This Week: Gotta Get to Grahamstown

Grahamstown’s National Arts Festival hits full stride this week – it’s South Africa’s biggest theatre, dance and music extravaganza, which literally takes over the otherwise sleepy little village, and offers endless chances for arts lovers to see what the arts in South Africa are all about.

Gotta get to Grahamstown, in other words! Here’s how:

• Baz Bus: Goes to Port Elizabeth, to and from Cape Town and Durban, carying merry backpackers all the way. From PE, catch a bus (see the two below), shuttle or taxi to Grahamstown.
• Other bus: The Intercape and Greyhound bus services go straight through Grahamstown, leaving Cape Town in the evening and arriving the next morning.
• Fly: try a budget airline for a cheap ticket to PE, then hire a car and drive to Grahamstown in less than an hour.
• Drive: hire a car and go! Start early in the morning and you’ll be able to catch the evening jazz.

Where to stay in Grahamstown (call ahead – many places will be booked):

• A Stone’s Throw B&B
• Old Gaol Backpackers
• Jenny’s B&B
• Protea Hotel
• Kwandwe Hotel

Festival Links:

• Homepage: National Arts Festival
• Programme: Main Shows
• Festival blog: Fest-Monkey