Port Elizabeth – the friendly and windy city

Port Elizabeth (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. Also known as the friendly city and the windy city, it tends to live up to both names.

A perfect complement to the Garden Route, the friendly city is a major sea port and lovely place to visit, which sets along the beautiful shores of Nelson Mandela Bay.

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 marine life in the bay is pretty sensational, with plenty of dolphins and whales that can be spotted throughout the year. But besides that and the beautiful bathing beaches and great surf spots, you can find many more things to do and explore in PE.

The city centre, once a place to avoid, has started to smarten up – thanks to a few urban regeneration projects – and it boasts numerous heritage buildings that are well worth a gander.

Inge and Mark were recently traveling through PE – we want to sound South African ;) – and put together a list of must-dos and sees during your stay in beautiful Port Elizabeth.

1. Adrenalin Addo Zip line

If you are an Adrenalin junkie, then this zip line is absolutely yours :)

You will get a total Adrenalin rush from the Giant swing and Zip line, it’s an undescribable experience.

The zip line is the highest, longest and fastest double zip line in South Africa. Twin cables – each 500 metres long – descend from an impressive departure tower perched seventy metres above the Sundays River. Just amazing and a must do (in case you are not afraid of heights).

And that’s not all: enjoy a beautiful view from the top platform at the zip line, aloes are in full boom.  

If you still want your heart to beat a bit faster after the zip line, then the giant swing is guaranteed to satisfy your appetite.

Eighteen metres high, a couple of seconds of a sudden and intense free fall – the swing will have you either screaming or laughing. Or both together ;)

2. Addo Elephant National Park

If you love elephants (and in general wild living mammals), then you need to go to Addo Elephant national Park. It’s South Africa's third largest national reserve and lies in the  Sundays River, just over an hour's drive from Port Elizabeth.

Driving through the reserve in an open safari vehicle, smelling all the different scents, listening to all the different birds and watching the giant herds of Elephants is an amazing experience. And if you haven’t know – South Africa is popular for its stunning Sundowners. And image those in the bush, when everything is wrapped in smooth orange light. Yes, you got the picture – it’s simply amazing. And so amazing are the sundowner drinks during the game drives: watching the stunning sundowners while having you favorite drink (and maybe a delicious snack) in your hands.

Bush dinner is very common in the Addo Elephant National Park. Listening to the bush insects and the fire crackling while having a delicious dinner with several South African dishes – that’s the point where you calm down and you are just happy :)  

3. Addo Cruises and Addo Sand Sledding

Hop on the river cruise boat “The Sundays River Ferry” and experience a 2,5 hour slow, leisurely cruise on the magnificent waters of the Sundays River estuary – one of the top rated estuaries in South Africa. Cruising over the water, having the wind blow through your hair, listening to the sounds of nature – it is just amazing.

The cruise will continue to the river mouth towards the coast to view the majestic, wind driven Alexandria Coastal Dunes. See some of the tallest dunes at 50 meters in height above sea level that dramatically plunge and disappear in the river. These dunes are one of the largest coastal dune systems in the world with the entire dune field covering an area of approximately 238 sqare kilometers. That’s huge. Once there, the boat will stop at the base of the dunes so you can leave the boat and climb the dunes. And do not underrate the climb, it’s comparable with a full workout, but it’s worth it. The view from the top of the sand dune is spectacular, you can see for kilometers and easily get lost staring into the sea – so be careful ;)

4. Dolphin & Whale-watching ocean safaris

Enjoy a morning ocean safari from Port Elizabeth on the Eastern Cape. You will have the chance to spot whales in season as well as dolphins and penguins all year around. With luck you can see dolphins jumping and playing around the boat or a small whale family with a calf. You shouldn’t miss it :)

A food spot on the side: Frederick and sons (Alabaster Street, Baakens Valley)

The mouth watering burger at Frederick and sons are a must try. We’ve heard from some of our clients, it’s been one of the best burgers they have ever had! And their home made ice cream is off the block. If you are around, enjoy incredible food :)