The charming town of King, Steeped in history, is the capital of the Eastern Cape. It was founded in 1835 when a British army unit set up a garison at an old London Missionary Society outpost and named it in honour of their king - William IV who was the successor of Queen Victoria. King has played a prominent role in the histiry of South Africa as it is the cradle of eminent leaders who fought against the apartheid policies. Steve Biko is its most famous. The Steve Biko Garden of Remembrance, situated at the entrance to King on the road from Port Elizabeth houses the graves of Steve Biko, the struggle activists Griffiths and Victoria Mxenge and the victims of the Bhisho Massacre. The Biko Home is situated in Ginsburg and bears photos of many a trauma that took place in King during the years of the struggle. Just 200 meters from Dreamers is Maitland Road where people walked in mass action against the existence of the Ciskeien Goverment.
A walking tour of King takes the tourist past many old homes and buildings where their graciousness has not diminished over the years. There are many churches, the oldest, the Holy Trinity, built in 1850. The beautiful Grey Monument Hospital was built in 1856. Its' 50mm thick Teak doors were made from timber salvaged from a ship, the Kennaway Castle, which sunk off the coast near East London. The British Kaffrarian Bank (now Ned Bank) is the most beautiful building of them all with its decorated dome as a striking feature . The Amathole Museum contains the second largest selection of mammal species in the Southern Hemisphere. Here the most famous Hippopotamus, Huberta can be seen, who made headlines worldwide from 1928 when she started her journey southwards from Natal. Three indiscriminate hunters shot her one day in 1931 while she was bathing in the Keiskamma River. The Museum also houses exhibits on the history of the town, the 19th century German settlers and colourful detail of the Xhosa Culture. Within easy reach there are several cultural villages which can be visited to experience the ambience present in the communities of these friendly people. Along the rolling slopes of ther Amathole Mountains is one of South Africa's longest hikes which covers an extensive distance between the Maden Dam and the Hogsback Mountains.
It offers specatacular views of the indigenous forests, waterfalls and grassy planes. The double drift Game Reserve 40 Km outside King is an unspoilt malaria free haven of beauty with abundance of game, where the visitor is guaranteed total peace and relaxation in Self Service Rest Camps. The town is serviced by well -established schools, tertiary colleges and satellite campusses of NMMU and Fort Hare. The latter University is the Alma Mater of Nelso Mandela. Come to Dreamers to experience all of this wonderful town or just relax! For business people we are ideally situated and our rooms are well appointed for the executive to get some serious work done.
We specialise in a finger lunch for tour groups up to 30 people on request. Wonderful 18 hole Gholf Course in town. Special airport transfers or to work place.
