The Eastern Cape starts in Tsitsikamma (tit-see-karma), 'place of abundant water,' and from here you will discover a land of rolling hills, endless sweeps of rocky coves and  sandy beaches, towering mountain ranges and verdant forests.

The Eastern Cape boasts a remarkable natural diversity, ranging from the dry desolate Great Karoo to the lush forests of the Wild Coast and the Keiskamma Valley, the fertile Langkloof renowned for its rich apple harvests, and the mountainous southern Drakensberg region at Elliot.

The main feature of the Eastern Cape is its astonishing coastline. With its wide open sandy beaches, secluded lagoons and towering cliffs, the Indian Ocean coastline provides the province with a rich natural tourist attraction. The graceful curve of Algoa Bay provides an ideal setting for the port of Port Elizabeth. There are good harbor facilities in East London, while the province is also serviced by four airports, at Port Elizabeth, East London, Umtata and Bulembu.

In the Eastern Cape, various floral habitats meet. Along the coast, the northern tropical forests intermingle with the more temperate forests of the south. This makes for an interesting forest habitat of various species endemic to this region alone. Age-old forests occur at Keiskammahoek, Dwessa, Port St. Johns and Bathurst; dune forests are found at Alexandria, and mangroves along the Wild Coast. Rolling grasslands characterize the eastern interior of the province, while the western central plateau is savannah bushveld. The northern inland is home to the aromatic Karoo succulent bush.

The entire Eastern Cape coast offers excellent surfing breaks, but it's Jeffrey's Bay, 75km west of Port Elizabeth, that made international fame after being featured in the 1960s cult film Endless Summer. Two nearby game reserves, Addo Elephant Park and Shamwari,  are the only major wildlife areas in the southern half of South Africa, and can be tacked onto the end of a drive along the Garden Route.

The Eastern Cape interior holds considerable interest in its sparse landscapes, prickly succulents and a handful of isolated but handsome settlements. Venturing further north to the edge of southeastern Lesotho, the Eastern Cape Drakensberg makes a remote and thrilling setting for mountain walks, taking in ancient San rock art and even skiing in winter. Unlike the KwaZulu-Natal Drakensberg, there are no resort hotels or national parks, and much of the area is only accessible on dirt roads, with trails established on private farms. The scenery is marvellous though, and the tiny Victorian hamlet of Rhodes well worth the effort of getting to if you're after somewhere really unspoilt.

To the north is the Karoo, a vast sheep, mohair and game farming area, which has rich wildlife and a unique plant life which thrives in the dry conditions.