Whether you are looking for a relaxing day trip, a fun filled excursion, or you simply want to explore the natural wonders of the area, Port Elizabeth has a variety of day trips and excursions that are perfect for you.
Addo Elephant National Park
Located in the Eastern Cape of South Africa, Addo Elephant National Park is the third largest national park in South Africa. It is home to the densest elephant population in the world and supports a large variety of wildlife. Other animal species include zebra, buffalo, antelope, lion, leopard, and the southern right whale.
Its expansive grounds and wildlife viewing opportunities make it a popular safari destination. Visitors can enjoy an all-inclusive safari experience at Addo. A full day tour includes hotel transfers, a game drive, and lunch. An afternoon game drive takes guests through several sections of the park. This safari experience is perfect for families.
Another great addition to the Addo National Park is the sunset beach safari. Guests can see the sun set while enjoying a snack platter.
Nelson Mandela Bay
Whether you are visiting Port Elizabeth for business or for pleasure, you will find plenty to see and do. The city has many attractions, including casinos, historical sites, and cultural museums.
One of the best ways to experience the sights and sounds of the area is to take a day tour. There are numerous day trip options available, including trips to the Garden Route. A guided sightseeing tour will provide an informative view of the local attractions, as well as a historical perspective.
Another option is to embark on a guided township tour. These tours will give you a different perspective of South Africa. You will visit the local shebeen and meet "real people" rather than a glossy, pre-packaged view.
These excursions and day trips are not only a good way to explore the area, but they will also add a unique and fun element to your holiday. You can choose from a wide range of options, such as a horse ride on the beach. You can also enjoy a guided walk along the coastal path.
Gqeberha
Whether you're traveling on business or for pleasure, Gqeberha excursions and day trips in Port Elizabeth will give you plenty of reason to get up and move. This coastal town is home to stunning beaches and a number of coastal nature reserves. If you're a fan of surfing, Gqeberha is the perfect location.
You'll want to take some time to explore this town, as it has an eclectic mix of cultural attractions. The South End Museum on the beachfront tells the story of how South Africans were forced out of their homes during apartheid. The museum is designed to be interactive and encourages donations. You can also explore the working flight simulator and aircraft memorabilia.
Known as the Watersports Capital of South Africa, Gqeberha is a great base for a range of adventure activities. The city's beaches are soft, sandy and ideal for windsurfing, snorkeling, and other water sports. In the summer months, there are huge pods of dolphins sighted along the shore. The city also hosts surfski races.
Alexandria Dune Fields
Located on the Sunshine Coast in the Eastern Cape, the Alexandria Dune Fields is a scenic sand dune field. The area is a hub for archaeological significance and boasts a wide variety of birds and animals. The field is a habitat for vervet monkeys and endemnic dune gerbils. It is also home to ancient Strandlopers who were the inhabitants of coastal areas of Southern Africa.
The Alexandria dune field is one of the largest active sand dunes in the world. The surface area is over fifteen thousand hectares. Its bare dunes are sometimes up to five kilometers in width. It receives an annual average of three hundred and forty five thousand cubic meters of sand.
The Alexandria dune field is considered to be the best example of a bare coastal dune field in South Africa. It is a place that imparts a sense of infinity.
Donkin Reserve
Located in the suburb of Belmont Terrace in Port Elizabeth, the Donkin Reserve has a lot of stuff to offer. It has a 10 m high stone pyramid, palm-lined walkways, a lighthouse and a tourist centre. The lighthouse is also worth a visit, and can be seen during the week between 08h00 and 16h30, or on request on weekends.
The Donkin Reserve is also home to the infamous stone pyramid monument, a ten meter tall structure erected in memory of the late wife of British general Rufane Donkin. It is accompanied by a touching inscription and palm-lined walkways.
Another of the more interesting features of the Donkin Reserve is the 67-metre-long snake park. This is a cultural history museum which teaches visitors about the cultural significance of the local Xhosa people.