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From rocky shores to indigenous floral fynbos: from stretches of golden beaches and unspoilt sand-dunes to lush indigenous forest
and untamed wilderness areas, the nature reserves within, and on the outskirts of the Nelson Mandela Metropole offer a wonderful range of accessible
options to the great outdoors. Located in and around the city are: Settler's Park, Van Staden's Wild Flower Reserve, The Cape
Recife Nature Reserve, Maitlands Nature Reserve, The Island Nature Reserve, Baviaanskloof Wilderness Area and Groendal Wilderness
Area.
MAGNIFICANT varieties of game viewing experiences are available within less than an hour of Nelson Mandela Bay. These splendid, sometimes
untouched areas are developing into some of South Africa's main game viewing destinations.
The Addo Elephant National Park was proclaimed in 1931 to save the Eastern Cape Elephant and Cape Buffalo from extinction.
It is now home to over 356 elephant, and offers an unbeatable opportunity to view these fascinating giants of the African bush.
The Addo bush also offers sanctuary to a large variety of birds (185 species), the black rhino, numerous buck species as well as
the unique flightless dung beetle. The park is situated 72km north of Nelson Mandela Bay near the Zuurberg Mountain Range and
offers guided or self-drive options and accommodation.
A number of private game lodges in the area boast a variety of game viewing experiences including game drives in open vehicles and
guided walks; thus offering a unique aspect of close-up game viewing as well as comfortable- or luxurious five star accommodation
facilities in a malaria free environment.
Algoa Bay also offers a huge diversity of marine life that can be viewed all year round. Each year the "gentle giants of the ocean",
are familiar sights along the coastline (and can easily be sighted from the shore in season.) these "not be missed" sightings
include the Southern Right whale, which mates and calves between July and October each year in the large, sheltered Algoa Bay.
The Bay's calm conditions make it an ideal nursery for calving and feeding of the young. Humpback whales pass by during June
and July and again in November and December. The sardine-eating Bryde's whale is present throughout the year while Bottlenose
dolphins, Cape Fur seals, gannets and cormorants are also common sights througout the year.
The Port Elizabeth, Uitenhage and Despatch area is also well known for its prolific bird life. Favourite bird-watching venues include
Settler's Park, Cape Recife Nature Reserve with its unique bird-hide, as well as Zwartkops Estuary which boasts groups of flamingos
wading in the salt-pans. In addition to Happy Valley and Quarryman Park, Willow Dam and Groendal Wilderness Area in Uitenhage, are
also proclaimed for their wide variety of bird species.
Within easy reach from the metro are the Sundays River Mouth, home to the highest dunes south of the Namib Desert and the Alexandria
Dune Fields, the Maitland River mouth, located at the foot of the famous Maitland dune "mountain" and van Stadens River mouth, near
the longest concrete arch bridge in Southern Africa.
The Eastern Cape is not only developing into a major wildlife destination but is also the meeting ground of six major converging biomes,
boasting a treasure chest of landscapes, scenic, near pristine natural areas and a rich diversity of vegetation. As a result, the region
is fast developing a reputation as South Africa's favourite eco-destination for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers - in a malaria free
environment.
The biomes found in the area are:
- The Savannah Biome which includes the valley bushveld flora of the summer rainfall area,
- The Fynbos Biome characteristic of a winter rainfall,
- The Grassland Biome which includes Flora of higher altitudes,
- The Succulent-Karoo Biome with its Flora flourishing under arid and semi-arid conditions,
- The Thornfelt-Karoo Biome and the Indigenous Forest Biome.
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General