Port Elizabeth is a friendly city with an interesting mix of historical attractions. It has an Art-Deco flair and many of the buildings are listed as National Monuments.
There are also lots of opportunities to get outdoors and into nature with a visit to Addo Elephant National Park, one of the country’s largest parks that boasts over 600 elephants.
Addo Elephant National Park
Addo Elephant National Park, near Port Elizabeth in South Africa, is the third-largest protected area in the country. Originally established to save 11 elephants in 1931, it has now grown into a thriving conservation area with more than 600 of these magnificent animals.
The park is home to a range of other species including lions, zebras, black rhinos and Cape buffaloes. It also has spotted hyenas, antelope and a variety of birds.
Visiting the park is an easy and enjoyable way to get up close to these incredible creatures. You can take a game drive (aka safari) and then spend the evening watching them hunt and graze.
You can also take an adventure tour of the park on a horse. These are run by experienced guides who ride sure-footed, well-trained horses.
Bayworld
Port Elizabeth is a city with a rich history and beautiful beaches to offer. It has a wide range of attractions and things to do that make it an excellent holiday destination for families and adventure seekers.
If you’re an animal lover, don’t miss out on visiting Addo Elephant Park and Kwantu Private Game Reserve for a Big 5 safari experience with the family. You can also head to Tsitsikamma National Park and the Garden Route for adventure activities like bungee jumping, canopy tours and zip-lining.
The PE Museum (the third oldest in South Africa) is a great place to explore cultural and natural history. Its Dinosaur Hall traces life on Earth from the beginning of the dinosaur era to present day and displays genuine fossilised bone fragments, dioramas and models of prehistoric reptiles.
Bayworld is a complex on the beachfront that includes the Oceanarium, Museum and Snake Park. Visitors can see dolphin shows and observe various sea creatures underwater in the oceanarium tank. The snake park is home to an impressive collection of indigenous reptiles.
Cape Recife Nature Reserve
Situated at the southern tip of Algoa Bay, Cape Recife Nature Reserve is an extraordinary wild stretch of coast. It boasts a 130+ year old lighthouse, natural dune vegetation, rocky outcrops and a rich bird life.
The small reserve is one of the best spots near Port Elizabeth for marine and freshwater birds. Damara terns tend to roost here more frequently in summer and African black oystercatchers are also common.
The reserve also offers an Information Centre, ablution block and bird hides. Visitors can also take a nine kilometre walking trail through dune fynbos and thicket mosaic vegetation and past the lighthouse.
Route 67
Amongst the many attractions and activities Port Elizabeth has to offer, one of the most notable is Route 67. This road stretches across the city and connects it with several other popular destinations, such as Addo Elephant National Park and Bayworld.
This highway is a must-see for all travelers. It offers some incredible sights, including the iconic Blue Whale[16] that rests on a pond just off the highway.
The route also encompasses a collection of public artworks that commemorate Nelson Mandela’s 67 years of struggle for freedom. Starting below Donkin Reserve, the route erupts in a celebration of colour, art and heritage.
The route is a part of the greater Nelson Mandela Bay Arts Journey, which includes several art galleries and museums. The route is best explored through guided tours offered by registered tour companies.
