Port Elizabeth
Plan Port Elizabeth with Haqqi Tours: day tours, private airport transfers, attraction tickets and packages, run by our own team and confirmed on WhatsApp in Arabic or English.
The sun comes up over Algoa Bay and the beachfront of Gqeberha, the city still known to most travellers as Port Elizabeth, stretches awake. Dolphins break the surface beyond the pier at Hobie Beach, early swimmers test the warm water at Kings Beach, and the wind that gives the city its nickname is, for now, only a breeze. An hour inland, in the thornveld of Addo, a herd of elephants is already walking to the waterhole.
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Port Elizabeth at first sight
Gqeberha is the friendly, unhurried city at the eastern end of the Garden Route, with wide sandy beaches, a historic hill above the harbour and the warm Indian Ocean on its doorstep. Its real fame is the Addo Elephant National Park, a malaria-free Big Five reserve within easy reach, and the bay itself, alive with penguins, dolphins and, in season, whales. It is the natural finale of a coastal journey from Cape Town.
Why include Port Elizabeth in your itinerary?
- Elephants an hour away. Addo Elephant National Park is one of the easiest places on earth to watch elephants at close range, with lion, buffalo, rhino and leopard also present, in a malaria-free area reached in about an hour from the city.
- Beaches for every mood. From the sheltered family sands of Kings Beach and Hobie Beach to the wild dunes of Sardinia Bay and the surf of Jeffreys Bay, Gqeberha's coast offers warm water, long walks and sunsets over the bay.
- A gentle, affordable city to end a journey. Compact, easy to navigate and relaxed, Gqeberha is the ideal last stop on the Garden Route, with its airport fifteen minutes from the beachfront for onward flights to Johannesburg and Cape Town.
Signature experiences in Port Elizabeth
Addo Elephant National Park
About an hour north of the city, Addo began as a sanctuary for a small herd of elephants and is now a large park where the herds gather at waterholes, sometimes dozens at a time, among buffalo, zebra, kudu, warthog and the rare flightless dung beetle. Lion, leopard and rhino live here too. Our guided day tours use open safari vehicles with an experienced guide, starting early for the best light; sightings are never guaranteed, but elephants are seen on almost every visit.
Private Reserves and Afternoon Safaris
Next to Addo, private game reserves offer afternoon game drives that run into the evening, often ending with dinner in the bush under the stars. Closer to town, a small game park on the city's edge, about twenty minutes from the beachfront, lets families see giraffe, rhino, zebra and cheetah in a short visit. We combine these with Addo for a full safari experience without long drives or malaria concerns.
The Beaches of Algoa Bay
The beachfront runs from the harbour along Kings Beach, Humewood and Hobie Beach to Pollok Beach and the rocky point at Cape Recife, with its lighthouse and nature reserve. The water is warm, lifeguards patrol the main beaches and the pier at Hobie Beach is the city's favourite stroll. Further round the coast, Sardinia Bay's tall dunes and empty sand are protected as a marine reserve and make a wild contrast to the city beaches.
Dolphins, Penguins and Whales on the Bay
Boat trips from the harbour cross Algoa Bay to the islands where a large colony of African penguins breeds, with bottlenose dolphins and Cape fur seals usually seen along the way, and humpback whales from about June to December. The bay is part of the marine section of Addo, and sightings are never guaranteed, but it is among the richest stretches of water on the coast. We arrange the booking and transfers.
Jeffreys Bay and the Surf Coast
About an hour west, Jeffreys Bay is a laid-back surf town famous for its long, perfect right-hand waves, with a wide beach for walking, shell collecting and dolphin watching, and surf schools for beginners on the gentler sections. It makes an easy half-day or full-day excursion with our driver, often combined with the river mouths and dune coast along the way.
Neighbourhoods and quarters to know in Port Elizabeth
Summerstrand and Humewood
The beachfront suburbs hold most of the city's hotels, with Hobie Beach, the pier, the promenade and the entertainment complex on the doorstep. It is the most convenient base for families and first-time visitors, walkable by day along the seafront, with the airport about fifteen minutes away.
Central and Richmond Hill
On the hill above the harbour, the historic centre holds the old lighthouse, the pyramid memorial, Victorian terraces and the city's main park, with Richmond Hill's streets of restaurants and cafés just behind. It is best explored by day with our guide, and a few guesthouses here suit travellers who like character and views.
Walmer
A leafy, quiet suburb between the airport and the beach, Walmer has guesthouses in garden settings, good shopping and restaurants, and easy access to the road north to Addo. It suits travellers passing through for a night or two before or after a safari.
Addo and the Sundays River Valley
About an hour north, the citrus farms and bush of the Sundays River Valley surround the park, with safari accommodation inside and around Addo. A night or two here means dawn and dusk game drives without the drive from the city, and the quiet of the bush after the Garden Route.
How long to stay in Port Elizabeth and how to pair it
Recommended stay
We recommend two to three nights in Gqeberha. One full day for Addo Elephant National Park, one for the beaches and a boat trip on the bay, and with a third night, Jeffreys Bay or an afternoon safari at a private reserve. Many travellers spend one of those nights inside Addo for the early morning game drives.
How to pair it
Gqeberha is the natural end of the Garden Route from Cape Town, with Knysna about three hours west for the lagoon, Plettenberg Bay and Tsitsikamma, and Hermanus beyond it for whales. A ten-day journey runs Cape Town, Hermanus, Knysna and Gqeberha with Addo as the finale, with onward flights from the city. For a longer trip, fly to Johannesburg, about an hour and forty minutes, and continue to Hazyview for Kruger, or to Durban for the warm coast and St Lucia.
Best time to visit Port Elizabeth and the rhythm of the day
Best months
Gqeberha is mild all year, with warm summers from November to March that are ideal for the beaches and cooler, drier winters from May to September that are excellent for Addo, when the bush is thinner and the elephants gather at the waterholes. Whales visit the bay from about June to December. The city is windy at times in any season, with spring the gustiest. December and Easter are the busiest beach weeks.
The daily rhythm
Safari days start before dawn with a transfer to Addo and end by mid-afternoon, leaving time for a swim. Beach days begin with a walk on the promenade and the pier, a late breakfast and the sea before the wind rises after lunch. Afternoons suit the boat trip, a short drive to Sardinia Bay or the historic hill, and evenings are relaxed, with dinner on the beachfront and an early night before the next drive.
On-the-ground logistics in Port Elizabeth
Arrival
Chief Dawid Stuurman International Airport lies within the city, about fifteen minutes from the Summerstrand beachfront hotels, and about an hour from Addo Elephant National Park. Flights connect Gqeberha with Johannesburg in about an hour and forty minutes and Cape Town in about an hour and a quarter. By road, Knysna is about three hours west along the Garden Route. We arrange private airport transfers, with our driver meeting you in the arrivals hall and taking you to the beachfront or straight to Addo.
Getting around
The beachfront promenade from Kings Beach to Hobie Beach is pleasant on foot, and ride-hailing apps work well for short trips within the city. For Addo, the private reserves, Sardinia Bay and Jeffreys Bay a private car with driver arranged by our team is the comfortable choice, and our safari vehicles collect you from your hotel for game drives. Public transport is not recommended for visitors.
Local etiquette tip
Gqeberha is informal and friendly, and casual dress is fine everywhere, with a warm layer for the open safari vehicle at dawn. In the park, stay in the vehicle except at marked rest stops, keep voices low near animals and never feed or approach wildlife. Ask before photographing people, tip about ten percent in restaurants and a small amount to your guide. Keep valuables out of sight and use arranged transport after dark, as in any city.
Must-do things in Port Elizabeth
- Watch elephants gather at a waterhole in Addo
- Walk the pier at Hobie Beach at sunset
- Swim at Kings Beach in the warm Indian Ocean
- Take a boat to see penguins and dolphins on Algoa Bay
- Climb the tall dunes at Sardinia Bay
- Join an afternoon safari at a private reserve near Addo
- See the old lighthouse on the hill above the harbour
- Spot the flightless dung beetle, Addo's smallest star
- Watch surfers on the long waves at Jeffreys Bay
- Look for humpback whales in the bay between June and December
Do’s and don’ts in Port Elizabeth
Do
- Do start Addo early, the first hours are the best for elephants
- Do pack a windproof layer, the city earns its nickname
- Do bring binoculars and a zoom lens for the park
- Do swim between the lifeguard flags on the main beaches
- Do book boat trips ahead and keep a spare morning for weather
Don’t
- Don't leave the vehicle in Addo outside the marked areas
- Don't take citrus fruit into the park, elephants are drawn to it and it is not allowed
- Don't expect guaranteed sightings, wildlife keeps its own hours
- Don't walk in the city centre or on the beachfront after dark
- Don't underestimate the sun on the beach, even on windy days
Port Elizabeth at a glance
Plan Port Elizabeth with Haqqi Tours
Every option is confirmed by our team on WhatsApp before you pay, and delivered by our own people or by trusted local partners we work with in every city. Because we send travellers from all over the world, our partners give us special rates and priority, so you always receive the best. Prices are per person unless marked per vehicle.
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Good to know
Frequently Asked Questions
Straight answers to what travellers ask most about Port Elizabeth.
Is Port Elizabeth the same place as Gqeberha?
Yes. The city was officially renamed Gqeberha in 2021, after the Xhosa name for the Baakens River that runs through it, though many travellers, airlines and locals still say Port Elizabeth or simply PE. Road signs and the airport use both names, and our team is happy with either.
Where should first-time visitors stay in Gqeberha?
Most first-time visitors stay on the Summerstrand and Humewood beachfront, with the beaches, pier and restaurants on foot and the airport fifteen minutes away. Safari-focused travellers often spend a night inside or beside Addo for dawn game drives. Our team can suggest a hotel in either and arrange your private transfer.
How far is Addo from the city?
Addo Elephant National Park's main gate is about an hour's drive north of Gqeberha and its airport, which makes it one of the easiest Big Five parks in the country to visit on a day trip. Our guided day tours collect you from your hotel before dawn and return by mid-afternoon.
Is Addo malaria-free?
Yes. Addo and the whole Eastern Cape coast are malaria-free, so no tablets are needed, which makes Gqeberha a popular choice for families with young children and for travellers who want a safari without precautions. Standard sun protection and insect repellent are still sensible.
How many days do you need in Gqeberha?
Two days covers the essentials: one for Addo and one for the beaches and the bay. Three days adds Jeffreys Bay, Sardinia Bay or an afternoon safari at a private reserve. Travellers finishing the Garden Route often arrive in the afternoon, spend a full day at Addo and fly out on the third day.
Is Gqeberha safe for travellers?
Gqeberha is a relaxed, friendly city and the beachfront is well patrolled by day. As anywhere in South Africa, keep valuables out of sight, avoid walking in the city centre or on the seafront after dark and use arranged transfers. Check your own government's travel advice before departure, and keep our WhatsApp line handy throughout your stay.
Is halal food available in Gqeberha?
Yes, in moderation. The city has an established Muslim community, and halal restaurants and takeaways can be found in the suburbs and around the beachfront, though the choice is smaller than in Cape Town or Durban. Many hotels and safari camps cater on request if told in advance. Let our team know your needs when booking.
What can I book in Port Elizabeth with Haqqi Tours?
Day tours and private airport transfers, including Private Addo Elephant Park Safari from Jeffreys Bay or Port Elizabeth, Addo Elephant Park Full-Day Safari from Port Elizabeth and Big Five Safari at a Private Game Reserve near Port Elizabeth. Each has its own page, and the WhatsApp desk combines any of them into one plan with one written price.
How do I get from the airport to my hotel in Port Elizabeth?
Port Elizabeth Airport (PLZ), the international airport of Gqeberha, is in Walmer only about 5 km from the beachfront and the city centre, 10 to 15 minutes by car; the main gate of Addo Elephant National Park is about 70 km north, roughly an hour on the N2 and R335. Our private transfer meets you at arrivals with a name board, tracks your flight and takes you door to door at a fixed price for the whole vehicle; the transfer pages list every route.
Is there public transport from the airport to Port Elizabeth?
Port Elizabeth has city buses and no rail link from the airport, but distances are short: the beachfront is 10 to 15 minutes by taxi or shuttle. A private car with a driver is the simplest way to arrive and the most comfortable for the hour-long drive to Addo and its safari camps. With luggage, a family or a late flight, the private car is the simpler choice.
Which tours are available in Port Elizabeth?
Among them: Private Addo Elephant Park Safari from Jeffreys Bay or Port Elizabeth, Addo Elephant Park Full-Day Safari from Port Elizabeth, Big Five Safari at a Private Game Reserve near Port Elizabeth and Addo Elephant Park & Big Five Reserve Combo Safari. Each page says whether the day is private or small-group, what it includes and how long it lasts.
Are the tours private or in a group?
Both exist, and each tour page says which. A private tour has a vehicle and guide for your party alone; the desk can make most group tours private on request.
How do I book?
Fill in the form on any page or message us on WhatsApp with the date, the number of travellers and the hotel. A member of our team confirms the price and the details in writing within minutes.
Are the prices fixed?
Yes - every price is agreed in writing on WhatsApp before you travel and does not change on the day.
Do the drivers and guides speak Arabic or English?
It depends on the city and the day, so we do not promise a particular language; tell us your preference and we do our best. The WhatsApp desk always works in Arabic and English.
Can I change or cancel a booking in Port Elizabeth?
Yes, in the same WhatsApp conversation. The terms depend on the product and on how close to the date the change comes; the desk states them before you pay.