Port Elizabeth

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PE Beaches
PE Beaches

Image:FIFA2010Host.png
Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium

World Cup 2010
FIFA South Africa 2010

Port Elizabeth [1] (or just PE if you want to sound South African) 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.

[edit] Understand

A perfect complement to the Garden Route, the Friendly City is a major sea port and tourist destination set along the beautiful shores of Algoa 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).

[edit] Get in

[edit] 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.

[edit] 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.

The Apple Express is a narrow-gauge (2-feet/610 mm) tourist train that operates from a separate station in Humewood Road near King's Beach. It departs regularly for Thornhill Village via the Van Staden's River bridge, the highest narrow-gauge rail bridge in the world.

[edit] 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.

[edit] 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.

[edit] Get around

[edit] By car

All the national car rental agencies have offices in the city.

[edit] Public bus

There is a public bus transport system within the city. It is, however, not really any good. The buses are slow, noisy, smelly and often not on schedule. Further, the buses do not really cover much of the city. There is also the issue of getting your fingers on a timetable, which is hard, but the Tourist Information are known to have a copy sometimes. As there are no timetables at the stops or even at the main terminal, this is a key issue. Safety is a common worry on Public transport in South Africa as a whole and tourists should remain alert whilst utlising services.

  • Algoa Bus Company, ☎ +27 (0)41 404-1200.  edit

[edit] Metered Taxi

  • King Cab, ☎ +27 (0)41 368-5559. Credit cards accepted. edit

[edit] Taxi

The main form of transportation for most people is the (minibus) taxi. Toyota Hiaces or VW Caravelles or the like, modified to cram in as many seats as possible, will take you across town for R4.50. Some of them are still more a road hazard than anything, but a recent clean-up in the taxi industry means that their standards are improving.

Each taxi operates on a laid-out route. They are more frequent during daytime than at night.

How to get on. Stand on the curve of a trafficked road. When a taxi approaches, it may flash its headlights to 'ask' if you want to go. Just stick your hand out.

How to get off. You might be able to tell the 'bouncer' your desired destination when you pay, but in any case just tell the driver "next stop", in a clear, firm voice, if you can make yourself heard above the music pounding from the sound system.

Note that this is not always a safe way to travel.

[edit][add listing] See

Live entertainment at the Boardwalk
Live entertainment at the Boardwalk
  • Donkin Reserve. In memory of Rufane Donkin and his wife Elizabeth, after whom the city is named. The lighthouse build in 1861 is open to the public. PE tourism has their office here edit
Dolphin Show at the Bayworld
Dolphin Show at the Bayworld
  • Bayworld, Marine Drive, Humewood, ☎ +27 (0)41 584-0650, [2]. Open 9AM to 4:30PM. Dolphine performances at 11AM and 3PM. Has a museum, oceanarium and snake park. edit

  • 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. edit
  • Tour Nelson Mandela Bay City, Dickens Street, Central Port Elizabeth, ☎ +27 (0)41 373-7758, [3]. 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. edit

[edit] Museums and Galleries

SAAF Museum Oxford restoration project
SAAF Museum Oxford restoration project
  • Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Art Museum, St George's Park entrance, ☎ +27 (0)41 586-1030. 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 edit
  • Wezandla African Arts and Crafts Gallery, 27 Baakens Str, ☎ +27 (0)41 585-1185 (fax: +27 (0)41 585-1186), [4]. Browse African Art edit
  • No 7 Castle Hill Museum, ☎ +27 (0)41 582-2515. Open 10AM to 1PM and 2PM to 5PM, Tuesday to Friday. 2PM to 5PM on Mondays and 10AM to 1PM on Saturdays. Dating to 1827 it is the oldest Settler cottage in PE. Entrance free is R6.  edit
  • South Africa Airforce Museum, ☎ +27 (0)41 505-1295 (fax: +27 (0)41 505-1403), [5]. Open 8Am to 3:30PM Mon to Fri and 10Am to 6PM on Sun. Entrance is free.  edit

[edit][add listing] Do

Hobie Beach
Hobie Beach

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 edit
  • 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 is currently being evaluated. edit
  • Algoa Bay Yacht Club, [6]. Have a meal and go sailing edit
  • Apple Express, ☎ +27 (0)41 583-2030, [7]. A 100km narrow gauge classic steam trip with a stop on the Van Stadens River Bridge. R130 for adults and R60 for kids under 13.  edit
  • Kragga Kamma Game Park (Follow the M15 west from the city center for about 15 minutes), ☎ +27 (0)41 379-4195 (), [8]. 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.  edit
  • Links Humewood Golf course, [9].  edit
  • The Mountain Club of South Africa, ☎ +27 (0)41 365-5543 (), [10]. Climbs, walks and a rock climbing school. edit
  • Voetsac Hiking Club, ☎ +27 (0)41 581-2109. There are a number of hiking trail, and walks in and around the city: Maitland Nature Reserve, Aloe Hiking Trail and more. edit
  • The Peoples Observatory, cnr Westview and Macfarlane, Newton Park, ☎ +27 (0)41 363-9040. Meetings every first and third Wednesday of the month at 8PM. View the southern skies. edit
  • Roseate Tern hiking trial, Next to Pine Lodge Resort off Marine Drive, Summerstrand, ☎ +27 (0)41 585-9711. 9km circular trail. edit
  • Sandboarding, ☎ +27 (0)41 586-2276 (). The Maitland dune mountain is one of the largest in the country and perfect for sand boarding. edit
  • Surf. The Pipe at Pollok Beach is where you want to go for surfing. edit
  • Eastern Cape Wilderness Motorcycle Tour (Central Port Elizabeth, Dickens Street), ☎ +27 (0)41 373-7785 (), [11]. A motorcycle tour starting and ending in Port Elizabeth that takes you through the superb Eastern, Southern and Western Cape regions of South Africa. edit

[edit] Scuba diving

There are a number of very good diving locations:

  • Bell Buoy - Depth 12m to 18m. Colorful soft coral and a rocky bottom.
  • Devil's Reef - Depth 7m with pinnacles up to 1m.
  • Evan's Peak - Depth 12m to 40m. Close to St. Croix island.
  • Haerlem Wreck - Depth 21m. Navy vessel sunk in 1987
  • Phillips Reef - Visibility up to 10m.
  • Riy Banks - Depth 18m to 40m. Coral and game fish.
  • Thunderbolt Reef - Depth 15m to 30m. Orange and lilac hard coral.

and experienced dive operators:

  • Ocean Divers International, 10 Albert Road, Walmer, ☎ +27 (0)41 581-5121 (), [12]. One of the oldest dive schools in South Africa. PADI courses, own training center with indoor pool. edit
  • Pro Dive (At Hobie Beach), ☎ +27 (0)41 368-7880, [13].  edit

[edit][add listing] Buy

African Curios for sale
African Curios for sale
  • Curios can be bought along the beach. Haggle down the prices though.
  • Siyalcha Dolls, ☎ +27 (0)41 454-3465. Traditional Xhoza dolls edit

[edit] Shopping Malls

The Boardwalk Shopping Complex
The Boardwalk Shopping Complex
  • The Boardwalk, Marine Drive, Summerstrand, ☎ +27 (0)41 507-777 (). Offers several shops. fast-food restaurants and a casino edit
  • Greenacres Shopping Centre. An excellent place to spend a Saturday at around noon. There are many, many shops and plenty of restaurants. There is a lively vibe over the weekend, and the mall can be reached easily. It is also commonly refered to as "The Bridge", because it is joined to the mall of that name. edit
  • Walmer Park Shopping Centre. A nice place to eat at, and there are a few nice shops. edit

[edit][add listing] Eat

Brooke's Pavilion has excellent views over the beaches and ocean. Any one of the restaurants there are a good idea for breakfast with a view.

  • Blue Waters Cafe, [14]. Well priced and has an excellent view of the ocean. edit
  • Fishmonger, The Broadwalk, Marine Drive, Summerstrand, ☎ +27 (0)41 583-6895. Indulge yourself in succulent prawns, calamari, fish & chips and curries. edit
  • Leonardo's, The Broadwalk, Marine Drive, Summerstrand, ☎ +27 (0)41 583-1302 (fax: +27 (0)41 583-1304). Fantastic pizza, and has a very pleasant atmosphere. edit
  • Mauro's, Restaurant No. 1, McArthur Bath, Beach Road, Humewood, ☎ +27 (0)41 582-2700 (fax: +27 (0)41 582-3629). About R100 a meal.  edit
  • Ocean Grill, Mercado Centre, Corner of Admiralty and Strandfontein Roads, Summerstrand. Seafood restaurant with classy and elegant decor ; serves good sushi and other seafood meals. edit
  • Old Austria. Is just off Cape Road and is one of the classier restaurants in Port Elizabeth. edit
  • The Oyster Catcher, ☎ +27 (0)41 582-1867 (fax: +27 (0)41 582-1869). Located in the harbour. The seafood is particularly tasty. Very popular - if you want to get a table you must make a reservation. edit
  • Tiffany's, Brookes Hill, Beach Road, Humewood, ☎ +27 (0)41 584-0696. Tea, coffee, light meals and fantastic pastries and cakes in a great location looking out over the sea. edit

[edit][add listing] Drink

  • Barney's Tavarn, ☎ +27 (0)41 583-4500. Lively pub. edit
  • Ekhaya Pub, ☎ +27 (0)41 586-1156. For African Jazz edit
  • Ibhayi Brewery Tours, 47 Kohler Street, ☎ +27 (0)41 404-3527 (). Tour the beer brewery and have a couple of pints at the Bay and Barrel afterwards. edit
  • News Cafe. Located at the Boardwalk and is always lively and full. They serve good food, and it is a nice place to catch a drink. edit
  • Blackbeards Tavern, Within The Chapman Hotel, [15]. Does a splendid Seafood Extravaganza. edit
  • Tapas is another popular nightlife spot.

[edit][add listing] Sleep

Accommodation ranges from hostels to more luxury accommodation. Whatever you want, you can find without trouble.

[edit] Budget

  • Kings Beach Backpackers, 41 Windermere Road, Humewood, ☎ +27 (0)41 585-8113 (, fax: +27 (0)41 585-1693), [16]. Cool little backpackers with friendly staff. Check out the kitchen you have to add your name and comment to the millions added over the years by previous backpackers. The staff can arrange safari trips to Addo and Schotia Safari Parks for around R1000 (be warned that this is R200 more expensive than doing it yourself, but this does include travel to and from the parks, which are approx 30 miles away. From R60 pppn.  edit

  • Lungile Backpackers, 12 La Roche Drive, ☎ +27 (0)41 585-2042 (, fax: +27 (0)41 585-2083). Offers private single/ double rooms as well as dorms and has a pool. edit

  • All Africa Wildlife Backpackers, Sanctuary Road, R102, ☎ +27 (0)083 6615 393 (), [17]. Rates range from R100 per person to R300 per room, Located in the Heart of a Game Reserve. Wake in the morning with wildlife on your doorstep..  edit

[edit] Mid-range

  • The Admiralty Beach House, 9 Admiralty Way, Summerstrand, ☎ +27 (0)41 583-1271 (, fax: +27 (0)41 583-3720), [18]. Located 100m from Summerstrands Beach, near Marine Drive. It features a wonderful garden and some rooms have sea-view. ADSL is available in all rooms From R340.  edit

  • Alcyone Accommodation, 29 Admiralty Way, Summerstrand, ☎ +27 (0)84 693-1483, [20]. Offers you self-catering accommodation in a 1 bedroom studio with sea views; 500m from the beach, close to the Humewood Golf course and Hobbie Beach; fully equipped and with internet connection From R250.  edit

  • At Sta-Plus Guest House, 11A,10th Avenue, Summerstrand, ☎ +27(0)415834112 (), [21]. Large sheltered swimming pool, BBQ facilities, off-street parking, laundry service. 150m from Pollock Beach, 5 min from golf course, university, or boardwalk casino. edit

  • The Beach Hotel, In the Boardwalk complex, ☎ +27 (0)41 583-2161 (, fax: +27 (0)41 583-6220), [22]. 4 star From R430 per person sharing.  edit

  • Beachwalk B&B, 1 Second Ave, Summerstrand, ☎ +27 (0)41 583-3594 (), [23]. 60m from the beach and 400m from the Boardwalk. 4 star From R250 pp sharing.  edit

  • Bishops Inn, 14 Killarney Road, ☎ +27 (0)41 585-6828 (, fax: +27 (0)41 585-6850), [24]. Bishops Inn offers superior rooms and 1&2-Bedroom self-catering suites opposite Kings Beach. All rooms have Wi-Fi access. From R439 to R1020 per unit per night.  edit

  • Conifer Beach House, 39 Windermere Road, Humewood, ☎ +27(0)41 5855959 (), [25]. 4 Star accommodation. Saltwater swimming pool, 2 minutes walk from Kings Beach, off-street parking, laundry service, WiFi. Close to golf course, university and boardwalk casino. edit

  • Edward Protea Hotel, Belmont Terrace, ☎ +27 (0)41 586-2056 (fax: +27 (0)41 586-4925). Located on the northern end of the Donkin Reserve. May have seen better times but still offers Edwardian style and wonderful views over the Donkin Reserve to the Ocean. edit

  • Holiday Inn, Humewood. Close to King's Beach. The hotel is a short walk away from Bayworld Aquarium. edit

  • Kragga Kamma Game Park (Follow the M15 west from the city center for about 15 minutes), ☎ +27 (0)41 379-4195 (), [26]. Luxury tents, thatched chalets, log cabins and thatched lodges. Book for two nights or more and get a free game drive From R150 to R300 per person per night.  edit

  • Pine Lodge Resort, Marine Drive, Cape Recife, ☎ +27 (0)41 583-4004 (), [27]. 3 star log cabins in the Cape Recife Nature Reserve From R300 to R1000 per unit per night.  edit

  • Seaview Hotel, ☎ +27 (0)41 378-1611 (, fax: +27 (0)41 378-1653), [28]. Build in 1935. 20km outside the city on the way to Seaview edit

  • Sir Roys at the Sea, cnr Perrot and Newcon roads, ☎ +27 (0)41 582-2377 (), [29]. R250 to R250 pp sharing.  edit

  • Treetops Guest House, 44 Albert road, Walmer, ☎ +27 (0)41 581-0147 (, fax: +27 (0)41 581-5525). Free transfers to and from the airport edit

[edit] Cope

[edit] Consulates

  • Belgian, 16C Lower Valley Road, Baakens Valley, ☎ +27 (0)41 582-2275. 9AM to 12PM, Monday to Friday.  edit
  • British, 5th Floor, First Bowring House, 66 Ring Road, Greenacres, ☎ +27 (0)41 363-8840 (fax: +27 (0)41 363-8842). Open 9AM to 12:30PM, Monday to Friday.  edit
  • Danish, 3 Fearick Street, Sidwell, ☎ +27 (0)41 453-2696. 8AM to 5PM, Monday to Thursday and 8AM to 12PM on Friday.  edit
  • French, 3 Digby Road, Framesby, ☎ +27 (0)41 360-2730. 8AM to 4:30PM, Monday to Friday.  edit
  • German, 11 Uitenhage Road, ☎ +27 (0)41 487-2840 (fax: +27 (0)41 484-7908). Open 8:30AM to 12:30PM, Monday to Friday.  edit
  • Italian, 16 Dyason Street, Mount Croix, ☎ +27 (0)41 373-6443. 10:30AM to 12:30PM, Monday and Wednesday and 8:30AM to 10:30PM, Tuesday and Friday.  edit

[edit] Get out

[edit] Local parks

There are many local safari and nature parks within easy reach of PE:

  • Shamwari Game Reserve (45 minutes outside PE), ☎ +27 (0)42 203-1111 (fax: +27 (0)42 235-1224).  edit
  • Pumba Private Game Reserve (60 minutes outside PE (transfers available)), ☎ (0)46 603-2000 (, fax: (0)46 603-2001).  edit
This is a usable article. It has information for getting in as well as some complete entries for restaurants and hotels. An adventurous person could use this article, but please plunge forward and help it grow!

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