Situated close to the city of East London in the beautiful Eastern Cape Province, Chintsa is a hidden treasure along the Wild Coast of South Africa. It is made up of two small villages: Chintsa East and Chintsa West, which are separated by the Chintsa River Mouth. It features a pristine, unspoiled long stretch of white-sand beach fringed by dense, lush vegetation scattered with a variety of wonderful places to stay ranging from luxury to budget accommodation. Chintsa offers visitors the opportunity to surf the waves, kayak along the river, enjoy a fishing excursion and soak up the African sun on the spectacular beach.
This tiny Eastern Cape beach town, located just ten minutes from the iconic Hole in the Wall, is one of the Wild Coast’s most enticing destinations, blessed with fantastic scenery, friendly locals, and a balmy climate. White beaches stretching into the distance are backed by rolling hills blanketed in lush sub-tropical vegetation, while the town itself is dotted with a selection of laid-back eateries, restaurants, and cafes. The village has a surf school that provides lessons in the local waters as well as day trips to nearby breaks. Other activities include fishing and swimming in the temperate waters, while rugged off-road trails provide thrilling routes for quad bikes and 4x4s.
Located in the heart of the remote and mysterious Great Karoo, Graaff-Reinet is surrounded by the rolling plains and rising mountains of Camdeboo National Park. This is a wonderful place to escape from reality and revel in the solitude, silence and clear, star-studded nights that this secluded town provides. Graaff-Reinet, as the fourth oldest town in the country, has a very rich history and features ancient fossils, wonderful examples of Cape Dutch architecture, and over 220 local heritage sites. Visitors can look forward to an array of lovely activities including: soaking up the breathtaking views of the 'Valley of Desolation' in the Camdeboo National Park, enjoying a night under the African stars at a local guest farm, and sample the area’s renowned Karoo lamb.
At the foot of the Sneeuberg mountain range, Mount Camdeboo Private Game Reserve spreads across the vast Karoo plains near Graaff-Reinet. Once farmland, the area was gradually transformed into a sanctuary for white rhino, Cape buffalo, cheetah, giraffe, mountain zebra, and various antelope. The varied landscape includes thorny valleys, rocky ridges, and wide open grassland. Visitors can enjoy morning and afternoon game drives, along with activities such as swimming, guided nature walks, and 4x4 trails. Those keen to explore further can take excursions to the dramatic Valley of Desolation, a township tour, San rock art sites, the Gondwanaland Fossil Tour, and the charming town of Nieu Bethesda with its famous Owl House.
