Alice

Situated east of Fort Beaufort on the banks of the Tyume River, Alice was founded in 1824 as a mission station of the Glasgow Mission Society. This mission was abandoned during the Frontier Wars and it was not until 1847, when Fort Hare (named after Major General John Hare) was built, that the missionaries returned and a small town developed around the mission station. Alice was named after Princess Alice, daughter of Queen Victoria. Today Alice is an important educational centre, home to the University of Fort Hare and Lovedale College, Sandile Kop, east of the town, was named in honour of the famous Xhosa chief, Sandile.

GENERAL INFORMATION

How to get there

Bishop 64 km, Fort Beaufort 23 km, Grahamstown 100 km, Port Elizabeth 241 km

Banks

Fnb, Standard

Rivers

Tyume

HISTORICAL VIEW

De Beers Centenary Gallery

A modern museum housing publications, graphics, sculptures and paintings. Works of international and South African artists, including Gerald Sekoto, Michael Zondi and George Pemba are featured.

FS Malan Museum

A fine collection of publications, costumes, beadwork and wooden sculptures. Guided tours on request

Lovedale College

Established 1824

Lovedale Press

One of the oldest printing and publishing companies in the country

Sandile Kop

A hillock near the town named after the ill-fated Xhosa chief Sandile, who led his people against the British in the last three Frontier Wars. This hill also has a memorial to Rev James Steart, one of the town’s original Scottish missionaries

University of Fort Hare

The first university in South Africa exclusively for black students, opened in 1916 by Prime Minister General Louis Botha. It is the alma mater of Nelson Mandela.

NATURE

Double Drift Game Reserve

A 23 000 ha nature reserve situated between the Great Fish and Keiskamma Rivers. Various game species, including black rhino, buffalo, hippo, zebra, kudu, impala and gemsbok

ACTIVITIES

Hiking Double Drift Nature / Hiking Trail

Ruins of Fort Willshire and Fort Montgomery and San rock art. Accommodation at Double Drift Hiking Lodge