18 THINGS TO DO IN GQEBERHA

 Gqeberha (formerly and commonly Port Elizabeth) (Xhosa: iBhayi, Afrikaans: Die Baai) (or just PE if you want to sound South African) is South Africa's fifth largest city. It is on the Indian Ocean coast half-way between Cape Town and Durban, in the Eastern Cape, about 260 km from Knysna. It lives up to its reputation as the friendly city and the windy city.


Gqeberha 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 in the area.


1) African Dawn Bird and Wildlife Sanctuary, Thornhill, ☏ +27 42 2860-710. 9AM-5PM. Offers a selection of birds and wildlife to view including cheetahs and servals. Braai and picnic places available. 

2) Beaches. Hobie, Humewood, Kings and Wells Estate Beach are the main swimming beaches. Humewood, Wells, Kings and Hobie have all been awarded Blue Flag status. 

3) Algoa Bay Yacht Club. Have a meal and go sailing 

4) Apple Express, Pommern St, ☏ +27 729319813. A 100-km narrow-gauge classic steam trip with a stop on the Van Stadens River Bridge. R130 for adults and R60 for kids under 13. 

5) Boardwalk Casino, ☏ +27 41 507-7777, boardwalk@sunint.co.za. 

6) Kragga Kamma Game Park (follow the M15 west from the city centre for about 15 minutes), ☏ +27 41 379-4195, cantor@worldonline.co.za. Gates are open from 8AM to 5PM. You can either sleep in the camp or take self drives during the day. White rhino, buffalo, cheetah, giraffe, zebra and others. Excellent value small park. R30 entrance fee. Kragga Kamma Game Park (Q6435826) on Wikidata Kragga Kamma Game Park on Wikipedia 

7) Links Humewood Golf course. 

8) Raggy Charters, ☏ +27 41 378-2528, raggycharter@mweb.co.za. Whale watching, Penguin Island cruises and fishing charters. 

9) The Mountain Club of South Africa, ☏ +27 (21) 465 3412, secretary@mcsa.org.za. Climbs, walks and a rock climbing school. (updated Jul 2017)

10) Voetsac Hiking Club, ☏ +27 41 581-2109. There are a number of hiking trail, and walks in and around the city: Maitland Nature Reserve, Aloe Hiking Trail and more. 

11) The People's Observatory, cnr Westview and Macfarlane, Newton Park, ☏ +27 41 363-9040. Meetings every first and third Wednesday of the month at 8PM. View the southern skies. 

12) Roseate Tern hiking trial, Next to Pine Lodge Resort off Marine Drive, Summerstrand, ☏ +27 41 585-9711. 9-km circular trail. 

13) Sandboarding, ☏ +27 41 586-2276, theboardroom@axemail.co.za. The Maitland dune mountain is one of the largest in the country and perfect for sand boarding. 

14) Surf. The Pipe at Pollok Beach is where you want to go for surfing. 

15) 2 Chelsea Mashie Golf Club (follow the M15 west from the city center for about 15 minutes, next to 'Kragga Kamma Game Park'), ☏ +27 82 774 7679. 

16) Sakhume Museum & Xhosa Culture Centre, Human Dignity Centre (On the road leading from Walmer 10th Ave to Schoenmakerskop (Victoria Drive) Beyond and opposite the Walmer Country Club.), ☏ +27 76 978-6627, +27 14 366-2082. 9AM-3PM. The Walmer Township is one of the only areas in South Africa that avoided forced removals Tours leave every hour on the hour Monday to Friday. If you contact them before visiting, they will include a Xhosa Culture presentation. You will also be able to view a children's project, and locals will be available to take you into the township to see shacks and local life first hand. R20 p.p. 

17) Pumba Private Game Reserve, ☏ +27 46 603-2000. Day guests can experience the day safaris, which are conducted all year round. Each package is tailored to the needs and wants of the individual group, but individual safari times will depend on the season. Visitors can look forward to seeing cheetahs, rhinos, elephants, hippos, lions, buffaloes, White Lions, leopards and a host of other exciting animals. 

18) Scuba diving

There are a number of very good diving locations:

1. Bell Buoy - Depth 12m to 18m. Colorful soft coral and a rocky bottom.

2. Devil's Reef - Depth 7m with pinnacles up to 1m.

3. Evan's Peak - Depth 12m to 40m. Close to St. Croix island.

4. Haerlem Wreck - Depth 21m. Navy vessel sunk in 1987

5. Phillips Reef - Visibility up to 10m.

6. Riy Banks - Depth 18m to 40m. Coral and game fish.

7.Thunderbolt Reef - Depth 15m to 30m. Orange and lilac hard coral.

Dive operators

1. Marine Training and Consulting, 10 Albert Road, Walmer, ☏ +27 41 581-5121, elzabe@odipe.co.za. One of the oldest dive schools in South Africa. PADI courses, own training center with indoor pool. 

2. Pro Dive (At Hobie Beach), ☏ +27 41 368-7880. 

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