Glengariff Accommodation

Glengariff Holidays - Eastern Cape, Amatola & Stormberg

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Imagine strolling wide expanses of white, sandy beaches that stretch for miles and miles ... imagine the feel of cool sea spray, and the sound of crashing waves ... this is Glengariff, Eastern Cape on the magnificent Amatola & Stormberg coast. It's no wonder it's called Glen Eden Beach, as it truly is 'Eden', an Eastern Cape paradise like you've never experienced before!

Glengariff may feel remote because of its close proximity to the East London Nature Reserve - a lush combination of coastal forest, valley and dune thicket, grassland and thorn bushveld. This is where leopards still finds refuge, as well as blue duiker, tree dassies, and exotic Eastern Cape birdlife like Cape Parrots and Crowned Eagles. For the treat of a lifetime, the Southern Right Whale can be sighted along the Glengariff Eastern Cape coast between July and September, and the unique and unexplained phenomenon of the annual 'Sardine Run' around June is not to be missed. This is when the Eastern Cape coast comes to life with an energetic buzz as the tiny silver fish beach. Considered to be the greatest shoal on earth, these billions of fish bring with them numerous larger game fish, dolphins, sharks, seals, whales and a variety of birdlife seeking an easy meal, making Glengariff's annual ocean extravaganza undoubtedly one of the most spectacular Eastern Cape marine events.

For outdoor adventure, Glengariff, Eastern Cape offers kite surfing, scuba diving, horse riding, quad biking and hiking trails that let you fully experience the beauty of the Eastern Cape coastline.
Why not stay awhile in these extraordinary unspoilt Eastern Cape surrounds, in Glengariff accommodation - Glengariff Self Catering accommodation which overlooks the mighty Indian Ocean, or Glengariff Holiday Resort accommodation nestled deep in a natural valley along the Eastern Cape Kwelegha River.

For those who can't do without city life, Glengariff is within 35 minutes easy access of the hustle and bustle of East London, where visitors to East London can enjoy a variety of water sports and outdoor activities, restaurants, shopping centres, movie theatres, and a buzzing night life that comes alive when the sun goes down. A visit to the East London Queens Park Zoo & Gardens which houses about 50 mammal species, including chimpanzees and white lions is a 'must', and the history buff will enjoy Gately House, which was built in 1876 and proclaimed a National Monument in 1973. This Eastern Cape, East London treasure is an excellent example of a modest Victorian home, and is one of the only house museums in South Africa which still contains the original furniture.
For the outdoor adventurer, Ruff Enuff Tours hosts tours from East London to various parts of the Eastern Cape - trips to waterfalls, cultural villages and everything that is wild and beautiful.
If you prefer to stay in East London itself, you'll be spoiled for choice with an abundance of East London Bed & Breakfast accommodation, and East London Self Catering accommodation. For East London accommodation where pets are allowed, go to the Where To Stay East London Area Pets Allowed web page. For more details on East London accommodation, visit the Where To Stay East London accommodation page.

Just South of Glengariff is the much sought after Eastern Cape holiday destination of Kwelera, where the coast is wild with vegetation, and rocky tidal pools are pounded by waves. Lying in the Kwelera Nature Reserve, the tiny village of Kwelera blends in with the unspoilt Eastern Cape landscape. Here anglers can fish from either the surf or the Eastern Cape river mouth, surfers can take to the waves at Yellow Sands Beach break point, and young and old alike with enjoy paddling in the Kwelera River. On this scenic part of the Eastern Cape coastline, the sand dunes can rise as high as 250m, and are home to small buck, monkeys and a rich bird life, making Kwelera, with its fascinating blend of marine life and terrestrial fauna and flora, well worth a visit for its unsurpassed beauty.
For a languid lunch or sundowners on the deck, the Areena Restaurant in Kwelera is the place to dine alfresco beneath a giant wild fig tree on the banks of the Kwelera tidal river, while enjoying traditional fish & chips and home-made pie, chips and gravy.

Heading South from Kwelera (about 30 minutes from Glengariff accommodation), you'll come across Gonubie, a quaint Eastern Cape, seaside village with scenic walks, a boardwalk from the grassy verge of the Gonubie beach to the lagoon mouth, indigenous fauna and flora, and one of the most exceptional Blue Flag beaches on the Eastern Cape Wild Coast. Gonubie Beach is frequented by visitors from all over the world, who flock to this superb Eastern Cape beach for the surfing, swimming, rock fishing and of course sunbathing. 
To stay in this charming Eastern Cape town, you will find elegant Tuscan style Gonubie Bed & Breakfast accommodation at Grande Vista, which overlooks the Gonubie River, and for the golf lover, the Ocean Dreams B&B is just 300m from the challenging Gonubie Golf Course, with only 9 greens and 18 different tee boxes! For longer stays, upmarket Gonubie Self Catering accommodation overlooks the dramatic Eastern Cape Wild Coast.
For fabulous food in Gonubie, the Galaxy Grill combines a fine dining and family restaurant experience at affordable prices, where good times are guaranteed. At Gonubie's Heavenly Pancake House, you can sit outside and indulge in decadent pancakes, and sip a cappuccino while you watch the dolphins play in the waves.

Beacon Bay lying 11km South of Gonubie accommodation (25 minutes from Glengariff accommodation), is known as the 'garden town' of the Eastern Cape, Amatola & Stormberg region, and is considered to be one of the most picturesque towns in the Eastern Cape. Closely situated to the Indian Ocean, Beacon Bay, East London is an amazing little gem of this area - with spectacular beaches and scenery, it's also the gathering place for arts and crafts enthusiasts, who can enjoy the variety of wares at the Craft Gallery. Beacon Bay, situated on the Nahoon River Estuary, will provide you with all the necessary conveniences - shopping malls, restaurants, cinemas, and plenty of superlative Beacon Bay Bed & Breakfast, and Beacon Bay Self Catering accommodation, where you can "awaken to the sounds of the ocean". To see the full Where To Stay menu of these fine Beacon Bay establishments, visit the Beacon Bay accommodation page.

Further South, and closer to East London itself is the delightful little town of Bonnie Doon (31.6km from Glengariff accommodation), known as "a little piece of Heaven". With panoramic views of the gently winding Nahoon River stretching all the way to the Eastern Cape Indian ocean, and the Nahoon Beach within walking distance, Bonnie Doon is the perfect Eastern Cape choice for your East London holiday destination.
When surfing the Where To Stay website for Bonnie Doon accommodation, Bonnie Doon Bed & Breakfast accommodation at the plush 4 Star Arum House is situated just minutes away from Nahoon Beach, and five minutes drive from East London CBD. For Bonnie Doon Self Catering accommodation, Nine on Irvine Guesthouse is ideally situated in the East London Area - be it for business or leisure, Nine on Irvine Guesthouse "will be a pleasure".

Travelling North from Glengariff, you will find Cintsa (Chintsa), meaning ‘river of crumbling banks’ in Xhosa (13.9km from Glengariff accommodation, and 45km North East of East London). Chintsa is the start of the Eastern Cape Wild Coast, a section of unspoilt African coastline with over 12km of sandy beach and natural Eastern Cape forest. Chintsa - perfect for sunbathing, fishing, birding and hiking. Widely known to have the 'best weather in the world’, Chintsa's tropical year-round climate makes for mild temperatures, ideal for 'year after year' return visits to this beautiful part of the Eastern Cape.
When you’re not horse riding on the Chintsa beach, or taking long walks along the surf-line, go eat at the Chintsa Country Bumpkin Restaurant, where you can experience the true essence of Eastern Cape hospitality in a rustic yet chic, relaxed and friendly atmosphere. For traditional home-style African food, Emthombeni Restaurant will feed you with delicious flavourful meals made from the freshest ingredients.
Then go home to your Chintsa Self Catering accommodation situated in prime positions to give you magnificent, uninterrupted views of the ocean, river and Cintsa Beach. For more info on these Chintsa establisments, visit the Where To Stay Chintsa accommodation page. (Cinsa is also sometimes also referred to as Chintsa)