South Africa's Eastern Cape is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful and interesting regions on planet Earth. The Eastern Cape's biodiversity is unmatched in Southern-Africa. There are 5 biogeographic regions in the Eastern Cape, spanning from the semi-desert Karoo in the interior to the lush green forests of the Garden Route.

For the sunseekers, the Wild Coast and the Sunshine Coast has some of the world's best beaches. For exquisite beaches try Bushman's River Mouth or Kenton-on-Sea. The Sunshine Coast is also known all over the globe for its surfing waves.

Jeffreys Bay is an area with some of the country's wildest coastline, which is backed by some of Africa's most spectacular sub-tropical rainforest. Famous for its "supertubes", probably South Africa's longest and most consistently good wave, it's charged with a surf vibe as relaxed as it is friendly, and this tends to soften the effect of the wealthy set who have made this part of the coast their own. Seal Point, one of the best places to take surfing photos, is near Cape St. Francis.

The Eastern Cape offers visitors a wealth of fauna and flora, including the big 5 – Lion, Leopard, Elephant, Rhino and African Buffalo. At the Addo Elephant Park and the Mountain Zebra National Park you can enjoy some of the natural wonders of the Eastern Cape. If you want luxury, the Eastern Cape has some of the best Game Reserves not just in Africa, but in the world. Shamwari, Kwantu and Kwandwe specifically spring to mind.

The Tsitsikamma National Park is an 80 km long coastal strip between Nature's Valley and the mouth of the Storms River. In the park the visitor finds an almost untouched natural landscape. Near the park is the Bloukrans Bridge, which is the world's highest bungee jump.

The Eastern Cape also has South Africa's only ski resort, Tiffindell, which is situated in the Drakensberg on the slopes of Ben McDhui, the highest mountain peak in the Cape.

Port Elizabeth, the largest city in the Eastern Cape, provides the economic heartbeat of the Eastern Cape. It has an airport with flights to Johannesburg and Cape Town, shopping centres, very good private hospitals, car rentals and anything else you might expect from a big city.

The National Arts Festival, held in Grahamstown is Africa's largest and most colourful cultural event, offering a choice of the very best of both indigenous and imported talent. Every year for 11 days the town's population almost doubles, as over 50,000 people flock to the region for a feast of arts, crafts and sheer entertainment.

If you are unsure about how to make the best of your Eastern Cape holiday, check out our Eastern Cape Suggestions & Advice page. Find out about more Treasures of the Eastern Cape or the History of the Eastern Cape. You can also view a Map of the Eastern Cape.

With all year sunny weather and no malaria, the Eastern Cape is ideal for a relaxing breakaway or a challenging adventure.