If you think the Eastern Cape is just about long stretches of coastline, small towns and road trips, think again. Our journey through the province quickly proved that there is so much more to discover — from luxury estates and adventure activities to incredible food, beautiful beaches and moments that make you slow down and appreciate where you are.
After dinner at Zaza Beach Club, we eventually made our way to Chintsa to check into Olivewood Hotel. Of all the places we had stayed at on the trip, Olivewood was easily one of the highlights. The estate is beautiful, peaceful and effortlessly luxurious, with everything about it giving off a sense of class.
The rooms were just as impressive. After a long day of travelling and exploring, having a beautiful space to unwind in made all the difference. One of the things that immediately stood out to me was the bathroom, particularly the shower. There was even an outdoor shower, which would have been an amazing experience — although the cold weather meant I wasn’t brave enough to give it a try!
The following morning started with breakfast before we headed out for more adventure at Komga Arena Riverside Resort. We went hiking before taking on the zip line. While this wasn’t my first experience with zip lining, it was still a lot of fun. There is something about being surrounded by nature and getting a different perspective of the landscape that makes these activities feel completely different each time.
We followed that up with some quad biking, which turned out to be another highlight. Riding through the property allowed us to explore more of the surrounding land and nature reserve than we would have been able to on foot. It was the perfect combination of adventure and sightseeing, with the landscape providing a beautiful backdrop throughout.
By the time we returned to Olivewood for lunch, we had definitely worked up an appetite. And then came what might have been my favourite meal of the entire trip: the lamb shank.
I’ve eaten plenty of lamb shank in my life, but this one was on another level. Tender, rich and packed with flavour, it was genuinely one of the best lamb shanks I’ve ever had. It was the kind of meal that makes you stop talking for a minute because you’re too busy enjoying every bite.
From Chintsa, we continued our journey towards Port Alfred. Along the way, we learned more about the history behind the town’s name and its connection to the British military presence in the region. Port Alfred was named after Prince Alfred, Queen Victoria’s son, and its history is closely connected to the area’s role during the colonial period and the wars fought in the region.
Our next stop was Phekweni Beach Resort, where we checked in before heading out for drinks ahead of dinner. By this stage of the journey, the days of travelling, exploring and constantly being on the move had started to catch up with me. I was exhausted, so after dinner I went straight to bed. I also had some admin to take care of, which is the reality of travelling when life doesn’t completely stop just because you’re away.
The next morning, however, gave me exactly what I needed.
I took a quiet walk along the beach, taking in the sound of the ocean and the peacefulness of the morning. I stopped for a moment to pray and simply be grateful — grateful for the journey, for the experiences, for the people I’ve met along the way and, most importantly, for everything God has done for me.
And perhaps that’s what made this Eastern Cape trip so special.
Yes, there are the adventures, the beautiful hotels, the food and the breathtaking landscapes. But there are also the quiet moments in between — the early morning walks, the conversations, the history, the feeling of being somewhere new and the opportunity to pause and reflect.
The Eastern Cape isn’t just somewhere you drive through on your way to somewhere else.
It’s a destination in its own right — and there is far more to it than you think.
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