Gqeberha, formerly known as Port Elizabeth is a city that can be found in the Eastern Cape. It’s affectionately called the “Friendly City”. And after spending about a week there I can understand why. I did a bit of sightseeing and these are the Things to do in Port Elizabeth.
1. Kragga Kamma Game Park
Kragga Kamma Game Park is a private game reserve situated about 20 minutes away from the city centre. The game park offers self-guided game drives to enable visitors to view their animals at your own pace. When visiting the park, you will get an opportunity to see the various game, lions, cheetahs and monkeys. And if you need more information, you can check out the full post here, Kragga Kamma Game Park
Where:
Kragga Kamma Road, Theescombe, Gqeberha
Cost:
Adults – R120.00 per person
Children – R60.00 per person (3 years to 17 years)
Children below 3 years – Free
Times:
Monday – Sunday 08:00 am to 18:00 pm
2. Sardinia Bay Beach
Sardinia Bay is a lovely coastal town with amazing beaches. The sand at the entrance of the beach makes a dune and it’s a fun walk navigating up the dunes towards the beach. The beach itself is clean and untouched. It’s a bit of a walk from the entrance to the beach but it’s worth it. And from standing on the dunes, you can also take in the scenic views of Sardinia Bay.
Where:
Sardinia Bay, Port Elizabeth
Cost:
Free
3. Memorials
One thing that Gqeberha is not short of is memorials. There are lots of them scattered around the city. If you are a bit of a history buff then you may want to check them out. These are free to view and they also do have plaques with a little bit of information on each memorial. Some of the ones worth checking out include the Piet Retief Monument; Horse Memorial, Route 67, Donkin Pyramid and the Sacramento Cannon monument.
Where:
Schoenmakerskop, Gqeberha
Cost:
Free
4. Shark Rock Pier
The Shark Rock Pier is the pier that overlooks the main beach in Summerstrand. It is the only pier in the city and is a prominent feature in the area. The pier is about 137 metres in length and offers great views of Algoa Bay. Walking on the pier gives you a great vantage point to the ocean. And the beach below allows for a fun-filled day. From what I noticed, that beach gets very busy during the weekend so plan accordingly.
Where:
Marine Dr, Summerstrand, Gqeberha
Cost:
Free
5. Grass Roof
The Grass Roof is situated near Sardinia Bay and in my opinion, is a hidden gem. Firstly because you don’t find it when you search for attractions or things to do in the area. And secondly, since the only reason I went, there was because we were meeting a friend for brunch. It is a fantastic breakfast/brunch spot to hang with friends offering meals from farm to table. There is also a farm stall stocking fresh produce as well as a bakery with an array of delicacies that you can purchase for your trip home.
Where:
6070, 792 Heron Rd, Lovemore Park, Gqeberha
Website:
www.grassroof.co.za
Times:
Monday – Sunday: 08:00 am to 16:30 pm
6. Van Stadens Wild Flower Reserve
Van Stadens Wild Flower Reserve is a nature reserve located about 15 minutes away from the centre of Port Elizabeth. The reserve is approximately 600 hectares big and is home to a number of endangered plants. There is a self-drive loop that you can utilise to give you a feel of what the reserve has to offer. There are numerous walking trails throughout the reserve as well as picnic areas to enjoy a quick bite. In addition, there is a flower house that maintains the various flower species at the reception office.
Where:
Cape Rd, Uitenhage Farms, Gqeberha
Contact number:
041 956 0155
Times:
Monday – Sunday: 07:30 am to 18:00 pm
7. Cape Recife Lighthouse
The Cape Recife Lighthouse is situated within the Cape Recife Nature Reserve. You are able to drive through the reserve and see the massive lighthouse. There is a big yellow sign for taking pictures in front of the lighthouse. If you drive to the other side of the reserve, you are able to walk on the rocks and make your way down the pathway to access the beach.
Where:
Erf 2410, Summerstrand, Gqeberha
Cost:
Tickets purchased at the Pine Lodge Resort & Conference Centre
Contact number:
041 583 4004
8. Beaches
One of the most popular areas in the city is the Summerstrand beach area, it’s made up of multiple beaches including the Pollok beach and Kings beach as well as a plethora of restaurants. It’s also the area where most of the high-end hotels are found. And it’s definitely a place where you will find both the tourists and the locals.
9. Addo Elephant National Park
The Addo Elephant National Park is a South African National park. From the name itself, you can guess what it’s famous for. There are large herds of elephants at the park so you will not be disappointed. In addition, you will be able to see the other big five so there are lots to see at the park. You can do a self-guided drive and roam around the park at your own pace. There are also lookout points where you are allowed to exit your vehicle and a picnic spot to enjoy your lunch. Also for a more detailed guide on what to expect at the park, check out this post, Addo Elephant National Park.
Contact:
042 233 8600
Times:
Monday – Sunday: 07:00 am to 18:00 pm
10. VW Auto Pavillion
If you are a Volkswagen fan you are sure to enjoy this one, or even if you are not but enjoy something different. The VW Auto Pavillion is situated in Uitenhage and is basically at the entrance of the large VW manufacturing plant. Basically, it’s a museum/showroom of sorts showcasing vehicles from the company’s inception to current vehicles. There is also branded merchandise on sale. They also offer factory tours of the plant itself however those have been placed on hold since the pandemic but should be opening up soon.
Where:
103 Algoa Rd, Uitenhage
Cost:
Free
Times:
Monday – Friday: 08:30 am to 16:00 pm
Also if you have tried any of these places, please let me know in the comments below. I always look forward to hearing about your experiences.
And if you enjoyed the post, share it with someone who will enjoy it. You should also check out the post on Things to do in Bathurst for a list of places to visit in this small town in the Eastern Cape.
* Please note that all prices and contact information are correct at time of publication. Please check the venues websites as prices may change without notice. *
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