Incredible Scenic Self-Drives
Excursions into the heart of Nelson Mandela Bay and surrounding areas are exciting. There are a variety of self-drive options available for the intrepid adventurer.
Ibhayi Sunshine Saunter
Ibhayi Sunshine Saunter is a picturesque circular self-drive route which highlights the coastal riches of the area along the Western Seaboard of Port Elizabeth. The scenic route, which doesn’t take you more than 50kms out of town, covers the beautiful rugged coast along Marine Drive, picnic spots, coves, rock pools along the rocky section of the shores as well as charming seaside resorts, lush countryside and tea gardens. Pods of dolphins and whales are frequently sighted along the coastline.
It is a highly recommended self-drive for lovers of beach views and beautiful country areas!
The route covers some of Port Elizabeth’s most scenic areas such as Schoenies, Sardinia Bay, Chelsea, Theescombe, Seaview, Beachview, Maitland.
Places of interest along the drive include game farms, adventures, pottery, kiddies farmyards, dinosoars, restaurants, accommodation, tea gardens and nurseries.
Despatch and Uitenhage
Another drive takes the visitor through the towns of Despatch and Uitenhage. Despatch is a charming town which derived its name from the brick industry, as it was from a railway siding (later known as Hitler’s Halt) in the late 1800’s near Uitenhage that the bricks were ‘dispatched’ or rather ‘despatched’.
Located 35kms from Port Elizabeth, Uitenhage is a thriving industrial and commercial town which is home to Volkswagen South Africa (Pty) Ltd, one of three motor manufacturers in the Eastern Cape. The surrounding area also encompasses the pristine Groendal Wilderness Area, which provides a host of eco-outdoor activities.
Colchester and Cannonville
Discover the rural towns of Colchester and Cannonville, nestled on the banks of the beautiful Sundays River, a few kilometres from the river mouth where it flows into the Indian Ocean through the majestic and world-renowned Coastal Dune Fields. Only 40kms from Port Elizabeth, this small community boasts the closest point of entry (five kilometres) into the Greater Addo Elephant National Park Southern Gate. An excursion on the Sundays River Ferry, which is a double-deck cruiser, is highly recommended!
The Sundays River Valley
The Sundays River Valley stretches from the Sundays River Mouth/Colchester/Cannonville/Addo in the south to Kirkwood further north. The R335 route takes travellers from Port Elizabeth, up the valley into an evergreen world of citrus trees. In October the trees are in full blossom, and the warm air is heavy with their perfume. The Valley boasts a number of places of interest and historical attractions in the surrounding vicinity.
Addo Elephant National Park
Now the third largest national park in South Africa, Addo Elephant National Park has expanded to conserve a wide diversity of biodiversity, landscapes, fauna and flora. Stretching from the semi-arid karoo area in the north around Darlington Dam, over the rugged Zuurberg Mountains, through the Sundays River valley and south to the coast between Sundays River mouth and Bushman’s river mouth, Addo covers about 180 000 hectares (444 700 acres) and includes the Bird and St Croix Island groups.
This is a wonderful day trip with spectacular scenery and offering so much to do and see. The park is an hours drive from Port Elizabeth, and it is advisable to pack a picnic as there are numerous spots in the park to choose from. Maps of the various roads through the park are available at reception.
Take the N2 travelling towards Grahamstown and then take the R335/Motherwell/Markman exit/offramp. Turn left onto the R335 and travel for about 40kms through the town of Addo and then another 15kms to the entrance to the park.
Nearby Attractions
Other highly recommended attractions nearby, which are well worth exploring, are Jeffreys Bay (the surfing mecca of South Africa); the Baviaanskloof Wilderness Area; the historic town of Grahamstown; the Valley of Desolation near Graaff-Reinet and The Owl House in nearby Nieu Bethesda; the quaint town of Cradock; the Mountain Zebra National Park; the picturesque holiday village of St Francis Bay, and the coastal towns of Kenton-on-Sea and Port Alfred. All are within easy distance of Port Elizabeth.
Reference:
Nelson Mandela Bay Tourism