Grahamstown, Frontier Country
To most South Africans, Grahamstown, (or Makhanda) just off the N2 between Port Elizabeth and Port Alfred, is the home of Rhodes University, and the host of one of the country’s longest running and major arts festivals - the National Arts Festival.
Regarded as the heart of the tourist route known as 'Frontier Country', Grahamstown, along with towns like Alicedale, Sidbury, Riebeeck East, Hogsback and Alice, is part of one of the most diverse ecological regions in South Africa, with thousands of hectares devoted to nature and game conservation, and a history seeped in forts, conflict and strife.
Grahamstown lies at the intersection of four very different climatic zones and its unpredictable weather is part of the excitement of the annual arts festival, which takes place in the middle of winter and sees thousands of people bundled in coats, gloves and scarves, descend on the city, whose broad tree-lined streets, gorgeous historical buildings, museums and plethora of churches - responsible for its ‘City of Saints’ label - are a throw-back to the time when Grahamstown was the second largest city in the Cape.
The Grahamstown Arts Festival, which during apartheid was a hive of political and protest theatre that never closed its doors to any race, colour, sex or creed, and imposes no censorship or artistic restraint on works presented at the festival, continues as a platform for experimentation.
The Fringe still serves as a great place to spot talent as theatre is not subject to a selection committee, as is the main festival. Grahamstown maintains its small-town Victorian charm, its over 100 schools and university earning it a reputation as an academic city. grahamstown is also a bird watchers delight. The Thomas Baines Nature Reserve, which lies just outside the city, and the Great Fish River Reserve, about 35 kilometres away, both provide a wide variety of bird life.
The Oldenburgia hiking trail, Grahamstown’s own hiking trail, is a two-day circular trail starting and ending in the city, and there are another two shorter walking trails in town - the Dassie Krantz and Gowie Kloof.
Additional Reading
For more info about Grahamstown see our articles on the SA Travel News Blog: 1]. The city of saints – 10 slightly off-beat historical attractions in Grahamstown 2]. Grahamstown, The 'Festival City'
Travellers' Reviews
4 Reviews from SA-Venues.com travellers. All reviews are verified.
Verified review
What a beautiful, old little town. Love the history. The Grahamstown Arts festival is quite fun and nice to see. I wouldnt stay here for a long time though, was great for the day.
Sally (Cape Town)
Verified review
What a vibe! When the students are in town expect the nightlife to be buzzing. The town has plentyof history too - check out the oldest postbox in the country. Enjoyed the brief stay here, next time I'd like a bit more time to explore.
Alex (Port Elizabeth)
In the vicinity
Hotels & other accommodation options
The Milner Luxury Guest House
The Milner is a luxury guest house offering accommodation in Grahamstown. Choose from a selection of suites offered on a bed & breakfast basis. D...
Bartholomew's Loft and Cottage
Bartholomew's Loft and Cottage is within easy walking distance of the city centre and Rhodes University. The Loft is an historic building, once a...
Hunters Chalet
Hunters Chalet offers Grahamstown accommodation at Huntshoek Lodge. This is a great spot for a quiet and peaceful getaway with no interference's ...
The Cock House
One of Grahamstown's best-loved landmarks, The Cock House offers self-catering rooms and is located in Makhanda (Grahamstown). The guest house is...
AppleBee Guest Cottages
AppleBee Guest Cottages are conveniently situated just 100m from St Andrew's Prep, 700m from St Andrew's College & DSG and 1.2km from Rhodes Univ...
Coldsprings Lodge
The accommodation at Coldsprings Lodge is comprised of four en-suite bedrooms and the main Lodge. Experience a warm and cosy atmosphere around th...
Lanherne Guest House
Lanherne Guest House, in Grahamstown, is a classic early 1900s home located in the Westhill suburb. The Guest House provides easy access to all p...
Rosebush Rest
Rosebush Rest is a quaint garden cottage offering self catering in Grahamstown. The comfortable cottage is centrally located and close to everyth...
Somerset Cottage Guest House
Centrally located in Grahamstown, Somerset Cottage boasts wooden floors, high ceilings and old fashioned hospitality. This home-away-from home co...
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-...
Wishford Cottage
Wishford Cottage is located in the heart of Grahamstown. The character cottage is a short walk from the schools, sporting facilities, shopping ma...
African Safari Lodge
African Safari Lodge is situated on a private game reserve 17km outside of Grahamstown. The lodge is perched 20 meters above the high water mark ...
Huntsdrift Lodge
Huntsdrift Lodge offers Grahamstown accommodation high upon a ridge with a breath taking view of the mountains and The Great Fish River. This spe...
Land's End Private Reserve
Land's End Private Reserve offers guests a relaxing self-catering getaway in a spacious family holiday home surrounded by beautiful scenery. The ...
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...
A Stone's Throw
A Stone's Throw offers warm Eastern Cape hospitality in the heart of Frontier Country in a tranquil country setting, a must for bird lovers. Situ...
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...
137 High Street Guest House
137 High Street Guest House is situated in Grahamstown and offers comfortable accommodation for up to 20 guests in a selection of suites. Here gu...
Fiddlewood Fields
Fiddlewood Fields is a beautiful guesthouse set in a quiet lush garden. We are ideally located just 700m from St Andrews College, 100m from St An...
Seven Fountains Farm
Seven Fountains Farm boasts century old buildings that have been converted to individually furnished double rooms and self catering cottages. Bre...
Jenny's Guest House
Situated in Grahamstown in the heart of Settler Country, Jenny's Guest House's picturesque garden and sparkling swimming pool make for a perfect,...
Pumba Msenge Bush Lodge
Only 105km from Port Elizabeth, Pumba Msenge Bush Lodge is in the heart of the Eastern Cape's malaria-free game viewing region. With its 5-star G...
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...
Trumpetters Drift Game Farm
Trumpetters Drift Game Farm is the ideal destination for visitors wanting a quiet retreat with the option of indulging in game farm activities wi...
30 on Oatlands Road
30 on Oatlands offers you warm, welcoming and affordable accommodation. The guest house is within easy walking distance of various local attracti...
The Ranch House Guesthouse
The Ranch House Guesthouse in Grahamstown is situated 17km outside of town on a private game reserve, about one and a half hours by road from Por...
Rosemary Retreat
Rosemary Retreat is a garden cottage offering self catering in Grahamstown. The farm style cottage is put together with the things that we love a...
Aloe and Elephant Lodge
Aloe and Elephant Lodge offers access to Grahamstown. On offer are five well appointed thatched chalets. Double, Twin and family chalets are that...
Mountain Dew Cottages
Mountain Dew Cottage offers self catering accommodation in two units. The units are situated in the historically rich and artsy town of Grahamsto...
Pumba Water Lodge
Water Lodge provides the perfect balance between an idyllic African safari and true 5-star luxury. Guests of the Water Lodge will be privy to unr...
Amazing Grace
Amazing Grace is a much loved, laid-back family home. Full of quaint vintage treasures and oozing old charm, with wooden floors, high ceilings an...
Coombs View Lodge
Coombs View Lodge is located on Drivers Bush Farm in the area of Grahamstown. We are nestled in amongst Eastern Cape valley bush farms and close ...
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...
Settler Cottage Apartments
Located in Grahamstown, Settler Cottage Apartments accommodates up to eight guests in three separate apartments. Here guests are near to a variet...
8A Grahamstown
8A Grahamstown is a luxurious and spacious guest house, ideally located in Grahamstown. 8A Grahamstown has been professionally designed and decor...
Huntshoek Lodge
Huntshoek Lodge offers Grahamstown accommodation which caters for all budgets and needs – from small intimate groups, mini conferences, team buil...
Cornerstone Manor
Cornerstone Manor is a beautifully restored Victorian villa set in the leafy suburb of Westhill in Grahamstown. Two luxurious guest suites overlo...
Amabwe Guest House
Located in Grahamstown, Amabwe Guesthouse provides accommodation within walking distance of the 1820 Settlers Monument and a short drive from Tho...
Graham Hotel
The Graham Hotel is a 3 star hotel in Grahamstown offering a variety of tasteful rooms and luxury suites as well as a conference facilities and v...
Somerset Lodge Grahamstown
Somerset Lodge provides accommodation in a standalone triple storey apartment block. The apartments have secure parking and are conveniently loca...
Wildebeest Chalet
Wildebeest is self-standing chalet offering Grahamstown accommodation on the outskirts of Huntsdrift Lodge with its own private deck and incredib...
Colonel Graham Guest House
Colonel Graham offers fine accommodation in the Eastern Cape city of Grahamstown offers the ideal blend of historical charm and modern day comfor...
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...
Coombs View Tented Camp
Coombs View Tented Camp is located in the town of Grahamstown on the Drivers Bush Farm. The accommodation is close to the university and is nestl...
Bushmans Gorge Lodge
Bushmans Gorge Lodge is located in the popular area of Grahamstown. The lodge provides accommodation that is centrally located to explore the att...
Things to do in the area
Day Safari at Amakhala Game Reserve
Guided by experienced rangers on open Land Rovers, Amakhala Game Reserve offers a day safari aimed at providing visitors with an experience of th...
Haricots Deli & Bistro
The emphasis is on food at Haricots is simple, delicious and of very high quality and the wine list is one of the most comprehensive and discerni...
Albany Museum Complex
Established 1855, the Albany Museum Complex comprises five museums and is the second oldest museum in South Africa. The Museum Complex has an Edu...
Visit the Makana Botanical Gardens
Head off to the Makana Botanical gardens on a week-day morning when few people are around. You can enter after passing through the Rhodes Univers...
The Grahamstown Cathedral
The Cathedral of St Michael and St George now known as the Grahamstown Cathedral was built in the 1800’s and first opened its doors in 1830. This...
1820 Settlers National Monument
If you’re in Grahamstown and head towards Rhodes University you will find a huge square structure at the top of the hill which is the 1820 Settle...
The Provost Prison
This was built in 1838 as a military prison in the Drostdy grounds when Sir Benjamin d’Urban, who was Governor of the Cape Colony, instructed the...
Oldest Official Letterbox in South Africa
When was the last time you posted a letter or send a postcard? In today’s world it is all electronic and instant, but one can’t forget the excite...
Cory Library For Historical Research
The Cory Library is found at Rhodes University and collects materials of all kinds to support research into the history of South Africa, related ...
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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