Riebeek East is a village in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. It is located in a hilly area, in the midst of game and sheep farming regions. It was founded in 1842, and initially named Riebeek after Jan van Riebeeck, one year after the local church was built. It was erected on a part of the farm Mooimeisjesfontein, that was subdivided and sold by the subsequent voortrekker leader Piet Retief.

A settlement appeared around the church congregation after it was established here in 1830 by the Dutch Reformed Church. Since 1826 the local farmers applied to the colonial government to form a local congregation, as they previously had to travel to Uitenhage, 130 km distant, to attend communion services. Retief's farm house is situated just east of the village, and has been declared a National heritage site.

Today Riebeek East is still largely a sheep and game farming community. This part of the country has a strong conservation ethic in an attempt to reverse the killing of much of the local wildlife of the area. Riebeek East lies in the vicinity of archaeological sites showing cultural activity that contributing to its status as the cradle of human culture. A number of ancient sites and rock art are found in the area.

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