Hafen
East London

Experience the thrill of a game drive on this half-day search for animals including rhino, giraffe and indigenous birds.

Depart the pier and drive through East London, passing Orient and Eastern Beaches en route. Travel along the national highway toward the former homeland, known as the Transkei, enjoying views of rolling hills, farmland and traditional Xhosa villages.

On arrival at Inkwenkwezi, you are welcomed by a group of Xhosa singers and dancers. Sip a welcome drink before boarding the 4x4 open-air canvas-topped vehicles.

Enjoy a two-hour game drive in search of a variety of game, including rhino, wildebeest, giraffe, warthog, zebra, springbok, impala, gemsbok and the rare Eastern Cape kudu. The bird life includes gracious crested crane, secretary bird, ground hornbill and ostrich.

Following your game drive return to the main lodge for a comfort stop before re-boarding your coach for the transfer back to East London.

Get an up-close look at nature surrounding East London via the Kwelera River on this half-day nature tour. Keep your eyes and ears open to spot as many birds as possible while enjoying the calming flow of the Kwelera River. Bring along the provided birding list and tick off some bird finds in this birdwatchers paradise. From the little elusive Scops Owl to giant Kingfishers, Fish Eagles soaring above the river. 

Areena Riverside Resort

Depart the quayside and proceed to the Areena Riverside Resort. Drive along Oxford Street, passing the City Hall, built in 1897, in the 60th year of Queen Victoria's reign. Today, the City Hall is graced with a statue of the martyred activist, Stephen Biko. In 1836, the British established East London as a military post, which they used as a base during the Xhosa wars. The arrival of German settlers, who had been serving as mercenaries in the British-German Legion, gave the place at the mouth of the Buffalo River an economic boost - and in 1873 East London was given town rights. Continue past the East London Museum, which was established in 1921. It is home to a number of fine exhibits, including the type specimen of the coelacanth, a fish previously believed to have become extinct some 80 million years ago.

Welcome Drink & Safety Briefing

Receive welcome drinks on your arrival at the Areena Riverside Resort. Followed by a safety/canoe briefing and fitting on life jackets. Your Birding adventure begins on the Kwelera River.

Local Fauna & Flora, BBQ (Braai) Lunch Experience

Enjoy the natural flora on the river banks, including cycads and aloes. Keep your eyes and ears open to spot as many birds as possible while enjoying the calming flow of the Kwelera River. Bring along the provided birding list and tick off some bird finds in this birdwatchers paradise. From the little elusive Scops Owl to giant Kingfishers, Fish Eagles soaring above the river and many, many more.

On your return, wash the mud off your feet off and enjoy refreshments and a traditional South African BBQ (Braai) while listening to audio files of the local birds.

Thereafter, return to the quayside, passing the residential suburbs of East London.

Enjoy a special evening and a typical traditional South African Braai Dinner at Areena Riverside Resort on this evening tour. Listen to the sounds of a local live band, while soaking up the magical atmpsphere around the open fire.

Areena Resort & Braai Dinner Experience

Depart the pier for the approx 30 minutes transfer to Areena Resort. Upon arrival enjoy a welcome drink before joining for dinner. The word "Braai" comes from the Afrikaans language and means "barbecue" or "grill." However, the practice of cooking meat over an open flame has ancient roots in South Africa. Indigenous peoples like the Khoikhoi and San communities have been using open fires for centuries to cook their food. Enjoy that typical traditional food while having the fires crackling and listening to nice background music, performed by a local live band.

Upon conclusion of your evening, re-board your coach and return to the pier.

Enjoy a nice trek at Nahoon Estuary Nature Reserve on the Dassie Trail. The Trail is a short, flat meander well-suited to all levels. Learn about about estuarine dynamics, bird life, fishes, mangroves and the riparian forest on this half-day all levels nature tour.

Estuary Nature Reserve, Dassie Trail, Mangrove trees, Local Fauna

Depart the pier for a short 30-minutes transfer  Nahoon Estuary. Here, enjoy a nature treck on the Dassie Trail. The trail is an easy 2km riverine route that winds through the Nahoon Estuary Nature Reserve in East London, past indigenous forest, Mangrove trees, and bush along the Nahoon River. Most of the trail runs along a boardwalk with information boards and tree labels that add to the experience. Keen birders should keep an eye open for the Narina Trogon.

The "Footprints", MDSA Coastal Education & Visitor Center, Nahoon Point Reserve

Upon conclusion of your nature trek, re-board the coach and head to the other side of the lagoon to look for the footprins and enjoy the views. This is the site at which human and animal trace fossil track-ways were discovered in 1964 by Bill Hartley and Rhett Kaiser. The site is currently being excavated by Dr Dave Roberts (Council of Geoscience) and Kevin Cole (East London Museum) in the pursuit of discovering further fossil track-ways. The sandstone at this site has been dated to an age of 124 000 years, making the human fossil track-way discovered here, the world’s oldest archaic human fossil footprints on the planet. The original sandstone slabs with the track-ways can be seen at the East London Museum and an explanation of how they were formed can be viewed at the display (with a cast of the footprints) in the MBSA Coastal Education and Visitor Centre in the Nahoon Point Reserve.

Upon conclusion of your visit to the visitor center, take the opportunity to soak in the vews and take some memorable photos.

Return to the pier thereafter.

Embark on a cultural journey on this half-day cultural tour as youpay visit to the enchanting Kwetyana, a vibrant village nestled in the heart of rich Xhosa heritage. This immersive experience promises an authentic encounter with the locals, providing a unique insight into their traditions and way of life.

Kwetyana, Local Community, Daily Life of Xhosa People

Depart the pier for an approximately 45-minute transfer to Kwetyana Village. Upon arrival you are greeted by the local community. Take in the sights and sounds of Kwetyana as you absorb the vibrant atmosphere. Engage with the locals, ask questions, and learn about the daily life, customs, and history that shape this community.

Beadwork, Local Artisans, Xhosa Heritage

Immerse yourself in the artistry of Xhosa beadwork during an interactive master class. Local artisans will guide you through the intricate process, teaching you the skills required to create your own piece of traditional beadwork. This hands-on experience allows you to connect with the cultural heritage of the Xhosa people on a personal level.

Local customs and Traditions

Step into the world of Xhosa attire as you participate in a dress rehearsal. Your host and locals will assist you in adorning the beautifully crafted traditional garments. This is not just a physical transformation but a symbolic journey into the heart of Xhosa identity.

Traditional Dances, Traditional Songs

The rhythm of Africa comes alive as you partake in a lively Xhosa dance and singing tutorial. Learn the graceful moves of Ukuxhentsa and the rhythmic beats of Ukombela, guided by experienced instructors from the community. Allow the music and dance to carry you into the heart of Xhosa celebration and expression.

At the conclusion of your cultural experience, return to the pier.

Experience the spectacular natural beauty and wildlife of South Africa during this unforgettable game-drive adventure at the Mpongo Private Game Reserve. Your half-day excursion features a game drive on this magnificent reserve, replete with rolling hills, river valleys, and abundant wildlife, bird and plant species.

Mpongo Private Game Reserve

From the pier, enjoy a scenic 45-minute drive to the Mpongo Private Game Reserve, located only 22 miles from the city of East London. Upon arrival, you will be welcomed with a refreshing beverage before setting off in your open-air vehicle for a one of-a-kind game viewing adventure. Home to elephants, lions, rhinos, buffalo, hippos, giraffes, numerous antelope and many bird species, Mpongo Private Game Reserve offers a unique blend of luxury and gaming experiences on over 8600 acres of conservation land. This magnificent reserve in the heart of the Eastern Cape boasts rolling hills, river valleys and luscious surroundings that cater to the heart of even the keenest eco-tourist.

Following an exciting game drive of approximately 2 hours, re-join your coach for the return transfer to the pier.

Explore the history of East London during a sightseeing tour of the city and its environs. Your half-day excursion features visits to the East London Museum and Nahoon Point Nature Reserve. Stroll on the Boardwalk before returning to the pier via the coast and suburbs.  

East London, Oxford Street, City Hall

Depart the pier and proceed to East London's city centre. Drive along Oxford Street, passing the City Hall, built in 1897, in the 60th year of Queen Victoria's reign. Today, the City Hall is graced with a statue of the martyred activist, Stephen Biko. In 1836, the British established East London as a military post, which they used as a base during the Xhosa wars. The arrival of German settlers, who had been serving as mercenaries in the British-German Legion, gave the place at the mouth of the Buffalo River an economic boost - and in 1873 East London was given town rights.

East London Museum, Exhibits, Nahoon Footprints

Next, continue to the East London Museum, which was established in 1921. It is home to a number of fine exhibits, including the type specimen of the coelacanth, a fish previously believed to have become extinct some 80 million years ago. Other notable exhibits include a reconstruction of the extinct dodo of Mauritius along with the only known dodo egg in the world, as well as an extensive collection of beadwork relating to the Xhosa-speaking people, and the Nahoon Footprints. In 1964, some construction workers at Bats Cave on the Nahoon Bluff corner noticed some strange shapes in the bedrock and on further investigation recognized them to be the fossilized footprints of a child, belonging to the archaic hominid period. 200,000 years ago, the conditions would have been perfect for the child to have been able to create these tracks and they then lay undisturbed for eons, fossilizing over time. Large slabs of sandstone that contained the tracks have been removed and can now be seen at the Museum.

Nahoon Point Nature Reserve, Mercedes-Benz Coastal Education Center & Visitor Center

Following this visit, proceed via the national highway through rural countryside en-route to the Nahoon Point Nature Reserve. Here, visit the Mercedes-Benz Coastal Education & Visitor Centre. The centre provides an informative eco-tourism facility to educate visitors to the area, with boards, photographs and touchscreens mounted on the walls, explaining the unique aspects of East London's coastal environment, the archaeological wealth of Nahoon including the Nahoon Footprints, the history of surfing at the Nahoon Reef, and the importance of environmental stewardship.

Take a short stroll along the wooden boardwalk that skirts the edge of the coastal dunes, to the site where the Fossil Footprints were found. Thereafter, return to the pier, passing the residential suburbs of East London en-route.

Explore East London at your leisure during your full-day (8-Hour) sightseeing tour via private car. Customize your own itinerary or choose to see an overview of the area's highlights with your driver and your English-speaking driver/guide.

Depart the pier in an air-conditioned car and discover the city and surrounding areas at your own pace. Your exclusive tour concludes back at the pier.

Please note: This tour is non-refundable if cancelled within 48 hours prior to arrival in the port. Actual vehicle type varies depending on availability. Participation is limited to 2 guests per car. The price, exclusive of meals, entrance fees and gratuities, is per vehicle. Therefore, when making your reservation, please indicate the number of vehicles, not the number of guests. Only one person in the party needs to reserve this program. Please see the Shore Concierge Office on board the ship to arrange your individual itinerary.

Explore East London at your leisure during your half-day (4-Hour) sightseeing tour via private car. Customize your own itinerary or choose to see an overview of the area's highlights with an English-speaking driver/guide.

Depart the pier in an air-conditioned car and discover the city and surrounding areas at your own pace. Your exclusive tour concludes back at the pier.

Please note: This tour is non-refundable if cancelled within 48 hours prior to arrival in the port. Actual vehicle type varies depending on availability. Participation is limited to 2 guests per car. The price, exclusive of meals, entrance fees and gratuities, is per vehicle. Therefore, when making your reservation, please indicate the number of vehicles, not the number of guests. Only one person in the party needs to reserve this program. Please see the Shore Concierge Office on board the ship to arrange your individual itinerary.

Explore East London at your leisure during your full-day (8-Hour) sightseeing tour via private van. Customize your own itinerary or choose to see an overview of the area's highlights with your driver and English-speaking driver/guide.

Depart the pier in an air-conditioned van and discover the city and surrounding areas at your own pace. Your exclusive tour concludes back at the pier.

Please note: This tour is non-refundable if cancelled within 48 hours prior to arrival in the port. Actual vehicle type varies depending on availability. Participation is limited to 6 guests per van. The price, exclusive of meals, entrance fees and gratuities, is per vehicle. Therefore, when making your reservation, please indicate the number of vehicles, not the number of guests. Only one person in the party needs to reserve this program. Please see the Shore Concierge Office on board the ship to arrange your individual itinerary.

Explore East london at your leisure during your half-day (4-Hour) sightseeing tour via private van. Customize your own itinerary or choose to see an overview of the area's highlights with an English-speaking driver/guide.

Depart the pier in an air-conditioned van and discover the city and surrounding areas at your own pace. Your exclusive tour concludes back at the pier.

Please note: This tour is non-refundable if cancelled within 48 hours prior to arrival in the port. Actual vehicle type varies depending on availability. Participation is limited to 6 guests per van. The price, exclusive of meals, entrance fees and gratuities, is per vehicle. Therefore, when making your reservation, please indicate the number of vehicles, not the number of guests. Only one person in the party needs to reserve this program. Please see the Shore Concierge Office on board the ship to arrange your individual itinerary.

This full-day excursion takes you deep into the remote areas around East London, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the operations of soup kitchens in rural communities.

In these harsh environments, many children still lack sufficient daily food. Soup kitchens play an important role by providing one warm and nutritious meal twice a day to support both parents and children. Themi’s Soup Kitchen is one of those initiatives, serving a school and two centers with two meals per day.

During this excursion, you will see how she and her ladies prepare the food and if you want to you can help. After all is cooked and prepared you help dishing out the food to the children.

After this experience, you will head back to Purple Haze Eco Lodge for refreshments where Themi will join you to answer any further questions you may have.

This excursion will be making a meaningful impact helping Themi continue what she does for the children of her community.

Immerse yourself in a thrilling adventure amidst breathtaking scenery offering panoramic views of the picturesque Kwelera River, Leopard Kloof, and Areena Valley on this half-day active tour. Prepare for an exhilarating adventure as you zip through the treetops, consisting of 4 exhilarating zip lines. Feel the rush of adrenaline as you soar above the pristine landscape, with each zip line offering its own unique perspective of the surrounding beauty.

Areena Riverside Resort, Kwelera River, Leopard Kloof, Areena Valley

Depart the pier for a short 30-minutes transfer to Areena Riverside Resort. Here, enjoy an amazing ziplining adventure. This activity takes place within the resort, overlooking the beautiful Kwelera River, Leopard Kloof and Areena Valley.

Zipline Circuit & Safety

The Zipline circuit consists of a total of 4x zip lines that make up the moderate tour. With zip lines ranging from the longest at 153 meters to the highest at 70 meters, this 90-minute adrenaline-pumping adventure promises memories that will last a lifetime. All the time your safety is a top priority, you are connected via a full body harness to the zip line and have a safety rope attached. Two guides accompany you on the zip line tour, one connects you safely to the zip line, and the second assists you with the disconnection at the base of each zip line. Safety helmets are worn by all participants.

Upon conclusion of your adventure, enjoy some refreshments before returning to the pier.