Fri 25th Jul 2008
- Transkei Travel Guide & City Information
The Transkei region is a gorgeous region in the Eastern Cape, extending from roughly Durban to East London. Rolling hills, beautiful coast line and picutresque farmlands provide for a delighful drive through this area. Within the Transkei, the Wild Coast offers destinations such as Cintza and Coffee Bay, both popular with the backpacking crowd.
Note:
Travellers should take heed in the Transkei region, however. The high incidence of violent crime has turned this into a notorious area, generally avoided by many South Africans. Umtata, the administrative capital, should be avoided at all costs as this is a violent crime haven. Shootings and armed robbery are frequent. Unfortunately, the N2, the only thoroughfare through the region, leads straight into the heart of Umtata. Plan your trip carefully to avoid driving through the area after sunset, choosing instead to stay in a hotel or backpackers well away from the city. Never take on hitch hikers. Unless you actually see the accident occur, do not offer direct assistance to other vehicles. Contact the police department instead. This may sound cruel, but sensible South Africans know that stopping on the open highway only invites trouble. Ultimately, South Africans in the know will avoid being out and about by themselves and will never, ever be caught outside after about 5 o´clock.