Grahamstown

Grahamstown, also known as Makhanda, is a town of 140,000 people (2022) in the Cacadu District of the Eastern Cape. This charming and picturesque small city is well worth a visit. It has maintained its old-time demeanour, and has many examples of buildings in the Victorian, Colonial and Gothic Revivalist styles. It is known as The City of Saints because it has more than 40 churches, and as Africa's Festival Capital because six national events are celebrated here each year.

Understand


Frontier Country is a vibrant mix of all the best of Africa - where many intense battles were fought and many famous warriors are remembered. True country hospitality reigns in this area with its world class game lodges, hotels and guest houses. The delightful towns of Alicedale and Riebeeck East are also situated in the area and are fast gaining local and international popularity for their lingering history and the many prestigious game reserves that surround them.

The town was named after Colonel John Graham, its founder in 1812, after the Fourth Frontier War, between the British and Xhosa. In 2018, it was renamed "Makhanda" (prophet) in memory of Xhosa warrior and prophet Makhanda ka Nxele.



By plane
There are two airports near Grahamstown. The closest is the Port Elizabeth airport which is 114 km from Grahamstown. The East London airport is 123 km away. There are regular flights from Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban and other South African destinations to the airports in Port Elizabeth and East London.

By road
Grahamstown lies just off the N2 highway about 110 km (70 mi) northeast of Port Elizabeth and 130 km (80 mi) southwest o East London. From Port Alfred in the south, follow the R67 north through Bathurst. From the north, a number of different routes converge on Grahamstown. Grahamstown is easily accessible by motorways from Cape Town (887 km), Durban (671 km), and East London (152 km). You could also drive in from Johannesburg (950 km). The road conditions are fairly good if you are coming from any of these cities.

By rail
The station is on Ayliff street (right in town). However there is no longer a train between Grahamstown and Alicedale, inland to the west.

From Alicedale there are regular trains south to Port Elizabeth and north to Bloemfontein and Johannesburg.

For several years there has been talk of reviving the disused rail link between Grahamstown and Port Alfred, but this project is still very far from completion.

By bus
Several companies, including Greyhound and Intercape, run long distance buses between Cape Town and Port Elizabeth, which stop off at Grahamstown along the way. If you choose to travel like this, remember to take some toilet roll as the bus may run out pretty quickly. Minibus taxis from Raglan Street go to Port Elizaberth R40 3 hours, and East London R60 4 hours.

In Grahamstown

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Alicedale — This charming Victorian-styled town, situated 65 km outside of Grahamstown, used to be the core railway junction in South Africa before the mid 1990s. Whilst in Alicedale, do not miss out on a trip to the Mohair Museum, a round of golf at the Gary Player-designed 18-hole golf course and lunch at the 4-star Bushman Sands Hotel. A visit to the Bushman Caves, unscathed rock art and safari experiences in game reserves in the area are also recommended. A visit to Alicedale includes a Cultural Xhosa Village, a rural township experience, the possibility of a donkey cart ride, olive groves, light lunches at the beautifully refurbished historical Railway Station, untouched Bushman Cave and Rock Art. Not to forget the superb Golf Course at Bushman Sands and Leisure Centre where the ladies can pamper themselves in luxury and comfort. Also not to be missed is the Weaving Museum, which is part of the oldest Mohair Factory in South Africa. Abafazi Crafts and Designs is a delightful outlet for beautiful local bead and basket work. An internationally renowned Interior Decor and Designer furniture outlet is also worth a visit. Tel: +27 42 231-1247

Fort Brown — Located next to the Great Fish River between Kwandwe Game Reserve and the Fish River Nature Reserve, Fort Brown sprung up around a British Fortification of the same name.

Frasers Camp — Located near an old lookout tower and near the other settlement of The Coombs, this little settlement is located among grassy hills and is an excellent base from which to explore the Fish River and Kap River valleys.

Riebeek-East — This town lies in the vicinity of the archaeological sites showing cultural activity that predates many claims world-wide, contributing to its status as the cradle of human kind. This typical “platteland dorp” was built around the magnificent Dutch Reformed Church and is surrounded by farms and game reserves.

Salem — This historic village, on the road to Kendon-on-Sea, was founded by early British settlers. The village boasts two Methodist Churches which were erected in 1832 and 1848 which overlook the village green where many a game of cricket has been played over hundreds of years. The village is famous for an event that took place in the Frontier Wars where a resident, Richard Gush, chose to successfully parley with an amaXhosa force that was preparing to attack the village rather than fight.

Seven Fountains — This village, off the N2 about 30 km from Grahamstown possesses a splendid Methodist Church. Founded by Irish settlers in 1820 they named their little settlement after the number of springs in the area.

Sidbury — A small village set out by Richard Daniel in the early 1830s along the lines of an English country Village with Daniel’s house, Sidbury Park, being set a little way from the village. Sidbury boasts two splendid churches, with a number of war graves in the church graveyards.

Do
The Grahamstown area is outstanding for outdoor activities such as fishing, golf, hiking, mountain biking, rock climbing and skydiving. For the nature lover there are plenty of world class game lodges, private game reserves and a wealth of plant and bird life to discover. Annual events include the National Arts Festival in Grahamstown, the biggest festival of its kind in Africa, and third biggest in the world, during June/July, the annual National SciFest in March, the Freedom Festival in April, The Eastern Cape Eisteddfod in May and the National Schools festival in July.

Game reserves
Most of the private game reserves in the area are home to Africa’s Big 5 namely the elephant, rhino, buffalo, lion and leopard. The reserves are all free from malaria and are situated between 20 and 60 km outside Grahamstown. There are many accommodation options in the area that cater for everyone’s needs, from luxury accommodation, to self-catering chalets and perfectly neat camping terrains. You can choose one that compliments your ideal African experience. The area also boasts more than five ecosystems, thus enabling the support of many forms of plant, animal and bird life. Go on a sunset game drive, an escorted bush walk or a night drive and let the spectacular valleys, amazing rivers and abundant wildlife inspire you.



Fishing
Within a 20 km radius of the city there are over 400 acres of water containing small- and large-mouth bass, barbel, carp, mullet, yellowtail and trout.

Birdwatching
Situated in the middle of a region where four geographical zones meet, Grahamstown is a bird-watchers paradise.

Golf
The Grahamstown area is a golfer’s paradise, with the Grahamstown Golf Course, and the Gary Player designed Bushman Sands Golf Course in close proximity.



Connect

 * Local telephone directory: 1023
 * International telephone directory: 10903

Important numbers
 * Ambulance: +27 46 622-5664 (10177)
 * Fire Station: +27 46 603-6000
 * Police: +27 46 603-9111 (10111)
 * Hospital: +27 46 622-2215 (10177)

Go next

 * Addo
 * Baviaans
 * Jeffreys Bay
 * St Francis
 * Karoo Heartland
 * *Sunshine Coast
 * Tsitsikamma