Port Elizabeth Attractions

• Cape Recife
• Seaview Game and Lion Park

Day drive from Port Elizabeth to the Shamwari Game Reserve
 
The magnificent Shamwari Game Reserve is a privately owned Game Reserve. It is home to the Big Five and is located in a malaria-free area. In addition to the Big Five there are 18 antelope species and a large diversity of smaller mammals. Day visitors start the tour with a lunch on the game-viewing deck of the Conservation Centre. It is followed by a visit to Kaya Lendaba, a traditional African arts and culture village and then onto a guided game drive. The tour ends around 18.30.

Walk along the promenade and over weekends see what is on sale at the fleamarket. Continue and visit Bayworld, take a break in Natures Valley with its relaxing atmosphere then continue along the beach front onto the Pier and visit the Casino.

The Seaview Game & Lion Park, which was established in 1975, is located on the Eastern Cape’s sunshine Coast, 25 km’s west of the Port Elizabeth’s city centre. Set in 120 hectares of superb bush and grassland, the Park offers the unique experience of close-up Game-viewing.

The Seaview Game & Lion Park is home to more than forty species of wildlife. Giraffe, Zebra, Wildebeest, Impala, Duiker and Monkeys roam free. Crocodile, Rock Monitors, Meerkat , Genets, Jackals, and Caracal (Lynx), are housed in camps and enclosures in the sanctuary areas. They are released into freedom if possible.

Fees: Entrance to the Park is R33.00 per adult, R28.00 for pensioners, R28 for students (must have valid student card) and R14.00 per child or scholar. Toddlers of two years or below enter free. Discounts can be arranged for large groups.

Visiting Hours: Open daily between 9:00 and 17:00 By special arrangement, the Boma or Restaurant can be hired outside these hours. Feeding of Lions at 12:00 noon on Sundays

How to find the Seaview Game & Lion Park: The Seaview Game and Lion Park is situated 20 min West of Port Elizabeth. To reach the Game Park, turn off the N2 national road at the sign No.730 Greenbushes/Seaview.' Travel for about 7km towards the sea, turn left onto a gravel road marked "Lion Park". Turn left into the Park approximately 500m down the gravel road.


Tel:041 378 1702        

Email:  seaview@isat.co.za

Website:  www.seaviewgamepark.co.za

The Seaview Game and Lion Park is situated on the Eastern Cape’s "Sunshine Coast", 25 km’s west of Port Elizabeth’s city centre. Set in 120 hectares of superb bush and grassland, the Seaview Game and Lion Park offers the unique experience of close-up Game-viewing.

Giraffe, zebra, various antelope, jackals and monkeys roam free. Crocodile, Rock Monitors, Meerkats, African Wildcat, Caracal (Lynx), Lions and lion Cubs, Tigers and tiger cubs are housed in camps and enclosures, some of these are under the boardwalk. Visitors may enjoy a light meal at the park's restaurant.

Visiting Hours (subject to change):
- Open daily between 09:00 and 17:00
- By special arrangement, the Boma can be hired outside these hours.
- Feeding of Lions for public viewing is at 12:00 noon Sundays

Directions to the Seaview Game and Lion Park:

From Port Elizabeth, drive west along the N2 highway towards Humansdorp/Capetown,  
Exit off ramp SEAVIEW / GREENBUSHES (Sign No. 730) (730kms to Cape Town)
Turn left towards Seaview and follow Lion Park signs.
Turn left into Lower Seaview Rd
The Park is on the left.

From Jeffreys Bay, drive east along the N2 highway towards Port Elizabeth turn off at sign No.730.
Turn right and then go under the bridge.
Follow Lion Park signs.
Note the left fork into Lower Seaview Road and the Park is on the left along this road.
The Game Park roads are accessible to all vehicles.

THE APPLE EXPRESS IN THE EASTERN CAPE

The Apple Express  runs every day to Thornhill and back, with a two-hour stop for a braai (barbecue). It crosses over the highest narrow-guage bridge in the world.

This is the longest narrow gauge railway in the world, known as the Port Elizabeth –Avontuur line at 177 miles or in today’s terms 284 kilometres.

Visitors are welcome to spend a relaxed day on a historic train ride from Port Elizabeth’s Humewood Road station to the villages of Thornhill (33 miles) or Loerie (43 miles) as well as longer trips to Patensie (69 miles) or Assegaaibosch (100 miles) crossing numerous streams and rivers in this unspoiled terrain. Classic steam locomotives pull historic wooden coaches to accommodate the day and weekend trippers. The greatest engineering feat is the Van Stadens River Gorge bridge, built in 1905, which is 77metres (254ft.) high and 154 metres long and is the highest2ft. narrow gauge railway bridge in the world. Currently day trippers can experience luncheons, braais or picnics (trip specific) before slowly returning to the city.  Weekends away allow passengers to spend two nights in the countryside whilst enjoying all the family activities that the Langkloof and Gamtoos Valleys have to offer. These trips are expeditions in nostalgia, reminding one of the glory of the bygone daysof steam locomotives. To comply with safety procedures, railway rules and legislation, should the countryside be dry or for several operational reasons, steam traction may not be availed of which results in having to make use of a more modern diesel locomotive.

The Apple Express, as we know it today, first saw the light of day in 1965 due to a local request for a train trip. Since 2003the “Port Elizabeth Apple Express” (PEAE) a non profit company has taken over the functioning of the Tourist train.

Construction of the 600 mm line (2ft) started in May 1902 and finally reached Avontuur in December 1906, with the official opening in 1907. The line was built to connect the deciduous fruit farmers of the Langkloof Valley to the harbour in Port Elizabeth. A branch line from Gamtoos Junction to Patensie was completed in 1914 for the similar transport of agricultural products to markets overseas.

Of significance, the line passes the Chelsea Quarries from where in the 1920’s operators used this narrow gauge line to haul tons ofrock for the construction of a mile longbreakwater at the end of the Don Pedro Pier. This was to be strong enough to smash the heavy seas brought in by the southeasters and allow ships to find comfort closer to shore.

The reason for selecting a narrow gauge as opposed to the conventional 1067 mm (3ft.6inches) gauge was due to the spectacular terrain twisting and winding through hills and traversing many streams. It was easier for the two-foot railway line to track (no pun intended) the contours of the terrain than the standard ‘Cape Gauge’. Initially, Bagnall B Class and NG 15 Class locomotives (ex South West Africa) were used, whilst in later years the NGG 13 Garratts were introduced into the operation to cope with the growing Limestone traffic to the then Eastern Cape Cement works. More recently the stronger NGG 16 Garatt Engines were availed of.

Unfortunately, from 1986 enterprises in the Langkloof and citrus areas favoured road transport to rail and this detrimental migration resulted in the slow demise of this unique stretch of rail nestled in beautiful regional surrounds. Twenty years later however, the PEAE is successfully reviving this 100 mile safari for the benefit of excursion seekers to accommodate the influx of visitors to the Eastern Cape.

The St Francis Bay Golf Club is situated in the village of St Francis Bay on the warm Indian Ocean coastline of the Eastern Cape in South Africa. The St Francis Bay Golf Club is renowned country-wide for its warm hospitality and a great club spirit, which has been the essence of the club over the years.

The origins of the St Francis Bay Golf Club date back to 1975 when Leighton Hulett opened a 9 hole private golf course. Since then, many exciting changes have taken place and today our 18 hole coastal golf course compares favorably with the best courses on offer in the Eastern Cape.

The Course:

The moderate length of the St Francis Bay Golf Course will ensure a pleasurable game for the average golfer, yet provide the challenge of "thinking golf" for those wishing to break par 71. The par 71 course includes five par 3's and is destined to become the best 18 hole holiday course in the Eastern Cape, South Africa.

Address / Location of the St Francis Bay Golf Course:

Lyme Road South, St Francis Bay, Eastern Cape, South Africa

The St Francis Links golf course is a natural course situated between the beach and arable land. Jack Nicklaus has had the pleasure of taking Mother Nature's best piece of links land and signed his name to something unique.

St Francis Links challenges all who play it and reward those who respect it.  The layout combines every element of shot making with its undulating terrain, greens and surrounds as well as its variation in length and direction.

The bunkers at the St Francis Links look as though they have been simply plowed out of the land. It is the bunkering that truly defines the quality and character of the St Francis Links. 

One will agree that, almost from the opening shot, St Francis Links carries a look and feel that breathes history from times gone by.  The shape of the greens comes from the natural movement of the land. The greens have simply been placed on top of the sand, changing shape in construction as the wind changed its mind. Some are more undulating than others. All putting surfaces and green surrounds present a mental and physical test.

Jack Nicklaus is a name long associated with greatness in the world of golf. Also known as 'The Golden Bear', the golf legend Jack Nicklaus boasts 105 professional victories worlwide, including a record 18 professional major championships, ranking him amongst the greatest sport stars of all times.

The Nicklaus name is now also associated with the best in course design world wide. Nicklaus Design boasts more than 300 courses open for play in 29 different countries. Of those, the 'Golden Bear' has been involved in the design of 250 courses. Nicklaus Design, the worlder leader in course design, has projects currently under development in 37 different countries.  At least 48 Nicklaus Design courses have been ranked in various national and international Top-100 lists (Golf Digest, Golf Magazine, and Golfweek).  It is therefore with pride that St Francis Links is counted amongst the exclusive list of Jack Nicklaus Signature Courses.

The coastal village Jeffrey's Bay in South Africa is world renowned for its beautiful shells. The more than 600 shells from species all of the world makes it one of the largest collections in South Africa.

In 1969, Jeffrey's Bay became a municipality, and with the town developing as a favorite for holiday makers, many of Jeffey's Bay's hidden treasures were reveiled. Today, Jeffrey's Bay in South Africa is one of the top surfing destinations in the world, and is famous for the rare and unique shells which are found on its beaches. The Shell Museum displays shells, such as the exquisite and rare paper nautilus and shells from various other countries.

The Jeffrey's Bay Shell Museum, also known as the Charlotte Kritzinger Shell Museum, was started from the private home of a local spinster named Charlotte Kritzinger in 1945. Charlotte stored her unique shells in boxes and would gladly show off her collection to interested visitors, explaining their origin and any information connected regarding a specific item. Marine life skeletons were also amongst her collection. The Jeffrey's Bay Shell Museum operated in this way until Charlotte's death in 1960. Her collection was advertised in the newspaper and the local Municipality acted upon this by purchasing her collection.

The Jeffrey's Bay Shell Museum was moved to the library where, in the honor of Charlotte Kritzinger, the museum was opened in the 1970’s. A curatrixes was appointed over the Jeffrey's Bay Shell Museum in 1986, and the collection received an addition of 350 deepwater species and shells. Shells are donated to the Museum or acquired by exchange through collectors throughout the world. If funds are available, new shells are purchased, but the Jeffrey's Bay Shell Museum mostly relies on the generous donations by private collectors. The Jeffreys Bay Shell Museum now boasts with the biggest collection of shells in the entire country. The Museum is open at specific times each day of the week. And for the future shell collectors, or just the curious, Jeffrey's Bay has an annual Shell Festival every September.  What started as just a hobby for Charlotte Kritzinger, the shell enthusiast, was the birth of a heritage and The Jeffrey's Bay Shell Museum, to be left behind for generations to view and marvel at.

The Shell Museum is open from Monday to Saturday from 09h00 to 16h00 and on Sundays between 09h00 to 13h00.

Telephone (042) 293 1945 

Jeffrey’s Bay is proud to be the site of one of the world’s Blue Flag Beaches. This prestigious award requires the beach being examined to adhere to strict requirements in order to qualify for such a status. These criteria include the areas of safety standards, water quality standards, environmental education initiatives, providing environmental information to the general public, the provision of services to bathers and general environmental management standards.

Dolphin Beach is the main beach in Jeffrey’s Bay, frequented by locals and regular visitors from around the world. This beach has achieved Blue Flag status and is, therefore, recommended for tourists in the area. Safe swimming conditions are complemented by ideal sunbathing spots for a perfect family getaway under the warm South African sun.

Blue Flag Beach managers commit much time and energy to ensuring that swimmers are as safe as possible. Ultimately, however, your safety depends on you. Some water safety tips to consider follow:

1.    Swim near a lifeguard
2.    Always swim between the red and yellow flags
3.    Do not swim under the influence of drugs or alcohol
4.    Do not go behind the breakers, even if you are confident of your swimming abilities
5.    Always ensure that your children are visible at all times and do not leave them unattended
6.    Do not strain against a rip current. Relax and allow it to pull you around until you reach the shore again
7.    Call or wave for help if you feel that you are in danger
8.    Report any swimmer that you may feel is having difficulty in the water
9.    Keep your eye on the water at all times, do not turn your back on the waves

In addition to your safety in the water, remember to apply a high-factor sunscreen throughout the year, regardless of the season. Wear a broad-rimmed sunhat, sunglasses and light, cotton clothing that covers exposed areas of the shoulders, neck, arms and legs to avoid sun damage.

The beaches along the coastline of the Eastern Cape and Jeffrey’s Bay are breathtaking. They play a big part in the culture, and even the economy, of this coastal village. It is no wonder, then, that Dolphin Beach strove for such worldwide acclaim in the arena of water safety and environmental responsibility.

The Jeffrey’s Bay Golf Course is a 9-hole course designed in 1976 by Piet Vermaak. The smart-casual Clubhouse is an ideal venue for holidaymakers to meet with local golfers, and swop heroic tee-off tales.

Golf Carts are available at the Jeffrey’s Bay Golf Course, but it is likely that golfers will take pleasure in the comfortable stroll from hole to hole. The par rating for men and women is 72, and the SAGA rating is 70 for men and 71 for women. The green boasts a delightful blend of Bayview Fairways and Kikuyu grasses. Additional facilities include a Bar, Boardroom, Chipping Green, Halfway House, Pool Room, Pro Shop, Locker Rooms, Putting Green and Function Facilities.

The lighthouse at Cape St Francis, Eastern Cape, was built in 1878 to warn ships of the dangerous reefs that stretch more than a kilometer out to sea in this region of South Africa.  The Lighthouse at Cape St Francis is the tallest masonry tower on the South African coast, standing at a height of 27.5 meters and is now a National Monument.

Day drive to Jeffrey’s Bay:
 
This town is bordered on both sides by nature reserves and rivers. In the town is the Noorsekloof nature reserve (an excellent example of Valley bushveld). Jeffrey’s Bay is famous for its legendary waves and attracts international and local surfers. Pick up the many species of shells which can be found on the beach.
 

The need to create a surf museum in Jeffrey's Bay was for many reasons. Essentially, Jeffrey's Bay is one of the top ten surfing destinations in the world, so to have a surf museum in this typically surf driven town was always a must.

The world renowned "Super Tubes", a famous point break right-hander is the pinnacle of Jeffrey's Bay and the destination that every young surfer throughout the world aspires to one day being able to ride. It is the perfect wave surrounded by dolphins and the occasional whale. Nature at her best can be enjoyed here.

This is also one of the venues for the current WCT world contest surfing tour, where the top 44 international surfers compete in July every year. The tour stretches over 14 different surfing locations culminating in the final event held at "Pipeline" in Hawaii for the prestigious world surfing crown. The museum is also about remembering the history of surfing and paying tribute to the many surfing pioneers and legends that have developed the sport over a span of several years. This is not only about the people and personalities but also about the evolution of the actual surfboard from wooden boards to the ultra light foam and glass fibre surfboards that exist today.

The Jeffreys Bay Surf Museum encompasses all this and more. It imbibes the spirit of surfing. Walking through the museum immediately makes one aware of that special magic which exists between the surfer and the ocean.

The Heritage Trail in Port Elizabeth is a 5km long trail following the footsteps of the 1820 Settlers, visiting 47 historical sites.

The Jewish Pioneers Memorial in Port Elizabeth features a collection of memorabilia detailing Jewish history in Port Ellizabeth. Displays include ceremonial items, photographs and a Jewish ex-servicemen's memorial. It is housed in the original synagogue used by the city's Jewish community between 1912-1954.

The Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Art Museum, formerly the King George VI Art Gallery, was opened on 22 June 1956 and renamed in December 2002.  The collections are housed in two buildings framing the entrance to St George's Park and consist of South African art (particularly that of the Eastern Cape), British art, international printmaking and Oriental art (including Indian miniatures and Chinese textiles).

The St Georges Park in Port Elizabeth covers 73 hectares with well landscaped gardens. It is home to the oldest bowling green in South Africa as well as the Port Elizabeth Cricket Club, Prince Alfred's Guard Memorial and the 1882 Victorian Pearson Conservatory. Once a month visitors can enjoy the "Art in the Park" where many arts and crafts are on display.

The St Georges Park in Port Elizabeth is the oldest park in Port Elizabeth and the site of the second oldest cricket club in the South Africa.  St George’s Park lies in the heart of Port Elizabeth and is a tribute to the past and present day moments away from the noise of the city.

Many visitors enjoy a picnic party which takes place here and the Mannville Open Air Theatre and the art galleries add an artistic dimension that makes it attractive to visitors. During hot spells in the city, the St George’s Park Swimming Baths, that include an Olympic sized swimming pool with a diving board and a children’s pool, make for an interesting diversion away from the glorious beaches of the friendly city.

The ‘Master Harold’ tearoom, arguably one of the most famous tearooms in the world after it served as the setting for Athol Fugard’s ‘Master Harold and the Boys’, forms part of the swimming pool complex – in a small, rather unpretentious building. The tearoom has, rather sadly, lost a lot of its former quaintness to modernisation, but it is interesting to note that Athol Fugard’s mother ran the tearoom for almost 30 years and that a lot of the play is based on fact.

Sahara Oval St George'sis not only a first class cricket facility that was home to the 2003 ICC Cricket World Cup Semi-Final, but it also has versatile venues for hire. They also offer world-class facilities with first class services for any of the following:  Weddings, Conferences, Lectures, Dinner Parties, Company Breakfasts, Presentations, Product Launches, Special Events.

At the St. Croix Motor Museum in Port Elizabeth, about 80 cars of various categories are displayed ranging from the early 20’s to the late 60’s. Many artifacts related to the motor-industry are also on display. Spares for many models are also located through the wide club member network.

The Boardwalk Casino and Entertainment World in Port Elizabeth was opened to the public in December 2000 and no expense was spared by the developers, Emfuleni, in this spectacular beachfront development. To begin with there are two new sea-facing hotels, The Courtyard Suite and Road Lodge and these overlook Hobie Beach in Port Elizabeth.

The sprawling public gardens of The Boardwalk were inspired by the Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen and 500 palm trees, 857 texture plants and 112,000 shrubs were used to create a pleasing atmosphere for visitors to relax near the cascading fountains. A local sculptor, Keith Calder, was commissioned by The Boardwalk to create the mermaid and the 2 dolphins that form the heart of the fountains. As well as the 400 surveillance cameras there are 5 kms of lights comprising 25,000 light globes. This mini city reminds one of Disneyland in Florida. The complex is open 24 hours a day with 1456 free parking bays.

Fort Frederick in Port Elizabeth, South Africa, overlooks the Baakens River and was named after the Duke of York. It has 8 cannons but no salvoes were ever fired from them in an act of war. Captain Francis Evatt's grave can be seen here. He was the commander of the garrison who supervised the arrival of the 1820 Settlers.

The Shark Rock Pier on the beachfront at Humewood in Port Elizabeth, South Africa, was built by the municipality in 1990 and has become a focal point for visitors and beach lovers. The original idea was to build a groyne to stop sand erosion and to build up the beach. The problem was that in summer time the strong South Easterly winds would cause all the sand to be washed away. The pier has been successful and the sand erosion has been curbed and Humewood Beach continues to be one of the most popular of Port Elizabeth’s beaches.

The idea behind building the pier was also to promote tourism by creating a pier for the public to walk along which would give a scenic view of the city. At night time the view of the city and the sea is spectacular.