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.
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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 offers fishing and water sport opportunities.
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. Visitors may witness the interesting process of glass making at Glamosa Glass. There is a large factory shop sector in town where people may buy a wide variety of products. There are various nature reserves in the area of Estcourt. New Formosa Nature Reserve is excellent for game viewing. 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.
Accommodation in Estcourt
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This fort was first occupied in 1847 and is reputedly haunted by the numerous
ghosts, who for some obscure reason have become attached to the place.
The Estcourt fort was designed as a substantial stronghold, and built
to protect transport riders and the herds of cattle driven across the
ford. It 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 
Ikukhanya
Kwelanga Cultural Village is run by a traditional healer, who is also head
of an organization of traditional healers. The "village" is a
homestead in one of the townships around Estcourt and also includes
a nursery specialising in plants with medicinal qualities, used by
traditional healers for many years. Tours are conducted to a local
township tavern and offer opportunities of meeting some of the local Zulu
people and of seeing the dance troupe perform.
