Alexandria, Eastern Cape

Alexandria may have been established by the Dutch colonial government in the late 18th century, but was named Alexandria after Reverend Alexander Smith and is situated on the R72 in the Eastern Cape just 50 kilometres from Port Alfred and 28 km from Kenton-on-Sea - roughly halfway between Durban and Cape Town.

A friendly farming community

It is described as a friendly farming community that sustains itself from chicory, dairy and pineapple plantations.

Alexandria State Forest

Between the town of Alexandria and the coastline lies an area of extensive and dense subtropical coastal forests similar to those found along the coastline of KwaZulu-Natal that are preserved as a state forest known as the 'Alexandria State Forest' or 'Langebos' to locals. The Alexandria Forest is considered the only unspoilt forest in Southern Africa. It borders the Alexandria Dune field, considered one of the largest moving dune fields in the world, covering an area of 142 sq km, with some of the dunes reaching heights similar to those found in the Namib Desert.

Woody Cape Nature Reserve

This incredible feat of nature is, in turn, included in and protected by the Woody Cape Nature Reserve, a 25 000 hectare reserve that stretches from the Sundays River mouth all the way to Bushman’s River mouth - regarded as an excellent area for birding enthusiasts. 

Gateway to the Addo

The Woody Cape Nature Reserve then forms part of the Addo Elephant Park; hence Alexandria is often described as the gateway to Addo.