Flying to East London
East London Airport is a small but busy airport in the Eastern Cape. The airport, formerly known as the Ben Schoeman Airport, handles between 20 and 30 flights on a daily basis and serves more than 400 000 passengers annually. The following airlines have flights to East London: 1Time; South African Airways; South African Airlink and South African Express. No international airlines have flights to the East London Airport.
Tourism in and around East London
East London is a rather small city but its tourism industry has grown rapidly over the past few years due to all the attractions and resorts it has to offer.
Attractions in East London:
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.
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 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.)
Most of the resorts are near the city but has a peaceful, country-side atmosphere. Resorts and Reserves include:
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.
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.
Yellow Sands Resort
Yellow Sands Resort is a privately owned resort situated north of East London. It offers accomodation and camping sites as well as some good fishing, beaching and other holiday activities to its visitors.
Queensbury Bay
This resort, with its “fishermans cottages”, has a relaxed family atmosphere with a communial pool and tennis court. It is only a short walk from the swimming beaches with excellent surfing spots and rock pools.
Areena Riverside Resort
The Areena Riverside Resort is located on the banks of the Kwelera tidal river near East London. It has some beautiful self-catering chalets as well as shady caravan- and tent-stands for those who enjoy camping. This resort offers some great fun for birdlovers and fisherman as well as adventures like quad biking, abseiling, gamedrives and paintball at Adventure Village.
Chintsa West and East
Cintsa West/East is a complex of resorts overlooking Cintsa Bay and lagoon, where various water sports can be enjoyed all year round.
The Arendsnes Holiday Resort
This resort with its fantastic birdlife,is located on the Cintsa River in a natural forest by the sea. The resort offers log cabins in a woody area but with a sea view and also self-catering bachelors flats. These units are walking distance from the pool and the beach and across the street to bowling green, tennis court, volleyball court, mashe golf course and braai facilities.
The city of 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.
East London's 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.