The former British town of Fort Beaufort is one of the least known towns in the Eastern Cape, but it is the perfect refuge for nature lovers who want to get away from it all and reconnect with themselves and nature. Here in Fort Beaufort it is naturally all about the Great Outdoors. Largely un-spoilt and undeveloped, Fort Beaufort, which finds itself situated in the heart of the citrus farming enclave of the Katriver Valley, was established in 1822 by the British as a frontier post.
The Katriver Valley is a stunning kaleidoscope of ravines, rivers, waterfalls, and forests, which make it a popular destination for hikers who enjoy exploring this hallowed terrain set amongst vivid natural beauty and crisp clean air. If you don’t want to do anything too strenuous indulge yourself with a languid walk or go sit on the banks of the Kat River and enjoy some ‘you time’ with your current book. The Fort Fordyce Nature Reserve, which is just 25km outside of Fort Beaufort, is a must-visit destination during your stay as it opens up a world of scintillating scenery, abundant wildlife, a dazzling array of plants, and excellent bird watching opportunities. What is more, most of your game viewing can be done while riding a horse – a unique way indeed to see the spectacular sights on display. Furthermore, Fort Fordyce Nature Reserve offers terrific bass fishing and is a wonderful base from which to hike into the supreme Katberg and Amatola mountain ranges.
Fort Beaufort, itself, features many interesting historical monuments to explore including the Martello Tower. A national monument, the Martello Tower has a mounted cannon perched on top of it that pivots through 360°; it is believed there are just two of these in the world with the other found in Canada.
