Port Elizabeth
The Friendly City
General Information
Other Name: The Windy City, , State: Eastern Cape, South Africa
Area: 712.4 sq mi
Languages Spoken: NA
Long Distance Code: +27(0)41
Importance: NA
Best Time to Visit: December to January and NA
International Access: NADescription
It is known for its sunshine and safe sandy beaches . For the tourist wanting a total South African experience, Port Elizabeth is the perfect complement to the Garden Route, Settler Hinterland, Sunshine Coast and Cape. Located on the South Eastern coast of Africa, this major sea port and tourist destination is set along the beautiful shores of Algoa Bay, and is fondly referred to as the Friendly Eco-City.Temperatures are moderate all year round with rain scattered throughout the year. The summers are warm with a very temperate humidity level. Winters are mild and pleasant, and it is significant that water sports, even surfing, boardsailing and diving, are practised year-round.Location
260 km from KnysnaClimate
Subtropical Climate
The Addo Elephant National Park (area 14,551ha/35,941ac) lies 72km/45mi north of Port Elizabeth between the Zuurberg range and the valley of the Sundays River. It was established in 1931 to preserve the last eleven South African bush elephants from extinction (there are now some 200 elephants in the reserve). The valuable Cape buffalo has also been preserved here. Other animals to be seen in the park include black rhinos and numerous species of antelope (bushbucks, kudus, red hartebeests, elands, Cape grysboks, duikers, etc.). Among nocturnal animals found here are porcupines, anteaters and bush pigs. 185 species of birds have been recorded, including Cape thick-knees, bronze-naped pigeons, ostriches, little swifts, quails, wattled starlings, Cape red-shouldered glossy starlings and kites. The bush in the park consists of low-growing trees and climbing plants. The dominant plant is the spekboom bush, the elephants' main source of food. The best place to see elephants is at one of the six waterholes in the park. For bird-watchers there is an observation platform at the entrance to the park.Accommodation for visitors is available in rondavels, cottages, chalets and a camping site, and there are a restaurant and a shop.
Port Elizabeth's most popular attraction consists of a complex on the beachfront that includes the Oceanarium, a museum, and a snake park. The Bayworld Oceanarium is famed for its performing Bottlenose dolphin shows, enjoyed by thousands every year. Besides the large dolphin pool with its underwater viewing area, the oceanarium also features an aquarium tank where visitors can watch a vast array of marine life through glass portholes as they glide by, including sharks, turtles and rays. The snake park contains an impressive variety of indigenous reptiles in natural-looking enclosures. The PE Museum focuses on cultural and natural history with a wide variety of exhibits, from models of sailing ships and period costumes to giant replicas of dinosaurs that roamed the area in prehistoric times; it is the third-oldest museum in the country.
On a hill above the centre of the city stands a stone pyramid monument with an adjacent lighthouse. The open public space was proclaimed in perpetuity by Sir Rufane Donkin, acting British Governor of the Cape, when the 1820 Settlers arrived in Algoa Bay. Donkin named the new settlement after his wife, Elizabeth, who had died in India two years' previously, and erected the pyramid in her memory. The lighthouse was built in 1861, and today houses the city's Tourist Information Centre.
The Garden Route is a popular and scenic stretch of the southern coast of South Africa. It stretches from Mossel Bay in the Western Cape to the Storms River which is crossed along the N2 coastal highway over the Paul Sauer Bridge in the extreme eastern reach of the Western Cape. It includes towns such as Mossel Bay, George, Knysna, Oudtshoorn, Plettenberg Bay and Nature's Valley.It has a maritime climate, with moderately hot summers, and mild to chilly winters. It is one of the nicest all-year-round rainfall areas in South Africa, most rain falling in the winter months, brought by the humid sea-winds from the Indian Ocean rising and releasing their precipitation along the high mountain ranges just inland of the coast.The Route is sandwiched between the Outeniqua and Tsitsikamma mountains and the Indian Ocean.Ten nature reserves embrace the varied ecosystems of the area as well as unique marine reserves, home to soft coral reefs, dolphins, seals and a host of other marine life. Various bays along the Garden Route are nurseries to the endangered Southern Right Whale which come there to calve in the winter and spring (July to December).
Port Elizabeth’s architectural heritage can be traced by taking a walk around the central city Market Square, which features several historic buildings. The centrepiece of the square is the aesthetically pleasing City Hall, dating from 1858, topped with an attractive clock tower.Alongside the city hall is the Prester John Memorial, dedicated to the Portuguese explorers who landed in South Africa. On the northwest flank of the square is the city’s public library, built in 1835 and originally used as a courthouse. The beautiful building is regarded as an excellent example of Victorian Gothic architecture and is interesting in that its façade was manufactured in England and shipped to Port Elizabeth to be recreated piece by piece. In front of the library stands a marble statue of Queen Victoria, which was unveiled in 1903. Slightly downhill from the square, at the entrance to the harbour, stands the Campanile, containing the biggest carillon of bells in the country. Visitors can climb 204 steps to enjoy the view from the top of this monument, which commemorates the landing of the 1820 settlers.
The Oceanarium has a large number of aquarium tanks in which fish and other marine creatures live in near natural conditions, but its great attraction is the dolphin show presented daily.
St George’s Park has been a recreational centre for the city for more than 150 years, boasting well-landscaped gardens covering 73 hectares. On site is the world famous Port Elizabeth Cricket Club, scene of many an exciting test match series, and the oldest bowling green in South Africa. The park also features the 1882 Edwardian Pearson Conservatory, a national monument filled with orchids, water lilies and other exotic plants. Every second Sunday of the month the park plays host to a vibrant arts and crafts fair.