Keiskammahoek- Cape Travel Guides - Accommodation, Safaris, Adventure

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Province: Eastern Cape
Region:
Town: Keiskammahoek

KEISKHAMMAHOEK
This little town has a spectacular situation in a bowl in the Amathole Mountains. The town was originally a fort that was established during the War of the Axe. It was here that the war brought to it’s conclusion after the negotiations of the Xhosa leaders King Sandile and his brother Anta. Keiskhammahoek lies near the headwaters of the Keiskhammahoek and was the scene of much action during the Xhosa Wars of Resistance. Both the sites of the Battles of Boomah Pass and that of Burnshill, two of the greatest victories of the Xhosa over the British are close by, as is Fort Cox, named after Major William Cox of the Gordon Highlanders which was erected in 1835. It was at Fort Cox where the Governor of the Cape, Sir Harry Smith was besieged during the War of Mlanjeni.

The Anglican mission of St Matthews, 6km from Keiskhammahoek was founded in 1855 was one of the missions in the area whose influence on the future of South Africa was out of all proportion to their numbers. For many years St Matthews had a large hospital attached which provided quality medical services to the inhabitants of the area.

Keiskhammahoek is a fascinating town with a fascinating history and has one of the most spectacular settings of any town in South Africa. Activities in the area include hiking in the forested slopes of the Amatholes, fly fishing and exploring the sites one of the most turbulent spots in the old British Empire.

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