The ultimate guide to family activities in and around Gqeberha.

Here’s a list of family fun activities with all the info you (actually) need.

Animals and Wildlife

Kragga Kamma Game Park

Guaranteed animal sightings, good roads, jungle gym, bird-watching, a short trail, suspended bridge, restaurant, picnic facilities, not weather-dependent, guided tour and cheetah feeds. Really an excellent outing with or without children (of any age).

Time needed: At least 2 hours, but could be a half-day outing.

Cost: Adults R120.00; Scholars R60.00; Children < 3yrs free entry. Extra for restaurant and gifts.

Annual loyalty cards, accommodation and functions also available.

Operating hours: 8am – 5pm daily.

Location: Kragga Kamma Rd, Theescombe.

Operating Hours: 8am – 5pm daily.

Website: https://www.kraggakamma.co.za/

Addo Elephant National Park

Addo is the third largest national game park in SA. A day out at Addo never disappoints, especially if you plan it well depending on the age of your kids.

What you need: cash to be safe as the signal (and card facilities) aren’t always great at Matyholweni entrance, snacks for the car (especially if the kids are smaller and restless), plan baby/toddler naps accordingly, picnic things if you are stopping over at Jack’s Picnic, binoculars, camera, ID, driver’s licence, valid car licence.

Cost: Adults R90; Children R45. Extra for restaurant and park shop.

Operating hours: 7am – 6pm daily.

Location: https://goo.gl/maps/FFFFyAFLr7uYfoUq8

Website: https://www.sanparks.org/parks/addo/

Homeleigh Farmyard

Animal touch/feed farm and party venue with different options for different ages. It is pram friendly and guaranteed to get some energy out as kids are free to run around.

Time needed: An hour for the animals and more for tractor rides, playing and eating.

Cost: Adults R35 (discounted rate); Children older than 2 R35. Animal feed R5 or R15 to share. Pony and tractor rides. Extra for restaurant and gifts. Card facilities available. Operating hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 9am – 4:30pm.

Location: Grey Dawn Road, off Kragga Kamma Road.

Website: https://holmeleighfarmyard.co.za/

African Sky’s

Animal touch farm with pony and tractor rides. There is a play area for younger kids, party venue, tea garden and function venue. Touch farm and play area are visible from the tea garden tables.

Time needed: An hour or more, depending on the time taken to see the animals and eat.

Cost: No entrance fee, just money for food and drinks.

Operating hours: Wednesday to Sunday, 9am – 4pm.

Location: 120 Nassau Ave, Theescombe.

Bayworld

Cultural history museum, snake park and oceanarium.

Time needed: Minimum of one hour, more if visiting Castle Hill.

Cost: Adults R45, children and pensioners R40, under 3 free.

Operating hours: Monday to Friday, 9am – 4:30pm.

Location: Cnr Beach Rd & Brookes Hill Dr, Humewood.

Website: https://www.bayworld.co.za/

SANCCOB

Seabird rescue and rehab centre, penguin and educational tours, coffee shop and kiddies play area.

Time needed: About an hour, more if you sit down for coffee/lunch. Penguin feeding times: 2:30 and 3pm.

Cost: Adults R45, children under 13years and pensioners R30, under 3 years is free.

Operating hours: 9am – 4pm daily.

Location: Cape Recife Nature Reserve, Marine Drive, Gqeberha, Eastern Cape 6011

Website: https://sanccob.co.za/

African Dawn

Bird and wildlife sanctuary just outside of PE. Beautiful surroundings and space to move and feed the birds, picnic and braai facilities. Restaurant and cafe open.

Cost: Adults R100, children under 3 years free, 3-6 years R30, 6-16 years R60. Same prices apply for the self-drive game drive, and a combo deal is available.

Operating hours: 9am – 5pm daily.

Location: Lot 13, Strandfontein, Nr Thornhill.

Website: https://www.africandawnwildlifesanctuary.com/

Sporting Outdoor Activities

Norm Hudlin Trails

Bike cycling trails, trail running, walking, rock hunting, dog walking and amazing coffee kiosk and other food stalls.

Small entrance fee.

Operating hours: 6am – 6pm daily.

Location: Farm, 25 Kragga Kamma Rd, Theescombe.

Contact: 072 800 9518 or normhudlin@gmail.com

Sacramento trail

Popular 8 km round trip coastal walk through the Schoenmakerskop-Sardinia Bay Nature Reserve that starts in the coastal village of Schoenmakerskop.

No cost. Open all day. Dogs allowed.

Level: easy with beach and dune walking. Walking shoes recommended.

Location: Sacramento beach. https://goo.gl/maps/afmXj4Lmyd6DBqhZ9

Van Stadens Wildflower Reserve

600 hectare flower wonderland just 40km from PE. The reserve offers a scenic day out with various hiking trails, picnic spots, mountain bike routes, and a river for swimming.

Cost:

Operating hours: 7:30am – 6pm daily.

Helpful info: good shoes, sun protection and water a must. No dogs allowed. Short trails are appropriate for the unfit or younger children.

Contact: 041 9560155

Location: Cape Rd, Uitenhage Farms.

https://goo.gl/maps/NNywxv7J3CyEnh7o8

Promenade Walk

The whole family can enjoy a walk along Port Elizabeth’s magnificent promenade. With restaurants, McArthur’s Pools, Shark Rock Pier, the Boardboard Mall and frequent sightings of dolphins and whales, this one is not to be missed. Bicycle, pushbike, pram and wheelchair friendly.

No cost. Open all day. Dogs on leashes allowed.

Donkin Heritage Trail

Stroll along the 5km Donkin Heritage Trail which links 51 places of historical interest in the old Hill area of central Port Elizabeth. The Donkin Heritage Trail booklet is sold at Nelson Mandela Bay Tourism’s Donkin Reserve Information Office. For more information and guided tours phone 041 582 2575.

No cost, except if guided tour is used.

Route 67

Route 67 consists of 67 Public Art Works symbolising Nelson Mandela’s 67 years of work dedicated to the Freedom of South Africa and includes 67 steps leading up the second largest flag in Africa. This is a must see stop for the whole family to walk and to enjoy. More information and guided tours of Route 67 is available at the Donkin Visitor Information Office inside the lighthouse building.

No cost.

Operating hours: 7am – 5:30pm daily.

Location: 14 St Mary’s Terrace, Port Elizabeth Central.

Go Carting

Algoa Grand Prix Go-Karting is ideal for individuals, groups of friends or family and kids with their friends for an exhilarating birthday party to remember. There are Junior Karts and Double Karts available for paraplegic users. Other fun activities include putt putt, laser tag and slot car racing.

Cost: R100 for ten laps as a rough guide. Snacks available to purchase.

Operating hours: Tuesday to Sunday 10am – 10pm.

Location: Moffet on Main Lifestyle Center, Walmer, Port Elizabeth (located in the underground parking lot).

Contact: 076 167 2700

Duneboarding

Sundays River Adventures offer 2- or 3-hour sandboarding tours which gives everyone more than enough time to learn some new skills and have a great time while doing it. Experience Sandboarding or Sandsledding the famous Alexandria Dune Field – the largest and least degraded coastal dune sea in Africa. Departure from Colchester.

Cost: From R300 per person. Online booking system gives quote.

Operating hours: 7am – 7pm daily.

Location: A Taste Of Africa Restaurant Corner Darling & Jetty St, Colchester.

Website: https://sundaze.co.za/

Nitro Park

Nitro Park at Baywest Mall offers a variety of fun activities for the whole family. State of the art 10-pin bowling at Big League Bowling, 4D excitement at X-Rider, G-Force dodgem cars and the Arcade.

Cost: see https://www.nitropark.co.za/prices

Operating hours: 9am – 10/11pm daily.

Location: Baywest Mall.

Paintball

There are two main places to do paintball: Paintball Heaven (in Walmer) and Paintball Planet (in Pari Park). They both work on a booking system and can be contacted on 041 366 2134 or info@paintballheaven.co.za, and 066 238 3359 or planetpaintball007@gmail.com respectively.

Cost: From around R100 per person.

Location: see website for more details.

Laser Tag

Game On Ultimate Laser Tag is an action-packed, safe laser tag provider offering a range of battle game scenarios (similar to paintball) without the paint and mess.They can also come to you making it ideal for parties or group activities.

Cost: From R150 per person. Bookings are essential.

Contact: https://golasertag.co.za/contact%20us/

Location: Off Victoria Park Dr, Victoria Park, Gqeberha, 6001

Skate Park and Basketball Courts

The Kings beach skate part is situated right in the middle of a complex wide enough for an array of activities. With a basketball court and park nearby, a great place to kill a couple of hours. It is also on the Beachfront Promenade and close to popular beaches and the Boardwalk Mall.

No cost. Open all day.

Location: Kings Beach. https://goo.gl/maps/qDGVPpfM5eRmSm9j7

Skate Park and Basketball Courts

McArthur Pool and Leisure Centre, also known as McArthur Baths, offers outdoor swimming pools with slides at kiddies pools. Disabled friendly. Kiosk and pool bar on site with access to two restaurants and surf shop. Season tickets available.

Cost: Adults R140 Children under 12 years R80, Pensioners R100.

Operating hours: 9am – 5pm daily (8am – 7pm during the festive holidays, times vary).

Location: 33 Beach Rd, Humewood.

Contact: 041 582 5282

Valley Crags Climbing Centre

Valley Crag is the largest climbing gym in the Eastern Cape, boasting bouldering, top rope and lead climbing. We have a dedicated gym area fitted with climbing related training equipment as well as traditional cardio equipment for an all round fitness experience. Our integrated coffee and gear shop offers a space where one can chill out between climbs and shop for the latest and best outdoor equipment for your next excursion.

Cost: R100 for a day pass. Courses and membership details on the website.

Operating hours: Monday – Friday (10am – 8:30pm); Saturday (10am – 5:30pm); Sunday (2:30pm – 5:30pm); Public holidays* (10am – 5:30pm); CLOSED 25 and 26 DECEMBER and 1 and 2 JANUARY

Location: 16 Lower Valley Road, Baakens Valley.

Website: https://valleycrag.co.za/#contact

Gravity Indoor Trampoline Park

With brand new location and facilities, Gravity Indoor Trampoline Park has over 2000m2 of pure adventure waiting for you! Trampolines, foam pits, rope course and climbing walls, basketball and more.

Cost: R120 per person (all ages, 1 hour).

Operating hours: Monday to Thursday 09h00 – 21h00; Friday & Saturday 09h00 – 22h00; Sundays 09h00 – 20h00.

Website for more details and to book online: https://gravitype.co.za/

Location: Baywest Mall.

Check out latest post here for everything you need to know.

Horse Riding

Heavenly Stables offers horse rides in the tranquil surrounds of the Sardinia Bay Area. Beach and trail rides as well as pony rides/hire are some of the activity options. They work on a booking system (see website below). Minimum age is 7 years, making it an ideal family outing.

Cost: from R350 per person.

Operating hours: 8aam – 4:30pm daily.

Location: Plot 431 Sardinia Bay Rd, Lovemore Park.

Website: https://heavenlystables.co.za/contact-us/

Kiddies play areas

Grassroof

A popular restaurant and farm stall, Grassroof offers three play areas. One by the restaurant with various jungle gyms, bike track and giant swing; a second across the road in a dedicated play area with a jumping castle, slip n slide, giant swing, kids train and go kart track; and thirdly the brand new bike park which includes the pump track, downhill tracks and jump air bag. Grassroof is also home to the Parkrun route in the area.

Cost: Play area 2: Adults free, children R60 per day; Bike park: from R75 per day.

Operating hours: 8am – 4:30pm daily.

Location: 792 Heron Rd, Lovemore Park.

Website: https://www.grassroof.co.za/

Beans with Wings

A fully-licensed restaurant that is perfect for kids and grownups. Situated in Charlo on a small holding with a large outdoor play area as well as an undercover toddler play area. Splash pad in summer, so bring extra clothes or costumes for the kids.

Cost: free entrance when going to the restaurant.

Operating hours: 9am – 4pm daily (3pm on weekends).

Location: 3 Heatherbank Rd, Theescombe.

Website: https://beanswithwings.co.za/

Funky Frogs

Funky Frogs Indoor Play Centre and Party Venue is a kids indoor play centre that offers a fun & safe environment where children can develop occupational skills by playing actively in an exciting atmosphere. They offer a variety of activities for children aged zero to ten years. Child-minding service available.

Cost: from R45, various options and membership available.

Operating hours: Monday to Friday 9am – 4pm, Weekends 9am – 2pm.

Location: Moffett On Main Lifestyle Centre, 109 17th Ave, Walmer.

Website: http://funkyfrogs.co.za/pe/

My Magic Words

Quality preloved & new children’s bookstore and coffee bar located in Lovemore Heights. Such a lovely place to take the kids for some reading, choosing a special book or fun activities such as cookie decorating, bird house or gingerbread house making, sand art and loads more.

Cost: free entrance, group activities of less than R100 per person. Bookings essential.

Operating hours: Monday to Friday 9am – 5pm, Saturdays 9am – 1pm.

Location: Shop 5, Greenways Medical Centre Corner Buffelsfontein and Melsetter Roads, Lovemore Heights.

Contact for bookings and more info: 063 773 1623 or nicola@mymagicwords.co.za