7 places worth visiting in and around PE (Gqeberha)

Book tickets for OppiDam Musiekfees

OppiDam Musiekfees2 & 3 October 2026OppiDam resort, Vygeboomdam, Badplaas This fun-filled, family-friendly event promises an unforgettable experience, featuring:• Live music performances• Food stalls• Water sports• Vendor stalls• Networking and advertising opportunities• A relaxed, social festival atmosphere Artists scheduled to perform include:• Nicholis Louw• Narboth Mathole• Freckled Elvis• Dommedaris• Pieter Rischmuller (aka Piet Pompies)• Kris Ray• Coenie Naude• Ivan Roux• Cinema (international 80s band); and more. Entrance: R100 pppdSleep over: 2 people, 2 days, pitch a 2 man tent, for only R650Camping and caravan spots available upon booking at the office: +27 66 327 1068 Vendors and sponsors contact Lyzelle : +27 83 492 0583 . oppidamvendors@gmail.com

Book tickets for Zoid Spawn - Melkbosstrand 26 Sept

A new theatrical work by Karen Zoid and Ben Francis featuring Anton Eloff. An immersive reflection of the bonds of blood, music,laughter and team spirirt. Life has always been a video game. Mario had three lives. Call of duty let’s us respawn. Set within the intimate venue of the Melkbosstrand NG Kerk Zoid Spawn unfolds as a living conversation between mother and son, music and visual art, where Karen Zoid’s songs, Anton Eloff’s cinematic piano, and Ben Francis’ enveloping visual landscapes dissolve the boundaries between concert, theatre and installation. Fun and games await! Zoid Spawn is a celebration of the fragile power and beauty of being alive. Player ready!Duration: 100 minutes including an intervalAge Restriction: No under 13

Melkbosstrand 26 Sept

There are cities you pass through, and there are cities that quietly persuade you to stay another day. Port Elizabeth, now officially Gqeberha, belongs firmly in the second category.

Set around Algoa Bay on South Africa’s Eastern Cape coast, the city combines long beaches, maritime history, wildlife and surprisingly wild corners. It also makes an excellent base for exploring the region.

Here are seven places worth putting on your itinerary:
Start with Route 67

Donkin Reserve is one of the best places to begin. The historic hilltop reserve forms part of Route 67, a public art trail celebrating Nelson Mandela’s 67 years of public service. The route incorporates 67 artworks and symbolic steps, linking the city’s history with contemporary South African art. It also offers fine views across the city and harbour.

Follow the coastline

Gqeberha’s beachfront is made for slow travel. Hobie Beach, King’s Beach and Humewood Beach stretch along Algoa Bay, with promenades, restaurants and wide views across the water. Between July and December, southern right and humpback whales may also be seen along the coastline, while bottlenose dolphins are regular visitors to Algoa Bay.

Walk towards Cape Recife

About 15 km from the city centre, Cape Recife Nature Reserve feels remarkably removed from urban life. The 366-hectare reserve occupies the southern point of Algoa Bay and includes beaches, dunes, rocky coastline and the historic Cape Recife Lighthouse. A circular walking trail covers about 9 km.

It is an excellent choice for travellers who prefer binoculars and walking shoes to crowds.

Meet the wildlife at Kragga Kamma

You do not need to drive deep into the Eastern Cape for a taste of safari country. Kragga Kamma Game Park lies within Gqeberha and has self-drive routes through coastal forest and grassland. White rhino, buffalo, cheetah, giraffe, zebra and other species occur here.

Take the road to Addo

About 72 km from Gqeberha, Addo Elephant National Park is the obvious big-ticket excursion. The N2 provides the main approach towards the park, while the R342 offers another route to the Addo Main Camp. Addo is famous for elephants, but its appeal extends well beyond them, with a remarkable variety of habitats and wildlife.

Discover the city's maritime past

Bayworld has long been associated with Gqeberha's beachfront and natural history. Its current redevelopment means the Oceanarium is closed to the public, so check operating information before making it part of your itinerary.

Leave time for Sardinia Bay

South-west of the city, Sardinia Bay offers a quieter coastal experience, with open beaches and dunes rather than an urban promenade. It is the sort of place where the itinerary can disappear for an afternoon. Sometimes that is exactly what a holiday needs.

How did that box become family?

A cardboard box can go from packaging to household fixture surprisingly quickly. What starts as a sensible backup can turn into a small collection you cannot quite bring yourself to recycle.

Flip the MarketLiz Thorne

The scientist who fell into conversation with the Karoo

When plant ecologist Sue Milton-Dean arrived in Prince Albert in 1987, the Karoo was a research subject. Nearly four decades later, the region has become a place she interprets both scientifically and emotionally - one whose intricate relationships are far easier to damage than to rebuild.

Karoo TimesNaomi Roebert

📽️ Big Bounce Day brings big smiles

Barberton Primary pupils swapped the classroom for a day of bouncing, sliding, climbing, splashing and racing at the school’s annual Big Bounce Day.

De Kaap EchoLynette Spencer

Solidariteit waarsku DKD oor Mangaung-hofbevel

“Werknemers en hul gesinne kan nie voortgaan om die prys te betaal vir ’n geskil tussen hul voormalige werkgewer en die staat nie.”

Africa InTouch NewsAnchen Coetzee