Port Elizabeth

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 with the neighbouring towns of Uitenhage and Despatch, it forms the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Municipality. The Algoa Bay is reputed as the Bottlenose dolphin world capital, as pods of thousands of dolphins can be spotted at any given time in this bay. This is also a year-round whale watching destination.
The tourist information centres are in the Donkin Reserve in the town centre, at the Boardwalk (Marine Drive) and at the Airport Arrivals hall. These information centres are managed by the local tourism organisation, Nelson Mandela Bay Tourism, which also offers tourism passes that you can purchase online or at their tourism information centres. These tour passes give you access to free and discounted activities around Nelson Mandela Bay.

By plane

• Port Elizabeth AirportIt has regular flights to Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban and other South Africa airports. See also Discount airlines in Africa.

By train

Shosholoza Meyl operates an overnight train from Johannesburg and Bloemfontein three times a week. 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), to Mthatha (by changing trains in Noupoort and Amabele) or to Grahamstown (by changing trains in Alicedale).
MetroRail operates frequent commuter trains to Uitenhage and the surrounding suburbs 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.

• Port Elizabeth railway station

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.
Minibus taxis from Port Elizabeth go from Norwich Minibus rank cnr or Strand Street and Flemming Street. There are minibus taxis going to Knysna and Cape Town.

By car

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

• CABS Car hire

  phone: +27 21 386 5500
  address: 90A Hugh Road, Walmer

• Pace Car Rental

  phone: +27 41 581 4904
  address: 54 Union Road, Walmer

Public bus

There is a public bus transport system within the city. You wait no longer than 15 minutes to get a bus. Use the Algoa Journey Planner to find your bus.
Maybe the buses do not cover the nooks and crannies of the city, but there are many city tours available. In Port Elizabeth, using the public transport has not been a problem - it is used commonly by tourists, students and locals. Remain alert, and be aware of your environment.

• Algoa Bus Company

  phone: +27 41 404-1200

By 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 approximately R7. 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.
Getting 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.
Getting 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.

• Hurter Cabs

  phone: +27 41 585-5500
  Credit cards accepted.

• King Cab

  phone: +27 41 368-5559
  Credit cards accepted.

• Star Cabs

  phone: +27 41 992 4251
  13 Barkly Street, Upper Central, Uitenhage

• Donkin ReserveIn 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 FieldsThe 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

  phone: +27 41 373-7758
  address: Dickens Street, Central Port Elizabeth
  See Town Hall, Feather Market Hall, the Old Post Office, Fort Frederick, Donkin Reserve, Settlers Park, and the Horse Memorial in one tour.

• Wezandla African Arts and Crafts Gallery

  phone: +27 41 585-1185
  address: 27 Baakens Str
  Browse African art

Museums, Galleries and Heritage

• South Africa Airforce Museum

  phone: +27 41 505-1295

• Bayworld

  phone: +27 41 584-0650
  address: Marine Drive, Humewood
  Has a museum, oceanarium and snake park. It no longer offers dolphin performances.

• Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Art Museum

  phone: +27 41 506-2000
  address: 1 Park Drive, Central
  A selection of South African art, especially from the Eastern Cape.

• No 7 Castle Hill Museum

  phone: +27 41 582-2515
  Dating back to 1827, it is the oldest Settler cottage in PE.

• Red Location Museum

  phone: +27 41 408-8400
  The museum which bridges the past with the future.

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.

• African Dawn Bird and Wildlife Sanctuary

  phone: +27 42 2860-710
  address: Thornhill
  Offers a selection of birds and wildlife to view including cheetahs and servals. Braai and picnic places available.

• BeachesHobie, Humewood, Kings and Wells Estate Beach are the main swimming beaches. Humewood, Wells, Kings and Hobie have all been awarded Blue Flag status.

• Algoa Bay Yacht ClubHave a meal and go sailing

• Apple Express

  phone: +27 41 583-2030
  A 100-km narrow-gauge classic steam trip with a stop on the Van Stadens River Bridge.

• Boardwalk Casino

  phone: +27 41 507-7777

• Kragga Kamma Game Park

  phone: +27 41 379-4195
  You can either sleep in the camp or take self drives during the day. White rhino, buffalo, cheetah, giraffe, zebra and others. Excellent value small park.

• Links Humewood Golf course

• Raggy Charters

  phone: +27 41 378-2528
  Whale watching, Penguin Island cruises and fishing charters.

• The Mountain Club of South Africa

  phone: +27 41 365-5543
  Climbs, walks and a rock climbing school.

• Voetsac Hiking Club

  phone: +27 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.

• The People's Observatory

  phone: +27 41 363-9040
  address: cnr Westview and Macfarlane, Newton Park
  View the southern skies.

• Roseate Tern hiking trial

  phone: +27 41 585-9711
  address: Next to Pine Lodge Resort off Marine Drive, Summerstrand
  9-km circular trail.

• Sandboarding

  phone: +27 41 586-2276
  The Maitland dune mountain is one of the largest in the country and perfect for sand boarding.

• SurfThe Pipe at Pollok Beach is where you want to go for surfing.

• Chelsea Mashie Golf Club

  phone: +27 82 774 7679

• Sakhume Museum & Xhosa Culture Centre

  phone: +27 76 978-6627, +27 14 366-2082
  address: Human Dignity Centre
  The Walmer Township is one of the only areas in South Africa that avoided forced removals Tours leave every hour on the hour Monday to Friday. If you contact them before visiting, they will include a Xhosa Culture presentation. You will also be able to view a children's project, and locals will be available to take you into the township to see shacks and local life first hand.

• Pumba Private Game Reserve

  phone: +27 46 603-2000
  Day guests can experience the day safaris, which are conducted all year round. Each package is tailored to the needs and wants of the individual group, but individual safari times will depend on the season. Visitors can look forward to seeing cheetahs, rhinos, elephants, hippos, lions, buffaloes, White Lions, leopards and a host of other exciting animals.

• South End Museum

  phone: +27 41 582-3325
  address: Cnr.Humewood & Walmer Blvd
  The South End Museum offers glimpses of the lost past.From its walk-on map,to historical photographsand displays of the life and times of the people of South End,the Museum provides a living memorial to the victims forcibly removed by the infamous Group Areas Act.

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.

Dive operators

• Ocean Divers International

  phone: +27 41 581-5121
  address: 10 Albert Road, Walmer
  One of the oldest dive schools in South Africa. PADI courses, own training center with indoor pool.

• Pro Dive

  phone: +27 41 368-7880

• Curios can be bought along the beach. Haggle down the prices though.
• African hides can be purchased by appointment from Ostrich Emporium SA +27 41 5812148.

• Siyalcha Dolls

  phone: +27 41 454-3465
  Traditional Xhosa dolls

Shopping malls

• The Boardwalk

  phone: +27 41 507-777
  address: Marine Drive, Summerstrand
  Offers several shops, fast-food restaurants and a casino.

• Greenacres Shopping CentreAn 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 referred to as "The Bridge", because it is joined to the mall of that name.

• Walmer Park Shopping CentreA nice place to eat at, and there are a few nice shops.

• Bay West MallPort Elizabeth's largest mall, with some high-end retails brands that are not found at the other centres. A little further out than the other shopping centres, but trading times are longer. There are arcades, movie theatres, extensive food court with a big screen TV, and an ice rink.

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 CafeWell priced and has an excellent view of the ocean.

• Fishmonger

  phone: +27 41 583-6895
  address: The Broadwalk, Marine Drive, Summerstrand
  Indulge yourself in succulent prawns, calamari, fish & chips and curries.

• Leonardo's

  phone: +27 41 583-1302
  address: The Broadwalk, Marine Drive, Summerstrand
  Fantastic pizza, and has a very pleasant atmosphere.

• Ocean Grill

  address: Mercado Centre, Corner of Admiralty and Strandfontein Roads, Summerstrand
  Seafood restaurant with classy and elegant decor ; serves good sushi and other seafood meals.

• Old AustriaJust off Cape Road, it is one of the classier restaurants in Port Elizabeth.

• The Oyster Catcher

  phone: +27 41 582-1867
  Located in the harbour. The seafood is particularly tasty. Very popular - if you want to get a table you must make a reservation.

• Tiffany's

  phone: +27 41 584-0696
  address: Brookes Hill, Beach Road, Humewood
  Tea, coffee, light meals and fantastic pastries and cakes in a great location looking out over the sea.

• Ginger Restaurant

  phone: +27415831229
  address: Marine Dr
  The atmosphere is friendly, airy and chic and the food a combination of the finest, fresh ingredients with an Eastern Cape influence.

• Fushin Sushi & Eastern Cuisine

  address: Shop 5, Stanley on Bain, Stanley Street, Richmond Hill
  Port Elizabeth's most exclusive sushi restaurant, this place is trendy, intimate and friendly. Located in the upmarket, historic area of Richmond Hill and very centrally located.

• Primi Coastal

  address: Marine Drive, Humewood
  A very trendy pizza restaurant ideally located on the beachfront.

• Barney's Tavarn

  phone: +27 41 583-4500
  address: At the Boardwalk
  Lively pub. It overlooks Algoa Bay and is a stone's throw away from the water's edge. The pub has a great balcony, with good draughts and food. A local favorite, many Johannesburg travellers' first stop is at this watering hole to catch up with friends. Live music is available most weekend nights.

• Ekhaya Pub

  phone: +27 41 586-1156
  For African Jazz

• Ibhayi Brewery Tours

  phone: +27 41 404-3527
  address: 47 Kohler St
  Tour the beer brewery and have a couple of pints at the Bay and Barrel afterwards.

• News CafeIt is at the Boardwalk and is always lively and full. They serve good food, and it is a nice place to catch a drink.

• Blackbeards Tavern

  address: Within The Chapman Hotel
  Does a splendid Seafood Extravaganza.

• Rasoi

  phone: +27 41-581-0333
  address: 79 Heugh Road, Walmer
  This is an excellent place for Indian food. The ambiance is nice, and the staff is extremely friendly. It is a great idea to catch a dinner at Rasoi when in PE.

• Cubana - Port Elizabeth

  phone: +27 41 582 5258
  address: Marine Drive, Humewood
  Port Elizabeth's most exclusive nightspot - definitely not to be missed!

Port Elizabeth offers coffees on par with the best the world has to offer. It is a city with a handful of baristas that are competitive in their inclination to produce the perfect brew.
Vovo Telo Corner Raleigh and Irvine Street, Richmond Hill. Phone: +27 41 585-5606 Hours: M-F 7:15AM to 3PM. This artisan bakery is the pride of locals who flock to get their fix. The food is wholesome and moreish. The Vovo almond croissant (when you can get one) is a firm favourite and the breakfasts, especially the creamy scrambled eggs with smoked salmon or bacon on Ciabatta are cornerstone meals. Samora and Xolani will fix you a coffee that caters exactly to your taste. Enjoy the old part of PE and listen in on the locals doing their business and revelling in an atmosphere that is part African, part Europe.
Brioche 181 Main Rd Walmer. Phone +21 41 581-2136 Hours: M-Sa 7AM to 3:30PM. The coffee is sublime, the Brioche space beautiful. The cinnamon buns are memorable. The menu is simple and taste driven, and the whole shop is filled with the smell of artisan breads. You can come here to experience the coolness of an old South African 'stoep' on a warm day. Hospitable service, too.
Urban Express 25 6th Avenue, Walmer. Phone +21 41 581-3390 Hours: M-Sa 7AM-3PM. Owned by Donovan McLagan, voted South Africa's No. 1 coffee taster - this man knows coffee. Just one sip of the brew served in 175ml cups proves just that. He represented SA at the world Coffee Tasters Competition and came in at 5th place. Port Elizabeth is proud to be a part of the coffee legacy of the nation. Connected to the renowned Pastryworks, Urban delivers on coffee and delicious breads, sandwiches and pastries. The interior is industrial, the service friendly.

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

Budget

• Kings Beach Backpackers

  phone: +27 41 585-8113
  address: 41 Windermere Road, Humewood
  Cool little backpackers with friendly staff. 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.

• Lungile Backpackers

  phone: +27 41 585-2042
  address: 12 La Roche Drive, Humewood
  Offers private single and double rooms, dorms and a pool.

• Port Elizabeth Backpackers

  phone: +27 41 586-0697
  address: 7 Prospect Hill, Central
  Dorms R120.

• Jikeleza Lodge Backpackers

  phone: +27 41-5863721
  address: 44 Cuyler Street, Central
  6 to 8 beds per dorm.

• Helichar Backpackers

  phone: +27 41-5822597
  address: 23 Windermere Road Humewood
  8 bed dorms.

• Island Vibe Backpackers

  phone: +27 41-5831256
  address: 4 Jenvey Street
  6 bed dorm.

Mid-range

• Algoa Guest House

  phone: +27 41 583-3511
  address: 87 Brighton Drive, Summerstrand
  In the upmarket seaside suburb of Summerstrand - 200 m from the beach and in close proximity to the airport, university, golf course, restaurants and casino. Tourists and business people alike enjoy a relaxing stay at Algoa Guest House. All suites are private and comfortable with a mini kitchenette and their own entrances and patios. Suites are serviced daily and have free internet access, TVs and DVD facilities.

• The Admiralty Beach House

  phone: +27 41 583-1271
  address: 9 Admiralty Way, Summerstrand
  100 m from Summerstrands Beach, near Marine Drive. It features a wonderful garden and some rooms have sea-view. ADSL is available in all rooms

• Alcyone Accommodation

  phone: +27 84 693-1483
  address: 29 Admiralty Way, Summerstrand
  Offers you self-catering accommodation in private en-suite units that sleep 2, family unit sleeping 4-5, and a 1 bedroom apartment with views sleeping max 3; 500 m from the beach, close to the Humewood Golf course and Hobbie Beach; self-contained, fully equipped and with complimentary Wi-Fi

• At Sta-Plus Guest House

  phone: +27 41 583-34112
  address: 11A 10th Avenue, Summerstrand
  Large sheltered swimming pool, BBQ facilities, off-street parking, laundry service. 150 m from Pollock Beach, 5 min from golf course, university, or boardwalk casino.

• Beachwalk B&B

  phone: +27 41 583-3594
  address: 1 Second Ave, Summerstrand
  60 m from the beach and 400 m from the Boardwalk. 4 star.

• Bishops Inn

  phone: +27 41 585-6828
  address: 14 Killarney Rd
  Bishops Inn offers superior rooms and 1&2-bedroom self-catering suites opposite Kings Beach. All rooms have Wi-Fi access.

• Conifer Beach House

  phone: +27 41 585-5959
  address: 39 Windermere Road, Humewood
  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.

• Edward Protea Hotel

  phone: +27 41 586-2056
  address: Belmont Terrace
  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.

• Holiday Inn

  address: La Roche Drive, Humewood
  Close to King's Beach. The hotel is a short walk away from Bayworld Aquarium.

• Homeleigh Halt Guest House

  phone: +27 83 414-3301
  address: 253 Main Road, Walmer

• Jabula Lodge

  phone: +27 41 583-1263
  address: 36 Avonmount, Summerstrand

• Kragga Kamma Game Park

  phone: +27 41 379-4195
  Luxury tents, thatched chalets, log cabins and thatched lodges. Book for two nights or more and get a free game drive

• Pine Lodge Resort

  phone: +27 41 583-4004
  address: Marine Drive, Cape Recife
  3 star log cabins in the Cape Recife Nature Reserve

• Seaview Hotel

  phone: +27 41 378-1611
  address: 20 km outside the city on the way to Seaview
  Build in 1935.

• Sir Roys at the Sea

  phone: +27 41 582-2377
  address: Cnr Perrot and Newcon roads, Humerail

• Treetops Guest House

  phone: +27 41 581-0147
  address: 44 Albert road, Walmer
  Free transfers to and from the airport

• The Beach Hotel

  phone: +27 41 583-2161
  address: Marine Dr
  The four-star hotel offers homely comfort in its 58 spacious, en-suite bedrooms with all modern amenities, a stunning pool deck and three superb restaurants.

• Hacklewood Hill Country House

  phone: +27 41 581-1300
  address: Prospect Road, Walmer
  Luxury five-star hotel in the classic country house tradition. Imagine a bygone era of colonial charm, good conversation and the fine dining.

The Radisson Blu, Marine Drive and 9th Avenue, +27 41 509 5000, offers the best that Radisson Blu brand has to offer.

Consulates

• Belgian

  phone: +27 41 582-2275
  address: 16C Lower Valley Road, Baakens Valley

• British

  phone: +27 41 363-8840
  address: 5th Floor, First Bowring House, 66 Ring Road, Greenacres

• Danish

  phone: +27 41 453-2696
  address: 3 Fearick Street, Sidwell

• French

  phone: +27 41 360-2730
  address: 3 Digby Road, Framesby

• German

  phone: +27 41 397-4721
  address: 1 Circular Drive / The Fig Tree

• Italian

  phone: +27 41 373-6443
  address: 16 Dyason Street, Mount Croix

• Go to Jeffreys Bay for surfing.
• Tour the Garden Route on your way to Cape Town.
• Drive to the City of Saints (Grahamstown) and back through pineapple plantations and along the rugged coast.

Local parks

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

• Visit Addo Elephant National Park.

• Kariega Game Reserve

  phone: +27 46 636-7904

• Shamwari Game Reserve

  phone: +27 42 203-1111

• Pumba Private Game Reserve

  phone: +27 46 603-2000
  Discover wildest Africa in true luxury at the Pumba Private Game Reserve in South Africa. This Eastern Cape safari lodge has achieved a 5-star rating for its unrivalled beauty, world-class service and the abundance of wild animals on its doorstep. In addition to the famous Big 5 (lions, leopards, buffalos, rhinos and elephants), guests of the game reserve have the rare opportunity of seeing the magnificent White Lion, stalking prey and lazing under the trees in its natural environment.
• Visit Mountain Zebra National Park.
• Visit Tsitsikamma National Park.