Top places to visit in Gqeberha

• Addo Elephant National Park

  national park · 4.8 rating · about 6 h · check the fee at the gate

  The world's only park hosting Africa's Big Seven. Home to 600+ elephants, malaria-free, 72 km from Gqeberha — one of South Africa's best value national park experiences.

• Hobie Beach Gqeberha

  urban beach · 4.4 rating · about 2.5 h · check the fee at the gate

  The most popular beach in Gqeberha — wide, family-friendly on Algoa Bay with calm surf, Shark Rock Pier, and world-class kite surfing. Blue Flag designation most summers.

• Donkin Reserve & Pyramid

  Heritage · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate

  Hilltop reserve with a pyramid monument erected in 1820 by Governor Sir Rufane Donkin. Panoramic views over the harbour and Algoa Bay.

• Bayworld Museum Complex

  Museum · about 2.5 h · check the fee at the gate

  Museum complex combining natural history, a snake park, oceanarium (dolphins and seals), and a maritime museum with a restored 19th-century ship.

• Cape Recife Nature Reserve

  Wildlife · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate

  Remote 3,500-hectare coastal reserve. Dense fynbos, a historic 1851 lighthouse, African penguin colony, and shipwreck-strewn shoreline.

Things to do

• Addo Elephant Park Full-Day Guided Safari Nature · 9 h · from ZAR 320 per person
• Shamwari Private Game Reserve Day Safari Nature · 9 h · from ZAR 610 per person
• Hobie Beach Watersports & Surfing Lessons Adventure · 2 h · from ZAR 78 per person

Day trips and tours

• Addo Elephant National Park Full-Day Safari 9 h · from ZAR 380
• Gqeberha Coastal Heritage & Cape Recife Half-Day 5 h · from ZAR 120
• Sardinia Bay & Hobie Beach Ocean Experience 4.5 h · from ZAR 130

Where to stay in Gqeberha

• Summerstrand about ZAR 2,200 per night

  Upscale beachfront suburb adjacent to Hobie Beach. The best hotels in PE, walkable beach strip, and Marine Drive restaurants.

• Humewood about ZAR 1,600 per night

  Mid-range beach suburb next to Summerstrand. More affordable accommodation with direct beach access.

Hotels

• The Boardwalk Hotel 5-star · ZAR 2,500 to ZAR 5,500 per night
• Chapman Hotel Gqeberha 4-star · ZAR 1,100 to ZAR 2,500 per night
• Beach Hotel Gqeberha 3-star · ZAR 1,100 to ZAR 1,900 per night

Where to eat

• Fushin Japanese Fusion Gqeberha japanese, fusion, seafood · about ZAR 550 per person
• Ginger Restaurant Gqeberha tapas, contemporary, south african · about ZAR 320 per person
• The Deck Restaurant Humewood Seafood · about ZAR 240 per person
• De Kelder Wine & Tapas Gqeberha Wine Bar, Tapas · about ZAR 190 per person
• Hacklewood Hill Country House Restaurant Continental, South African · about ZAR 580 per person

Getting to Gqeberha

Airport: Port Elizabeth (PLZ)

How visitors arrive in Gqeberha

• Fly to Chief Dawid Stuurman Airport By air from Johannesburg · common

  The airport is close to the city centre and has flights from Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban and Bloemfontein. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Drive via the Garden Route By road from Cape Town · common

  Motorway links connect the city to Cape Town via the Garden Route, and to East London and Bloemfontein. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Long-distance coach By road from Garden Route · possible

  Major South African coach companies and the Baz Bus serve the city. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Overnight train By train from Johannesburg · possible

  An overnight train runs from Johannesburg and Bloemfontein on a few days a week. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

From the airport to the centre

• Local taxi firms unconfirmed

  The airport is close to the centre. Hurter Cabs, King Cab (both take cards) and Star Cabs are named; book by phone as taxis do not cruise. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

Getting around

• Car Rental Self
• Ride Hail

  Bolt in Port Elizabeth

• Shuttle
• Walking

Paying

• Hurter Cabs and King Cab accept credit cards. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

Safety and scams to avoid

• Fake Game Reserve Booking

  PE Airport and city centre

  Touts offer Addo or Shamwari day safaris at suspiciously low prices. The "booking" is not real, and the vehicle that arrives is unlicensed.

  How to avoid it: Book directly with Addo Elephant National Park via SANParks.org or private reserve websites. Verify vehicle registration and operator licences before departing.

Best time to visit Gqeberha

• Jan 26°C
• Feb 26°C
• Mar 25°C
• Apr 23°C
• May 22°C
• Jun 21°C
• Jul 20°C
• Aug 20°C
• Sep 20°C
• Oct 21°C
• Nov 23°C
• Dec 24°C

More in South Africa

• Cape Town
• Johannesburg
• Durban
• Stellenbosch
• Pretoria
• Knysna

Frequently asked questions about Gqeberha

What are the top-rated places to visit in Gqeberha?

The highest-rated places in our Gqeberha guide are Addo Elephant National Park, Hobie Beach Gqeberha.

Where should I stay in Gqeberha?

Our guide covers these areas to stay in Gqeberha: Summerstrand, Humewood.

How do I get around Gqeberha?

Ways to get around Gqeberha covered in our guide: Self-drive car, Ride-hailing app, Shuttle, Walking.

What scams should I watch out for in Gqeberha?

Scams reported to us for Gqeberha include Fake Game Reserve Booking. Each is explained in the guide, with how to avoid it.

What is the weather like in Gqeberha?

Average daytime highs in Gqeberha run from 20°C in Aug to 26°C in Feb.

Which airport is nearest to Gqeberha?

The nearest airport to Gqeberha has the code PLZ.