Port Elizabeth
Welcome to Port Elizabeth (Nelson Mandela Bay)
Port Elizabeth, renamed, Nelson Mandela Bay, is the gateway to the Garden Route of South Africa and Addo Elephant National Park in the Eastern Cape. Surrounded by beautiful beaches, private safari game reserves and national parks and the friendliest people in South Africa. Here, everything is only a 20 minutes drive from each other.
Why Go?:
When it comes to weather Nelson Mandela Bay (Port Elizabeth) is a year-round destination, where every Sunday is "beach-day". Locals flock to the beaches all year round because the weather is so good. It is also popular for overnight stays between the Garden Route and Addo Elephant National Park and a number of private safari game reserves nearby.
Where to Go?:
The city is an outdoor lover's paradise, so don’t miss out on boat cruises, scuba diving, and a visit to the Seaview Predator Park. When you head into town take a walk through the Boardwalk Casino and Entertainment Complex, where shops, restaurants, an amphitheater and a casino will keep you entertained for hours on end. Also worth a visit is a 52m tower with 204 steps leading to the top. It’s called the Campanile Memorial and stands watch over the Port Elizabeth harbour.
When to Go?:
The summer holidays during December and January is most popular since the city comes alive with planned fun-in-the-sun activities. Beaches are less crowded and the weather is as good just before or after the high season if crowds are not your thing.
Best Time to Go: Best: Good:
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Highlights:
- Visit Donkin Reserve in Nelson Mandela Bay, where you can enjoy birds, walking paths, an opera house, a lighthouse and a memorial.
- Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Art Museum and Prince Alfred's Guard Memorial, both in St George's Park – the oldest park in Port Elizabeth and home to the St George's Cricket Oval.
- The large metal cut-out of Nelson Mandela leading South Africans to vote in the country’s first democratic election – a moment that South Africans will always remember
- See one of South Africa's world-class FIFA World Cup Stadiums which hosted some of the World Cup 2010 soccer games.
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