Trifter

Fresh air, scenic views of nature, modern buildings, and interesting history – these are just some of the wonderful pieces that make up Port Elizabeth, a leading seaport and industrial city in South Africa. What used to be farmed by Xhosa, Tembu, and Mpondo people is now considered to be Africa’s Water Sport Capital.

In the 1400’s, Portugese explorers landed in the area. Fort Frederick, a military camp, was then set up in 1820 to house British settlers as a means of strengthening the border region between the Cape Colony and the Xhosa tribe. The area was declared a city in 1913 by Sir Rufane Donkin, the acting governor of the Cape Colony, and named it after his wife. Thus, it was named Port Elizabeth. In the present, it is considered a major manufacturing center which focuses on the motor vehicle industry, and a major seaport with the most significant ore loading facilities in the southern hemisphere. Port Elizabeth has definitely become far more advanced and civilized than it used to be.

Port Elizabeth is more than just a center for trade and industry. Nicknamed as “The Friendly City” or “The Windy City”, it also boasts of its subtropical climate and wonderful landscapes and sceneries, making it a major center of tourism. Located on Algoa Bay on South Africa’s southeastern coast, tourists visit Port Elizabeth for its beautiful sunshine and fine sandy beaches, which makes it the best spot for many water sports like scuba diving, surfing, kite boarding, and windsurfing just to name a few. Cruises, dolphin and whale watching tours are also offered from the harbor making Port Elizabeth a perfect getaway place not only for couples but for big families as well.

A number of historic attractions also surround the area’s central business district. These include the Campanile, a bell tower built in 1923, which gives tourists the chance to see the astonishing top-view of the city; Port Elizabeth’s city hall built in 1862; the Donkin Reserve park and monument; and the old stone Fort Frederick built during the settlement of the British in 1820. All are part of the Donkin Heritage Trail which allows the visitors to follow in the footsteps of the British settlers in their journey of discovery and settlement.

Other local attractions include the Humewood Golf Club, one of South Africa’s top-rated golf clubs; St. George’s Park cricket ground, officially known as the Sahara Oval, the home of the Port Elizabeth Cricket Club; the Eastern Province Rugby Football Union Stadium, commonly known as the EPRFU Stadium, which can accommodate 33,852 people; and the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, a 48,000 seat stadium overlooking the North End Lake, which opened recently in 2009 was built in anticipation of the 2010 FIFA World Cup. All of these offer game viewing opportunities for big fans of sports. For lovers of beauty and art, the King George VI Art Gallery, the museum and oceanography room in Humewood, and the Boardwalk waterfront complex are just some of the best places to go.

The Addo Elephant National Park, another tourist attraction located close to Port Elizabeth, is a malaria-free reserve founded to shelter eleven remaining elephants in the area. Now, it houses more than 450 African elephants and a large number of other wildlife including black rhinos, cape buffalos, black-backed jackals, a variety of antelope species, and flightless dung beetles found almost nowhere but in Addo Elephant National Park. The park receives about 120,000 tourists annually because of the wide variety of activities it offers – from outdoor adventure to cultural experiences.

Bordering the eastern side of Addo Elephant National Park is the Schotia Safaris, the oldest private game viewing reserve in the Eastern Cape. Schotia Safaris, another malaria-free game reserve, houses over 40 mammal species and an estimate of 2,000 animals. Famous for its Tooth and Claw game drive, Schotia Safaris will take you as close as possible to get the best viewing of giraffes, hippos, lions and other wildlife animals while putting your safety on top of the list.

Another must-visit is the Seaview Game and Lion Park. where playing with lion cubs of varying ages is made open to the public. Anyone would just love playing with lion cubs, especially kids. Seaview Game and Lion Park also offers Caravan Park and Camping where you experience wildlife at its best in its natural habitat.

Whether what you want is a paradise where you can relax and admire nature at it’s finest, or a place filled with interesting history, background and culture, Port Elizabeth it the perfect place for you. Port Elizabeth’s magnificent tourist attractions have activities which are best not only for adults but for kids as well. With everything it offers and the city’s versatility, Port Elizabeth is indeed a place that everyone would love to visit.