Travel Guide to East London

East London is a city in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. It is situated on the Indian Ocean coast and is also known as the country’s only river port because it is situated between the Buffalo and Nahoon Rivers.

Top Activities

The East London Aquarium

The East London Aquarium has its own colony of African penguins, seals, gannets and other seabirds, turtles and dolphins. Many injured sea animals are treated, rehabilitated and released from this aquarium each year.

East London Zoo

The East London Zoo exhibits 47 mammal species, 38 bird species and 7 reptile species. These species include the big cats, some indigenous antelope, primates and various small mammals. There are various aviaries where numerous bird species are housed and a large open enclosure where a group of chimpanzees can be closely observed.

East London Museum

The East London Museum has a variety of galleries to suit the interest of most people. A wonderful adventure into the past – Best known as home of the Coelacanth & world's only Dodo Egg. The museum also has an excellent display on the rich and colourful Xhosa Culture. The museum galleries include:

• The Border Gallery (history of the region)
• Maritime Gallery (ships and shipwrecks)
• The Atalaia Gallery (bronze cannon salvaged from the Portuguese carrack)
• The Natural History gallery (collection of animal, marine and avian specimens.)

Inkwenkwezi Private Game Reserve

Inkwenkwezi Game Reserve is situated in a malaria free zone, 30km outside of East London. It consists of hundred square kilometres encompassing five different vegetation types which offer varied game viewing. It has all five of the big five as well as a variety of antelope, giraffe, zebra & other predators. The reserve is only five minutes from the beaches and 40 minutes from a East London Airport. Mpgongo Private Game Reserve The Mpongo Private Game Reserve is only 35 km from the city of East London. The reserve is home to the lion, hippo, elephant, rhino, buffalo, giraffe, numerous grassland species of antelope and several bird species. It offers a unique blend of luxury and gaming experiences on more than 3200 ha of conservation land.

Getting In & Around

Airport

The East London Airport, formerly known as the Ben Schoeman Airport, is a small but busy airport in the Eastern Cape. With between 20 and 30 flights on a daily basis, the airport serves more than 400 000 passengers annually.

The following domestic airlines have flights to East London:

• South African Airways (SAA) (Cape Town and Johannesburg)
• South African Airlink (Port Elizabeth)
• South African Express (Johannesburg and Durban)

When to visit

The climate

East London has an average daily temperature of about 23ºC, with an average summer maximum temperature of about 25ºC and a minimum of 19ºC. The winter maximum temperature is about 21ºC and the minimum around 3ºC.