Port Elizabeth, South Africa, is undeniably one of the most visited destinations in East Cape. Its long list of attractions and places to visit are more than enough to plug up in any visitor’s itinerary.
Unless you have a few months to spare, many visitors spend most of their time here and rarely venture out to the other destinations in the province. That is why a single visit is not enough. It is almost mandatory to give the area a return visit if you want to see more of what it has to offer.
While Port Elizabeth boasts of almost 25 miles of coastline, the port city of East London has the charming Buffalo River and the scenic Eastern Cape seaboard to offer. It also offers miles upon miles of powdery white sand beaches that are perfect for various kinds of water sports activities such as skiing and sailing and swimming is also a must if you want to take advantage of its warm waters.
Anglers, on the other hand, will find a fishing haven at the mouths and lagoons of the mighty river. Cultural tours of the city center are also a must for history buffs but if you are more interested in spectacular scenery there is no better place than the surrounding mountains and the nearby Wild Coast. Come night time, culture vultures will find plenty of things to do in the city. Enjoy a scrumptious meal in its many renowned restaurants, catch a performance at a theatre or court lady luck for some favor at Bisho’s casino if you want.
Lovers of natural beauty will find the Western Region of East Cape especially fascinating. There is the lively and exciting atmosphere of Port Alfred, the exciting landscape of the Karoo Heartland hinterland, the lovely orchards and blooms of Langkloof, and the lush nature reserve of the Tsitsikamma National Park. All of these destinations will prove to be amazing visual treats to visitors of varying tastes and interests.
The neighboring towns and cities are also a delight to visit with their charming architecture, interesting culture and colorful way of life. They provide a perfect day trip destinations for East Cape visitors.
Those who just want to relax and enjoy exquisite views will find Sunshine Coast just the perfect place to hang out. There is the seaside resort of Kenton-on-Sea and the exciting stretch of lovely beaches at St. Francis Bay, Jeffreys Bay and Cape of St. Francis. You can also visit the nearby Addo Elephant Park or the scenic Great Fish River while you are in the area.
Other interesting places to visit in the Eastern Cape include the Hole in the Wall located at the Coffee Bay. Its name is pretty descriptive of what this geological attraction look like. It may not look particularly remarkable but the romantic legend associated to it makes it a charming stop in your in your itinerary.
Those who love the African wildlife must allocate plenty of time to explore the Frontier Country. It is famous for Addo Elephant Park but there are still more attractions to see in the area – such as the lovely and picturesque town of Alicedale at the Bushmanís River Canyon, Alexandria with its subtropical coastal forests and the regular sightings of dolphins and whales it affords. There are also the Shamwari and Amakhala Game reserves to see more of Africa’s exciting wildlife.
