Barkly East Accommodation

Barkly East Holidays - Eastern Cape, Wild Coast & Berg

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Set in the foothills of the majestic Southern Drakensberg mountains between the Eastern Cape villages of Lady Grey and Elliot, Barkly East lies on the historic 157km Eastern Cape, Aliwal North, Eastern Cape, Lady Grey and Eastern Cape, Barkly East railway line, which meanders through the imposing Eastern Cape Witteberg Mountains. Elevated at 1790 meters above sea level, Barkly East in the Eastern Cape is known as the 'Switzerland of South Africa', because of the snow that covers its rugged mountains in winter. Barkly East in the Eastern Cape, and especially nearby Tiffindell Ski Resort (just under 80km from Barkly East), is one of the few areas in South Africa where winter sports are pursued. In this Barkly East, Eastern Cape area you can experience skiing and snowboarding between May and August, with professional ski instructors showing you how it's done.

The Barkly East summers are famous for excellent fly fishing in sparkling mountain streams, where indigenous rainbow trout and yellow fish are in abundance. Barkly East bird life is enticed by the characteristic lush green valleys covered in wildflowers, and includes the yellow breasted pipit, ground woodpecker and bearded vulture. Summer in Barkly East, Eastern Cape is perfect for wonderful hikes, mountain biking, horse riding, swimming in natural Eastern Cape pools, and for the 4x4 enthusiast, there are outstanding 4x4 trails suitable for all levels of driver. For the golf fanatic, the Barkly East Golf Club has a nine hole golf course with lovely mountain views, a bar which boasts big screens, and a large fireplace for those cold Eastern Cape evenings.
For the history buffs, the Eastern Cape, Barkly East Museum offers fascinating displays giving you insight into how people lived and survived in early Barkly East. You will also find traditional Eastern Cape Xhosa artwork, weapons and bead work, and a display of uniforms and clothing dating from the Anglo Boer War, to the First and Second World Wars.

When looking for accommodation in Barkly East, you'll find superb Barkly East Guest Farm accommodation at Reedsdell Country Guest Farm, a comfortable sandstone Eastern Cape farmhouse with beautiful grounds and magnificent mountain views. Then just 25km from Barkly East there's more stunning Barkly East Guest Farm accommodation at Rosstrevor, Eastern Cape Guest Farm, a hundred-year old farmhouse painstakingly restored and furnished in late Victorian style. These Barkly East Guest Farm accommodation establishments offer a multitude of activities - such as Eastern Cape fly-fishing for trophy size rainbow trout and yellow fish, hiking, horse riding, Eastern Cape bird watching, quad biking and nature walks in the noble Witteberg Mountains. See the Where to Stay Barkly East accommodation page for more on these incredible Barkly East holiday destinations.
If you're visiting Barkly East around April, don't miss the annual Barkly East Wild Trout and Partridge Festival, which draws tourists from far and wide.

Near Barkly East, the Eastern Cape town of Elliot (63km from Barkly East), lies in the valley of the Slang River, with a wonderful backdrop of mountain grandeur, crystal streams teaming with trout and bass, waterfalls and towering cliffs. This sleepy (almost) one horse Eastern Cape town of Elliot may be easy to pass by, however, just 9km outside the actual town centre of Elliot lies Intaba Lodge, cosy, rustic Elliot Bed & Breakfast accommodation where you'll experience warm Eastern Cape hospitality at its best. For more on this charming establishment, see the Where to Stay Elliot accommodation page.
While in Elliot, make sure you see the fascinating rock formations and sandstone caves adorned with Eastern Cape bushman art - rock paintings from the Eastern Cape’s earliest inhabitants, the San people, who provide a unique eye into the world of many generations ago.

Just 72km from Barkly East accommodation lies Lady Grey - a delightful little Victorian style Eastern Cape village in which you'll want to linger longer. Lady Grey Bed & Breakfast accommodation at the Mountain View Country Inn in the heart of Lady Grey offers super low rates for families, and Lady Grey Guest Farm accommodation in the vicinity of Lady Grey, gives you panoramic mountain views that will take your breath away. Lady Grey Self Catering Cottage accommodation is situated 35km from Lady Grey, and 40km from Barkley East on the scenic Eastern Cape Joubert's Pass. Tucked away in the Eastern Cape Witteberg Mountains, Glen Doone Fly Fishing Cottage is within walking distance from the renowned KarringmelkSpruit, whose pristine waters and wily wild trout makes for fly fishing at its best. See the Where to Stay Lady Grey accommodation page for more info.

61km from Barkly East accommodation, tucked away in the Eastern Cape Highlands is Rhodes, a Victorian era village that exudes a timeless charm and beauty. In a remote region of the Eastern Cape, where three mountain ranges meet - the Drakensberg Mountains, the Witteberg Mountains and the Maluti Mountains, Tenahead Mountain Lodge (Rhodes Hotel accommodation) offers you comfort and luxury in a very special place where the hand of man has brushed it but very lightly. Rhodes Self Catering Cottage accommodation at Cow Lane Cottage is a remote, primitive rustic lifestyle which will take you back to nature.
The Where to Stay Rhodes accommodation page will give you more details on these fantastic locations.