Gateway to the Natural Wonders of the Eastern Cape
Port Elizabeth – Gateway to the Natural Wonders of the Eastern Cape
The Eastern Cape is unique in South Africa in that it encompasses no less than six of the seven biomes found in the world – and you can see the Big 7!
Many people come to Port Elizabeth to enjoy the beaches, watersports and annual events such as the Splash Festival, as many travel in to SA via PE to enjoy the best of the Cape’s outdoors and activities (see why PE is SA’s best eco-tourism destination).
But for the nature lover there is more than meets the eye of the casual traveler. The beauty of the Eastern Cape and the Sunshine Coast is undeniable, and if you look a little deeper, it will become even lovelier and more interesting.
The Eastern Cape encompasses 6 of the world’s 7 biomes, and within them a myriad ecosystems, in districts which can be easily accessed on National Roads from Port Elizabeth – from the precious Yellowwood Forests of the Tsitsikamma and Fynbos on the Garden Route to the inland Savanna that support the ‘Big 5’, diverse animal and bird-life and huge herds of game (not to mention quite a few private game reserves and the huge Addo National Park and Baviaanskloof Wilderness), from the dense forests, Coastal Thicket and dunes the Sunshine Coast, to the Karoo to the north, with its two biomes – the Nama Karoo and the Succulent Karoo – both featuring unique plant life and an interesting cultural and paleontological heritage. Beyond the Karoo the magnificent mountain vistas and alpine and sub escarpment Grasslands of the Eastern Cape Drakensburg are accessed via some remarkable and highly worthwhile mountain passes.
All of these areas can be reached within 1 to a few hours from Port Elizabeth, making PE a great ‘entry point’ for travelers wanting to experience the unique natural heritage of South Africa.
If you are not planning on travelling, no less than five of the six biomes are found within the Port Elizabeth city boundaries. No other city in South Africa can claim this range of biodiversity, and the best part is that it is never more than a 15 minute drive from anywhere to find a nature reserve or wilderness area. These include the Cape Recife Nature Reserve , the Aloes Nature Reserve, Settler’s Park, The Island Nature Reserve, Van der Kemps Kloof Nature Reserve, Van Stadens River Mouth, the Sundays River Mouth, the Zwartkops River mouth, the Maitland River Mouth and Sardinia Bay – all supporting diverse fauna and flora, some with great hiking and canoe trails, and all prime bird-watching hotspots.
Then there’s the Ocean…
As precious to Port Elizabeth as its on-shore biodiversity is the abundant marine life and underwater diversity that supports a great many marine ecosystems, fish, marine mammals and birds. Boat-based whale and dolphin watching is a popular activity in Port Elizabeth, and boat trips in Algoa Bay also offer encounters with seals, marine birds and possibly even the chance to spot a Great White from the safety of your boat…
So bring your walking boots, sea-sickness pills (if you need them), a great pair of binoculars and a camera with you to PE, and be prepared to immerse yourself in the natural beauty and bio-diversity in and around Port Elizabeth, or further on into the Eastern Cape – the most biodiverse province in South Africa – and one of the few places where you can see the Big SEVEN: Lions, Leopard, Buffalo, Elephant, Rhino, Whales and Great White Sharks.