Sundays River Valley, characterized by high-intensity industrial activities like an irrigation scheme which was started in the early 1920s, stretches from the Kirkwood prison grounds in the west to Colchester and Kinkelbos in the southeast.
The Sundays River Valley is a low-lying area along the Sundays River. It forms part of the Sunday's River Valley Local Municipality in Cacadu District Municipality, Eastern Cape, South Africa. The Sundays River Valley irrigation scheme was started in the early 1920s, targeting British settlers on small holdings (10 morgen in size) along the banks of the Sundays River. This area is now one of the key production areas for citrus in South Africa. The valley stretches from the Kirkwood prison grounds in the west to Colchester and Kinkelbos in the southeast. It is characterized by high-intensity agricultural activities (in particular the production of citrus fruits) and a well-developed irrigation system. In addition to citrus cultivation, various tourist attractions, bed and breakfast facilities, packing sheds and game-related tourist facilities are present throughout the valley. 
Sundays River Valley Local Municipality (Afrikaans: Sondagsriviervallei Plaaslike Munisipaliteit) is a local municipality in Sarah Baartman District Municipality, Eastern Cape, South Africa. This area is one of the key production areas for citrus in South Africa. The Sundays River Valley is characterized by wide, fertile flood plains, high-intensity agricultural activities (in particular the production of citrus fruits), and a well-developed irrigation system. In addition to citrus cultivation, various tourist attractions, bed and breakfast facilities, packing sheds and game-related tourist facilities are present throughout the valley. The town of Kirkwood is the main focal point of the Valley, with Addo and Sunland as secondary nodes. The hinterlands, north and east of the Sundays River Valley, are characterised by high-lying mountainous areas with steep valleys and drainage features. This region includes the Addo Elephant National Park and Zuurberg Conservation areas, as well as the town of Paterson with the Shamwari Game Reserve. The coastal zone, between the mouth of the Sundays River and Alexandria, is predominantly characterised by reserves and conservation areas, which form part of the Greater Addo Park. No settlement occurs in the coastal zone; it is largely undeveloped and contains the Woody Cape Nature Reserve, the Alexandria Coastal Reserve and the Alexandria State Forest. The area is unique for its mobile dunes and unspoiled wilderness. The agricultural industry, centering mainly around citrus fruit, dairy and chicory farming, plays a major role in the economy and functioning of the region; it alone counts for 31.2% of the GGP and 47.7% of employment. Approximately 25% of South Africa's navel oranges and 50% of the country's lemons are produced in the Sunday's River Valley. The area exports million of cartons of navel oranges per year, earning more than R1 billion in foreign exchange for the country. Other agricultural products include vegetables, potatoes, maize, wheat, chicory, flowers and rye grass. Ecotourism is another driving force of the local economy, thanks to the presence of vast unspoiled wilderness areas. 
