Before you go

Your trip to Gqeberha.

Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.

Gqeberha – Cabo Oriental Destination Gqeberha and Addo

How to get there

Aeroporto Internacional Chief Dawid Stuurman (Gqeberha) (PLZ) 4 km

Approximate road distances. Check flights and bus schedules before you travel.

Confirm before purchasing. Domestic flights connect Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban to Gqeberha Airport (PLZ), about 4 km from the centre. By the N2, the city is about 760 km from Cape Town and 170 km from Storms River, the end of the Garden Route.

How many days

One day for the Donkin reserve, Route 67, the waterfront and Cape Recife. Many people use the city as a gateway for safaris in Addo and for the Garden Route.

When to go

The climate is mild year-round, with frequent wind; the city is also called the city of winds. Summer, from December to February, is beach season. From June to November it is common to see whales and dolphins in Algoa Bay.

The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.

Do you need a car?

For the centre and the waterfront, ride-hailing apps work. For Addo and Jeffreys Bay, a car is the most practical option, or safaris and tours with transport. Drive on the left.

Suggested itinerary

An order that works

Built with the places on this page. No rush: it's paced so you have time to see them.

One day in Gqeberha

Morning
Donkin Reserve
Start in the centre, at the Donkin reserve: climb the lighthouse, see the pyramid and follow the Route 67 public art trail.
Afternoon
Cape Recife
Go to the Cape Recife reserve, walk to the lighthouse and visit the penguin rehabilitation centre.
Late afternoon
Summerstrand Waterfront
Walk along the Summerstrand waterfront, between Hobie Beach and Kings Beach.
Evening
Orla
Dine on the waterfront, facing Algoa Bay.

Check before you go. Opening hours and days change, and places may close for renovations, holidays or events. This itinerary is a suggestion from Cidade Turismo, not a commitment: plan yours by checking directly with each place you intend to visit.

Before you go

Frequently asked questions

Are Gqeberha and Port Elizabeth the same city?

Yes. Port Elizabeth was officially renamed Gqeberha, the Xhosa name of the river that runs through the city.

What to do in Gqeberha?

Visit the Donkin reserve and Route 67, go to Summerstrand beaches and the Cape Recife reserve, and head out on safari to Addo.

Does Gqeberha have good bathing beaches?

Yes. The waterfront beaches, such as Hobie and Kings Beach, have calmer, warmer water than those on the Atlantic.

How long is it from Gqeberha to Jeffreys Bay?

About 75 km via the N2, roughly 50 minutes by car.

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