Africa Deluxe Tours Port Alfred

Kowie River

The Kowie River in the Eastern Cape, South Africa, has its source in the Grahamstown heights and flows southeast until it empties into the Indian Ocean at Port Alfred. The main tributaries of the Kowie are the Bloukrans, Bak- and Lushington Rivers. The estuarine section of the river stretches from the mouth for 14 km inland. The little Kowie River, one of the smaller tributaries, flows into the Kowie, just above the estuary. Like most of the rivers in the Eastern Cape coast, it runs through deep gorge like valleys with densely overgrown riverbanks. The most notable among the vegetation are the River Euphorbias (Euphorbia triangularis) the Aloes and the prehistoric cycads (Encephalartos altensteinii).

In Port Alfred the Kowie River is the heart of many popular activities. The small boat harbour forms the base for a variety of water sport, including deep sea fishing, scuba diving, as well as skiing on the estuary. Fishing marine fish in the estuary is also very popular. Cruises up the river is on offer, as well as a canoe trail with overnight facilities. The latest innovation is the Kowie River open water one mile swimming event with all the proceeds donated to local charities.

Tours that include Kowie River

Blyde River Canyon

Duration: 16 days, 15 nights
Tour Type: Scheduled tours
Luxury Level: *** / ****
Price: R32,500 per person sharing (±US$ 2,343 )
R10,900 single supplement (±US$ 785 )

Valid dates: Nov 2017 - Oct 2018


The German-guided version of our tour that covers the highlights of South Africa (link to English tour provided as well). It provides a mix of cities, countryside, historical sites, scenic drives, nature, wildlife, culture and people. The southbound tour starts in Johannesburg and ends in Cape Town.

Highlights: Panorama Route , Blyde River Canyon , Kruger National Park , Swaziland , Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve , St. Lucia , iSimangaliso Wetland Park , Transkei , Garden Route , Storm’s River Mouth , Knysna , Cango Caves , Route 62 , Cape Winelands , Stellenbosch , Paarl , Cape Town .

Blyde River Canyon

Duration: 16 days, 15 nights
Tour Type: Private guided tours
Luxury Level: *** / ****
Price: R57,500 per person sharing - for group between 2 and 2. (±US$ 4,146 )
R38,500 per person sharing - for group between 4 and 6. (±US$ 2,776 )
R30,700 per person sharing - for group between 7 and 14. (±US$ 2,213 )

Valid dates: Nov 2017 - Oct 2018


This private guided tour covers the highlights of South Africa and is ideal for first time visitors to the country. It provides a mix of cities, countryside, historical sites, scenic drives, nature, wildlife, culture and people. The southbound tour starts in Johannesburg and ends in Cape Town.

Highlights: Panorama Route , Blyde River Canyon , Kruger National Park , Swaziland , Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve , St. Lucia , iSimangaliso Wetland Park , Transkei , Garden Route , Storm’s River Mouth , Knysna , Cango Caves , Route 62 , Cape Winelands , Stellenbosch , Paarl , Cape Town .

Blyde River Canyon

Duration: 16 days, 15 nights
Tour Type: Self-drive tours
Luxury Level: *** / ****
Price: R38,900 per person - for group between 1 and 1. (±US$ 2,804 )
R24,500 per person sharing - for group between 2 and 7. (±US$ 1,766 )
R8,500 single supplement (±US$ 612 )

Valid dates: Nov 2017 - Oct 2018


This self-drive tour covers the highlights of South Africa and is ideal for first time visitors to the country. It provides a mix of cities, countryside, historical sites, scenic drives, nature, wildlife, culture and people. The southbound tour starts in Johannesburg and ends in Cape Town.

Highlights: Panorama Route , Blyde River Canyon , Kruger National Park , Swaziland , Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve , St. Lucia , iSimangaliso Wetland Park , Transkei , Garden Route , Storm’s River Mouth , Knysna , Cango Caves , Route 62 , Cape Winelands , Stellenbosch , Paarl , Cape Town .

Blyde River Canyon

Duration: 16 days, 15 nights
Tour Type: Scheduled tours
Luxury Level: *** / ****
Price: R32,500 per person sharing (±US$ 2,343 )
R10,900 single supplement (±US$ 785 )

Valid dates: Nov 2017 - Oct 2018


This tour covers the highlights of South Africa and is ideal for first time visitors to the country. It provides a mix of cities, countryside, historical sites, scenic drives, nature, wildlife, culture and people. The southbound tour starts in Johannesburg and ends in Cape Town.

Highlights: Panorama Route , Blyde River Canyon , Kruger National Park , Swaziland , Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve , St. Lucia , iSimangaliso Wetland Park , Transkei , Garden Route , Storm’s River Mouth , Knysna , Cango Caves , Route 62 , Cape Winelands , Stellenbosch , Paarl , Cape Town .

Kowie River attractions

A storm wave breaks over one of the piers that guard the Kowie River Mouth at Port Alfred on South Africa's Sunshine Coast.

Port Alfred

Port Alfred is known as the Heart of the Sunshine Coast, situated halfway between Port Elizabeth and East London. The Kowie River runs through the town and it is the base for the large small boat harbour and a very successful residential marina development. The town boasts a wonderful blue flag beach and a great variety of water and ocean based activities.

The mouth of the Bushmans River on South Africa's Sunshine Coast and the Indian Ocean beyond.

Sunshine Coast

The Sunshine Coast in South Africa stretches from the Tsitsikamma Reserve in the South to East London in the North. Aptly named the Sunshine coast, because it boasts more sunshine hours per year than the rest of sunny South Africa. This is due to the warm Mozambique current that runs along this coast and leads to the moderate temperatures.

The Spirit of Adventure, the largest of the vessels used by the Halyards Hotel in Port Alfred for cruises on the beautiful Kowie River.

Kowie River boat cruises

The Kowie River on the Sunshine Coast in South Africa is the main feature of the town of Port Alfred. Recently a new boat for river cruises, the Lady Biscay was launched. It offers boat cruises on the Kowie River. The river can be navigated for 15 km.