Martindale is a farming district in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. Here, visitors can experience a South African version of Agritourism; unwind and enjoy the leisurely pace of country life, savour the goods produced in the fields, participate in farming activities, swim in the dams, walk barefoot and engage with local communities.
Martindale lies midpoint of the sandy beaches of Port Alfred and its marina, the historic, creative and academic centre of Grahamstown, and the quaint English-style village of Bathurst.
The area has a temperate climate, ideal for growing of crops and the keeping of cattle.
Life is slow in Martindale but it’s a place where lifelong friendships are often formed and where community members encountered are likely to contribute to a memorable stay.
Top 6 reasons to visit Martindale
1. The horseshoe river bend in a canyon on the Kowie River is a notable feature in the Waters Meeting Nature Reserve. The park offers a hiking trail through the natural forest combined with a return canoe journey along the river. Note: a permit is required to attempt the trail.
2. Visit Bathurst to walk through the various museums, stone churches and an historic mill scattered through the town. Bathurst is where the 1820 British Settlers were first assigned their farms and a toposcope marks the spot. An interesting museum is the Pineapple Museum, housed in a 17m high pineapple-shaped building.
3. Kwantu Private Game Reserve offer a package tour for day visitors that includes a 2-hour game drive, a visit to their predator education & rehabilitation centre and a 3-course meal. Expect to see the Big 5 (elephant, lion, leopard, rhino and buffalo) along with a few rare antelope species.
4. If visiting in July, be sure to attend the National Arts Festival in Grahamstown, Africa’s largest performing arts festival. See all forms of expressive art, ranging from comedy acts to slick theatre productions.
5. Spend the day sun tanning and swimming on Port Alfred’s wide, sandy West Beach flanking the Kowie River mouth. Lunch at the elegant Port Alfred marina and stock up on provisions at the town’s two shopping malls.
6. Enjoy a round of golf at the century-old Royal Port Alfred 18-hole links golf course. Royal patronage was bestowed on the course by King George V in 1924, one of only 64 such awards made worldwide.
Transport
The closest international airport to Martindale is Port Elizabeth International Airport, 160km away. The East London Airport is 136km from Martindale for domestic flights only. Several car rental agencies are based at the airports or nearby Grahamstown to hire a vehicle, or you could order a rental online. Many taxi and shuttle service companies operate in Grahamstown, however, it’s best to hire a vehicle.
Did you know?
The area around Martindale is referred to as the Old Frontier where British forces battled with Xhosa tribes in the 1800s. The wars raged on for more than half a century before peace was finally restored. The region has more forts here than anywhere else in the country.
Three global biodiversity hotspots fall within the Eastern Cape Province: the Cape Floristic Region, the Succulent Karoo biome and the Maputoland-Pondoland-Albany area, all with diverse and unique animal and plant life. Biodiversity hotspots are significant ecosystems under threat of destruction.
