The town of Kei Mouth was created by the British after the 8th Frontier War, as part of the frontline of a buffer zone aimed at protecting British Kaffraria from the warring Xhosa tribes.
Huberta, the famous Hippo, took up residence in the Kei River just above third cave in 1930. She was eventually chased off and continued her journey southward once more.
Bowls and Golf are favoured pastimes in Kei Mouth. The Kei Mouth Country Club has a 12-hole golf course and there is a bowling green and a squash court adjacent to the campsite. The country club is the venue for a weekly parkrun.
The economy of Kei Mouth revolves largely around tourism due to its location at the southern entrance to the erstwhile Transkei region. Whilst many of the residents are retirees, a large portion of homes are holiday homes owned by families from the interior. There are several accommodation establishments, a municipal campsite, multiple restaurants and bars, one supermarket (Savemor), a shop (Rainbow Supermarket) and a fuel station.[citation needed].
The main languages spoken in Kei Mouth are English, Xhosa and Afrikaans. The town is home to a large number of retirees, thanks to the mild climate and holiday atmosphere.