The shoreline of this province extends from the Umtamvuna River in KwaZulu-Natal, to the Storms River mouth on the scenic Garden Route and borders of Lesotho. Today, the Eastern Cape incorporates the previously independent `homelands’ of the Ciskei and Transkei. Despite its colonial past, the Eastern Cape remains the home of the Xhosa-speaking people of South Africa.

Major Tourist attractions:

• Nelson Mandela Museum
  The museum was officially opened on the 11 February 2000, at a function that coincided with the tenth anniversary of when Nelson Mandela was released from prison. The birthplace/museum is situated at Qunu which is south of Umtata.
• Addo Elephant Park
  Situated 73km from Port Elizabeth, in South Africa's Eastern Cape, the park is a true conservation success story. The Eastern Cape boasts the most concentrated elephant reserve in Africa. Home to a herd of 300 elephants, the Addo Elephant National Park allows close-quarter viewing.
• Valley of Desolation
  This is the product of volcanic and erosive forces of nature over 100 million years, the Valley of Desolation is one of the most spectacular sights in the country. A steep and narrow road leads into the mountains that surround the valley – a journey not to be dared by the faint-hearted.
• Grahamstown National Arts Festival
  Africa's largest and most colourful cultural event takes place, annually, in this University town, offering a choice of the very best of both local and international talents.
• Hole in the wall
  Just south of Coffee Bay, on the eastern seaboard, is a prominent rock formation with a big hole in the centre.  This distinctive attraction has become a symbol for the Xhosa culture in the remembrance of a great historical tragedy - the "Great Cattle Killing". This unique structure, with a huge detached cliff, has a giant opening carved through its centre by the waves. The local Xhosa people call this place "izi Khaleni", which means "place of thunder".
• Tsitsikamma National Park
  The Tsitsikamma National Park, also known as "the place of much water", is where the great breaking waves of the Indian Ocean relentlessly pound the rocky shores. The high forest and fynbos (indigenous flora) roll down to the sea, where the ancient rivers carve their paths to the ocean down rocky ravines.
• World’s Highest Bungee Jump
  The world's highest bungee-jumping site is be found at Blaauwkrans Bridge on the Storms River. A daring adrenaline-rushing dive from this bridge ensures a dazzling 180 meters of freefall at 193kmph, taking seven seconds.
• Baviaanskloof Wilderness Area
  The Baviaanskloof (Valley of Baboons) is rapidly assuming national conservation and heritage prominence. The Baviaanskloof is a wilderness area situated on the Eastern border of the Cape Floral Kingdom.
• The Owl House 
  Enter a magical world at the famous Owl House in Nieu-Bethesda. Just outside Graaf-Reinet, this is where Helen Martins spent the latter part of her life and where she devoted her life to her beloved owl statues and ‘the search for the light and brightness’.
• Jeffreys Bay – Super Tubes
  Experience the perfect wave in Jeffreys Bay, the surfing capital of South Africa and a major international surfing venue that attracts visitors from all over the world to experience the “perfect wave”. 
• Snow Skiing
  Tiffindell is the only ski resort in Africa. It is situated in the Southern Drakensberg on the slopes of the highest mountain peak in the Eastern Cape (3001m). The resort has become a popular destination for those in search of an exciting snow adventure.
• Beaches
  The Eastern Cape offers 800km of untouched and pristine coastline along with some of the world’s best beaches. Port Elizabeth, alone, has 40km of magnificent beaches and, with its perfect combination of warm water, calm sea and fair breezes, it is one of the best sailing venues in the world, and a magnet for all beach and water sports enthusiasts. Port Elizabeth’s Southern Beaches offer safe and sheltered swimming, body surfing, sunbathing, boardsailing, excellent waves and surfing opportunities as well as interesting inter-tidal sea life. The Northern Beaches offer vast stretches of sand and dunes, ideal for long beach walks and superb angling and swimming options.
  The beaches include King’s Beach, Humewood Beach, Hobie Beach, Pollock Beach, Brighton Beach, Bluewater Bay, St George’s Strand and Wells Estate.
  On the south side of the city, Schoenmakerskop –a picturesque seaside village – offers scenic picnic spots, rock pools and holiday resorts with safe bathing and fishing in tidal pools. Further along is Sardinia Bay, a marine Reserve with miles of unspoilt coastline and crystal-clear water –excellent for diving, horse riding and scenic walks and hikes.
• Water Sports
  The Swartkops River Estuary is a unique water sports playground - ideal for power boating, canoeing, sailing, windsurfing and angling.
• The Wild, Wild Coast
  Further north, along the Eastern Cape's east coast, is the largely untamed and extravagantly beautiful Wild Coast - the ultimate holiday destination.
  Fishing, more than anything else, draws holiday-makers to the Wild Coast.  The Wild coast is an unspoilt and uncommercialised area, the Wild Coast offers a pleasant climate, mild seas and family resorts where fresh seafood features on most menus.
• Whale spotting
  Southern right whales and their calves are regularly spotted from the high dunes, usually between May and November, and the bottlenose dolphins are often seen close to shore.
• Off-The-Beaten Track
  The Eastern Cape offers unlimited adventure possibilities in a virtually unspoilt part of the world. A number of routes can be taken off-the-beaten track. Make sure that you have adequate directions and safety instructions to ensure the best possible experience.