Insider's Guide to East London

If you're visiting East London for a few days, you don't want to be cooped up in your hotel room. So, where can you go and what can you do?

East London may be small but there are activities and places to see for everyone. Animal lovers would enjoy a visit to the East London Zoo which boasts a large number of different animals, including; tigers, lions, snakes, monkeys and even wolfs. While in the zoo, be sure to make a stop Gately Manor. This 100 year old building will transport you to another era through its distinct furniture and items such as porcelain baby bottles and butter trays.

If you want to explore wildlife in its natural habitat take a drive out to Inkwenkwezi Private Game Reserve. Take in breath-taking guided game drives and hikes through their elephant and lion reserves, and don't forget to try their restaurant which serves delicious food, including a buffet on Sundays.

If animals are not for you, perhaps you would enjoy one of East London's beautiful beaches. There are many beaches to choose from but two of the best are Nahoon and Gonubie. Nahoon boasts glorious sand dunes and great waves for surfers. Gonubie on the other hand is known for its spectacular boardwalk. Sit in one of the boardwalk's numerous alcoves and watch the sun go down. Gonubie beach is also the home to a river mouth which allows for easier swimming in the calm waters of the river. It is not just white sands that you will find at Gonubie but also a beautiful forest which forms part of a protected estuary.

There are many other entertainments to be found in East London, from the aquarium to Hemmingway's, the largest shopping centre in the Eastern Cape. Step out and enjoy what Buffalo City has to offer!