Fish River, Frontier Country
The Great Fish River, distinguishable from the Namibian Fish River by the word ‘great’, that runs through the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa, flows for some 690 kilometres before reaching the Indian Ocean 60 kilometres southeast of Grahamstown.
Fish River not only earns accolades in its own right as one of the most beautiful rivers in the country, but some equally famous rivers flow from it - Great Brak River is one of its main northern tributaries, whilst its eastern tributaries include Baviaans and Kat Rivers.
The Fish River originally earned its name from the Khoi people, who were first discovered in the Fish River Valley by European settlers. Despite its obvious association with fish, very little fishing actually takes place on the river, except along the lower reaches, and this is mainly recreational. The valley through which it flows was to become a battle zone, and the Fish River a hotly contested border between British settlers moving east from the Cape (and Dutch farmers) and tribal settlements, and during apartheid, the lower reaches formed the border with the Ciskei.
It doesn’t flow through any notable towns, other than Cradock and Cookhouse, and its journey is relatively uneventful - the Hansa Fish River Canoe marathon, one of the only events on its course, though it does flow through the beautiful Great Fish River Reserve that lies between Grahamstown and Fort Beaufort. It is the mouth of the river that draws people, mostly because the last 20 kilometres of the river is tidal (the Great Fish Point lighthouse, built in 1898, stands just outside Port Alfred) and the area between Port Elizabeth and the Fish River forms the Sunshine Coast - called such because it has more sunshine hours per year than any other part of the country.
In the vicinity
Hotels & other accommodation options
Kwandwe Ecca Lodge
Set in the heart of the Private Reserve in thick vegetation overlooking a dense valley, Ecca Lodge offers breathtaking views onto an escarpment o...
Kwandwe Melton Manor
Kwandwe Melton Manor is a private space that inspires the sharing of meals, laughter and experiences around the farmhouse table. Grand views of t...
Kwandwe Uplands Homestead
The African wilderness of which childhood dreams are made is found at Kwandwe Uplands Homestead. An intimate private safari home imbued with old-...
Fort D' Acre Reserve
Fort D' Acre Reserve offers luxury accommodation on the Sunshine Coast of South Africa's Eastern Cape, uniquely situated adjacent to the Gary Pla...
Kwandwe Great Fish River Lodge
Great Fish River Lodge is located in the magnificent malaria-free Eastern Cape, Kwandwe Game Reserve and is within easy reach of South Africa's b...
Kwandwe Galpin Tented Camp
Set in a lush valley in the remote southern part of the Kwandwe Private Game Reserve, Galpin Tented Camp gazes east toward Galpin Dam. The four t...
Kwandwe Fort House
Warmth and comfort embodies the refined private spaces of the Fort House in Kwandwe Private Game Reserve. The private villa has been elegantly de...
Noteworthy attractions
Addo Elephant Park
Situated in a malaria free area the magnificently diverse Addo Elephant Park offers a wide variety of game viewing, outdoor adventure, accommodat...
Amakhala Game Reserve
Steeped in history and beauty, this 6000-hectare game reserve creates an ideal environment for an unforgettable safari and an intimate experience...
Shamwari Game Reserve
Shamwari Game Reserve is the southernmost, Big Game, private reserve in Africa - Malaraia Free. This ultimate African adventure stretches along t...
Thomas Baines Nature Reserve
The Thomas Baines Nature Reserve is situated 12km from Grahamstown. The Thomas Baines Reserve is named after the famous 19th Century artist who l...
Bosberg Nature Reserve
Set on the southern slopes of the Bosberg Mountains, the Bosberg Nature Reserve is a thickly wooded nature reserve that looms over the town of So...
Great Fish River Reserve
The spectacularly beautiful Great Fish River Reserve lies in the valley of the Great Fish River, between the town of Grahamstown and Fort Beaufor...
Pumba Game Reserve
Lying in a particularly breathtaking setting that includes five of the world’s seven biomes, Pumba Private Game Reserve has a couple of major adv...
Tsolwana Game Reserve
Nestled against the northern slopes of the Winterberg Mountain range at the edge of the Karoo, Tsolwana Game Reserve lies between Cradock and Que...
Bucklands Private Game Reserve
Bucklands Private Game Reserve is a Stewart Family conservation initiative which was launched in 2007 culminating from the families deep love of ...
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