Kai Reisen: East London

East London South Africa

The Eastern Cape’s tourism sector is working to align its Big Five game reserves with popular international destinations such as Cape Town and the Garden Route. The Eastern Cape, still the poorest region of South Africa, has seen massive growth in tourism. Tourism MEC Enoch Godongwana announced last week that the sector generated an impressive R4 billion for the province last year, attributing the success to the government and Eastern Cape Tourism’s international marketing efforts. The success is also linked to strong contributions from the private sector and the health department’s efforts to keep the province free of malaria and bilharzia. Tourism operators say tourism infrastructure in the Eastern Cape has expanded to take advantage of the province’s newfound status as a “happening” international destination. One key area of change has been the rapid consolidation of livestock farms into vast game-viewing reserves, as well as hunting and game-producing farms, giving rise to world-class game reserves.

Recommended airport

Port Elizabeth Intl (PLZ)

Nearby destinations

East London, South Africa

East London South Africa