Eastern Cape Tourist AttractionsiBhayi Sunshine Saunter Route
Where? Includes Sardinia Bay, Schoenies, Chelsea, Theescombe, Beachview, Seaview, Maitland and Colleen Glen.
Overnight? Stay in Port Elizabeth, in Eastern Cape
Port Elizabeth's version of the Midlands Meander, the Ibhayi Sunshine Saunter Route is a circular tourist route aimed at both locals and visitors to the city.
Ibhayi combines beach and country whilst peppering the drive with some of Port Elizabeth's hot spots – Sardinia Bay, Schoenies, Chelsea, Theescombe, Beachview, Seaview, Maitland and Colleen Glen.
Attractions include: restaurants, art galleries, tea gardens, nurseries, game farms, 4x4 trails, adventure zones, accommodation, a petting farm and plenty of opportunity to explore.
The Sunshine Saunter begins on Port Elizabeth's beachfront, following Marine Drive past Cape Recife and the Willows to Schoenmakerskop, up Victoria Drive, left onto Sardinia Bay road and then to Seaview, Maitlands and back via Colleen Glen and the Kragga Kamma Road (Kragga Kamma is very narrow and the shoulders can be dangerous, so watch your driving).
The route contains enough adventure and stunning scenery to take up two days of any visit to the Friendly City, with hours of fishing, snorkelling, swimming and seasonal whale and dolphin watching along the coast. Look out for signboards to nature reserves and conservancies. Bird lovers will enjoy the coastal forests.
Head a little inland of the coast and PE evolves into nature reserve and game park country – Van Stadens Flower Reserve, nurseries, wetlands, The Island Forest Reserve, farm centres and restaurants.
Get the map from tourism offices in the Boardwalk complex on the beachfront.
The original edition of Ibhayi Sunshine Saunter Route was the brainchild of a group of city residents. The newest version of the map is the 18th edition.
Maps of the Saunter Route are available from tourism outlets including Port Elizabeth Hotels, Guest Houses and Self Catering establishments.
