Port Elizabeth is South Africa's fifth largest city and is located on the Indian Ocean coast half-way between Cape Town and Durban, in the Eastern Cape, about 260 km from Knysna. Also known as the friendly city and the windy city, it tends to live up to both names.
A perfect complement to the Garden Route, the Friendly City is a major sea port and tourist destination set along the beautiful shores of Nelson Mandela Bay. The centre of the South African motor industry is spoiled by moderate and warm temperatures all year round with scattered rain throughout the year - climatic attributes which contribute to an outstanding quality of life. A popular and significant destination for water sports, Port Elizabeth also offers many historical attractions, such as the Historic Donkin Heritage trail, taking visitors along the footsteps of the 1820 settlers. British heritage is reflected in the Port Elizabeth Cricket Club, and the Oldest Bowling Green in South Africa. Port Elizabeth’s greatest treasures, however, are malaria-free wildlife areas in its vicinity, and clean beaches washed by warm water.
Port Elizabeth was founded by British settlers in 1820 and was named after the wife of Rufane Donkin, Acting Governor of the Cape Colony at that time. The city is located on the Algoa Bay and forms together with the neighboring towns of Uitenhage and Despatch the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Municipality.
The tourist information is in the Donkin Reserve in the town center and another office at The Boardwalk (Marine Drive).
PLACE TO VISIT
Donkin Reserve. In memory of Rufane Donkin and his wife Elizabeth, after whom the city is named. The lighthouse built in 1861 is open to the public. PE tourism has their office here.
Townships: organized tours are offered by the Tourist information. There is a safety concern regarding township tours though.
Alexandria Dune Fields. The largest coastal dune field in the southern hemisphere is located just outside PE at the villages of Colchester and Cannonville.
Tour Nelson Mandela Bay City, See Town Hall, Feather Market Hall, the Old Post Office, Fort Frederick, Donkin Reserve, Settlers Park, and the Horse Memorial all in one fabulous tour.
Wezandla African Arts and Crafts Gallery,Browse African Art
South Africa Airforce Museum, Open 8AM to 3:30PM Mon to Fri and 10AM to 6PM on Sun. Entrance is free.
Bayworld, Marine Drive, Humewood, Open 9AM to 4:30PM. Dolphin performances at 11AM and 3PM. Has a museum, oceanarium and snake park.
Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Art Museum, Open 9AM to 5PM, Monday to Friday. 2PM to 5PM on Saturdays and Sundays. A selection of South African art, especially from the Eastern Cape.
No 7 Castle Hill Museum, Open 10AM to 1PM and 2PM to 5PM, Tuesday to Friday. 2PM to 5PM on Mondays and 10AM to 1PM on Saturdays. Dating back to 1827, it is the oldest Settler cottage in PE. Entrance fee is R6.
Red Location Museum, 10am to 4pm Tues to Fri and 9am to 3pm Sat and Sun. The museum which bridges the past with the future Adults:R12, Pensioners, Disabled and Unemployed: Free on Wed between 12pm and 4pm, Discount for students
WHAT TO DO
PE is a wonderful jumping-off spot for game viewing. There are elephants and other birds and animals at Addo Elephant National Park and many privately owned game reserves in the area.
Wildlife Sanctuary. African Dawn Bird and Wildlife Sanctuary offers a selection of birds and wildlife to viewAfrican Dawn
Beaches. Hobie, Humewood, Kings and Wells Estate Beach are the main swimming beaches. Humewood and Wells have been awarded Blue Flag status while Kings and Hobie are currently being evaluated.
Kragga Kamma Game Park, Gates are open from 8AM to 5PM. You can either sleep in the camp or take selfdrives during the say. White Rhino, Buffalo, Cheetah, Giraffe, Zebra and others. R30 entrance fee.
Voetsac Hiking Club, There are a number of hiking trail, and walks in and around the city: Maitland Nature Reserve, Aloe Hiking Trail and more.
The Peoples Observatory, Meetings every first and third Wednesday of the month at 8PM. View the southern skies.
Sandboarding, The Maitland dune mountain is one of the largest in the country and perfect for sand boarding.
Surf. The Pipe at Pollok Beach is where you want to go for surfing.
Eastern Cape Wilderness Motorcycle Tour, A motorcycle tour starting and ending in Port Elizabeth that takes you through the superb Eastern, Southern and Western Cape regions of South Africa
HOW TO REACH
By plane - Port Elizabeth airport is located just a few kilometres out of the city and has regular flights to Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban and other South African airports. See also Discount airlines in Africa.
By train - The central train station is in the city centre near the harbour.
Spoornet operates daily inter-city trains to Johannesburg and Bloemfontein. You can also get to Cape Town, Kimberley, Pietermaritzburg and Durban (by changing trains in Bloemfontein), to East London (by changing trains in Noupoort, Colesburg or Bloemfontein) or to Grahamstown (by changing trains in Alicedale).
MetroRail operates frequent commuter trains to Uitenhage during weekdays, with a reduced service over weekends.
By car - Port Elizabeth is easily accessible by motorways from Cape Town (790 km) via the Garden Route, Bloemfontein and East London (310 km). Of course, you can also drive from Johannesburg.
By bus - All major South African coach companies offer regular schedules to and from Port Elizabeth. The city is also on the Baz Bus route.
