Port Elizabeth  

Eastern Cape Province

Description

There's a sense of antiquity and history in Port Elizabeth. This is 1820 British Settler country and numerous monuments pay tribute to this English heritage. Restored Settler houses are now beautiful homes, and the Sir Rufane Donkin lighthouse still stands proud on a hilltop overlooking the city - named after his wife Lady Elizabeth. Port Elizabeth's attractions are both numerous and diverse, with an emphasis on outdoor and nature activities. The city's trump card is its beautiful beaches and warm sea. With calm waters and fair breezes, this coast is perfect for swimming and watersports - and Port Elizabeth is fast becoming the watersport capital of Africa. At Bayworld on the beachfront, visitors can view performing dolphins and seals. A snake park and a museum, depicting cultural and natural history, is also in the complex. No 7 Castle Hill, one of the oldest surviving Settler cottages in Port Elizabeth, is nearby, as is the perfectly intact Fort Frederick, used as a defence stronghold. Not far from the city limits is Addo Elephant National Park, considered to be the most biologically-diverse park in the world. It's home to the Big Seven, which includes the terrestrial Big Five of lion, leopard, rhino, elephant and buffalo as well as whales and great white sharks. Moving offshore, Port Elizabeth offers excellent fishing and scuba-diving possibilities and game-fishing from deep-sea boats includes catches of tuna, dorado, yellowtail and leervis. Shopping hotspots are Greenacres and The Bridge as well as Walmer Park, with the liveliest nightlife found at The Boardwalk Casino and Entertainment World, right on the beachfront. This extensive complex will delight the whole family and includes entertainment, shopping, dining and gaming. Set around a series of manmade lakes and beautiful gardens, at night the complex is illuminated by 40 000 Tivoli lights. In Port Elizabeth life continues at a gentle pace, tempered by the warm Indian Ocean and surrounding natural beauty. Here there is no need for rush hour.

Attractions

Bayworld and the dolphin display, Swimming at Kings Beach or Hobie Beach, Looking out to sea from Shark Pier, Playing a few of the 700 slot machines at the Boardwalk Casino, Getting up close to elephants at Addo Elephant National Park