MyPE

Community Business Directory, Event Listings, News and Views from Gqeberha, Nelson Mandela Bay

Facts about the Eastern Cape

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Winterberg Mountains – Winterberg lies virtually in the shadow of the Winterberg Mountains that include some of the highest peaks in the province, roughly 20 kilometres from Tarkastad. Winterberg is beautiful. The valley scenery bounded as it is by majestic mountains, crisp, clear air, and incredible scenery allows one to experience real rustic, countryside living. One of the highlights of staying here in the interior of the Eastern Cape is the trophy trout fishing for which the area is renowned.

The Winterberg area is steeped in a history that belongs to the Bushmen, Boer and British soldiers, and Scottish settlers. The Winterberg was originally inhabited by San and Khoi people – hence the availability of rock art evidenced in caves and overhangs amongst the rocks. The Winterberg was also home to Piet Retief, responsible for leading a large group of Dutch farmers out of the area on their Great Trek, leaving their farms for occupation by the 1820 settlers. All of these farms now form part of the Winterberg and Baviaans River Valley nature conservancies, through which many a horse trail, bike trail and hours of walking, hiking and climbing are a remedy for the fast pace of city life. During winter, Adelaide, the highest of the Winterberg peaks that rises some 2371 metres, is occasionally covered with snow; and winter woollies and fireside evenings make for an exciting holiday atmosphere.

Tarkastad – Set against the dramatic Winterberg Mountains, between Cradock and Queenstown, only three hours from Port Elizabeth, Tarkastad is a typical Karoo town on the banks of the Tarka River, its streets lined with quaint Historical buildings. Just outside the Town of Tarkastad rest two distinct flat-topped hills, aptly named Martha and Mary – they sit like two heavy women on a stoep, weary from a day’s hard work awaiting the return of men from the fields and indeed, the first farmers settled here in 1795, hence the existence of old watermills, inns and both a Dutch Reformed and Presbyterian Church. The Winterberg Mountains beckon and hiking trails abound, particularly the Toorberg, a 3-day 45 kilometre circular hike that is graded as difficult and includes having to take your own tent, and the Great Winterberg hiking trail.

The Tarkastad Rock Engravings, on a Farm called: ‘Grootvlei’, just North of Tarkastad, have received quite a bit of attention and are an example of the San rock paintings that draw people to the Area. Other activities in and around the little Karoo town include: ‘trout fishing, the Mountain Zebra National Park and the Tsolwana Game Reserve, which lies between Queenstown and Tarkastad with some good game viewing.’

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 Queenstown, near Tarkastad. The Tsolwana Reserve derives its name from the Xhosa word ‘spike’, which refers to a 1.9 metre conical shaped hill that sits prominently in Tsolwana Game Reserve. It is situated in a Mountainous Area with its grassy plains and acacia thornveld home to a wide variety of wildlife that makes game viewing one of the major draw cards to Tsolwana.

The reserve is home to a range of wild life that includes the White Rhino, Giraffe, Eland, Blesbok, Mountain Reedbuck, Cape Mountain Zebra and Springbok. Tsolwana Game Reserve is regarded as having some of the best plains, which makes game viewing possible.

Hiking through the Tsolwana reserve can either be game ranger led or you can venture out on your own, and trails tend to follow game tracks and gravel roads, although routes can be adapted for any group’s needs. The trails range in length from a couple of hours to a two-day overnight trail in the western part of the reserve. Hiking does allow one full benefit of the incredible views in Tsolwana, including some extraordinary rock art sites and crisp river swimming.

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Alan Straton

Chief Cook, Bottle Washer and Broom Mechanic at MyPE
Passionate about Port Elizabeth and definitely NOT packing for Perth. Alan's ethos is epitomised in the words of Nelson Mandela; "I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the idea of a democratic and free society. If need be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die." See more articles by Alan.