The Eastern Cape, with its mild climate, renowned beauty and natural biodiversity is an outstanding destination rich with potential. Some 15 kilometres south of the pretty coastal city of Port Elizabeth (Gqeberha), at the southern point of Algoa Bay, is the 366 ha (900 acre) Cape Recife Nature Reserve, proclaimed in 1973. Untouched and little-known, the Reserve is an extraordinarily beautiful and elemental stretch of wild coastal space.
Coastal Marine Safaris
Three hour tours are open to day trippers and include either a delicious beach breakfast (morning), or an evening drive culminating in a sundowner stop with snacks and drinks from a magnificent viewpoint.
This unique destination is accessible through trips by vehicle on tracks behind the dune cordon and include stretches of walking on dunes, beach and rocks. The coastal safari is a perfect way for families to enjoy and appreciate a breath-taking part of South Africa’s coastline, in the company of whales, dolphins and so much more.
Lighthouse Tours
We offer the possibility of a glimpse into another world with our tours of this fabulous piece of infrastructure. Lighthouses encompass an aura of romance, danger and legend – oh the stories they could tell! Be swept up in the drama, relive the history and feel the significance that this beacon has held for so many whose lives are spent on the ocean.
By the hour from 09h00 – 16h00.
R150 per person.
Coastal Birding Hikes
Keen bird watchers already know the avian specials that this coastline offers, with Cape Recife being regarded as one of Port Elizabeth’s/ Gqeberha’s prime birding spots. Novices will be blown away by the diversity! Four bird categories are prevalent here: pelagic, coastal, bush and freshwater birds. Specials include the Roseate tern – after which a 9km trail is named.
Our great birding guides tailor birding walks, trips to the estuary and visits to bird hides and will do their utmost to help you find those lifers!
07h00 – 10h00.
R1300 per person.
Botanical Tours
With the highly diverse flora native to this coastline, botanical tours are a sought after speciality, and our well-trained gurus cannot wait to reveal to visitors the unique and miraculous plant life in this region. Cape Recife Nature Reserve is part of a greater conservancy that protects globally important plants like St Francis dune fynbos, thicket mosaic vegetation, and endemic coastal fynbos. If you aren’t already a plant fundi – this tour will show you a new world of pleasure and nature appreciation.
07h00 – 10h00.
R975 per person.
