Salem (original) (raw)

Salem, Frontier Country

The little settler village of Salem (meaning �peace�) is one of those places that suffers from being en route to somewhere else, and as such remains rather low on the average traveller�s list - a rather misguided conclusion to draw about the quaint town.

Salem is en route from Kenton-on-Sea to the N2. It falls within a 50 kilometre radius of the popular town that is typically awash with wild flowers, rolling hills, pineapples and long winding valleys that make a fascinating drive. That Salem lies almost halfway between Kenton-on-Sea and Grahamstown means that it remains obscure as people press on to Grahamstown, which earns greater kudos for attractions and things to do. The little 1820 village of Salem is famous for its wonderful array of historical buildings, in particular the Methodist Church. Salem gained its name when the Xhosa agreed to leave the village in peace after negotiations during the War of Hintsa.

Salem lies in a gloriously unspoilt part of the Eastern Cape, its gently undulating hills and peaceful surrounds a botanist�s delight with a number of unusual forms of flora and fauna. The stone churches in the village are always open, still in use and worth the time it would take to stop and enjoy them. Many of the original cottages - built by settlers who arrived by ship from England, were taken inland by ox wagon and then unceremoniously �dumped� in the middle of nowhere to act as a buffer for the Cape - are still in use today and the cricket pitch is regarded as the oldest cricket pitch in the country.

Travellers' Reviews

1 Review from SA-Venues.com travellers. All reviews are verified.

Verified reviewgood

Our experience of Salem was a short one but we immediately felt at home in this small historical village. The landscape around it is beautiful and we loved the laid-back approach to life.

Ulrich (alberton)

In the vicinity

Hotels & other accommodation options

Self Catering

Burlington Bush Cottages

Situated in Salem, Burlington Bush Cottages is a secluded secret, home to four cottages overlooking a scenic dam. The indoor space transitions ef...

Self Catering

African Safari Lodge

African Safari Lodge is situated on a private game reserve 17km outside of Grahamstown. The lodge is perched 20 meters above the high water mark ...

Noteworthy attractions

Game Reserves

Addo Elephant Park

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Game Reserves

Amakhala Game Reserve

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Game Reserves

Shamwari Game Reserve

Shamwari Game Reserve is the southernmost, Big Game, private reserve in Africa - Malaraia Free. This ultimate African adventure stretches along t...

Nature Reserves

Thomas Baines Nature Reserve

The Thomas Baines Nature Reserve is situated 12km from Grahamstown. The Thomas Baines Reserve is named after the famous 19th Century artist who l...

Nature Reserves

Bosberg Nature Reserve

Set on the southern slopes of the Bosberg Mountains, the Bosberg Nature Reserve is a thickly wooded nature reserve that looms over the town of So...

Game Reserves

Great Fish River Reserve

The spectacularly beautiful Great Fish River Reserve lies in the valley of the Great Fish River, between the town of Grahamstown and Fort Beaufor...

Game Farms / Game Parks

Pumba Game Reserve

Lying in a particularly breathtaking setting that includes five of the world�s seven biomes, Pumba Private Game Reserve has a couple of major adv...

Game Reserves

Tsolwana Game Reserve

Nestled against the northern slopes of the Winterberg Mountain range at the edge of the Karoo, Tsolwana Game Reserve lies between Cradock and Que...

Game Reserves

Bucklands Private Game Reserve

Bucklands Private Game Reserve is a Stewart Family conservation initiative which was launched in 2007 culminating from the families deep love of ...

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Salem as a destination

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Alexandria, Alicedale, Amakhala, Bathurst, Colchester, Fish River, Grahamstown, Greater Addo, Groendal Wilderness Area, Kariega, Kwantu, Salem, Shamwari, Sibuya, Sidbury
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