Fort Beaufort Attractions
Fort Beaufort lies 100km/62mi from the coast of the Indian Ocean on the borders of the former homeland of Ciskei. Founded in 1822 as a military outpost of the Cape Colony, it is now a citrus fruit growing and sheep-farming center.
Fort Beaufort was the scene of an incident which sparked off the seventh frontier war, the "Axe War". In 1846 a Xhosa stole an axe from a shop in the town; a group of British soldiers and volunteers thereupon attacked the Xhosa settlement of Queen Adelaide; and this in turn led to a bloody conflict which ended only in 1847.
Fort Beaufort was the scene of an incident which sparked off the seventh frontier war, the "Axe War". In 1846 a Xhosa stole an axe from a shop in the town; a group of British soldiers and volunteers thereupon attacked the Xhosa settlement of Queen Adelaide; and this in turn led to a bloody conflict which ended only in 1847.
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Fort Beaufort - Hogsback, Katberg, South Africa
(Near Fort Beaufort)
The holiday resorts of Hogsback and Katberg are known for their beautiful surrounding scenery of forest covered mountains.
Adelaide, South Africa
(Near Fort Beaufort)
37km/23mi west of Fort Beaufort is Adelaide (pop. 10,000), founded in 1834 as a garrison town and named after William IV's wife Queen Adelaide. It is now the center of a corn and citrus fruit growing and sheep-farming area. Its Heritage Museum has a fine collection of porcelain, glass and silver.
Alice, South Africa
(Near Fort Beaufort)
Alice, 23km/14mi east of Fort Beaufort, was founded in 1847 as a mission station and military post. The Municipal Museum has a display of traditional Xhosa dress. Outside the town, housed in an old British fort, is Fort Hare University, established in 1916 as a college for blacks and promoted to university status in 1970. Among its students have been Nelson Mandela, Oliver Tambo, Robert Mugabe and Kenneth Kaunda. It now has more than 8,500 students.
Tsolwana Game Reserve
50km/31mi north of Fort Beaufort (and west of Sada) is Tsolwana Game Reserve (area 10,000ha/25,000ac), established in 1979, which lies at heights of between 1,300 and 1,800m (4,265 and 5,900ft) in a relatively rainless area. After rain does fall, however, a luxuriant vegetation comes to life. The fauna includes rhinos, giraffes, mountain zebras and various species of antelope. The reserve can be explored by car on unsurfaced roads or on conducted walks; there is accommodation for visitors in old farmhouses.
Facilities
On-site accomodations
