PORT ELIZABETH:
Port Elizabeth, set along the beautiful shores of Algoa Bay, is located on the south eastern coast of Africa, and is a major tourist destination better known as the Friendly City! The city offers the best mix of eco-attractions as a holiday destination with a rich diversity: scenic nature trails and wildlife experiences, long golden beaches, historic heritage and a unique coastal climate. The calm waters of Algoa Bay, its shores lapped by the warm Indian Ocean, make Port Elizabeth a Mecca for all beach and watersport activities.
Port Elizabeth enjoys more sunshine hours and fewer rainy days than any other coastal city in South Africa. The city boasts a moderate climate all year round with sea temperatures ranging from 16 degrees C in Winter to 23 degrees C in Summer. The average temperature for Summer and Winter are 25 degrees and 17 degrees respectively - truly an ideal place to holiday!
Greater Port Elizabeth is often referred to as the Gateway City to the Eastern Cape: the famous Garden Route, Settler Hinterland and Sunshine Coast.
Port Elizabeth's population comprises over one million, making it South Africa's fifth largest city in terms of population and the second largest in terms of area.
The city is an important centre for the automobile industry and is a major transport hub; its well equipped airport, harbour and port linking Southern Africa with other national and international destinations.
The actual founding of Port Elizabeth dates back to the arrival by sea of 4 000 British Settlers in 1820 to become the first permanent British residents in the country. On 6 June 1820, Sir Rufane Donkin, Acting Governor of the Cape Colony at the time, named the city after his late wife, Elizabeth.
Port Elizabeth was incorporated into the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Municipality in 2001. With its Neighbouring towns of Uitenhage and Despatch as well as the surrounding areas the Metropolitan Municipality can now add an agricultural sector to their "basket of goodies" . The metro has a population of 1.5 million and is one of five metropolitan areas in SA.
LOCATION:
The city is situated 260 km from Knysna and +- 800km from Cape Town. It is known for its sunshine and safe sandy beaches .
CLIMATE:
Temperatures are moderate all year round with rain scattered throughout the year. The summers are warm with a very temperate humidity level. Winters are mild and pleasant, and it is significant that water sports, even surfing, boardsailing and diving, are practiced year-round. In all, the visitor soon discovers that the climate is one major contributor to the reputation of the area as offering an outstanding quality of life.
HISTORICAL ATTRACTIONS:
Donkin Reserve:
Port Elizabeth has many historical attractions, one the most interesting being the Historic Donkin Heritage trail, which allows the visitor to follow in the footsteps of the 1820 Settlers on their journey of discovery and settlement. This 5 km trail visits 47 historical sites and architectural delights in the Old Hill area of central Port Elizabeth.
Shipping has played a vital part in the growth of the city and you can look down from the old lighthouse erected in 1861 on the Donking Reserve, onto the bustling harbour. The Reserve was proclaimed as an open area for all time in 1820 by Acting governor Sir Rufane Donkin, who also built on it the pyramid in memory of his wife, who had died in India and 'who has given her name to the town below'. Military history, especially that of the eastern Cape, is the theme of the museum in the building adjoining the old lighthouse. Displays include a fine selection of medals, weapons, uniforms and badges.
PARKS & WILDLIFE RESERVES:
Within the city there are some beautiful parks with well landscaped gardens, two of the larger ones are: St Georges Park, which covers 73 hectares and is home to the world famous Port Elizabeth Cricket Club, the oldest Bowling Green in South Africa, Prince Alfred's Guard Memorial and the 1882 Victorian Pearson Conservatory. The other Park being the 54 hectare Settler's Park in the city centre, which is a nature lover's paradise, as it boasts beautiful flora and fauna.
Tourists will be happy to hear that even at the seaside you can enjoy the awe inspiring wildlife of Africa, as there are a number of wildlife reserves in the area around Port Elizabeth. Just 73 km from the city is the exclusive, private Shamwari Game Reserve which is home to the "Big Five" of Africa. Early morning and evening game drives are available. Then there is the Addo Elephant Park, dedicated to the preservation of the Eastern Cape Elephant and the Cape Buffalo. There are other smaller reserves which are just as delightful and will prove a memorable African experience. The area is Malaria Free.
BEACHES:
Port Elizabeth’s greatest asset is its clean and beautiful beaches. Water temperatures vary between 18 and 21 degrees Celsius during Summer and 14 to 19 degrees Celsius during Winter. The sea conditions are generally calm in the bay, except when the South Easterly wind is blowing. All beaches are patrolled by fully-trained professional life guards. Apart from the more "mainstream" sports, a temperate climate, unspoilt beaches and the warm seawater make this city perfect for thrilling watersports opportunities.
Algoa Bay boasts 40 km of magnificent beaches and, with its perfect combination of warm water, calm sea and fair breezes, it is one of the best sailing venues in the world, and a mecca for all beach and watersports enthusiasts.
The Southern Beaches offer safe and sheltered swimming, body surfing, sunbathing, boardsailing, excellent waves and surfing opportunities as well as interesting inter-tidal sea life while the Northern Beaches offer vast stretches of sand and dunes ideal for long beach walks as well as providing superb angling and swimming opportunities.
GARDEN ROUTE:
Scattered along the Garden Route, fashionable seaside resorts abound, attracting jet-setters from around the globe. Tiny coastal villages appeal especially to outdoor people who enjoy an unstructured holiday agenda. The coastal drive links a series of charming towns interspersed with natural beauty. Along the way, every kind of adventure activity is possible; scuba diving, abseiling, fishing and more.
Mountains crowd close to a shoreline dotted with beaches and bays, and vividly coloured wild flowers delight the eye. Between Heidelberg and Storms River, the Garden Route runs parallel to a coastline featuring lakes, mountains, tall indigenous forests, amber-coloured rivers and golden beaches. Meandering trails are followed by hikers, the forests invite long, leisurely drives, and the lakes and rivers lend themselves to swimming, boating and fishing. A wide range of leisure options, spectacular scenery and a mild climate guarantee an unforgettable holiday experience.
The Garden Route has a Mediterranean Maritime climate, with moderately hot summers, and mild to chilly winters. It is one of the richest rainfall areas, most of which occurs in the winter months, brought by the humid sea-winds from the Indian Ocean. Any time of the year is good for visiting the area, depending if you enjoy a peaceful retreat during the winter months or a bustling holiday destination during the summer.
The region provides a stirring study in contrasts:
Situated halfway between Cape Town and Port Elizabeth, beautiful Mossel Bay is a coastal village and harbour of the World Famous Garden Route. This popular holiday town is surrounded by a sunbathed peninsula and the refreshing waters of the Indian Ocean. It is a busy summer destination as well as an ideal winter retreat. It is blessed with a mild climate all-year round but its most important feature is its status as the historical capital of the Garden Route. Mossel Bay is sportsman's and waters sport enthusiast's paradise, it has a very wide variety of adventure sports facilities as well as sport of the conventional type, such as golf, squash, tennis, bungi and bridge diving, indoor heated pools, horse riding to name but a few. And if you're into water sports, there is some of the countries most adrenalin induced activities available - such as, shark cage diving, ship wreck diving, snorkeling, power boating and others.
The delightful town of George, known as "The Gateway to the Garden Route", graces a coastal plateau in a fertile area of lush greenery at the foot of the Outeniqua Mountains. George has many historical landmarks to be visited. Like The Slave Tree, an ancient English Oak planted by Landdrost van Kervel. Known as the Slave Tree because of the very large chain and lock embedded in the trunk, it has been declared a national monument. And the King Edward VII Library building is said to be the best example of Edwardian architecture in George.
15 km West of George, nestled in a magnificent and sheltered rocky cove where the golden beach sands meet the frothy, turquoise waters of the ocean, Herold's Bay has coastal walks and trails ideal for spotting dolphins and whales. The unspoilt coastal fynbos makes it a popular spot for birders and nature-lovers.
Oudtshoorn, "Capital of the Klein Karoo", is set in a semi-arid valley, providing the ideal habitat for ostriches which are farmed here on a grand scale. Amidst the 400 ostrich farms surrounding the town, 3 have distinguished themselves worthy to be named " show farms". Become exposed to this exotic bird species, the largest in the world.
Also situated close to the Klein Karoo Town of Oudtshoorn is the Cango Caves - one of the worlds great natural wonders, sculptured by nature through the ages. Mysterious and breathtaking limestone formations in a wide variety of natural colours, a subterranean wonderland. The Cango Caves are among the top ten most visited South African attractions.
Wilderness is set between the Kaaimans River and the Goukama Nature Reserve, whilst being bordered by the Outeniqua Mountains. Renowned for it tranquil sea and beaches which stretch on forever, Wilderness has become an internationally sought after holiday resort. Wilderness is also surrounded by many rivers and natural lakes and lagoons. This makes it a great spot for water sport enthusiasts, who flock there regularly. There is a 2500 ha National Park with five rivers, five lakes, two estuaries and 18km of coastline. Wilderness sports many types of wildlife, in particular birds. Many types of water birds breed here and this makes it ideal for bird-watchers. The many other types of recreation include hiking, dolphin and whale-watching, hang-gliding, paragliding, horse riding, mountain-biking, scenic drives, Wilderness Lakes Art Route, day tours, ferry cruises, angling, boating and other water sports. Wilderness also has a great number of craftsmen and women in the area. There work is often for sale and the tourist can pick up many bargains at the monthly craft markets, held in the middle and end of the month. This and many other interesting aspects of the town add to it's rustic charm. A place that must be visited by any tourist in the Garden Route, it truly is a place of timeless beauty.
Knysna is one of the Southern Cape coast's best known holiday destinations, situated between lush forests and the shores of the peaceful lagoon - it offers many activities and attractions of a wide variety. The most well known attraction being the heads - two great sandstone cliffs guarding the mouth of the lagoon which connects the estuary with the sea. A lookout has been erected on the Eastern Head, commanding spectacular views of the lagoon, Leisure Isle and Knysna. The Western Head is a privately owned nature Reserve - Featherbed Bay. The Knysna Lagoon is one of the few places along the coast and in the world that supports an oyster hatchery.
Tsitsikamma is the Khoi-San word for a place of many waters. It is the perfect description of this exquisite area but does not do justice to the overwhelming experience the Tsitsikamma provides for those fortunate enough to visit it and to indulge in its unique pleasures.
The Tsitsikamma National Park is internationally recognized for its forests which harbour and conserve the giant Outeniqua yellowwood - one of the few true monarchs of the world's forests. This enormous tree is one of the most successful species in existence, having survived unchanged for millions of years. Tsitsikamma National Park is also Africa's oldest and largest marine reserve, playing a vital role in the preservation and conservation of marine fauna and flora. Tourists, and particularly hikers from all over the world, visit the area which is known for its rugged, unspoiled coastline - a photographer's dream.
The region has many wonderfully scenic hiking trails of which it is justifiably proud, though its greatest asset remains the world-renowned Otter Trail. This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that remains indelibly imprinted on the mind.
Addo Elephant Park is located in the Garden Route - a delightful reserve near Port Elizabeth. Its biggest attractions are its big 330 Elephants and many Antelope like Eland, Bontebokke etc. The Elephants used to be tightly packed in this park but it has recently been expanded so that these large but quietly trodden pachyderms have a wider area in which to roam. Another animal that lives here is the flightless dung Beetle; it has survived in South Africa only in this area.
The rocky heights of Mountain Zebra National Park's Bankberg embrace rolling plains and deep valleys becoming an entrancing preserve for the Cape mountain Zebra. Currently the population of Zebra here stands at 350. Other mammals found here include Eland, black Wildebeest, red Hartebeest and Gemsbok. Mountain Reedbuck and grey Rhebok frequent the higher areas, whilst Caracal occupies the niche of primary predator. |
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