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Guide to Port Elizabeth, South Africa
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Click to go to Flight Prices for Port Elizabeth
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Port ElizabethPort Elizabeth
One of South Africa's largest and busiest cities, Port Elizabeth is nearly equal to the capital, Johannesburg, in population, but things are a bit different on the coast. Further south, Port Elizabeth has recently undergone a revamping in its tourism sector, and today bills itself as 'The Friendly City', where visitors should disregard the smog of the smokestacks and concentrate themselves around the breezy boulevards by the coast. Most of the tourists Port Elizabeth receives are those coming from the capital to escape the intensity with which it so often associates. Port Elizabeth focuses much of its self-promotion around its closeness to some of the country's best state parks. Take a safari out into the Addo Elephant National Park and mingle with the giants of the wild, or for further insight into the history of settlements in South Africa you can take a trip along the Donkin Heritage Trail to the earliest signs of inhabitation. Whatever you choose to do in Port Elizabeth, you'll enjoy the ease with which you're able to get about, and a gorgeous climate doesn't hinder one's time here either. A good time awaits you in Port Elizabeth, so don't stall any further. Book your flight today! Oh, and keep in mind to stow away your oranges around the elephants unless you'd like to duke it out with a multi-ton behemoth for a bit of citrus.
When to go:
Other than rainfall, South African coastal cities nothing to worry much about with concern to weather. The Indian Ocean does bring quite a bit of water to the land, and nothing seems to be worse than riding in an open-top Jeep in the middle a nature tour when a storm quickly sets in. Of course, the wildlife surrounding the vehicle and yourself are carefree in such a situation and welcome a bath from above, but your mission becomes a sole quest for sanctuary from the skies; hopefully the soft-top has come along for the ride. When the clouds part ways and the sun comes out, dreary circumstances turn to those of a utopian nature. An off-road drive seems alluring once again. Hoping that the description mentioned does justice to others' experiences in Port Elizabeth, the only exception to a suitable period for visiting the city is most-likely summer. Simply put, excessive heat is an unnecessary addition to a vacation where outings are almost mandatory.
Getting there and around:
Near to the city center, Port Elizabeth Airport serves the surrounding area quite well, and overseas connections to Europe, Asia, and North America are all possible without too many stopovers. Most airlines serving fliers in/out of Port Elizabeth Airport are domestic, though a sect of British Airways holds a portion of its daily schedule as well. A shuttle bus will take you to your hotel any time of day at a flat rate; returns to the airport via shuttle must be arranged beforehand. Renting a car is the best option to take for transport in and around town, but forgo the price hikes at the airport terminal for the savings offered by inner-city agencies. Tours are available for a multitude of travels, with safari being only one of many.
Attractions:
Previously mentioned, the Addo Elephant National Park is quite a distance from the city limits of Port Elizabeth, but despite our scrutiny on such aspects of a trip, the experience delivered by spending a few hours inside the hundreds of thousands of acres here will have so dull minutes in transit wiped clean away. The title of the park was settled upon by the fact that the preserve is factually the largest elephant reserve in the world. Of course, you will come across many other species, including buffalo, rhinos, warthog and more. We also mentioned keeping those oranges of yours sealed and packed away while on safari. The reason for taking such a precaution is that elephants here consider that particular fruit a sort of delicacy, and a brief hint of a scent may have a charging snout at your vehicle's rear!
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