Chief Dawid Stuurman International Airport
Chief Dawid Surrman International Airport has earned itself the title of the "ten-minute airport" as it is less than ten minutes' drive from most major areas in the city.
Chief Dawid Surrman International Airport was established in 1929 and is in close proximity of the city. Some nine years later it was re-opened boasting a single runway, a hangar and a concrete apron. Construction to the terminal buildings, runways and air traffic control building started in 1950 and was officially opened in 1955. In 1973 the apron was extended to accommodate bigger aircraft and a new departures terminal was opened in 1980.
The airport currently handles more than 1,2 million passengers per year, over 60 000 scheduled flights and over 800 tons of cargo. The cargo includes flowers, frozen lobster, meat, ostrich skins and mushrooms.
The growth of tourism in the region, along with preparations for the 2010 football world cup, have required a number of improvements including a terminal expansion which can now handle up to two million passengers every year. This facility provides a central retail area as well as a fully compliant international arrivals and departures terminal to complement upgraded amenities for domestic traffic.
Port Elizabeth Gqeberha Eastern Cape Information
Getting to Gqeberha Port Elizabeth Travel and Tours
Port Elizabeth Tourist Information
Port Elizabeth (PE) is not only home to stunning beaches, interesting
museums and award-winning wildlife destinations, but also some of the
friendliest people in the country. It’s no surprise to visitors that it’s
called the “Friendly City”.
Port Elizabeth is a coastal hub in the
Eastern Cape where everything is only a 15-minute drive from the airport.
It’s one of the largest cities in South Africa, lying 770km east of Cape
Town where it forms part of the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro, which links the
city with the inland industrial towns of Uitenhage and Despatch.
When
you want to hit the beach, Algoa Bay, the coastal strip of Nelson Mandela
Bay, is a 40km-stretch of beaches with protected areas for swimming at Kings
Beach, Hobie Beach, Humewood Beach (a world-class, Blue Flag beach), Pollock
Beach and Denville Beach. Fishing, surfing, scuba diving, snorkelling and
sailing are enjoyed at the quieter spots including Wildside, Sardinia Bay,
Blue Horizon Bay, Bluewater Bay, Beachview and Schoenmakerskop.
If
you’re interested in culture, you’ve got to check out the Red Location
Museum, a museum in New Brighton Township that portrays “both the horrors of
institutionalised racism and the heroic efforts of the anti-apartheid
movement”.
Then there’s the Donkin Reserve, where you can enjoy
birds, walking paths, an opera house, a lighthouse and a memorial.
Don’t forget to make time for the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Art Museum and
Prince Alfred's Guard Memorial, both in St George's Park – the oldest park
in Port Elizabeth and home to the St George's Cricket Oval.
Since PE
includes Nelson Mandela Bay, it’s also where you can find Route 67 – a
collection of 67 art pieces celebrating the years Nelson Mandela devoted to
public life. It’s a mix of visual arts, urban design and heritage,
showcasing old Victorian churches and the terraced cottages on Donkin
Street, where massive silver pipes catch the famous winds of Port Elizabeth
and make music. You can also see the lighthouse that once guided ships into
Algoa Bay, now accompanied by an awesome pyramid.
One of the
highlights is the large metal cut-out of Nelson Mandela leading South
Africans to vote in the country’s first democratic election – a moment that
South Africans will always remember.
The city is an outdoor-lover’s
paradise, so don’t miss out on boat cruises, scuba diving, and a visit to
the Seaview Predator Park.
When you head into town take a walk
through the Boardwalk Casino and Entertainment Complex, where shops,
restaurants, an amphitheatre and casino will keep you entertained for hours
on end.
Also worth a visit is a 52m tower with 204 steps leading to
the top. It’s called the Campanile Memorial and stands watch over the Port
Elizabeth harbour. Built in 1923, the monument honours the arrival of
British Settlers all the way back in the 1820s.
Staying with history,
another gem is No 7 Castle Hill, which was built not long after the settlers
arrived in 1830. This is one of the oldest surviving settler cottages in the
city, complete with a cobbled courtyard and an operational well, and it
shows you what domestic life was like in the 19th century.
How to get here
The centrally situated Port Elizabeth
Airport is within easy reach from all parts of the city. Domestic
flights connect Port Elizabeth with larger domestic centres such as
Durban, Cape Town and Johannesburg. The N2 coastal arterial route
takes you to the city by road from Cape Town in the south or Durban
in the north.
Best time to visit
Summer holiday time during December and
January is most popular since the city comes alive with planned
fun-in-the-sun activities. Beaches are less crowded and the weather
is as good just before or after the high season if crowds are not
your thing.
Around the area
The award-winning luxury Shamwari Game
Reserve is the perfect destination for day visitors from Port
Elizabeth to enjoy a game drive.
Tours to do
Addo Elephant National Park; the cultural
hub of Grahamstown; and Jeffreys Bay, famous for its waves.
Get around
Hire a Driver for a day
Length of stay
A long weekend would be sufficient to
explore the beaches, wildlife, places of cultural interest and golf
courses.
Where to stay
A number of classy hotels line the
waterfront; there are five-star game lodges at Addo and Shamwari;
and township guest houses make an interesting departure from
traditional accommodation options.
What's happening
Nelson Mandela Bay & Eastern Cape Annual Events
January
Friendly City Marathon
February
Herald Cycle Tour
River Mile
March
Annibrand Fees
Splash Festival – Easter weekend
Donkin Downhill Dash
Scifest - Grahamstown
April
Ironman South Africa
Algoa Bay Yacht Club Sailing Regatta
May
Medieval Fayre
Spar Ladies Run
Bridal Fair
June
Noordhoek Dive Fest
Richmond Hill Music Festival
National Arts Festival – Grahamstown
Kirkwood Wildsfees - Kirkwood
July
Volkswagen Rally
Homemakers Expo
Gamtoos Citrus Festival - Patendie
Biltong Festival – Somerset East
August
Nelson Mandela Bay City Marathon
September
Urban Run
PE to Plett Mountain Bike Challenge
Northern Arts Festival
Shell Festival – Jeffreys Bay
Naartjie Festival - Loerie
October
October Fest (German Club)
Addo Rose Show (Addo)
Start of Ocean Racing Series
November
NMB Pride
World Cup Horse Jumping Qualifier
Uitenhage Street Carnival
December
Nelson Mandela Bay SA Rugby 7’s
Summer Season
Opening of the Season
New Year’s Eve celebrations
Sit back relax, let one of our Drivers Transfer you to or from the Airport or any destination around Port Elizabeth and surrounding area.
Private Transfer Service available at any time on your request.
Est: 2005. All Vehicles have Legal Road Permits and Passenger Liability
Insurance, Drivers have Professional Driving Permits for your Safety and
Peace of Mind.
One of our friendly drivers will collect you from the
Airport Your Hotel or Guesthouse and transfer you to any destination of your
choise.
For Friendly, Professional, Reliable 24/7 Service