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Town in Eastern Cape, South Africa
Photo: User: (WT-shared) Lynne at wts wikivoyage, Public domain via Wikimedia Commons
Grahamstown, also known as Makhanda, is a town of 140,000 people (2022) in the Cacadu District of the Eastern Cape. This charming and picturesque small city is well worth a visit. It has maintained its old-time demeanour, and has many examples of buildings in the Victorian, Colonial and Gothic Revivalist styles. It is known as The City of Saints because it has more than 40 churches, and as Africa's Festival Capital because six national events are celebrated here each year.
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The original Albany Museum was established in 1855 by the Grahamstown medical-Chirurgical Society. The Museum today consists of a family of seven buildings which includes the Natural Sciences Museum, the History Museum, the Observatory Museum, Fort Selwyn, the Old Provost military prison, Drostdy Arch and the Old Priest’s House.
The Cory Library at Rhodes University collects material of all kinds to support research into the history of Southern African and related fields in the social sciences.
The Eastern Star gallery takes its name from a newspaper established in Grahamstown in 1871 which was the forerunner of the Argus Company’s famous present-day daily, The Star of Johannesburg.
Fraser’s Camp offers adrenalin-fuelled teambuilding or family adventures with 6 ziplines that range between 135 & 240 m long. The facility is 38 km from Grahamstown and also offers accommodation on request.
Established in 1965. The History Museum houses an important collection of historical artefacts as well as a genealogical archive relating to the 1820 British Settlers. The Fine Art collection is also housed in the History Museum, along with important scientific and historical libraries.
Established in 1954. The ILAM houses the largest archive of African music in sub -aharan Africa. Follow ILAM signs from the gate opposite Rhodes University Theatre.
The monument was built to commemorate the contributions made by English-speaking Settlers to South Africa. Since its opening on 13 July 1974, this superbly equipped building has been a centre of creative thought and activity.
This is the second oldest botanical garden in South Africa and is home to a number of interesting exotic species of plants representing its European history and is now also home to many local species. Over 160 species of birds has been identified in these gardens. The ghost of Lady Juana Smith is reputed to still wander in the gardens she loved so much.
Established in 1974, this museum is dedicated to preserving the contribution of South African writers to English literature.
Established in 1855. (A component of the Albany Museum Complex.) This museum has a well known Egyptology section and has excellent displays on the pre history, the geological history and the natural history of the area.
Established 1982, this building was a 19th century jeweller’s shop and family home. Its connection with the identification of the Eureka, South Africa’s first authenticated diamond, in 1867, prompted De Beers Consolidated Mines Limited to purchase the building and restore it in 1981-1982.
Established 1946, the South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity is the leading centre for the study of fishes in southern Africa. The displays are a source of endless fascination.
In 1835, after the Sixth Frontier War, the Governor of the Cape, Sir Benjamin D’Urban, ordered the building of a fortified barracks and military prison on the Drostdy grounds. The Provost Prison, a Jeremy Bentham design called a ‘panopticon’, was completed in 1838. The first and only prisoners it ever housed were mutineers from Frazer’s Camp, who later suffered the most elaborate execution ever staged in South Africa.
This private game reserve boasts a wide selection of owner managed accommodation ranging from intimate bush lodges to majestic colonial residences.
The 4-star hotel is a delightful blend of rich heritage and modern luxury. Activities range from the great outdoors to pampering and relaxation.
The reserve is rich in history, with several forts bearing witness to the frontier conflicts between Xhosa and settler.
This private game reserve is set in 5 000 hectares of pristine wilderness above the Kariega River Valley.
Situated on the Fort Beaufort road and straddling the Great Fish River, this luxury Big 5 reserve is dedicated to the preservation of the magnificent but endangered Blue Crane.
Five-star accommodation, meals, an elephant sanctuary, endangered and exotic wildlife.
Lalibela spans 4 ecosystems and offers luxury accommodation
Discover wildest Africa in true luxury at the Pumba Private Game Reserve in South Africa. This Eastern Cape safari lodge has achieved a 5-star rating for its unrivalled beauty, world-class service and the abundance of wild animals on its doorstep. In addition to the famous Big 5 (lions, leopards, buffaloes, rhinos and elephants), guests of the game reserve have the rare opportunity of seeing the magnificent White Lion, stalking prey and lazing under the trees in its natural environment.
Schotia is home to many antelope, crocodile, warthog, jackal and lions.
The Cape’s Premier Big 5 Game Reserve. Choose between 5 different lodges, or experience a day programme including a visit to the African Arts & Culture Village.
Home of “Tom the Rhino”, Thomas Baines Nature Reserve is named after the famous 19th-century artist who left a valuable record of the rich diversity of fauna and flora in the region, including the now extinct quagga.
Slinging, film and photo sessions, map making and survey, and reconnaissance, game capture and counting of wild animals.
Grahamstown’s own hiking trail is the Oldenburgia Hiking Trail which is a two-day circular trail starting and ending at the Grahamstown Municipal Caravan Park.
The trail meanders along the Assegaai and Kariega Rivers, mostly under canopy. There are two overnights for 12 people in Reed Cabins overlooking a stretch of water, and an old Settler Cottage.
Every year in June/July this festival stages 500-plus productions and exhibitions - predominantly theatre, dance, comedy and music. It is the world's third biggest arts festival, selling 180 000 tickets in 2010.
This comprises SciFest Africa (formerly Sasol Scifest), SciFest-on-the-Road, National Science Week, Mall Shows, Deep Rural Programme and International Partnerships. SciFest Africa is South Africa's national science festival held annually in late March or early April in Grahamstown. It features over 550 events. Attendance now exceeds 58 000 visitors - it's a great way to get children interested in science, maths, engineering and technology.
The Eastern Cape is a wonderful place and Radway Green’s well planned routes will take you through the Valley Bushveld with spectacular scenery and birds and game in abundance.
Grahamstown has been identified as one of the best venues for rockclimbing and bouldering in South Africa, due to its wide variety of easily-accessible routes and crags and the quality of available climbs.
The Eastern Province Skydivers Club is situated in Grahamstown. Jumping takes place every weekend. Beginners are welcome.
A great coffee shop with friendly staff and eccentric customers, owner-managed by Justus. It is licensed and serves delicious light meals. There is an eclectic range of secondhand books on sale.
Adjacent to Rhodes University and within easy walking distance of the High Court. They serve excellent breakfasts, lunches and dinners and the best cappuccino in town. Fresh cakes and scones are baked daily. Specials change weekly as well as their dinner menu.
A cosy student pub - anyone who has spent any time as a student in the UK will be instantly at home here!
Offers accommodation with tranquil country living.
4 star
4 star
There are two shops under the Drostdy Arch, the much-photographed entrance to Rhodes University. The shop called "Under the Arch" sells wonderful unusual gifts, specialising in crafts from the Eastern Cape region and further afield. They also stock a range of beads and snacks. Don't miss the pottery by local potters Greg Jacobs and Richard Pullen.
Each vessel is hand thrown and decorated to be unique.
By road
Grahamstown lies just off the N2 highway about 110 km (70 mi) northeast of Port Elizabeth and 130 km (80 mi) southwest of East London.
By rail
The station is on Ayliff street (right in town). However there is no longer a train between Grahamstown and Alicedale, inland to the west.
By bus
Several companies, including Greyhound and Intercape, run long distance buses between Cape Town and Port Elizabeth, which stop off at Grahamstown along the way.
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