Eastern Cape

Port Elizabeth, known as the "Friendly City," is the gateway to the Eastern Cape and an enjoyable place for the entire family, with historic sites like Donkin Street, where settlers from England established themselves in 1820.

To the west lies the lush Tsitsikamma forest, "place of abundant water," while to the east, lies the Amatola Mountains. Both areas are ideal for those who love to bring their time away from home, for example with the trekking. 

Inland lies the arid Karoo, with its abundance of wildlife, and as a counterpart to the shores of the Indian Ocean with the aptly named "Sunny Coast" and "Wild Coast."  

In this province lies the Qunu village where Nelson Mandela was born, and the University College of Fort Hare, where he studied.  The Eastern Cape is the traditional home of the Xhosa people. 

The province has an overwhelming abundance of flora and fauna, including the "Big Five" (elephant, lion, leopard, rhino and buffalo), in a malaria-free environment. Furthermore, are nature reserves, the Bergzebra National Park and the Addo Elephant National Park. The coastal waters are rich in marine life, with an abundance of dolphins and the occasional whale that one can see from the beach.