Gamtoos Valley, Eastern Cape

Eastern Cape Attractions

Gamtoos Valley, Eastern Cape

The Gamtoos Valley Region, Eastern Cape

The name Gamtoos catches in the back of the throat with a guttural stop so typical of the wonderfully descriptive Afrikaans language. The word probably originated from Dutch settlers, who called the Khoikhoi clan in the area ‘Gamtousch’, although others argue that it means ‘the roaring lion’ and refers to the sound of the Gamtoos in flood.

Lying adjacent to the Garden Route, just over an hour’s drive from Port Elizabeth, the Gamtoos Valley is home to the three little villages of Hankey, Loerie and Patensie, and is a vibrant mix of citrus, potato and tobacco farming that forms a collage of cultivated fields and orchards. Regarded as the gateway to the Baviaanskloof Wilderness area, the valley is a treasure trove of beautiful scenery and interesting landmarks that stretch all the way up to Komdomo, where the Baviaanskloof route begins.

The little town of Loerie hosts the Naartjie Festival in September and Hankey is not only the oldest town in the valley but also claims to have the largest Sun Dial in the southern hemisphere - 36.4 metres across. Here too lie the remains of Sarah ‘Saartjie’ Bartman, a Khoi-San woman, also known as the Hottentot Venus, who was ‘persuaded’ to leave the country for Europe where she was used as a circus attraction, dying finally in France. It was only in 2002 that her remains were finally returned to South Africa.

Gamtoos Valley

Destinations / Town & Suburbs of Gamtoos Valley

Hankey

Where to Stay: Accommodation in Gamtoos Valley

Hankey is one of three towns that make up the Gamtoos Valley - an exceptionally beautiful part of the world due mainly to its ability to remain largely undetected and thus unspoilt - that stretches up to Komdomo and the ... hankey information

Loerie

Where to Stay: Accommodation in Gamtoos Valley

The little town of Loerie - probably named such due to the prominence in the Baviaanskloof and surrounding area of the rather elusive Knysna Loerie that reveals itself only when absolutely necessary - is one of three towns in ... loerie information

Patensie

Where to Stay: Accommodation in Patensie

The little town of Patensie lies virtually at the mouth of the Baviaanskloof Wilderness area, hidden away in the south western corner of the Eastern Cape only an hour’s drive from Port Elizabeth - it’s the last stop before ... patensie information

Baviaanskloof

Where to Stay: Accommodation in Baviaanskloof

There is a gorge that lies in the valley, stretching for over 100 kilometres, between the Baviaanskloof Mountains to the north and the Kouga mountains to the south. Recently awarded World Heritage Site status this 192 000 ha ... baviaanskloof information

Gamtoos Valley

Featured and "Must See" Attractions in Baviaanskloof

Baviaanskloof Wilderness Reserve

The Valley of the Baboons in the Eastern Cape (in the sandy soil of this valley one can easily spot their footprints), also known as the Baviaanskloof Wilderness, is a rugged, uncultivated, and beautiful wilderness area that includes the Baviaanskloof and Kouga Mountains, and the valley in-between, less ... more information

Kouga Wilderness

The Kouga Wilderness lies in the heart of the Kouga Mountains on the edge of the Baviaanskloof, north of Joubertina and part way between Port Elizabeth and George. As its name suggests it is wild country, perfect for those who love a real outdoor experience, complete with tangled ravine forests, sheer rock faces and ... more information

Gamtoos Valley

Holiday Accommodation in Gamtoos Valley

For accommodation in Gamtoos Valley see:
• Baviaanskloof Accommodation • Studtis Accommodation • Patensie Accommodation

Or to see all accommodation in this region at once, visit Gamtoos Valley Accommodation.

Did you know?
Whether you're in the mood for an informal seaside escape, an encounter with the "Big Five" on safari, or a choice of scintillating city diversions, you're sure to find what you're looking for in the Eastern Cape.

destinations / attractions in the eastern cape

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