Frontier Country
 A hauntingly beautiful region - arguably the crucible of South African history - Frontier Country is a vibrant mix of all the best that Africa has to offer. One of the premier tourist routes in the Eastern Cape, it has a turbulent past, with more forts than the rest of the country combined.
Now no longer the scene of conflict and strife, it is about people breaking through frontiers. Frontier Country is the historic heartland of the Eastern Cape and embodies the spirit of the many and varied cultures who met here and made their mark - Khoi, Xhosa, Boer and British.
They brought with them a rich heritage that can still be seen today in towns and villages all over the Eastern Cape. The broad tree-lined streets and buildings of Grahamstown are the legacy of a time when this was the Cape's second city. Take time to walk through this historic centre and visit the Observatory Museum which houses one of only two Victorian Cameras Obscura in the world
With Grahamstown at its centre, Frontier Country includes Adelaide, Alicedale, Alice, Bedford, Fort Beaufort, Hogsback, Peddie, Riebeeck East, Salem, Seven Fountains and Sidbury. (see more towns below)
Frontier Country is one of the most diverse ecological regions in South Africa, with a variety of biomes that provide unspoilt and spectacular scenery. Thousands of hectares are devoted to nature and game conservation, bringing with them the return of great herds of wildlife to the places where they once roamed freely. This malaria-free region is fast gaining local and international popularity for excellent game-viewing with a variety of private reserves which include the Big Five.
Grahamstown has more than 70 declared National Heritage sites. One of these is the highest church spire in the country, designed by Sir Giles Gilbert Scott, the architect of many famous buildings of the Victorian era, including the Albert Memorial in London's Kensington Gardens and St Pancras Station in London.
Grahamstown, the “City of Saints” boasts with 52 places
of worship and remains an important educational and cultural centre
today, with easy access to game reserves and the unspoilt beaches
of the Sunshine Coast. The surrounding area is farmed, largely for
chicory, pineapples, ostriches, sheep and game. The city is also
an important legal centre.
 Fort Beaufort
Fort Beaufort, close to the Kat River Valley, was founded in 1824 and was named after the father of Lord Charles Somerset, the Duke of Beaufort. Originally a military garrison, Fort Beaufort boasts many fine buildings dating back to the Frontier wars, including the Martello Tower, a circular fort of the kind usually erected as part of a coastal defence system. The old Victorian barracks is probably the finest to be found anywhere outside the United Kingdom. During the War of MIanjeni, the town was attacked and nearly overrun by anti-colonial forces led by Hermanus Matroos.
Sidbury
A small village set out by Richard Daniel in the early 1830's along the lines of an English country village with Daniel's house, Sidbury Park, being set a little way from the village. Sidbury boasts two splendid churches, Anglican and Methodist. It has a number of war graves in the church graveyards. The area is of importance to South African agricultural history as merino sheep were first imported to this area, which then led to a wool boom. It was also from here that Merino sheep were first exported to Australia, marking the beginning of that country's massive modern wool industry.
Salem
The Methodist Church founded Salem in the mid 1820's. It is famous for its many fine buildings and also for the historic negotiations between Richard Gush and approaching Xhosa during the War of Hintsa, when the Xhosa agreed to leave the village in peace. Salem has a village green on which cricket matches have been played since 1844.
Riebeeck East
The Dutch Reformed Church established the village of Riebeek East in 1830 on the farm Mooimeisiesfontein, the home of the famous Voortrekker leader Piet Retief. Previously the local Boer farmers had to trek to Uitenhage, about 130 kilometres away for the Nagmaal (Communion services). The need for a church in the area became very apparent and while the British government turned down an initial request in 1826, a second in 1830 was granted. In the South African tradition, a town grew up around the church. Riebeeck East is now in the midst of a game and sheep farming area and offers many attractions and hiking trails through the surrounding diverse and beautiful hills. The Mooimeisiesfontein farmhouse, the home of Piet Retief, still stands and has been declared a National heritage site.
Bedford
This little town is picturesquely situated at the foot of the Winterberg Mountains with heavily forested slopes rising out of extensive grasslands. It is blessed with extensive bird life and several species of game abound in the immediate area. The old homestead of Sir Andries Stockenstrom. Lieutenant Governor of the time is nearby. During the War of Mlanjeni, his lovely old farm, Maastroom, was spitefully raized by British troops. Thomas Pringle, one of the 1820 Settlers, and his Scottish party played a major influence on the town. Pringle later became famous as a poet.
 Adelaide
Adelaide, too, was originally settled by Scots, who were living in a valley near the site of the town we know today. It was named after Queen Adelaide, the wife of King William IV, predating Queen Victoria's reign. The original Presbyterian Church, a declared national heritage site, was built by the Scots on Glenthorn Farm.
Adelaide became important during the War of Mlanjeni when, during the battle of the Waterkloof lasting two years, it was a main transit camp for British soldiers. During the Anglo-Boer War the town was overrun and occupied by the Boer commando led by Jan Smuts. It is ideally situated for anyone wishing to explore the battle-sites associated with the War of Mlanjeni. Fort Fordyce and the Waterkloof. It also allows easy access to the Game Reserves of Mpofu and Tsolwana and the Kat River Valley.
Alice
A little town situated 20 kilometres to the east of Fort Beaufort, Alice grew around a military encampment known as Fort Hare. It became well known as a missionary centre, with Presbyterian missionaries founding a famous educational centre known as Lovedale. Many of the current political leaders in South Africa were educated here and at the University of Fort Hare, which was established to cater for the needs of black graduates from Lovedale and other schools.
The University of Fort Hare is the repository of the archives of the African National Congress and houses one of the most significant collections of African Art on the continent.
Hogsback
This little village is situated in the foothills of The Three Hogs, which, with the adjacent Gaika's Kop, are distinctive landmarks in the Amatola Mountain range. The tranquil and pure mountain air is exhilarating, with forests, waterfalls and mist creating a truly unique setting and environment. There are many interesting walks, one of which takes you to the oldest and largest Yellowwood tree in the entire Cape. St. Patrick's Church on the hill is a much-favored church for weddings.
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The
Eastern Cape is a natural extension of the Garden Route and the
areas that has be explored are the Sunshine Coast, Frontier Country,
Maluti Route, Hogs Back and places such as the artistic Bathurst
where you will find one of the oldest pubs in the country, the Pig
n Whistle.
