Race weekends · By Dean Cothill
Run Your City Gqeberha: a runner’s weekend
Stays, food, supporters and a little more of the Bay. A practical race-weekend plan, with the five original Run Your City reports kept together.
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Dean Cothill.
Local writer, photographer and founder of City of Gqeberha. Here is the full collection of stories published under Dean’s name.
The person behind the guide
Dean Cothill
Gqeberha-based writer, photographer, open-water swimmer and Ironman athlete. I share local stories alongside researched travel advice; personal visits are identified in the writing.
58 reads to explore
Start here · By Dean Cothill
Things to do in Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth): a local guide
Plan your Gqeberha visit with beaches, wildlife, local food, culture and family outings, plus practical guides to help you choose.
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Safari planning · By Dean Cothill
Visiting Addo Elephant National Park from Gqeberha
My starting plan for an Addo day: Matyholweni or Main Camp, self-drive or a collected tour, dated fees and time to enjoy the wildlife without rushing.
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3 days in Gqeberha: a beach, city and safari itinerary
How I would arrange a first visit: the beachfront, a full day in Addo, then Sards and coffee or a guided city outing. Named stays and food stops along the way.
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Places to stay · By Dean Cothill
Where to stay in Gqeberha: an area-by-area guide
The Beach Hotel, Boardwalk, No5, Wilmot Cottages, Paxton and Hacklewood: named stays, why I would compare them, and a family getaway from my own archive.
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Road trips · By Dean Cothill
Cape Town to Gqeberha: a Garden Route road trip with safari
Plan a Cape Town-to-Gqeberha road trip with realistic overnight bases, Garden Route choices, Tsitsikamma and a separately arranged safari.
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Visitor essentials · By Dean Cothill
Gqeberha travel guide for first-time visitors
Understand Gqeberha and Port Elizabeth, airport arrivals, transport, accommodation choices, payments and the essentials for a first visit.
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Seasons & planning · By Dean Cothill
When is the best time to visit Gqeberha and the Eastern Cape?
Compare seasonal priorities for Gqeberha, safari, beaches, hiking and the wider Eastern Cape, with a practical month-by-month planning calendar.
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Wildlife & safari · By Dean Cothill
Eastern Cape safari guide: Addo or a private game reserve?
Compare Addo self-drive, guided day safaris and private lodge stays, including family policies, transfers, inclusions and booking questions.
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Beaches & coast · By Dean Cothill
The best beaches in Gqeberha: which one should you visit?
Hobie for a first look at the Bay, Sards for the landscape, and the coast beyond. A photographer and open-water swimmer’s guide to choosing your beach day.
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Family days · By Dean Cothill
Things to do with kids in Gqeberha: a family planning guide
Plan Gqeberha family outings by age, weather and facilities, with wildlife, seabird conservation, indoor options and a clear Bayworld update.
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Food & coffee · By Dean Cothill
Where to eat in Gqeberha: restaurants, coffee and markets
Coffee at Holiday or Mastertons, a casual beachfront meal, dinner at Muse and Xhosa heritage food at Café Riza. Named places, with a reason for each.
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Regional itinerary · By Dean Cothill
7 days in the Eastern Cape: Gqeberha, Addo and the coast
A suggested seven-day Eastern Cape route with three bases: Gqeberha, Addo, Jeffreys Bay, St Francis and Tsitsikamma.
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Days away · By Dean Cothill
Day trips from Gqeberha: choose a realistic outing
Compare Gqeberha day trips by direction and time commitment, including Addo, coastal outings, markets and places better given an overnight stay.
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Forest & coast · By Dean Cothill
Tsitsikamma and Storms River: a first-time visitor's guide
Plan a Tsitsikamma stay with clear village and Mouth locations, current park-access links, forest permits and weather-dependent activity advice.
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Coastal weekends · By Dean Cothill
Jeffreys Bay, St Francis Bay and Cape St Francis: a weekend guide
Plan two nights around Jeffreys Bay, St Francis Bay and Cape St Francis, with surfing, walks, lighthouse visits and practical booking questions.
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Walking & nature · By Dean Cothill
Hiking in the Eastern Cape: coastal walks, forests and longer trails
Compare Gqeberha coastal walks, St Francis routes, Tsitsikamma access and the separately planned Otter Trail, with current official sources.
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Ocean wildlife · By Dean Cothill
Algoa Bay wildlife: dolphins, whales, penguins and ocean tours
Plan an Algoa Bay marine outing with operator links, seasonal context, booking questions, protected-island care and a SANCCOB alternative.
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Art & culture · By Dean Cothill
Gqeberha's history and culture: art, local voices and hosted visits
Plan a guided introduction to Gqeberha through Route 67, the Donkin Reserve, community-led experiences and Xhosa food traditions.
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Karoo journeys · By Dean Cothill
Graaff-Reinet and the Valley of Desolation: a Karoo escape
Plan an inland Karoo stay from Gqeberha, with separate Camdeboo entrances, Valley viewpoint advice, overnight pacing and official park links.
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Wild Coast journeys · By Dean Cothill
Planning a Wild Coast trip: Coffee Bay and Hole in the Wall
Plan a multi-night Wild Coast extension with Coffee Bay route advice, local guides, Hole in the Wall and sensible overnight breaks.
Read the guide11 August 2026 · 5 min read
Four books, and the life beneath them
A local writing story about grief, faith, fatherhood and the questions that stay with us. Originally published before the September 2026 book release.
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22 April 2025 · 1 min read
9 marathons. 9 provinces. One heart.
From the 2025 archive: an invitation to run across the country, raise support and give something back to local communities.
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22 December 2024 · 3 min read
21 half marathons. A journey of heart and sole.
A story from December 2024 about showing up, running together, and finding meaning one day at a time.
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4 June 2024 · 2 min read
A night at Tiger’s Milk
From the June 2024 archive: a look back at the opening of Tiger’s Milk at Moffett on Main.
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25 March 2024 · 2 min read
A slower stay at Once Upon a Dome
A story from our 2024 archive about a forest escape, a family stay and the feeling of getting away without travelling far.
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27 February 2024 · 3 min read
An evening with Macbeth
In the heart of Gqeberha, a theatrical marvel awaits at Theodor Herzl High School, as it proudly presents William Shakespeare’s masterpiece, “Macbeth.” This timeless…
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24 February 2024 · 2 min read
An invitation to local businesses
The original 2024 partnership story. For today’s options, visit Work with us and tell Dean about your business.
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9 August 2023 · 3 min read
A getaway at Nyosi Wildlife Reserve
Wildlife and a change of pace close to the city. A local story from the August 2023 archive.
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31 July 2023 · 4 min read
Early learning around Gqeberha
Welcome to GQEBERHA (Port Elizabeth), where you’ll find a wide variety of pre-schools and day care centres to meet the needs of your little ones.
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11 July 2023 · 3 min read
A Summerstrand stay at Wilmot Cottages
Meet Wilmot Cottages through our original 2023 accommodation feature, and contact the venue for current availability.
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29 April 2023 · 3 min read
A May offer at the GoZone: 2023
The GoZone at Lionsbay Coping with the challenges of life can be tough and can leave you feeling drained and without energy. This can lead
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20 April 2023 · 4 min read
The GoZone at CrossFit Lionsbay
The GoZone Saunas have been used for centuries in many cultures for relaxation, mental wellness, and muscle recovery. A sauna is a small room or
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30 January 2023 · 4 min read
A century of coffee at Mastertons
Who is Mastertons Coffee? The Coffee Legend Ronald John “Jock” Masterton The founder, Ronald John ‘Jock’ Masterton, came to South Africa from Scotland in 1920
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28 January 2023 · 1 min read
A burger at Crave
Asking for a friend: So where is the best burger in town? So we’ve covered pizzas at The Nose Pizza and we’ve covered Coffee at
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13 January 2023 · 2 min read
Pizza at The Nose
Asking for a friend… So @cityofgqeberha hit the social channels and asked for a friend, where can I get the best slice of pizza in
Read the story10 January 2023 · 1 min read
Five-a-side football around the Bay
Look no further than Callies Unite and Fairview Action 5-A-Side Soccer Arena. But what is Futsal or 5 a side soccer anyway? Five-a-side football or
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7 January 2023 · 2 min read
Kragga Kamma Game Park
An introduction from the archive to one of the area’s wildlife outings, with animals, open spaces and a family day in mind.
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5 January 2023 · 1 min read
A Sunday at the Gorge Market: 2023
When is the next Gorge Market happening? 𝗦𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘆, 𝟬𝟴𝘁𝗵 𝗝𝗮𝗻𝘂𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯.☀️ 🆓𝗙𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗿𝘆🆓 Join the 𝗺𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵𝗹𝘆 𝗚𝗼𝗿𝗴𝗲 𝗺𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗲𝘁 𝗮𝘁 𝗟𝗮𝗱𝘆 𝗦𝗹𝗶𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗿. Situated at the crossroads
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4 January 2023 · 2 min read
Port Elizabeth TVET College: from the archive
A dated education resource from the original site, retained in the archive rather than treated as a current tourism guide.
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21 December 2022 · 3 min read
A family evening at King’s Beach Playland
It was a classic City of Gqeberha summer evening, and my family and I decided to head to the local Playland at Kings Beach for
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21 December 2022 · 3 min read
A flat white at Holiday Coffee
A little coffee, a little conversation, and the people behind the counter. A local visit from our December 2022 archive.
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21 December 2022 · 3 min read
A clubhouse opens at Fairview Action Arena
Where can I play FUTSAL in Port Elizabeth? Let’s start again at the basics… What is Futsal and what are the main differences between Futsal
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20 December 2022 · 4 min read
Small business and search: from the archive
A 2022 business article retained as a historical reference. It is separate from our current travel recommendations.
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17 December 2022 · 9 min read
Family days around the bay
Animals, outdoor adventures, play spaces and rainy-day ideas. Our original family guide, with venue details to confirm before you go.
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16 December 2022 · 1 min read
A visit to Gravity at Baywest
Where are the NEW Gravity Facilities at Bay West Mall Port Elizabeth (Gqeberha)? New store alert | Lower Ground, Entrance 4 at BayWest Mall Have you
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15 December 2022 · 2 min read
A festive season at Baywest: 2022
What’s happening at Bay West Mall this Festive Season? Shoppers are spoilt for choice at Baywest Mall, the Eastern Cape’s one and only destination centre,
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15 December 2022 · 3 min read
Finding a CrossFit community
Where should I join a CrossFit Box in Port Elizabeth (Gqeberha) In no particular order at all, these are the TOP 3 boxes to join
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10 November 2022 · 2 min read
Five-a-side at Fairview Action Arena
Ever wondered where you can play 5-a-side soccer in Port Elizabeth? Look no further than Fairview Action 5-A-Side Soccer Arena. Address: 91 Mimosa Road, Fairview (Along
Read the story10 October 2022 · 8 min read
Follow the colour along Route 67
Art, memory and heritage in the heart of the city. Explore the original guide to Route 67 and its public artworks.
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8 October 2022 · 1 min read
Ironman in the Bay: the 2023 edition
When is the IRONMAN AFRICAN CHAMPIONSHIP in Nelson Mandela Bay? Nelson Mandela Bay—named after the freedom fighter and world icon of peace — hosts Africa’s
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8 October 2022 · 1 min read
Walk the Sacramento Trail
Seascapes, wildflowers and the coastal paths between Schoenmakerskop and Sardinia Bay. A walk from the local archive.
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8 October 2022 · 1 min read
Sardinia Bay. Sards, to the locals.
A stretch of sand that stays with you. Read our original love letter to one of the bay’s best-known beaches.
Read the story3 October 2022 · 1 min read
An afternoon at the Donkin Reserve
A pyramid, a lighthouse and stories written into the city. Step inside our original guide to the Donkin Reserve.
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3 October 2022 · 1 min read
A visit to Bayworld
Looking for something to with the whole family that will cover all your bases, both for the kids and for mom and dad, then look
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2 October 2022 · 2 min read
A stay at Founders Lodge
Wanna see lions at sunset? I’ve been invited to Founders Lodge a few times now and every time it just get’s better and better, and
Read the story2 October 2022 · 2 min read
The wild edge of Cape Recife
A lighthouse, rocky shoreline, birdlife and wide-open views. Discover our original story from the edge of the city.
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30 September 2022 · 3 min read
Five places for a beer: from the archive
Summer is around the corner and that only means one thing, sundowners and a few beers with your mates. So if you find yourself in
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Travel guides are dated and linked to their planning sources. Older stories keep their original publication dates. Check changing details with the relevant provider before travelling.