The Most Beautiful Parks and Gardens in Port Elizabeth
Although sporting a few well-manicured and cultivated gardens, it is Port Elizabeth’s natural parks and gardens that steal the limelight with their pristine, untouched beauty that simply can’t be matched. Discover the wild abundance of the city and its surrounds, located in one of the most biodiverse areas of South Africa.
1. Settlers Park
Park
2. Victoria Park
Park
3. Van Stadens Wildflower Reserve
Botanical Garden
This wild garden is sculpted by nature and fed from natural rainfall and offers a sanctuary for an assortment of flora and fauna. Half of the reserve is comprised of fynbos (indigenous coastal vegetation) while the remainder is swathed in mystical forest and holds a number of endemic, rare and threatened plant species. Proteas and ground orchids are abundant while only the lucky will catch sight of the endangered Smith’s Dwarf chameleon and Hewitt’s Ghost frog. Don’t miss the interpretive Xhosa cultural display and the cave with a petroglyph, believed to be the most southerly located engraving in Africa.
5. Baviaanskloof Mega Reserve
Park, Natural Feature
The Baviaanskloof Mega Reserve forms part of the Cape Floral Region, with no less than seven of South Africa’s eight biomes found in this remarkable valley. It is a World Heritage Site and one of the richest plant regions on the planet, featuring grassy savannahs, sparkling streams and steep mountain passes that may very well have you gritting your teeth. Cape mountain zebra, eland and savannah buffalo roam freely here and there are plenty of outdoor activities to try, ranging from hiking, mountain biking and 4×4 trails to birding and walking through a forest of ancient wild fig trees.
6. Pearson Conservancy
Park, Building
The Pearson Conservancy is located in St Georges Park was first opened in 1882 and houses a collection of exotic plants such as orchids and water lilies. It consists of a central building with a skylight and a wing on each side and the beautiful glass and moulded teak structure is in itself a sight to behold. Once visitors have perused the colourful plants that thrive inside they can explore the rest of the park at their leisure, which features plenty of grassy lawns and cobbled pathways.
7. Quin Sculpture Garden
Art Gallery, Park
Lush, leafy gardens compliment bronze abstract art at this unusual garden in Alexandria. Situated approximately an hour from Port Elizabeth, this garden gallery is a feast for the eyes and exudes a perfect synergy between sculpture and nature. The works are all creations of Maureen Quin, an award-winning South African artist whose series of sculptures ‘The Hunt’ graced the occasion of South Africa’s Freedom Day in Berlin in April 2017. Visitors are invited to take their time, enjoy refreshments in the verdant surrounds and if tempted, commission a piece for themselves.
8. Maitlands Nature Reserve
Park
Walk, hike and slide down sand dunes at the Maitlands Nature Reserve. Situated on the outskirts of Port Elizabeth, this wild and rugged reserve offers unspoilt beaches, some fabulous sand dunes and indigenous coastal forest. There are three walking trails to choose from that vary in length and fitness requirements, making Maitlands ideal for a great outdoor escape. The reserve is rich in bird life and also boasts animals such as blue duiker, wild bush pig and a variety of reptiles.
Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.
Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.
Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.
Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.
We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.