Laidback Lifestyle
East London offers a laidback lifestyle and is home to South Africa’s only river port. East London is a charming little city nestled on the edge of the Indian Ocean. Nothing happens very fast here, but the surf is excellent and the city is well placed as a starting point for trips to and along the Wild Coast.
East London is the second largest industrial centre in the Eastern Cape Province. The city is situated on South Africa’s southeast coast; the Indian Ocean coastline is unspoiled and appreciated by many surfers from around the world. A major attraction is the beaches, where the sand and sea literally sparkle. At Nahoon Point, the world's oldest human trace fossil footprints were left some 124 000 years ago.
You can visit local game reserves, aquarium, zoo, museums, snake and lion parks. Enjoy majestic river cruises and experience a memorable sunset. East London definitely does not lack quality shopping malls, coffee shops or restaurants - you will be spoilt for choice!
Beach and Surf
East London City, developed around the port, was established in 1847 as a landing place for British troops and supplies destined for the Eastern Cape frontier. It has now become a popular South African holiday destination.
Situated at the mouth of the Buffalo River, the settlement was first named Port Rex but was renamed East London in 1848. The city is famed for its long stretches of beach, which attract numerous sunbathers, anglers and surfers. Eastern, Orient and Nahoon beaches are popular with sunbathers; Bonza Bay and Nahoon offer ideal conditions for boardsailing while Nahoon Reef is an internationally noted surfing destination.
Museums and Buildings
Among the city's historical links with the turbulent period of the Frontier Wars is the old powder magazine on the site of Fort Glamorgan, built in 1849 against a hill on the western bank of the Buffalo River. Gately House, built in 1878, is an excellent example of a period townhouse. It contains a fine collection of Victorian furnishings and serves as the city's Town House Museum. The Ann Bryant Art Gallery has a valuable collection of works by English and South African artists.
Among the other historic buildings, you should visit during your South African holiday are the City Hall (1899), Public Library (1906) and Cuthberts Building. The East London Museum focuses on the natural and cultural history of the Border area.
They don’t call this 280 km stretch of coastline between the Umtamvuna River in the north and the Kei River in the south the Wild Coast fo...