South Africa officially renames East London and Graaff-Reinet: What travellers need to know

last updated: 11 February 2026 

South Africa has officially gazetted a major set of geographic name changes that directly affect travellers, maps, bookings and travel planning. The changes were published in Government Gazette No. 54101 (06 February 2026) by the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture under the South African Geographical Names Council Act.

This means the new names are now official and legally recognised.

Major tourism destinations renamed

For travellers, tour operators and travel planners, the most significant update is that two well-known tourism towns no longer officially exist under their previous names.

Key town name changes

• East London > KuGompo City (Eastern Cape)
• Graaff-Reinet > Robert Sobukwe Town (Eastern Cape)
• Aberdeen > Xamdeboo (Eastern Cape)
• Adendorp > Bishop Limba (Eastern Cape)
• Barkly East > Ekhephini (Eastern Cape)

These names are now the official geographic names used by government departments and will gradually replace the old names across travel platforms and signage.

Why this matters for travellers

Although the historic names will remain in everyday use for some time, the new names now apply to:

• Road signage (rolled out gradually)
• Official tourism marketing
• GPS and mapping services (updates typically follow gazetting)
• Booking systems and travel documents
• Future guidebooks and itineraries

Expect a multi-year transition period where both names appear together.

Typical examples travellers may see:

• Flights may still list ist King Phalo Airport (ELS) – East London for now.
• Guesthouses may advertise “near Graaff-Reinet (Robert Sobukwe)”.

This dual-naming phase is normal after official name changes.

KuGompo City (formerly East London)

East London is one of the Eastern Cape’s most important coastal gateways.

Highlights for travellers include:

• Nahoon and Gonubie beaches
• Access to the Wild Coast
• East London Museum and the famous coelacanth
• Popular stop on Wild Coast road trips

Expect the name KuGompo City to increasingly appear in travel documents and maps from 2026 onwards.

Robert Sobukwe Town (formerly Graaff-Reinet)

Graaff-Reinet is a cornerstone Karoo destination and one of South Africa's most loved heritage towns.

Key attractions:

• Valley of Desolation
• Camdeboo National Park
• Historic Cape Dutch architecture
• Major stop on Garden Route–Karoo itineraries

The new name Robert Sobukwe honours the anti-apartheid leader and will gradually replace the historic town name in official usage.

Additional road trip updates

The Gazette also includes new names for key mountain passes:

• Barkly Pass (R58) > Mbombo Pass
• Kraai River Pass (R58) > Tyumbu Pass

These updates are particularly relevant for self-drive travellers exploring the Eastern Cape Highlands.

Practical advice for travellers

When planning trips in South Africa from 2026 onward:

• Use both old and new names when searching or booking
• Expect mixed naming across maps and booking sites
• Update saved GPS locations if travelling regularly
• Tour operators should begin updating itineraries and marketing material

Bottom line

The renaming of East London to KuGompo City and Graaff-Reinet to Robert Sobukwe Town is now official following publication in the Government Gazette on 06 February 2026. Travellers won’t experience disruption, but the new names will increasingly appear across maps, booking platforms and travel documents in the coming years.

 

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Camdeboo National Park: Lakeview Tented Camp closes temporarily for maintenance!

South African National Parks (SANParks) has announced that the Lakeview Tented Camp in the Camdeboo National Park will be closed from 02 June 2025 to 20 June 2025 to carry out essential maintenance. This temporary closure is part of SANParks' commitment to enhancing visitor experiences and maintaining top-quality facilities in South Africa's treasured national parks.
Located near the picturesque Nqweba Dam within Camdeboo National Park, Lakeview Tented Camp offers four rustic, fully furnished tents. Each cozy tent sleeps two people and includes a braai unit, fridge, table, and chairs. Campers have access to a communal kitchen, along with shared showers and toilets, making it an affordable and authentic way to experience the wild beauty of the Karoo.
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Lakeview Tented Camp is located near the Nqweba Dam inside the Camdeboo National Park and offers four rustic fully-furnished tents. Each tent sleeps two people and has a braai unit, fridge, table and two chairs. The campsite offers a communal kitchen. Communal showers and toilets are also provided.
Camdeboo National Park is located in the Karoo and almost completely surrounds the town of  Graaff-Reinet in the Eastern Cape. The National Park covers an area of 194 km² and is home to a diverse spectrum of South Africa's wildlife, including the Bat-eared Fox, Steenbok, Springbok, Blesbok, Black Wildebeest, Kudu, Grey Duiker as well as the less often seen Cape Buffalo, Red Hartebeest, Gemsbok and Cape Mountain Zebra.

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