Eastern Cape falls: Three wonderful waterfalls worth visiting

Magwa Falls, Eastern Cape. Photo: Greg Giessing / flickr

If you love chasing waterfalls (see what we did there?) then the Eastern Cape is the place to visit. Although many are inaccessible due to their wild locations, there are a few that you can easily get to to enjoy! Here are three waterfalls worth visiting in the Eastern Cape:

Magwa Falls in Lusikisiki

Why you should visit: Lying in the middle of a 1800 hectare tea plantation, the beautiful Magwa Falls is a gem of the Eastern Cape. The tea plantation in question is South Africa’s last remaining tea estate. Magwa Falls drops from an impressive height of 144m into a narrow canyon and is one of the few accessible waterfalls on the Eastern Cape’s Wild Coast. A definite must-see!

How to get there: Find Magwa Falls on the Magwa tea plantation, Lusikisiki.

The cascading Magwa Falls. Photo: Ryanj93 / Wikimedia Commons

39 Steps Falls in Hogsback

Why you should visit: Set within the lush greenery of the arboretum in Hogsback, 39 Steps Falls is a small waterfall on the Tyhume River. A relatively short, 15-minute walk through the garden, the cascading falls are incredibly easy to reach (even for the unfittest of us!).

How to get there: 39 Steps Falls and Arboretum, The walk starts in Oak Avenue, Hogsback.

39 Steps Falls in Hogsback, Eastern Cape. Photo: John Steedman / flickr

Madonna & Child Waterfalls in Hogsback

Why you should visit: Also located within the mystical village of hogsback, Madonna and Child Falls cascades down what is said to be the rocky shape of a mother and child – hence the name! The falls can be reached via a moderately steep downhill walk from Wolfridge Road (around 4 km from Village Green) – or by a longer route from Main Road, via the Big Tree. Both routes take you through the indigenous forest. Wear hiking boots!

How to get there: Take the walk from Wolf Ridge Road or the longer route from Main Road.

Madonna and Child Waterfalls in Hogsback. Photo: keith palmer / flickr

ALSO READ: The Wild Coast: Special spots you MUST visit

Sundeeka Mungroo

Sundeeka Mungroo is a content writer, foodie and all-round adventure-seeker. She's a graduate of the University of South Africa with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Literature, and has worked as a copywriter and editor in the digital marketing industry. Sundeeka currently writes for I Love South Africa and The South African. She lives in the beautiful Mother City and loves exploring all that South Africa has to offer.