Whether you know and love it for its beautiful beaches, friendly people or game, P-E, or Gqeberha, is a worthy travel destination – particularly with the host of wonderful adventures, which lie in store in the Windy City!
Here are some of the top activities to enjoy in P-E:
#1 Stroll along Sardinia Bay Beach
This popular beach lies between Schoenmakerskop and Seaview. It offers unspoilt coastline, making it perfect for beach strolls and great picnics.
Fishing is not allowed, as the coast has been declared a marine reserve, but scuba-diving and snorkelling are extremely popular here so gear up!
Contact: (041) 582 2575
Website: www.nmbt.co.za
Address: Sardinia Bay Beach, Sardinia Bay, Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape
#2 See the ellies at Addo Elephant National Park
Forming part of SANParks, Addo is home to the Big 7, in particular African elephants, which make the park so famous.
It has become a conservation spot for a range of biodiversity, landscapes, fauna and flora. It’s one of South Africa’s most wonderful game parks, so it’s definitely worth setting ample time aside for!
Contact: (012) 428 9111
Website: www.sanparks.org
Address: Addo Elephant National Park, R355, Paterson Road, Addo, Eastern Cape
#3 Shamwari Private Game Reserve: where the wild things are
This special place is the pride of the Eastern Cape, and is also one of South Africa’s most successful private conservation initiatives.
There are wonderful animals, including lions, elephants, leopards and more to see here, as you make memories sure to last for a lifetime…
Contact: (042) 203 1111
Website: www.shamwari.com
Address: Shamwari Game Reserve, R342, Paterson, Eastern Cape
#4 Get in touch with nature at Kragga Kamma Game Park
Kragga Kamma is home to wonderful herds of African game – among them, White Rhino, Buffalo, Nyala, Bontebok and Cheetah – making it a great, animal-friendly park for guests to explore.
You can do self-driven trip or opt for a 2-hour-long guided tour, which will provide interesting insight and information.
Contact: (041) 379 4195
Website: www.kraggakamma.co.za
Address: Kragga Kamma Road, Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape
#5 Zip through the sky with Adrenaline Addo Adventure Centre
Offering a host of fun outdoor activities for the adrenaline junkies among us, this centre is a great place to head if you wish to feel the rush!
With the highest and fastest double zip line in SA; a giant swing; and awesome canoeing along Sundays River, it’s sure to get your blood racing.
Contact: (078) 911 1619
Website: adrenalineaddo.co.za
Address: Adrenaline Addo, Happy Lands Farm, 1 Prospect Avenue, Summerville, Eastern Cape
#6 Enjoy family fun at Holmeleigh Farmyard
If you’re after a fun day for the kiddies, then Holmeleigh Farmyard is the place to go! This little farm has a big heart, and offers wonderful kids’ activities, delicious eats and awesome farm animals.
Let your little ones play with the bunnies or have a round on the jumping castle, while you enjoy some tea or coffee and farm-fresh bakes…
Contact: (041) 379 2901
Website: holmeleighfarmyard.co.za
Address: Holmeleigh Farmyard, Grey Dawn Road, Kragga Kamma, Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape
#7 Discover Cape Recife Nature Reserve
This 366-hectare area is undoubtedly one of Port Elizabeth’s most beautiful natural attractions.
It offers a wealth of exciting outdoor activities, amazing beauty, accommodation options and even its own charming lighthouse too – so be sure to explore!
Contact: (041) 582 2575
Website: www.caperecife.co.za
Address: Cape Recife Nature Reserve, Schoenmakerskop, Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape
#8 Rev up your engine at AutoPavilion
AutoPavilion is a place of cars and legends… Here, visitors can come to see past and present day technology, as AutoPavilion proudly showcases the evolution of South Africa’s Volkswagen Group. This is definitely one for the petrol heads!
Contact: (041) 994 5941
Website: www.autopavilion.co.za
Address: AutoPavilion, 103 Algoa Road, Uitenhage, Eastern Cape
#9 Stay over in super Summerstrand
If you wish to stay a while, then you might want to head to Summerstrand. It’s a stylish, upmarket suburb, which lies a stone’s throw away from the beachfront.
Not only does it provide access to golden beaches, the historic side of P-E and alluringly warm waters too, but it’s also full of wonderful attractions, like the Boardwalk Casino or Summerstrand Village Shopping Centre.
Contact: n/a
Website: www.sa-venues.com
Address: Summerstrand, Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape
#10 Navigate through the Island Nature Reserve
Located some 25km outside P-E, Island Nature Reserve comprises 480 hectares of indigenous Alexandria coastal forest. It is a safe haven for many diverse tree species, including the Outeniqua yellowwood and white milkwood.
The reserve also offers a plethora of fauna (including duiker, vervet monkeys and bushpigs), rich birdlife and numerous walking trails… It’s sure to delight nature enthusiasts from far and wide.
Contact: (041) 582 2575
Website: www.nmbt.co.za
Address: Island Nature Reserve, Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape
#11 Circle the Coastal Fynbos Trail
This amazing, 7km circular trail, which starts at Sappershoek. It offers hikers a great opportunity to explore some unique landscape and take in wild life as they go.
While the sea hosts whales during August to October and then again between April and early December, you can also keep an eye out for Cape Grysbok and mongooses, as well as the Thysbe’s Copper butterfly.
Contact: (041) 582 2575
Website: www.nmbt.co.za
Address: Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape
#12 Pop by Grass Roof
Since its opening in 2013, this restaurant on Olive Tree Farm has become a local landmark of sorts. The pitched roof is covered in grass and wild flowers.
It promotes a healthy, organic way of eating, promising heart country fare for its visitors to enjoy.
Contact: (041) 366 2379
Website: www.grassroof.co.za
Address: Grass Roof, 792 Heron Road, Lovemore Park, Port Elizabeth
#13 Hike the Sacremento Trail
This popular 8km round coastal walk takes hikers through Schoenmakerskop-Sardinia Bay Nature Reserve.
It provides a wealth of beautiful landscapes, sea scenery and seasonal wild flowers and vegetation.
It runs past the Sacramento monument towards the far end of Cannon Bay and then onto the Sacramento Tea Room. So take a few hours and explore this epic trail!
Contact: (041) 582 2575
Website: www.nmbt.co.za
Address: Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape
#14 Visit the historic Fort Frederick
This historic stone fort, which is over two hundred years old, was built by the British forces to defend the Baakens River mouth.
It stands guard over Algoa Bay and contains real pieces of history for visitors to see with their own eyes. It is open daily from sunrise to sunset and public admission is free.
Contact: (041) 582 2575
Website: www.nmbt.co.za
Address: Fort Frederick, Port Elizabeth Central, Eastern Cape
#15 Unlock aviation history at South African Air Force Museum
Spread across three provinces, this aviation museum houses, restores and exhibits material related to the SA air force history.
For history buffs and aviation fans, this is an excellent place to visit, particularly as entry is free!
Contact: (041) 505 1295
Website: saafmuseum.org.za
Address: South African Air Force Museum, Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape
#16 Educate yourself at SANCCOB Port Elizabeth
This excellent marine bird rehabilitation centre lies within the Cape Recife Nature Reserve. Not only do they rehabilitate their rescued birds but they also inform and educate the public through a range of different educational programmes.
Tour the marine rehab and education centre, or experience the hospital and witness the dedicated volunteers doing their best to help save and preserve our natural environment. It makes for an inspirational trip.
Contact: (041) 583 1830
Website: www.nmbt.co.za
Address: Schoenmakerskop, Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape
#17 Catch a match at St George’s Park Cricket Stadium
Needing little introduction, this wonderful cricket ground has been hosting international matches since 1889. It’s a historic venue, known and loved across the country and world for its superb atmosphere.
It always ensures an exciting competition (rarely any dull draws here!), either for local or international matches, and provides a true sense of the Friendly City’s vibe.
Catch a match when international squads tour or support one of the local franchises. Ticket prices vary according to the match in question.
Contact: (041) 585 1646
Website: www.southafrica.net
Address: St George’s Park Cricket Stadium, Park Drive, Port Elizabeth Central, Eastern Cape
#18 Smell the flowers at Van Stadens Wild Flower Reserve
Managed by the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Municipality (NMMM), this reserve consists of about 600 hectares of low-lying land, found between the Van Stadens mountain and the coastline.
There are various walking trails to enjoy and visitors can also head to the ‘Flower House’. Here, they can test their knowledge of flower species and names. It makes for a fun day out and it’s a great way to treat an avid gardener or passionate green finger.
Contact: friendsofvanstadens@gmail.com
Website: www.vanstadens.co.za
Address: Van Stadens Wild Flower Reserve, Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape
These are just some of the wonderful experiences and awesome activities you can enjoy in South Africa’s Friendly City!