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Port Elizabeth (or just PE if you want to sound South African) is South Africa's fifth largest city and is located on the Indian Ocean coast half-way between Cape Town and Durban, in the Eastern Cape, about 260 km from Knysna. Also known as the friendly city and the windy city, it tends to live up to both names.

A perfect complement to the Garden Route, the Friendly City is a major sea port and tourist destination set along the beautiful shores of Nelson Mandela Bay. The centre of the South African motor industry is spoiled by moderate and warm temperatures all year round with scattered rain throughout the year - climatic attributes which contribute to an outstanding quality of life. A popular and significant destination for water sports, Port Elizabeth also offers many historical attractions, such as the Historic Donkin Heritage trail, taking visitors along the footsteps of the 1820 settlers. British heritage is reflected in the Port Elizabeth Cricket Club, and the Oldest Bowling Green in South Africa. Port Elizabeth’s greatest treasures, however, are malaria-free wildlife areas in its vicinity, and clean beaches washed by warm water.

Port Elizabeth was founded by British settlers in 1820 and was named after the wife of Rufane Donkin, Acting Governor of the Cape Colony at that time. The city is located on the Algoa Bay and forms together with the neighboring towns of Uitenhage and Despatch the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Municipality.

The tourist information centres are in the Donkin Reserve in the town center, at The Boardwalk (Marine Drive) and at the Airport Arrivals hall. See [2] for more information and all other tourism related products.

THINGS TO SEE

• Donkin Reserve. In memory of Rufane Donkin and his wife Elizabeth, after whom the city is named. The lighthouse built in 1861 is open to the public. PE tourism has their office here   
• Townships: organized tours are offered by the Tourist information. There is a safety concern regarding township tours though.
• Alexandria Dune Fields. The largest coastal dune field in the southern hemisphere is located just outside PE at the villages of Colchester and Cannonville.   
• Tour Nelson Mandela Bay City, Dickens Street, Central Port Elizabeth, ☎ +27 (0)41 373-7758, [12]. See Town Hall, Feather Market Hall, the Old Post Office, Fort Frederick, Donkin Reserve, Settlers Park, and the Horse Memorial all in one fabulous tour.   
• Wezandla African Arts and Crafts Gallery, 27 Baakens Str, ☎ +27 (0)41 585-1185 (fax: +27 (0)41 585-1186), [13]. Browse African Art   
• South Africa Airforce Museum, ☎ +27 (0)41 505-1295 (fax: +27 (0)41 505-1403), [14]. Open 8AM to 3:30PM Mon to Fri and 10AM to 6PM on Sun. Entrance is free.   
• Bayworld, Marine Drive, Humewood, ☎ +27 (0)41 584-0650, [15]. Open 9AM to 4:30PM.. Has a museum, oceanarium and snake park. There are currently no dolphin performances.   
• Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Art Museum, 1 Park Drive, Central (St George's Park entrance), ☎ +27 (0)41 506-2000, [16]. M-F 9AM-5PM, Sa-Su 2PM-5PM. A selection of South African art, especially from the Eastern Cape.   
• No 7 Castle Hill Museum, ☎ +27 (0)41 582-2515. Open 10AM to 1PM and 2PM to 5PM, Tuesday to Friday. 2PM to 5PM on Mondays and 10AM to 1PM on Saturdays. Dating back to 1827, it is the oldest Settler cottage in PE. Entrance fee is R6.   
• Red Location Museum, ☎ +27 (0)41 408-8400 (nhoza@mandelametro.gov.za, fax: +27 (0)41 408-8401), [17]. 10am to 4pm Tues to Fri and 9am to 3pm Sat and Sun. The museum which bridges the past with the future Adults:R12, Pensioners, Disabled and Unemployed: Free on Wed between 12pm and 4pm, Discount for students.

THINGS TO DO

PE 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, as well as great area for viewing marine life in the form of dolphins, whales and African penguins.
 

• Raggy Charters, ☎ +27 (0)73 152 2277 (info@raggycharters.co.za), [18]. Whale & Dolphin Watching, Penguin Island Cruises and Beachfront Cruises   
• African Dawn (Wildlife Sanctuary), Thornhill, ☎ 042 2860 710, [19]. 9am-5pm. African Dawn Bird and Wildlife Sanctuary offers a selection of birds and wildlife to view including Cheetahs, Servals and much more. Braai and picnic places available.   
• 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 .   
• Algoa Bay Yacht Club, [20]. Have a meal and go sailing   
• Apple Express, ☎ +27 (0)41 583-2030, [21]. 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.   
• Boardwalk Casino, ☎ +27 (0)41 507-7777 (boardwalk@sunint.co.za).   
• Kragga Kamma Game Park, (Follow the M15 west from the city center for about 15 minutes), ☎ +27 (0)41 379-4195 (cantor@worldonline.co.za), [22]. 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.   
• Links Humewood Golf course, [23].   
• The Mountain Club of South Africa, ☎ +27 (0)41 365-5543 (mcsaeas@mcsa.org.za), [24]. Climbs, walks and a rock climbing school.   
• Voetsac Hiking Club, ☎ +27 (0)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.   
• The Peoples Observatory, cnr Westview and Macfarlane, Newton Park, ☎ +27 (0)41 363-9040. Meetings every first and third Wednesday of the month at 8PM. View the southern skies.   
• Roseate Tern hiking trial, Next to Pine Lodge Resort off Marine Drive, Summerstrand, ☎ +27 (0)41 585-9711. 9 km circular trail.   
• Sandboarding, ☎ +27 (0)41 586-2276 (theboardroom@axemail.co.za). The Maitland dune mountain is one of the largest in the country and perfect for sand boarding.   
• Surf. The Pipe at Pollok Beach is where you want to go for surfing.   
• Eastern Cape Wilderness Motorcycle Tour, (Central Port Elizabeth, Dickens Street), ☎ +27 (0)41 373-7785 (info@lathita.co.za), [25]. A motorcycle tour starting and ending in Port Elizabeth that takes you through the superb Eastern, Southern and Western Cape regions of South Africa.
• Chelsea Mashie Golf Club (Chelsea Mashie Golf), ((Follow the M15 west from the city center for about 15 minutes) Next to 'Kragga Kamma Game Park'), ☎ +27 (0)82 774 7679, [26].   
• Sukume 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.), ☎ 0769786627/041-3662082. 9-15H00. The Walmer Township is one of the only areas in south Africa that avoided forced removals. The friendly community is poised to welcome you to their culture and to show you their history. Tours leave every hour on the hour Monday to Friday from the 14th June 2010. If you contact us before visiting, we will ensure 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.
• Pumba Private Game Reserve, ☎ +27466032000, [27]. 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.   
• South End Museum, Cnr.Humewood & Walmer Blvd (South End), ☎ 041-5823325, [28]. 09.00 -16.00. The South End Museum offers glimpses of the lost past. From its walk-on map to historical photographs and displays of the life and times of the people of South End, the Museum provides a living memorial to the victims forcibly removed by the infamous Group Areas Act. donation.