Somerset East, Greater Addo
Apart from its beautifully preserved buildings that are worth a visit in their own right, Somerset East is perhaps best known because it is on the Blue Crane Route in the Eastern Cape. This picturesque and quaint town is at the foot of the Boschberg Mountains that provide both a forested and mountainous backdrop to what is a rather dramatic setting - there are no less than 16 waterfalls within sight of the town. The Blue Crane Route meanders along the R63 from Pearston, via Somerset East, to Cookhouse and was created as part of an alliance of farms on the route to save the Blue Crane from extinction.
As South Africa's national bird and part of the country's heritage, collisions with power lines and fences, agrochemicals, getting caught in baling twine and being stolen for the pet trade are still reason for concern with regards to the bird's conservation. Somerset East is very close to the Boschberg Nature Reserve, which has a number of very popular hiking trails. This is bird-watching country and the natural beauty of this haven is yet a relatively undiscovered treasure.
Other activities in the area include trout fishing in two of the local dams; a highly rated 9-hole golf course, said to be one of the most beautiful in the country and local game farms provide malaria-free safaris. Events include the Spring Rose and Flower show for which Somerset East produces some of the finest roses in the country.
Travellers' Reviews
1 Review from SA-Venues.com travellers. All reviews are verified.
Verified review
We found Somerset East to be pretty, but there really isn't much to do there. The buildings look historical and give it a nice atmosphere.
D Lewis (Cape Town, Western Cape)
In the vicinity
Hotels & other accommodation options
Somerset Guest Lodge
Somerset Guest Lodge offers accommodation in Somerset East, a charming and historic little town. The lodge makes either a convenient overnight st...
Koedoeskop Private Mountain Reserve
Accommodation is offered in the tastefully renovated, historic Karoo-style farmhouse which has six spacious double bedrooms, all of which are en-...
Ufumene Game Lodge
Ufumene Game Lodge offers Game Lodge accommodation on a private game ranch in the Eastern Cape, straddling both sides of a valley behind the Olif...
Herberg Manor
Situated in Somerset East, Herberg Manor is an elegant 1920s manor house that offers guests a choice of rooms within easy reach of numerous shops...
Angler & Antelope
The Angler and Antelope is situated in the town of Somerset East in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. The complex is securely fenced and includes t...
Kuduland Shack
Experience the opportunity to get away from everything and everyone while staying at the rustic but charming Kuduland Shack. The comfortable Gre...
Witmos Oxwagon Camp
Witmos Oxwagon Camp offers an African outdoor experience, back in time. Guests are accommodated in restored oxwagons. The camp is situated on a w...
Things to do in the area
Fishing at Angler & Antelope
The popular Angler and Antelope specialize in fly-fishing. They have an in-house REFFIS (Register of fly fishing instructors and guides) accredit...
Somerset East Museum
Somerset East is a small town in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa, established in 1825. As such, it is bursting with history, both local...
Boschberg MTB Trails
The Eastern Cape remains the quietest and least developed of all South African provinces. However, it offers visitors plenty in the way of things...
Hoeksfontein 4x4 Trails
In the heart of the Karoo, deep in the South African province of the Eastern Cape, lies the fun and excitement of the Hoeksfontein 4x4 Trail. Thi...
Wilton Guest Farm MTB Trails
Where: outside Middleton, 24 km south of Cookhouse (on the way to Bloemhof and De Mistkraal Dam)Level: moderate to advancedType of route: some si...
Walter Battiss Art Museum
Your Somerset East accommodation is right on the doorstep of pretty landscapes and some unusual Eastern Cape attractions. The Walter Battiss Art ...
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...
Bushman Sands Game Reserve
Bushman Sands Game Reserve is situated on nearly 4000 hectares of former farmland. Bushman Sands game reserve offers malaria free sightings of wi...
Groendal Wilderness Area
The 30 000 hectare Groendal Wilderness Area protects the water catchment area of the Swartkops River (KwaZungha River), with the Groendal Dam in ...
Kariega Game Reserve
The private Kariega Game Reserve is situated in the malaria-free, upper reaches of the Kariega River Valley, 14 km from Kenton On Sea on the R343...
Shamwari Game Reserve
Shamwari Game Reserve is the southernmost, Big Game, private reserve in Africa - Malaraia Free. This ultimate African adventure stretches along t...
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...
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...
Kamala Game Reserve
Kamala Game Reserve is a private reserve lying between the Bruinjieshoogte and Boschberg mountain ranges that each rise to about 6 000 feet, clos...
Cookhouse Wind Farm
The largest wind farm in the country, if not the continent, the Cookhouse wind farm has a 138.6 MW capacity, only just pipping JBay's wind farm a...
Find accommodation in Somerset East
FIND / South Africa Accommodation / Eastern Cape Accommodation / Frontier Country Accommodation / Greater Addo Accommodation / Somerset East Accommodation