The Great Kei previously formed the southwestern border of the Transkei region which can be accessed via the 'Pont', one of only two car-transporting river ferries in South Africa.

Minimum winter temperatures range from 12 – 14 degrees Celsius and the area receives rainfall throughout the year.

The Kei river mouth hosts the southernmost naturally occurring mangrove forests in Southern Africa.

[5] The Great Kei river mouth is popular with anglers due its variety of estuarine fish species.

However, some species such as the South African Cob and White steenbras are critically endangered.

Many coastal bird species are found in the area such as the near-threatened African oystercatcher, sandpipers, and kingfishers.

Work on the bridge was interrupted multiple times due to conflicts in the area including the 9th Frontier War where Newey and his team were forced to retreat to the Royal Hotel in Komga as Gcaleka warriors began crossing the Kei for battle.