Kokstad, Drakensberg
The little town of Kokstad sits on the boundary between KwaZulu Natal and the Eastern Cape, nestled in the heart of East Griqualand.
Kokstad lies in the shadow of Mount Currie on the outer slopes of the Drakensberg and was, until recently, best known for its cheese until Oprah Winfrey placed the town on the map, amidst much fanfare, when her charitable foundation, Oprah's Angel Network, designed a school for Kokstad's Shayamoya township. Kokstad lies surrounded by mountains in a predominantly stock farming area. This wild and beautiful part of the country was settled by the Griqua - a hardy group of frontiersmen who, after clashing with Boers and the British in the interior, turned east and settled in what was known as ‘No Mans Land' - in the 1860s.
Their leader, Adam Kok, was responsible for establishing Kokstad. Today it's a bustling little town, its history encased in its Museum, a national monument on Main Street, which focuses on the Griqua people.
The town's namesake was to die an unpretentious death after falling off a cart only a few years after the town's establishment, but a monument, right next to the police station, commemorates his leadership.
The area is popular for its many rivers and dams that provide ample opportunity for trout fishing, and there are no fewer than three reserves, Mount Currie, Wilfred Bauer, with lovely picnic spots, and the Mountain Lake Nature Reserve, a small reserve peppered with cattle tracks and little paths that provide wonderful walks, as well as over 220 species of bird for bird lovers.
Crystal Dam provides boating and angling opportunities. The Crystal Spring Dam is fed by the pure water of Crystal Spring, the main source of Kokstad's water supply. The existing bulk water infrastructure includes a weir on Mzintlava River and Crystals Spring Dam, which is mainly supplying water to the Kostad urban community. There are three rural schemes located at Swartberg, Franklin and Kransdraai, which meet the RDP level of service.
Travellers' Reviews
1 Review from SA-Venues.com travellers. All reviews are verified.
Verified review
Kokstad was a lot bigger and more developed than we expected. The town has evrything you need. But its the natural part of Kokstad that is really special. Being part of the Drakensberg, it is absolutely incredible out there. It does good for mind and body.
Chad (Betty's Bay)
In the vicinity
Hotels & other accommodation options
Rest Assured Guest House
Rest Assured Guest House was one of the first guest houses in Kokstad. It has been in operation for many years and has seen guests from all walks...
ANEW Resort Ingeli Forest
Nestled below the Ingeli Mountains and surrounded by beautiful indigenous forests, Ingeli Forest Resort is the ideal place to unwind! Treat yours...
Rocky Ridge Lodge
Rocky Ridge Lodge accommodation is offered in large, comfortable en-suite rooms. Each room has an en-suite bathroom fitted with a shower, toilet ...
The Old Orchard
The Old Orchard offers a variety of comfortable and spacious accommodation options. Situated approximately 4kms from Kokstad, The Old Orchard is ...
44 on Brownlee
Situated in a quiet and safe residential area of Kokstad, 44 on Brownlee provides accommodation for the discerning traveller. There are six spaci...
Lindela House
Lindela House invites you to a relaxing bed and breakfast stay in a quiet corner of the picturesque town of Kokstad, in East Griqualand. Lindela ...
Flitwick Ranch
Located on a working farm in Swartberg, Flitwick Ranch provides accommodation in what was once a cheese factory and rustic stone stables. Facilit...
Executive Guest House
Executive Guest House offers comfortable accommodation in the town of Harding. When you pair our scenic, spacious garden, our crystal clear pool ...
The Guesthouse Kokstad
The Guesthouse Kokstad is situated just 2km from the centre of Kokstad, and offers guests a choice of lovely self-catering rooms that can accommo...
Anathi Hotel
Situated in Kokstad, Anathi Hotel offers accommodation for business executives and holiday makers alike. The establishment has a beautiful garden...
Mount Currie Inn
Mount Currie Inn is a 53 room, country-style hotel located just outside of Kokstad. The inn is conveniently situated off the N2 highway and is cl...
The Planes Guest House
The Planes Guest House offers comfortable accommodation in Kokstad, 8.2km from Mount Currie Nature Reserve and 14.4km from Stoney Brook 4x4 trail...
Things to do in the area
Mehloding Hiking Trail
Start: just beyond the village of MatatieleFinish: Qacha's Nek border postDuration: 60 km trail, 1 – 4 daysFitness: relatively fitWalking in amon...
Thamathu Pass Hike
Start: Bushman's Nek border postFinish: Bushman's Nek border postDuration: roughly 25 km; a there-and-back hikeFitness: moderate Our tip: There ...
Noteworthy attractions
Spioenkop Dam Nature Reserve
Lying virtually at the foot of the rugged Spioenkop Mountain, the dam was the site of one of the most bloody battles to ensue during the Anglo-Bo...
Ukhahlamba Drakensberg Park
The Ukhahlamba Drakensberg Park has exceptional natural beauty in its soaring basaltic buttresses, incisive dramatic cutbacks, and golden sandsto...
Cathedral Peak Nature Reserve
The Cathedral Peak Nature Reserve, with its numerous free standing peaks and magnificent mountain scenery, is one of the most favoured parts of t...
Cobham State Forest
Cobham is situated in the Southern part of the uKhahlamba Drakensberg Park, and is approximately 150 km from Pietermaritzburg. Dominated by Hodgs...
Garden Castle State Forest
Garden Castle is the southern most part of the Ukhahlamba Drakensberg Park and incorporates the Bushman's Nek Valley. The Garden Castle reserve i...
Giant's Castle Nature Reserve
Historic Giant's Castle Nature Reserve, home of the eland and the majestic bearded vulture, lies in the Central Drakensberg region of the Ukhahla...
Himeville Nature Reserve
The Himeville Nature Reserve stretches along the eastern boundary of Himeville Village and was proclaimed to its present size of 104 ha in 1973. ...
Kamberg Nature Reserve
Kamberg Nature Reserve, one of the smallest of the KZN Wildlife resorts, lies in the foothills of the uKhahlamba Drakensberg Park - one of the ea...
Lotheni Nature Reserve
Noted for its magnificent scenery and beautiful camp, Lotheni is situated in a remote section of the Ukhahlamba Drakensberg Park. Many delightful...
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