Port Elizabeth Also Known as Nelson Mandela Bay Facts

20% Off Your Next Trip. Hurry Up For your new Tour! Book Your Tour

For More Inquiry

+256-700 444 751

Welcome to Port Elizabeth

Port Elizabeth offers visitors a choice of stunning beaches, interesting museums and memorials, award-winning wildlife destinations, cultural and historical nuggets, and some of the friendliest folk in the country.

Port Elizabeth is also known as the Windy City, Ibhayi (‘the bay’ in isiXhosa) or the Friendly City – is a coastal hub in the Eastern Cape where locals proudly proclaim that everything lies within 15 minutes’ drive of the airport.

It is one of the largest cities in South Africa, and lies 770km east of Cape Town, where it forms part of the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro, which links the city with the inland industrial towns of Uitenhage and Despatch.

Algoa Bay, the coastal strip of Nelson Mandela Bay, incorporates a 40km stretch of beaches, with protected areas for swimming at Kings Beach, Hobie Beach, Humewood Beach (which has world-class Blue Flag-status), Pollock Beach and Denville Beach.

Fishing, surfing, scuba diving, snorkelling and sailing are enjoyed at less-populated spots such as Wildside, Sardinia Bay, Blue Horizon Bay, Bluewater Bay, Beachview and Schoenmakerskop.

Port Elizabeth History and Culture

Historical and cultural icons worth visiting in Port Elizabeth include the Red Location Museum, a museum in New Brighton township that portrays ‘both the horrors of institutionalized racism and the heroic efforts of the anti-apartheid movement.

The South African Air Force Museum; the Donkin Reserve, proclaimed by city founder Sir Rufane Donkin, where birds, benches, walking paths, an opera house, a lighthouse and a memorial may be seen.

The Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Art Museum and Prince Alfred’s Guard Memorial, both located in St George’s Park – the oldest park in Port Elizabeth and home to the St George’s cricket oval.

Port Elizabeth is also home to Route 67 – a collection of 67 art pieces celebrating the years Nelson Mandela devoted to public life.

It is a mix of visual arts, urban design and heritage, showcasing old Victorian churches; terraced cottages on Donkin Street – where massive silver pipes catch the famous winds of Port Elizabeth and make music; a lighthouse that once guided ships into Algoa Bay; and a large pyramid built by Donkin in memory of his wife.

There is also a large metal cut-out of Nelson Mandela symbolically leading South Africans to vote in the country’s first democratic election.

While in the Windy City, you cannot pass the opportunity to visit the city’s multipurpose, multi-tiered Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, an impressive legacy of the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

Nelson Mandela Bay prides itself on offering the Big Seven of the animal kingdom. In addition to the Big Five – lion, rhino, buffalo, leopard and elephant – visitors to the nearby 180 000ha Addo Elephant National Park can see the great white shark and southern right whale in the bay waters off the park.

The city is a outdoor-lover’s paradise, so don’t miss out on boat cruises; diving opportunities; a visit to the Seaview Predator Park; an excursion to Bayworld (which incorporates an oceanarium, museum and snake park).

Enjoy a trip to the lush forests of the Kragga Kamma Game Park, where white rhino, buffalo, cheetah, giraffe, zebra, nyala, bontebok, lechwe and other animals roams freely.

Topping the fun stakes is the Boardwalk Casino and Entertainment Complex, where shops, eateries, an amphitheatre and casino keep patrons entertained for hours.

Also worth a visit is a 52m tower with 204 steps leading to the top, known as the Campanile Memorial, a monument that stands sentinel over the Port Elizabeth harbour. It was built in 1923 to honour the arrival of 1820 British Settlers.

Another memento of Settler influence is No 7 Castle Hill, built in 1830. This is one of the oldest surviving Settler cottages in the city and encapsulates domestic life of 19th-century middle class, complete with cobbled courtyard and an operational well.

Best Time to Visit Port Elizabeth

Port Elizabeth is good to visit anytime of the year. The temperatures during summer (November to March) range from 16 to 27 degrees Celsius, while winters (May to August) have a temperature of ranging from a minimum of 8 degree to a maximum of 23 degree Celsius.

Spring (September and October) and autumn (April and May) experience an average temperature ranging between 24 degrees to a minimum of 11 degrees Celsius. Because of the very little variation in climatic conditions, it is a year round holiday destination.

The peak season in Port Elizabeth falls around the holiday season in summer. Christmas and New Years could get a little too crowded as the locals also have holidays around this time and prefer to come down to Port Elizabeth to relax and have a nice time and enjoy the beaches.

Port Elizabeth is a popular holiday destination for children and young people mainly as the activities organized in the city are more focused on kids and at the same time younger people and couples can enjoy the various water sports and the exciting night life of Port Elizabeth.

Prices could rise in December and January because of the holidaying tourists. If you want to escape the peak season rush then avoid visiting around holidays, and you will be able to have a quieter time and have fewer tourists on the beaches. Winters are also pleasant, mild, sunny and a good time to visit.

Tourists come down to Port Elizabeth at this time also, especially from countries experiencing very warm summers during this time.

Port Elizabeth’s most important festival is the Nelson Mandela Bay Splash Festival which is held in the month of April. Water sports competitions, live shows and performances and fireworks are the main features of this festival.

Kirkwood Wildlife Festival is another event hosted just a short distance away from Port Elizabeth displaying a exceptional blend of wildlife, art, drama and live performances.

Attraction in Port Elizabeth – Nelson Mandela Bay

Port Elizabeth (also known as Nelson Mandela Bay) sits with all the rich history of one of South Africa’s oldest cities on the coast of the sparkling blue Algoa Bay part of which falls under the Greater Addo Elephant Park.

Known colloquially as the friendliest city in South Africa everything that an adventure seeker on Africa safari to South Africa here looks for is near at hand; warm water with rich marine life, starring that most charismatic of all sea…

Coastal & Beaches

Algoa Bay, the coastal region of Nelson Mandela Bay, boasts 40 km of magnificent golden beaches.

With its perfect combination of warm water, calm sea and fair breezes, it is one of the best sailing venues in the world and a Mecca for all beach and water sport enthusiasts.

Water temperatures vary between 18 and 21 degrees Celsius during summer and 14 to 19 degrees Celsius during winter.

Rest assured, swimming beaches are patrolled by fully trained professional lifeguards during the summer season, which means swimmers and sunbathers can safely enjoy their beach holiday.

Wildlife & Nature

From rocky shores to indigenous floral fynbos: from stretches of golden beaches and unspoilt sand-dunes to lush indigenous forest and untamed wilderness areas, the nature reserves within, and on the outskirts of Nelson Mandela Bay offer a wonderful range of options to the great outdoors.

Located in and around the city are: Settler’s Park, Van Staden’s Wild Flower Reserve, The Cape Recife Nature Reserve, Maitlands Nature Reserve, The Island Nature Reserve, Baviaanskloof Wilderness Area and Groendal Wilderness Area.

Game viewing in Nelson Mandela Bay is an activity everyone should enjoy.

Adventure & Sport

Nelson Mandela Bay offers excellent and varied sporting facilities and the city hosts numerous exciting sports events all year round.

The many different sport clubs cater for a variety of all-year or seasonal sport activities such as: squash, volleyball, badminton, tennis, roller hockey, cricket, motor-racing, horse-racing, soccer, hockey, golf, bowls and rugby.

The city hosts a variety of national and international sporting events at various venues such as the Sahara Oval St. Georges and the newly build state-of-the-art stadium, which was constructed for 2010 FIFA World Cup and regularly hosts rugby and soccer games, music festivals and more.

Entertainment & Shopping

Nelson Mandela Bay is the ideal fun, entertainment and shopping destination; offering various kinds of entertainment to suit every age, personality and individual.

Enjoyable evening entertainment include sundowner cruises, nightclubs, award winning cocktail bars, late night music spots, fine art theatre performances, movies, restaurants and cultural performances.

Tourism in the city was initially built on the local family market and offers a delightful variety of children’s activities. Holmeleigh Farmyard, an animal touch farm, is located off Kragga Kamma Road.

Arts & Culture

The centrepiece of Nelson Mandela Bay’s arts and culture industry is right in the inner city after local development agency, the MBDA, has coupled a CBD infrastructure renovation with a public art campaign, giving the city-centre a facelift with an artistic twist.

The Donkin Reserve, is home to multiple pieces of public art that form part of a collection of 67 pieces of art throughout the city.

The “Route 67” arts journey celebrates the 67 years of Nelson Mandela’s political life through a visual collection of works produced by local artists.

The result is an incredible tourism route known as the Arts Journey – which includes exhibitions and showcases on the Route 67

Historical

Nelson Mandela Bay’s rich cultural heritage guarantees history lovers a unique insight into the Bay and the Eastern Cape’s diverse and remarkable past.

Historical and significant figures from Nelson Mandela Bay include, amongst others, Govan Mbeki, political activist and father of former President Thabo Mbeki; Oliver Thambo, political activist and life-long friend of Nelson Mandela.

Others are Athol Fugard, actor, director and playwright; Olive Schreiner, well-known authoress and writer of “The story of an African Farm”; and Cliff Drysdale, well-known tennis player.

The area that once witnessed battles and wars is now fondly referred to as “Ibhayi” by Xhosa.

Business & Conferencing

Nelson Mandela Bay is prime business plus destination. One that offers the business travellers niche, intimate business tourism facilities against a pristine natural backdrop.

It has a host of diverse experiences including malaria-free big 7 experiences within close proximity of the city and beach.

Nelson Mandela Bay is the main gateway to the Eastern Cape and is the country’s fifth largest city.

It is always buzzing with business visitors, investors and conference attendees, exploring the new entrepreneurial opportunities created within the Bay.

The Bay is equidistant to all major South African cities and offers endless stretches of white sandy…

Agriculture

The Eastern Cape is well known for its oranges, prickly pears, angora goats and dairy farms. Ostrich farming does exist but on a smaller scale.

The Eastern Cape is however highly successful when it comes to wool and mohair. The province, and particularly Nelson Mandela Bay, has succeeded in establishing South Africa as a world leader in these sectors. South African mohair is regarded as some of the highest quality in the world.

The Nelson Mandela Bay area is the largest wool and mohair producer in South Africa with 99% of all wool buyers, processors and exporters situated in the Bay and is said to be the Mohair Capital of the world. About 65 to 75% of South African…

Health & Beauty

Earth healing, seminars on health and stress management, yoga and meditation have all become buzz-words in the holistic approach on body, mind and spirit awareness the world over.

Nelson Mandela Bay has taken to this trend to ensure that its residents and visitors can experience relaxation and rejuvenation within the Bay. Feel free to Relax, Refresh and Revitalize!

Relax and pamper yourself in Nelson Mandela Bay and surrounds with a superb range of Day Spa packages which are on offer.

What better way to unwind, detoxify and rejuvenate your body, mind and spirit than to experience spa extravaganza treatments that have been designed to invigorate you.

What to Do in Port Elizabeth – Nelson Mandela Bay

Beach Horse Rides

Beach horse rides in Port Elizabeth (now Gqeberha). There’s nothing more evocative and beautiful than a horse galloping along the silver shore in the early morning light. Here’s your chance to be part of that magic. Carefully supervised outings with horses chosen to suit your level of riding.

Big Swing

Big Swing in Port Elizabeth (now Gqeberha), South Africa. Whether you are a resident of Port Elizabeth or are beginning or ending a Garden Route holiday make the most of your time in ‘PE’ and discover the beautiful Sundays River Valley, one of South Africa’s prime adventure hubs.

Boat Trips

Port Elizabeth boat trips in the famous Algoa Bay (Nelson Mandela Bay municipality) visited for the first time by Bartolomeu Dias in 1488 is still one of South Africa’s most magnificent bay cruises and best kept secrets. The bay is home to two major harbours and St Croix and Brenton Island.

Bungee Bounce

Experience the Thrill of Bungee Bounce in Port Elizabeth! Welcome to your premier destination for adrenaline-pumping outdoor activities in the Eastern Cape!

Canoeing

Canoeing Trips in Port Elizabeth (now Gqeberha). With proper equipment, canoeing is one of the best ways to introduce the whole family to an outdoor adventure because the littler ones don’t have to put in any hard effort.

Deep Sea Fishing

Deep Sea Fishing in Port Elizabeth (now Gqeberha). The marine environment is the largest habitat on Earth. Spend some time exploring the deep blue sea, home to a wide variety of oceanic pelagic fish, on a Deep Sea Fishing Adventure in Port Elizabeth in the Eastern Cape of South Africa.

Elephant Experience

Elephant Experience in Port Elizabeth (now Gqeberha). Just a few hours drive north of Port Elizabeth, into the Zuurberg Mountains, you will enter the malaria-free Addo Elephant National Park. This is one of South Africa’s amazing reserves. More than 600 elephants, 400 Cape buffalo and a host of elephants

Horse Riding

Horse riding in the Port Elizabeth area takes in beautiful nature trails or the lovely beaches of the area. This is a region rich in natural beauty with deserted beached, rugged sea cliffs and coastal dunes. Novice horse riders are warmly welcomed and can be reassured that the horses they ride are well-schooled.

Indoor Climbing

Indoor Climbing in Port Elizabeth. This is a type of rock climbing where a person ascends a man-made climbing structure.

Kayaking

Kayaking in Port Elizabeth (now Gqeberha). The location of Port Elizabeth near sea and river makes this city a haven for water sports enthusiasts. The city is stretched along Algoa Bay with its many beautiful beaches and only a short drive away is the wide Sundays or Nukakamma River.

Paragliding

Paragliding in Port Elizabeth (now Gqeberha). Only 10 minutes outside of Port Elizabeth is a training dune where paragliders learn to fly throughout the year. But if you just want to just try a flight, soaring above the dunes with views of the sea, then a tandem flight is the way to go.

Rock Climbing

Rock Climbing in Port Elizabeth is an adventure activity in which a person will climb up, over, and across natural rock formations either to reach the top of the peak or rock.

Sand Sledding

Sand sledding in Port Elizabeth (now Gqeberha). Sand sleds, which are wider and longer than sand boards, are easy to ride and suitable for all ages – from young children to the young at heart. Only 40 kilometres from Port Elizabeth are the Alexandria Coastal Dunes where you can sand sled.

Sandboarding

Sandboarding in Port Elizabeth (now Gqeberha). When you feel the need for a day of adrenaline, speed and fun in the sun, come along to the banks of the Sundays River near Port Elizabeth and try your hand at Sandboarding. A sandboard is similar to a snowboard.

Sea Kayaking

Sea Kayaking in Port Elizabeth. There are escorted kayaking trips in most of the coastal settlements. In Cape Town, you can paddle out to see penguins, and in Plettenberg Bay.

Segway Tours

Segway Tours Port Elizabeth. View our list of our segway tour operators in Port Elizabeth.

Slackpacking

Slackpacking in Port Elizabeth (now Gqeberha). Before the concept of slackpacking was conceived, multi-day hiking was the preserve of the super fit and relatively young, those who were strong enough to carry everything and the kitchen sink in massive 65litre plus packs.

Snorkeling

Algoa Bay is home to beautiful reefs, shipwrecks and a wide variety of fish and colourful soft coral species. Port Elizabeth also prides itself on the Blue Flag status of its beaches. Devil’s Reef at Humewood Beach is one of the many great Snorkeling spots in Port Elizabeth.

Sunset Cruises

Sunset Cruises in Port Elizabeth (now Gqeberha). As the sun signs out, there’s no better place to be than on the water. Cruise the Sundays River at sunset to experience the estuary at the time of day when many creatures are heading home, like the waterbirds retiring to their overnight roosts.

Teambuilding

Team Building in Gqeberha (formerly Port Elizabeth) Discover an array of thrilling team-building activities available for groups in the Gqeberha area. From marine sightings on a boat charter that fosters group unity to a variety of active adventures, there’s something for everyone.

Zip Line

Zip Line in Port Elizabeth (now Gqeberha), South Africa – Ultimate double zipline and Superman Zipline. Port Elizabeth attracts intrepid adventurers from all over the world and is one of South Africa’s premier adventure hotspots.

Land of the Tswana

There are so many places that you can visit in Botswana but there are some other attractions that stand out more than others and are worth visiting during Botswana Safari. These make the list of the top Tourist Attractions In Botswana.

There are many tours that you can do in Botswana and the most common is the overland tour, where you can drive around to most parts of the country in an overland truck. Most common tours include a Botswana Wildlife Safari, Victoria Falls and Chobe National Park package, Desert tracking, Premium safaris and 5 to 10 day safaris.