A new R31 million lodge is giving travellers another reason to explore KwaMaqoma, a historic Eastern Cape town with plenty to discover beyond it’s new accommodation offering.
Victoria Bridge in Fort Beaufort / Lugerda / Wikimedia Commons
Formerly known as Fort Beaufort, KwaMaqoma welcomed the Mthontsi Lodge and Conference Centre in July 2026. The development brings new accommodation and tourism facilities to the Amathole region, but it’s significance goes beyond giving visitors somewhere to stay.
A new reason to visit KwaMaqoma
Funded by the Department of Tourism, the R31 million project includes 13 chalets accommodating up to 52 guests, backpacker accommodation for 32 visitors, a restaurant, traditional lapas and conference facilities.
The project also places the local community at it’s centre. More than 240 former farm dwellers and their descendants are represented through the Mthontsi Waselukhuko Primary Co-operative, which is set to own the facility following the handover process. The development is intended to create local employment and support small businesses.
A town rich in history
KwaMaqoma was renamed from Fort Beaufort in 2023 in honour of Chief Maqoma, an influential amaXhosa leader who resisted colonial expansion in the Eastern Cape and played a significant role in the frontier wars.
That history is still visible throughout the surrounding landscape.
About 25km from town, Mpofu-Fort Fordyce Nature Reserve combines indigenous forests, mountain scenery and important heritage sites. Visitors can discover San rock art, explore Fullers Hoek, associated with caves used by Maqoma and his followers, and see the remains of two frontier forts in the Horseshoe Valley.
In town, the KwaMaqoma Historical Museum offers further insight into the region’s past, while the Martello Tower, one of only two built in South Africa, is another notable reminder of the town’s military history.
Beyond the history
The Amathole landscape offers plenty for outdoor enthusiasts, too. Mpofu-Fort Fordyce Nature Reserve is known for it’s birdwatching, bass fishing and rock-climbing opportunities, making it a worthwhile addition to an inland Eastern Cape road trip.
A reason to venture inland
The Mthontsi Lodge and Conference Centre adds another reason to visit KwaMaqoma, but it’s real significance lies in the opportunities it could create for the community.
For travellers, it offers a new base from which to explore a lesser-known part of the Eastern Cape. For local residents, it represents a chance to turn the area’s history and natural attractions into tourism opportunities that support future generations.
Sometimes the most interesting destinations aren’t the ones everyone already knows about. KwaMaqoma is making a case for being one worth discovering.
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