Estcourt is now a medium sized town in South Africa. In the pioneer days when the road to the north was simply a rough wagon track, a fort was erected on a hill dominating the fording place over the Bushman's river to protect transport riders and the herds of cattle driven across the ford.
Fort Durnford was first occupied in 1847 and is as secure as any castle with drinking water tanks in the basement, a drawbridge, moat and two secret tunnels.
A trading station, blacksmith and inn were established under the protection of the garrison and in 1863 it was decided to call the village Estcourt in honour of Thomas Estcourt, an English parliamentarian who sponsored the immigration of settlers into the area.
Today Estcourt is a thriving center of industry particularly for livestock and meat products. Estcourt is also a gateway for tourism for the Drakensberg and Battlefields regions of South Africa.
Hiking trails in the Estcourt area lead to destinations such as Giant’s Castle in the Drakensberg Mountain range and will take you past San caves and a site museum. The Wagondrift Dam Public Resort and Moor Park offer many fishing and water sport opportunities.
The Ikukhanya Kwelanga Cultural Village, run by a traditional healer, is a homestead in one of the townships close to Estcourt and also includes a nursery specialising in plants with medicinal qualities. Tours are conducted to a local township tavern and offer opportunities of meeting some of the local Zulu people and of seeing the Zulu dance troupe perform.
Estcourt Anglo-Boer War battle sites include the Brynbella-Willow Grange. Veglaager ("Battle Laager") is the site of a battle between the Boers and Zulus in 1838. Bloukrans Memorial marks the site where Voortrekker families were killed after the murder of their leader, Piet Retief. Winston Churchill was captured by the Boers at Chievely in 1899. A memorial marks the site of the engagement during which he was captured.
There are various nature reserves in the area of Estcourt. The New Formosa Nature Reserve is excellent for game viewing and Moor Park Nature Reserve offers interesting trails and bird watching. Four of the Big Five can be seen at the Weenen Game Reserve and Thukela Biosphere, which offers guided trails, horse trails and day and night drives.
The Giant’s Castle Game Reserve in the uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park, west of Estcourt, includes the magnificent Giant’s Castle Peak which is very visible from the town. The reserve is home to twelve different species of antelope, jackal, baboon and the endangered lammergeyer.
Visitors to Estcourt may witness the interesting and highy skilled process of glass making at Glamosa Glass.
Estcourt Accommodation
Visit the Estcourt Portal [www.estcourt.co.za] for more information.
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Estcourt
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