that align with their cultural and religious trainings. Our extensive portfolio of Muslim-friendly properties in Eastern Cape ensures that clients have access to a diverse selection of options tailored to their needs. Whether it's a luxurious villa, a modern condominium, or a fully equipped factory, our team is dedicated to assisting clients in finding their ideal property. For those seeking a comfortable and modern living space, our condos are an excellent choice. Starting at US$ 350,000 and these condominium units offer contemporary designs, state-of-the-art facilities, and convenient locations within Eastern Cape. Each condo is thoughtfully designed to incorporate halal-friendly features and amenities, ensuring a seamless integration of Islamic values into everyday living. If you are looking for a more spacious option, our houses are perfect for you. Starting at US$ 650,000, our houses provide ample living space, privacy, and a range of customizable features to meet your specific requirements. These houses are located in well-established neighborhoods in Eastern Cape, offering a harmonious balance between modern living and Islamic values. For those seeking luxury and exclusivity, our luxury villas in Eastern Cape are the epitome of sophistication and elegance. Starting at US$ 1.5 million and these villas offer a lavish lifestyle with private amenities, breathtaking views, and meticulous attention to detail. Each luxury villa is meticulously designed to provide a serene and halal environment, allowing you to enjoy the finest living experience while adhering to your Islamic principles. For further details please email us at info@ehalal.io

Muslim Friendly Hotels

The Garden Route is a major tourist destination with a broad range of lodging in all ranges as is Port Elizabeth. North of East London is the spectacular Wild Coast which begins near Morgan's Bay and Kei mouth. Accommodation is a little bit more limited inland, but there will always be an option.

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