East London: East London, South Africa

East London

A city with a rich history and proud history.

The Eastern Cape has played a very prominent role in South African history. It was here where, in the latter half of the eighteenth century, Black and White met for the first time, and for many years this territory was the contact zone between these two groups. The consequences of this delicate and somewhat temperamental relationship made a lasting impression on the history of modern South Africa. Often referred to as Buffalo City,this is one of South Africa's richest and most diverse and most diverse eco-tourism destinations on offer. It serves as a gateway to three of the Eastern Cape' tourist destinations. The Sunshine Coast and Country to the west of East London, the Wild Coast to the east of East London and Amatola Mountain Escape, towards the interior. Along these routes are destinations of exceptional beauty including open, sandy beaches, daring coastal cliffs, fertile valleys, river and estuary lagoons and indigenous forests, the ultimate outdoor and wilderness destination!

Buffalo City's climate is mild and temperate with temperatures ranging from 10 degrees in June to 26 degrees in January. The average hours of sunshine are in excess of 200 hours per month. The region experiences a bimodal rainfall pattern with pronounced rainy periods coinciding with the equinoxes and with the dry periods in mid-summer and mid-winter.

Historically the Eastern Cape was a territory densely populated wild life territory. The number of game dwindled considerably owing to uncontrolled hunting, characteristic of the late 1800 and early 1900s. The twentieth century brought a new interest in conservation, an increase in the responsible utilization of natural resources and the regulation of the hunting industry. Encouraged by this change in attitude and prompted by the increase in stock theft in the Eastern Cape, more farmers have turned to game farming as a form of income, which led to the re-introduction of formerly indigenous species to the area and a bloom of game parks and reserves. Today visitors can view these species (eland, leopard, blue duiker, elephant, lion, hippo), and newly introduced ones (buffalo, kudu, letchwe) in the Inkwenkwezi Private Game Reserve only 30km from East London.

From the seashore inhabited by the endangered black oyster catcher; through the river and estuaries containing pied kingfishers; the grasslands with their Stanley bustard and crowned crane; the coastal bush vegetation's somber bulbul, grey sun bird; the valley bushveld with its Knysna woodpecker, barbets and starlings; to the urban gardens, frequented by species such as the red-billed hoepoe and crowned hornbills and hadedas - Buffalo City is a birders' paradise! Bird watching enthusiasts have the choice of a wide selection of nature trails through indigenous vegetation and its co-inhabited bird life: the Dassie Trail is an hour and a half hike through the lush Nahoon River forest and ends near a mangrove swamp, the southernmost in Africa; Tilty Hill Farm trails run through banana plantations and indigenous forests; and Umtiza Nature Reserve and Potter's Pass Nature Reserve are home to several birds, monkeys, buck and bushpig that inhabit the dense indigenous coastal forests. The Quinera and Nahoon Nature Reserves and Gonubie Sanctuary are rich in wetland and coastal grassland bird species.

East London's beaches are rated among the fines in the world. Certain areas, mostly notably world famous Nahoon Reef, are renowned for their surfing and consisted wave conditions, and play host to international surfing competitions.

The area's wide open stretches of coastline, sheltered lagoons and majestic cliffs are a paradise for anglers, and offer exceptional snorkeling, scuba diving and spear fishing.

Source: South African Tourism

Hotels in East London - Show all accommodation in East London »»
	Quarry Lake Inn From $58 per person per night	Quarry Lake Inn is situated on the edge of Quarry Lake and is a haven of peace within the city. The hotel has been purpose-built as a small and unique inn. Carefully thought out design offers guests privacy and security. Close to excellent restaurants, swimming beaches and golf courses.

	Inkwenkwezi Private Game Reserve From $175 per person per night	Inkwenkwezi Private Game Reserve, situated only 30 km from East London, is home to an abundance of wild animals and birds. Inkwenkwezi is a unique combination of bushveld and sea, grasslands and forest, the splendour of which can be enjoyed during fantstic game drives.

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Tours covering Eastern Cape - Show all safaris & tours covering Eastern Cape »»
	Western and Eastern Cape Self Drive (CIAA-ELA) From per person per night	Travel at your own pace and explore the beautiful Western Cape and Eastern Cape Provinces. Visit the magnificent Addo Elephant Park, see the whales at Hermanus and enjoy a variety of picturesque little towns through which you will travel before arriving in East London. *Tour Duration:* 20 days

	Garden Route Tour (Departing Cape Town) From per person per night	The Garden Route is truly one of South Africa's richest botanical treasures, where you can lose yourself in nature amid the grandeur of giant Yellowwood and Milkwood trees in one of the indigenous forests. Traversing the foothills of the Swartberg Mountains, the many inland attractions, to the scattered seaside resorts and tiny coastal villages abound on a truly majestic journey. *Tour Duration:* 4 days

	Garden Route Splendor (PEA-CIAA) From per person per night	Experience the wonders of the world-famous Garden Route. Start your trip with a visit to the Friendly City Port Elizabeth and its beautiful surroundings. Travel along the beautiful coastline until you arrive Cape Town where you can spend the last few days of this trip exploring the beautiful Peninsula. *Tour Duration:* 13 days

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Car hire
	Toyota Avanza 1.5SX or Similar (IDMR) (East London Airport)
	Hyundai Tucson 2x4 or Similar (IFMR) (East London Airport)
	VW Golf Chico or Similar (EDMN) (East London Airport)
	Mercedes Benz C180 or Similar (PDAR) (East London Airport)
	Toyota Avensis or Similar (SDAR) (East London Airport)
	Toyota Verso or Similar (IMMR) (East London Airport)
	VW Polo Classic or Similar (CCMR) (East London Airport)
	Kia Picanto or Similar (ECMN) (East London Airport)
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In and Around East London:
Mountain Zebra National Park Sanctuary to the endangered Mountain Zebra. The park was proclaimed in 1937 to save the Cape mountain zebra from extinction. Today a population of between 200 and 230 are maintained in the park, but... More »»	Addo Elephant Park Situated 73km from Port Elizabeth, The Addo Elephant Park has a conservation success story that is world famous. The original Elephant section of the park was proclaimed in 1931, when only eleven... More »»
Tsitsikamma National Park South Africa's first Marine National Park. The Tsitsikamma National Park is also known as "the place of much water". Where the booming breakers of the Indian Ocean relentlessly pound rocky shores,... More »»

Map of Eastern Cape

	HEAD OFFICE 8 Kramer Road Kramerville Sandton, Johannesburg, 2146 South Africa Tel: +2711 262-6311

In and Around East London

East London

East London

Hotels in East London

Tours covering Eastern Cape

Car hire

In and Around East London:

Map of Eastern Cape