Sidbury is a small town that offers an incredibly charming atmosphere and several intriguing sights relating to its history.
The village of Sidbury lies within the part of the Eastern Cape that is often referred to as ‘frontier country’ due to the conflicts between the British Settlers and the local people that took place here. The area surrounding Grahamstown was the site of a series of fierce battles for land ownership. Today, of course, the battles have ceased, and focus has been placed on nature conservation and the preservation of South Africa’s iconic wildlife.
There are some fantastic game reserves in the nearby vicinity of Sidbury. The closest one is the Kwantu Private Game Reserve, renowned for its diverse wildlife that includes the Big Five and spectacular bird species. The reserve has a gorgeous day centre that overlooks Hippo Dam, a watering hole where the animals often come by to quench their thirst. Kwantu specialises in exciting, three-hour game drives and safari walks that will teach you all sorts of interesting things about nature and the ways of the animals in this particular area. Furthermore, the reserve has a Predator Education and Rehabilitation Centre where rare animals such as Bengal Tigers can be viewed, and an elephant sanctuary that allows visitors to meet, touch and feed the elephants within. The elephants may even be so obliging to allow you a short ride!
The Amakhala Game Reserve is a large area of wildlife to the south-west of Sidbury covering approximately 18000 hectares. The reserve has a selection of 3, 4 and 5-star luxury safari lodges and tented camps and offers their guests close-up encounters with lions, elephants, zebras, giraffe, wildebeest, monkeys and many more animal species. Their game drives are spectacular and their staff members are always friendly and welcoming.
The third popular safari destination nearby to Sidbury is the Shamwari Game Reserve. Shamwari is well-known around the world for its incredible accommodation and fantastic efforts towards game conservation, and is often referred to as the ‘Pride of the Eastern Cape’. Shamwari’s facilities include the Ian Player Rhino Centre, the Born Free Big Cat Sanctuary and the Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre that cares for injured or abandoned animals until they are ready to be released back into the wild. Visiting any of these three superb, malaria-free game reserves whilst you are in Sidbury will be an unforgettable experience.
Sidbury is a village that was founded in the 1830’s, and today boasts two stunning churches and several grave sites in tribute to the wars that once raged through the area. The Sidbury cricket grounds are also quite famous, and continue to host exciting matches on a regular basis. You may also like to consider visiting Sidbury at the time of the spectacular Grahamstown National Arts Festival. This festival in nearby Grahamstown draws thousands upon thousands of visitors every year and offers the most diverse selection of theatrical, musical and dance performances in the country, along with hundreds of stalls and many other forms of entertainment. This huge festival brings the whole of Grahamstown to life and is a truly vibrant and exhilarating celebration of different cultures in South Africa.
Situated along the Bushmans River, Kwantu Private Game Reserve offers guests a true African experience and a luxury 5-star getaway. Guests can stay in the luxury lodges or the hotel’s 5-star suites all with private balconies and en-suite bathrooms. The game reserve boasts the Big 5 and guests can explore the elephant sanctuary, reptile centre and enjoy the inviting pool, tennis courts and entertainment area.
• Watch a cricket match at the Sidbury cricket grounds.
• View the town’s beautiful churches and war graveyards.
• Go to the annual Grahamstown National Arts Festival.
• Visit the elephants at the Kwantu Elephant Sanctuary.
• Go on a game drive through the Kwantu Private Game Reserve.
• Get close to wildlife at the Amakhala Game Reserve.
• See the Born Free Big Cat Sanctuary at Shamwari Game Reserve.
Situated along the Bushmans River, Kwantu Private Game Reserve offers guests a true African experience and a luxury 5-star getaway. Guests can stay in the luxury lodges or the hotel’s 5-star suites all with private balconies and en-suite bathrooms. The game reserve boasts the Big 5 and guests can explore the elephant sanctuary, reptile centre and enjoy the inviting pool, tennis courts and entertainment area.
• Watch a cricket match at the Sidbury cricket grounds.
• View the town’s beautiful churches and war graveyards.
• Go to the annual Grahamstown National Arts Festival.
• Visit the elephants at the Kwantu Elephant Sanctuary.
• Go on a game drive through the Kwantu Private Game Reserve.
• Get close to wildlife at the Amakhala Game Reserve.
• See the Born Free Big Cat Sanctuary at Shamwari Game Reserve.
When you are ready to visit Sidbury and its amazing nature-filled surroundings, let East Cape Tours take care of all your accommodation requirements. We have a lot of personal experience with the three most popular game reserves in the area, and offer the best rates should you wish to arrange overnight stays. Please contact us for more information.