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Port
Elizabeth is best known as a holiday destination with the warm, blue sea
of Algoa Bay, its miles of coastline, sandy beaches, great swimming and
diving, yachting, windsurfing and all manner of water sports.
The city
is also home to all the land based sports such as rugby (South Africa's
first rugby international was played here), cricket (St George's Park is
the oldest cricket ground in the country), bowls (the oldest green too),
several golf courses including a true links course, tennis squash,
athletics, cycling and more. In the area are venues for 4x4, off
road and quad biking.
For those
who like walking and bird watching, Cape Receife Nature reserve is
practically on Ashbourne Manor's doorstep and includes the Roseate Tern
Trail, a 9 kilometer walk (which can be broken into stages) along the
beach, through the reserve to a hide where the water fowl can be watched
and past the lighthouse and up to a Second World War observation point
on the dunes.
There are
numbers of other walking trails available, both in the city (such as the
Donkin Heritage Trail, a tour of Port Elizabeth's history and
architectural legacy as well as the Ghost Tour for those who are
interested in the paranormal), on the beaches or through the city's
forested areas.
Within
its boundaries Port Elizabeth also offers a game reserve, a lion park
and a beautiful animal farm which is a huge attraction for the children.
The Addo
Elephant National Park can be easily visited on a day trip (40 minutes'
drive to the Colchester entrance) while 40 minutes in the other
direction lies the surfing mecca of Jeffrey's Bay and beyond it, Cape St
Francis with its lighthouse and penguin rehabilitation centre, both of
which can be visited.
For those
with a 4x4 and a couple of days to spare, the fabulous Baviaanskloof
Wilderness area beckons.
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