Alice, South Africa Travel Guide
City City in Eastern Cape, South Africa with educational institutions
Home to Fort Hare University, Alice attracts students and cultural visitors to museums tied to South Africa’s liberation leaders, to rolling hills and the Great Fish River for fishing, guided rural homestays and local markets.
_ex_CGR_731.jpg?width=1200)
65°F
Why Visit Alice, South Africa? #
A compact university town in the Eastern Cape, Alice draws visitors who value history, culture and access to nature. The University of Fort Hare anchors a legacy of South African leadership, while local markets and galleries showcase Xhosa music, craft and storytelling. Nearby Amatola Mountains provide walking, birdwatching and pastoral scenery. Travelers often visit to combine heritage tourism with rural hospitality and to experience the rhythms of a small academic community.
Best Things to Do in Alice, South Africa
Alice, South Africa Bucket List
- University of Fort Hare - Historic university where African leaders studied, offering heritage tours and period buildings.
- Fort Hare Museum - Local museum preserving colonial-era artifacts and university archives in central Alice.
- Tyhume River walk - Riverside trails offering peaceful walking routes with local birdlife and riverside scenery.
- Healdtown Mission Station - Historic Methodist mission school with preserved buildings and archival displays to explore.
- Alice Market - Weekly market selling crafts, fresh produce, and traditional Xhosa foods and goods.
- Local craft stalls - Small roadside stalls offering woven baskets, beadwork, and regionally made souvenirs.
- Qunu - Village where Nelson Mandela grew up and is buried, with modest memorial sites.
- Mthatha - Regional hub hosting the Nelson Mandela Museum and broader cultural history exhibits.
Best Time to Visit Alice, South Africa #
Go in spring or autumn for warm days and cooler nights ideal for hiking and town markets. Summers are hot and winters can bring frosts and chilly evenings.
Best Time to Visit Alice, South Africa #
Alice, South Africa's climate is classified as Hot Semi-Arid - Hot Semi-Arid climate with warm summers (peaking in January) and cool winters (coldest in June). Temperatures range from 6°C to 29°C. Moderate rainfall (598 mm/year).
January
January is the warmest month with highs of 29°C and lows of 16°C. Moderate rainfall (62 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
Comfort
Weather
February
February is the warmest month with highs of 28°C and lows of 16°C. The wettest month with 75 mm of rain and partly cloudy skies.
Comfort
Weather
March
March is mild with highs of 27°C and lows of 15°C. Moderate rainfall (74 mm).
Comfort
Weather
April
April is mild with highs of 25°C and lows of 12°C. Moderate rainfall (42 mm).
Comfort
Weather
May
May is cool with highs of 22°C and lows of 9°C. Light rainfall.
Comfort
Weather
June
June is the coolest month with highs of 20°C and lows of 6°C. The driest month with just 21 mm and mostly sunny skies.
Comfort
Weather
July
July is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 6°C. Light rainfall and mostly sunny skies.
Comfort
Weather
August
August is cool with highs of 22°C and lows of 7°C. Moderate rainfall (33 mm) and mostly sunny skies.
Comfort
Weather
September
September is cool with highs of 23°C and lows of 8°C. Moderate rainfall (39 mm).
Comfort
Weather
October
October is cool with highs of 24°C and lows of 11°C. Moderate rainfall (61 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
Comfort
Weather
November
November is mild with highs of 25°C and lows of 12°C. Moderate rainfall (72 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
Comfort
Weather
December
December is mild with highs of 27°C and lows of 14°C. Moderate rainfall (69 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
Comfort
Weather
How to Get to Alice, South Africa
Alice is best reached overland from East London or Gqeberha; domestic flights to regional airports are followed by coach or minibus taxi connections. Expect limited daily services and plan transfers in advance.
East London Airport (ELS): East London is the nearest airport with scheduled domestic flights; from ELS to Alice the journey by road takes roughly 1.5-2.5 hours depending on route and service. Minibus taxis and intercity coaches operate between East London and Alice; a private taxi will be considerably more expensive.
Port Elizabeth / Gqeberha (PLZ): Gqeberha (formerly Port Elizabeth) is a larger airport with more connections; overland travel to Alice is longer (approx. 3-4+ hours) by bus or private transfer.
Train: There is no regular national passenger rail service directly serving Alice; rail freight lines exist but passenger options are limited.
Bus / Minibus taxi: Intercity coaches (e.g., Translux/Intercape locally) and minibus taxis connect Alice with East London, Gqeberha and other regional towns. Minibus taxis provide frequent but informal services and are the common low-cost option; coaches are more comfortable for longer journeys.
How to Get Around Alice, South Africa #
Alice town centre is small and convenient to explore on foot; many services, shops and government buildings are clustered in the downtown area.
For trips further afield you’ll rely on minibus taxis and regional bus services; private taxis operate but are less frequent than in bigger cities. A car is useful if you plan to visit outlying farms or travel to larger centres like East London.
Where to Stay in Alice, South Africa #
- Various guesthouses (Alice) - Small local guesthouses listed on booking sites.
- RiverBend Guesthouse (example regional stay) - Comfortable, locally run option.
Where to Eat in Alice, South Africa #
Shopping in Alice, South Africa #
Shopping is practical and local: small shops, supermarkets and informal traders meet everyday needs. For a wider selection of goods and specialty items, travel to larger towns in the Eastern Cape.
