PORT ELIZABETH

Port Elizabeth / Nelson Mandela Bay - regarded as the "official" gateway to the scenic Eastern Cape Province and the world renowned Garden Route, home to Port Elizabeth, Uitenhage and Despatch is the only metropolitan area that was allowed by the former president to bear his name. By adopting his name, the metro strives to align itself with the "spirit of freedom" eminent in the life and life-long philosophy of this great man.

Port Elizabeth / Nelson Mandela Bay offers genuine, warm hospitality to all who stop to explore it, a diversity of water and beach sports on offer throughout the year, magnificent unspoilt beaches (some of the finest in the country), warm waters and calm seas offer safe bathing spots. With wildlife close-by in a malaria free environment, and nature reserves on the doorstep (more than a million hectares in total in the Eastern Cape), what more could you want?

Port Elizabeth / Nelson Mandela Bay received the "Cleanest Metro in South Africa Award 2002" and "Blue Flag Status" has again been awarded to Humewood Beach. This is an international award only given to those beaches that meet excellence in safety, amenities, cleanliness and environmental standards.

The financial infrastructure of Port Elizabeth / Nelson Mandela Bay is also well established. All the major banks, building societies, insurance companies, as well as telephone companies, have their provincial regional offices in Port Elizabeth / Nelson Mandela Bay. They are connected with all the major financial centres of Southern Africa and the rest of the world. Their managements have international exposure and their administrations are based on the most advanced technology.

Port Elizabeth / Nelson Mandela Bay is today the biggest coastal city between Cape Town and Durban (which are situated 800km either way), with approximately 1.5 million inhabitants, and the industrial hub of the Eastern Cape, with well-equipped road, rail and air links to every other major city in South Africa and international destinations. All major airlines touch base atPort Elizabeth / Nelson Mandela Bay, and passenger trains run frequently between the city and Johannesburg.Port Elizabeth / Nelson Mandela Bayhas very accessible motor free-ways and is commonly referred to as the "10-minute city". The uncongested motorways are "user friendly" and getting around is an easy, scenic experience.

Port Elizabeth / Nelson Mandela Bayis situated on the scenic Algoa Bay whose shores are lapped by the warm waters of the Indian Ocean. It is a vibrant vacation destination and appropriately nicknamed "The Friendly City". This coastal city basks in year-round sunshine and experiences a daily average of 7 hours sunshine. Winter temperatures range from 7°C to 20°C and the summer highs can exceed 26°C. This wonderful climate (rated as the 4th best weather in the world) and scenic location combine to lure tourists.

The Friendly City (South Africa's 5th largest city in terms of population and the 2nd largest in terms of area)... offers a watersport mecca, game parks, nature reserves, ethnic culture, art and entertainment for everyone...

The port ofPort Elizabeth / Nelson Mandela Bay, with its proximity to heavily industrialized and intensively farmed areas, has facilities for the handling of all commodities - bulk, general and container cargo. Being the centre of the country's motor vehicle manufacturing industry, the port imports large volumes of containerized components and raw materials for this industry. Today employment in the metro is mainly by the automotive, auto component, food, pharmaceutical, tourism, agriculture, textile and rubber industries. Port Elizabeth / Nelson Mandela Bay has been dubbed the "Detroit of South Africa" while Uitenhage is host to Volkswagen SA, Port Elizabeth is home to General Motors South Africa.

Enjoy a host of attractions including intriguing historical sites, scenic nature trails, a magnificent natural world and exhilarating water sport activities all packed into one South African destination called Port Elizabeth / Nelson Mandela Bay.

BEACHES:

The Eastern Cape offers 800 km of untouched and pristine coastline along with some of the world's best beaches.

Port Elizabeth / Nelson Mandela Bay alone boasts 40 km of magnificent coastline and protected beaches, complemented by a perfect combination of warm water, calm sea and fair breezes. These beaches include; KING'S BEACH, HUMEWOOD BEACH, HOBIE BEACH, POLLOCK BEACH, BRIGHTON BEACH, BLUEWATER BAY, ST GEORGE'S STRAND & WELLS ESTATE. The wide expanses of golden sands are ideal for safe and sheltered swimming, snorkeling, body surfing, sunbathing, yachting, windsurfing, surfing, jet skiing, fishing and beautiful beach walks. Lifeguards are on duty during the summer season at all the main beaches.

GAME RESERVES:

The Eastern Cape is a surprisingly good game-viewing destination with 3 national parks, and 1 provincial park.

ADDO ELEPHANT NATIONAL PARK

Situated 73 km fromPort Elizabeth / Nelson Mandela Bay, the park is a true conservation success story. The Addo Elephant Park is home to a herd of 300 elephants, and allows close-quarter viewing.
www.addoelephantpark.com

TSITSIKAMMA NATIONAL PARK

The Tsitsikamma National Park, also known as "the place of much water", is where the great breaking waves of the Indian Ocean relentlessly pound rocky shores; where temperate high forest and fynbos (indigenous flora) roll down to the sea and where ancient rivers carve their paths to the ocean down rocky ravines.