Port Elizabeth [1] (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, about 260 km from Knysna. Perfect complement to the Garden Route, the Friendly City is a major sea port and tourist destination set along the beautiful shores of Algoa Bay. The centre of the South African motor industry is spoiled by moderate and warm temperatures all year round with scattered rain throughout the year - climatic attributes which contribute to an outstanding quality of life. A popular and significant destination for water sports, Port Elizabeth also offers many historical attractions, such as the Historic Donkin Heritage trail, taking visitors along the footsteps of the 1820 settlers. British heritage is reflected in the Port Elizabeth Cricket Club, and the Oldest Bowling Green in South Africa. Port Elizabeth’s greatest treasures, however, are malaria-free wildlife areas in its vicinity, and clean beaches washed by warm water.

Understand

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 neighbouring towns of Uitenhage and Despatch the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Municipality.

The tourist information is in the Donkin Reserve in the town centre and another office at The Boardwalk (Marine Drive).

Get in

By plane

Port Elizabeth Airport is located just a few kilometres out of the city and has regular flights to Johannesburg, Durban and other South African airports. See also Discount airlines in Africa.

By train

The central train station is in downtown PE and offers connections to Johannesburg and Cape Town.

By car

PE is easily accessible by motorways from Cape Town (790 km) via the Garden Route, Bloemfontein and East London (310 km). Of course, you can also drive from Johannesburg.

By bus

All major South African coach companies offer regular schedules from / to PE

Get around

Public bus

There is a public bus transport system within the city. It is, however, not really any good. The buses are slow, noisy, smelly and often not on schedule. Further, the buses do not really cover much of the city. There is also the issue of getting your fingers on a timetable, which is hard, but the Tourist Information are known to have a copy sometimes. As there are no timetables at the stops or even at the main terminal, this is a key issue.

Taxi

The main form of transportation for most people is the (minibus) taxi. Toyota Hiaces or VW Caravelles or the like, modified to cram in as many seats as possible, will take you across town for 4.50R. Some of them are still more a road hazard than anything, but a recent clean-up in the taxi industry means that their standards are improving.

Each taxi operates on a laid-out route. They are more frequent during daytime than at night.

How to get on. Stand on the curve of a trafficked road. When a taxi approaches, it may flash its headlights to 'ask' if you want to go. Just stick your hand out.

How to get off. You might be able to tell the 'bouncer' your desired destination when you pay, but in any case just tell the driver "next stop", in a clear, firm voice.

See

• Beaches
• Donkin Reserve and Donkin Heritage Trail
• Bayworld [2], Beach Road, has a museum, oceanarium and snake park
• Townships: organized tours are offered by the Tourist information

Do

• Surf the beach

• Go diving. You can try Prodive (at Hobie Beach) for more information.

• PE is a wonderful jumping-off spot for game viewing. There are elephants and other birds and animals at Addo Elephant National Park and many privately owned game reserves.

• There is a casino at the Boardwalk.

• You can play golf on the beautiful Links [3] Humewood Golf course.
• Browse African Art at the Wezandla African Arts and Crafts Gallery [4]
• Have a meal and go sailing at the Algoa Bay Yacht Club [5].

Buy

• The Boardwalk, Marine Drive, offers several shops. fast-food restaurants and a casino

• Greenacres Shopping Centre is an excellent place to spend a Saturday at around noon. There are many, many shops and plenty of restaurants. There is a lively vibe over the weekend, and the mall can be reached easily. It is also commonly refered to as "The Bridge", because it is joined to the mall of that name.

• Walmer Park Shopping Centre is a nice place to eat at, and there are a few nice shops.

• Curios can be bought along the beach. Haggle down the prices though.

Eat

• Blackbeards Tavern (within The Chapman Hotel) [6] does a splendid Seafood Extravaganza.

• Blue Waters Cafe [7] is well priced and has an excellent view of the ocean.

• Mauro's Restaurant, Restaurant No. 1, McArthur Bath, Beach Road, Humewood 6001, ph: (+27) 41 582 2700 (fax: (+27) 41 582 3629) [8] About R100 a meal.

• The Oyster Catcher, P.E Harbour, Port Elizabeth, ph: (+27)41 582 1867/68 (fax: (+27) 41 582 1869) is located at the harbour, and is a wonderful restaurant to eat out at. The seafood is particularly tasty. You must make a reservation, though, if you want to get a table.

• Leonardo's, The Broadwalk, Marine Dve, Summerstrand, Port Elizabeth 6001, ph: (+27) 41 583 1302 (fax: (+27) 41 583 1304) Makes fantastic pizza, and has a very pleasant atmosphere.

Drink

• News Cafe is located at the Boardwalk and is always lively and full. They serve good food, and it is a nice place to catch a drink.

Sleep

Accommodation ranges from hostels to more luxury accommodation. Whatever you want, you can find without trouble.

Budget

• The Admiralty Beach House [9] is located 100m from Summerstrands Beach, near Marine Drive. It features a wonderful garden and some rooms have sea-view. ADSL is available in all rooms. Prices start from R340.

• Alcyone Accommodation [10] offers you self-catering accommodation in a 1 bedroom studio with sea views; 500m from the beach, close to the Humewood Golf course and Hobbie Beach; fully equipped and with internet connection; rates from R250.

• Bishops Lodge, Kings Beach ph: +27-(0)41-585 6828) [11] Bishop's Lodge offers superior rooms and 1&2-Bedroom self-catering suites on the beachfront. Prices start from R295.

• Edward Protea Hotel, Belmont Terrace ph: +27 586 2056; (fax: +27-(0)41-586 4925) is located on the northern end of the Donkin Reserve. May have seen better times but still offers Edwardian style and wonderful views over the Donkin Reserve to the Ocean.

• Holiday Inn, Humewood, which is close to King's Beach. The hotel is a short walk away from Bayworld Aquarium.

• Kings Beach Backpackers, 41 Windermere Road, Humewood, PE, 6001, ph: +27-(0)41-585 8113, (email:kingsb@agnet.co.za, fax:+27-(0)41-585 1693) [12] Cool little backpackers with friendly staff. Check out the kitchen you have to add your name and comment to the millions added over the years by previous backpackers. The staff can arrange safari trips to Addo and Schotia Safari Parks for around R1000 (be warned that this is R200 dearer than doing it yourself, but this does include travel to and from the parks, which are approx 30 miles away. Dorms from R60pppn.

• Lungile Backpackers, 12 La Roche Drive ph: +27-(0)41-585 2042 (fax:+27-(0)41-585 2083) offers private single/ double rooms as well as dorms and has a pool.

Get out

• Visit Addo Elephant National Park.
• Visit Mountain Zebra National Park.
• Visit Tsitsikamma National Park.
• Go to Jeffrey's Bay for surfing.
• Tour the Garden Route on your way to Cape Town.
• Drive to the City of Saints (Grahamstown) and back through pineapple plantations and along the rugged coast.