Somerset East

Somerset East is a beautiful town in the Blue Crane Route in the Estern Cape

Somerset East is a charming town bathed in history, set among Oak trees, white-washed buildings, mountain streams and waterfalls at the foot of the Bosberg Mountains Oak trees, white-washed buildings, mountain streams and waterfalls are synonymous with Somerset east. Its a charming town bathed in history. The village was named after Charles Somerset and the East was added some 30 years later.

Hiking Trails in Somerset East

• Bosberg Hiking Trail
  15km circular trail. Start and finish at Bestershoek at the foot of the Bosberg Mountain. Overnight hut on the top of the mountain sleeps 10.
• Game Cup Trails
  Two circular trails through Bosberg Nature Reserve Game Camp: 4 km (3 hours) and 7 km (4½ hours) start and finish at the Bestershoek Resort.
• Bestershoek Trails
  Short, easy trail of 1½ km from Bestershoek dam.

Attraction in Someserset East

• Bosberg Nature Reserve:
  2 050 Hectares of varied habitats, from Dohne sourveld in higher region and fynbos rich rock plateaus to thickly wooded kloofs with White Stinkwood and Outeniqua Yellowwood Forests.

The scenic town of Somerset East with it’s tree-lined streets, white buildings and streams, was established in 1825 on a farm originally laid out by Lord Charles Somerset to produce fodder for the cavalry on the frontier. The village nestles at the foot of the beautiful Bosberg Mountains.

GENERAL INFORMATION

How to get there

Aberdeen 159 km, Addo 117 km, Cradock 104 km, Graaff-Reinet 122 km, Grahamstown 150 km, Port Elizabeth 180 km

Altitude: 2400 m above sea level

Average Monthly Rainfall: 24 mm – 30 mm

Average Temperatures

Summer 30°c; Winter 15°c

Banks

Absa, Boland, Fnb, Standard

Dams - Bosberg Dam

Mountains – Bosberg

Rivers – Bosberg

HISTORICAL VIEW

Somerset East Museum

A classical Georgian building, once the home of a Victorian pastor

NATURE

Bestershoek and Bosberg Nature Reserve

On the southern slopes of the Bosberg range, 2050 ha of varied habitants ranging from Dohne Sourveld in higher region and fynbos, rich rock plateaus (rock types in the reserve include sandstone and shale of the Beaufort Group, which makes up part of the Karoo Sequence of sedimentary rocks. A dolemite still (sheet) forms a capping on the mountain range, to thickly wooded kloofs with White stinkwood and Outeniqua yellowwood forests. Thickly wooded areas include wild olive, cabbage trees, and wild peach. The reserve boasts shady trees, picnic spots, forest walks, a caravan park, camping site and chalets. Abundant birdlife, a game camp and trout dams. More than 80 bird species recorded, including Knysna Lourie. Booted Eagle, Crowned Eagle and Black Eagle. Bird hide at dam. Larger animals including kudu, mountain zebra and bushbuck. Smaller mammals are steenbok, duiker and mountain reedbuck.

ATTRACTIONS

Annual Events

Bruintjieshoogte Marathon – Run between Somerset East and Pearston – March

Olof Bergh Eastern Cape Biltong Festival – June

Agricultural Show – September

Boschberg Classic Golf Tournament – September (Plus monthly competitions)

Spring Rose and Flower Show – September / October

Glen Avon Waterfall and Old Mill

An 85 m high waterfall and old mill. View by appointment only

Walter Battist Art Gallery

This double storey house is home to the largest collection of this renomwned artist’s work

ACTIVITIES

Angling Bestershoek Dam

Easily accessible by car in dry conditions or a 1,5 km walk

Bosberg Dam

5 km walk along the Bosberg Trail and also accessible by bakkie, preferably 4x4. Two well stocked trout dams in area.

Bird Watching

Bosberg Nature Reserve

80 species recorded. Various farms in the area offer hiking and bird watching at the historic farm Glen Avon 70 bird species have been recorded.

Hiking

Bestershoek Trail

Short, easy trail of 1,5 km, from the Bestershoek Resort to the Besterhoek Dam

Bosberg Hiking Trail

Distance: 15 km. Start and finish at Bestershoek at the foot of the Bosberg mountain range. Spectacular views, varied scenery. Overnight hut at mountain top, sleeps ten

Game Camp Trails

Two circular trails through Bosberg Nature Reserve game camp, 4 km ( 3 hours) and 7 km (4,5 hours), start and finish at Bestershoek.

Hunting

Many farms host hunting parties, mainly during the winter months. Impala, kudu, springbok, nyala, fallow deer, mountain reedbuck, etc. also wing shooting

Other

Clay Pigeon Shooting

Paragliding

Rock Climbing

Accommodation in and around Somerset East