Holiday in Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth)
City in South Africa — tips, highlights & best time to visit 🇿🇦
Country
South Africa
Type
City
Best time to travel
September to April (Spring/Summer, 20-28 °C). July-November for whales. Mild year-round, sunnier than Cape Town.
Budget/day
60-120 €
Getting there from Germany
Flight to Gqeberha (PLZ, approx. 14-17 h with a stopover in Johannesburg or Cape Town). No visa required for Germans (up to 90 days).
About Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth)
Gqeberha — known as Port Elizabeth until 2021 — is South Africa's 'Friendly City' on Algoa Bay on the Indian Ocean. The city is the gateway to the malaria-free Addo Elephant National Park and the famous Garden Route, combining beach holidays with Big Five safaris without health risks. The Addo Elephant National Park — just 70 km away — is home to over 600 elephants as well as lions, buffalo, rhinos, and leopards. It is the only park in the world where the 'Big Seven' (the Big Five plus Southern Right Whale and Great White Shark) can be spotted. Algoa Bay itself is a paradise for marine mammals: Southern Right Whales calve here from July to November, dolphin pods can be seen year-round, and the nearby St. Croix Island hosts the largest colony of African Penguins. The Boardwalk complex at Kings Beach offers entertainment right on the beach. The historic Donkin Reserve in the city center — with the iconic lighthouse and pyramid — overlooks the entire bay. Sardinia Bay and Hobie Beach offer some of the most beautiful city beaches in South Africa.
Top 6 highlights in Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth)
The places you absolutely must not miss.
Addo Elephant National Park
Over 600 elephants and the 'Big Seven': malaria-free safari just 70 km from the city — perfect for families.
Algoa Bay Whale Watching
Southern Right Whales calve from July to November directly in the bay: whale watching from the coast or by boat.
African Penguins
St. Croix Island hosts the largest colony of African Penguins: boat tours from the harbor.
Sardinia Bay
Pristine beach with crystal clear water: Gqeberha's most beautiful beach away from the hustle and bustle.
Donkin Reserve
Historic park with iconic lighthouse and pyramid: panoramic view over the entire Algoa Bay.
Garden Route
Gqeberha is the eastern gateway to the famous Garden Route: 300 km coastal road with forests, lagoons, and bridges.
Hotels in Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth)
Vergleiche tausende Hotels, Apartments und Resorts auf Expedia – mit Bestpreis-Garantie, kostenloser Stornierung und Bonuspunkten.
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Reise-SIM für Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth)
Günstig surfen im Urlaub mit travSIM
Pauschalreisen & Rundreisen
Berge & Meer – 170 Tage Cookie
Best time to travel for Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth)
Recommended travel time
September to April (Spring/Summer, 20-28 °C). July-November for whales. Mild year-round, sunnier than Cape Town.
Summer
20-28 °C, warm and sunny with occasional wind
Winter
12-20 °C, mild and dry, pleasant year-round
How much does a holiday in Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth) cost?
Average costs per person per day
Budget
30-55 €
Hostel, Street food, Public transport
Mid-range
60-120 €
Hotel, Restaurant, Excursions
Luxury
130-400 €
Boutique hotel, Fine dining
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Compare package holidays now5 travel tips for Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth)
Insider knowledge that makes your holiday better.
No visa required — Germans are visa-free for up to 90 days. Passport must be valid for 30 days beyond departure + have a blank page.
Self-drive in Addo — the park is perfect for self-drive safaris. Rental cars from Gqeberha are affordable, roads in the park are good.
Malaria-free — Addo and Gqeberha are completely malaria-free. No prophylaxis needed — perfect for families with children.
Watch the wind — Gqeberha is known as the 'Windy City'. Sardinia Bay and Hobie Beach are more sheltered than Kings Beach.
Start the Garden Route — from Gqeberha westward through Tsitsikamma, Knysna, Wilderness to Cape Town: the ultimate road trip.
Food & drink in Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth)
These specialties you must try!
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