Things to Do in Colchester

Not only does Kwantu Private Game Reserve offer magnificent wildlife viewing in a malaria-free zone, it also has an elephant sanctuary and endangered animals in an untouched wilderness. From the comfort of specially equipped open Land Rovers, visitors are able to encounter impressive white rhino roaming freely on the plains. Entertaining antics of playful Vervet monkeys and Chacma baboons is commonplace as is the comical sight of warthog families speeding across the plains with their trademark tails held high. Other wildlife to spot is zebra, giraffe, wildebeest, blue duiker, kudu, porcupine, aardwolf, caracal, and leopard. With over 250 different species of birds, Kwantu is an orchestra of sound, colour and movement. Even novice bird watchers will thrill at a glimpse of the gorgeous Narina Trogon or the Knysna turaco. Other birds to see are various kingfishers, owls, sunbirds, eagles, kites, and water fowl. Informative and friendly guides soon have guests marvelling at their intriguing and unusual habits.

Cuddle a snake, count all 64 teeth of a Nile crocodile and get up close to a sky predator. Emphatically not a zoo, the Addo Raptor and Reptile Centre is a rehabilitation and education facility providing a home and veterinary care for rescued birds of prey and reptiles. Daily live shows and guided tours allow visitors to come face to face with the venomous Cape Cobra and numerous other deadly African snakes. A large component of their work is educating authorities, the public, retailers and young folk. The focus is to create a better understanding and awareness of these misunderstood and largely misaligned creatures. Some of the animals and birds were rescued from the pet trade or are injured and not able to be returned to the wild. Others are sourced from reputable reptile breeders. +27 (0) 82 332 3499 Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday 09:00 - 18:00 Feeding tours: Tuesday to Sunday 18:00 (bookings are essential).

A symbol of our freedom and unconventional in terms of museum design, the Red Location Museum is definitely worth a visit. Red Location is one of the oldest townships of Nelson Mandela Bay, named for the corrugated iron barrack buildings which have rusted to a deep red. Many famous political and cultural leaders lived in Red Location and a number of significant ‘struggle’ events occurred during Apartheid. Museum visitors are treated as active participants rather than consumers. The past is represented as a set of memories, disconnected yet bound together by themes using the concept of the Memory Box. This was inspired by the boxes that migrant labourers used for storing their precious possessions when separated from their families. Red Location also draws together the strands of struggle that commemorate the efforts by different groups to free themselves. The museum complex includes an art gallery, market, a creative arts centre, library, adult literacy centre and a conference venue. Corner Olof Palme and Singaphi Streets, New Brighton +27 (0)41 408 8400 Opening Hours: Tuesday to Friday 10:00 - 16:00 Saturday at Sunday 09:00 - 15:00.

Amakhala Game Reserve offers a wildlife experience that will inspire and revitalize your soul. Be captivated by the call of fish eagles echoing through the kloofs and the roaring of lion at night. Named for the stunning display of aloes proliferating in the malaria-free Zuurveld, Amakhala is home to the Big 5 and numerous animals. Visitors have the opportunity to spot lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, buffalo, cheetah, giraffe, zebra, abundant antelope and birdlife. This breath-taking reserve also contains a prehistoric Bushman burial ground and some ancient dinosaur fossil sites. By staying at Amakhala you can have a quintessential African experience exploring the bushveld while on safari, walking, and river cruising or simply chilling with a glass of wine at one of the well-appointed lodges.

All the rage for swimming, sunbathing and body surfing, Hobie Beach is the venue for the annual Splash Festival as well as the Beach Volleyball and World Boardsailing Championships. The calm seas, blissfully warm water (between 18 to 21 degrees in summer) and beaches patrolled by professional lifeguards provide the perfect combination for a family holiday. Hobie Beach is a good choice for swimming or simply sunbathing but if you’re a water sports junkie there’s no end to the thrills here - choose from scuba diving, windsurfing, kiting, surfing, jet skiing or surf skiing.At low tide the Shark Rock Pier side of Hobie Beach is a great place to explore, offering sheltered rock pools with interesting inter-tidal sea life. Kids love spending time here looking for creatures like starfish and octopus. Hobie Beach is situated in Summerstrand which is an ideal base from which to explore Port Elizabeth and its beautiful coastline.

Situated on the North End Lake which is an idyllic setting for match days, the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium is the Eastern Cape's first dedicated football stadium. Features include a three-tier design with two rings of skyboxes. Five first-round, one second-round, one quarter-final, and the third-place play-off 2010 FIFA World Cup matches kicked off here. The football crazy Port Elizabeth / Nelson Mandela Bay and Eastern Cape residents are the beneficiaries of this brand new futuristic multi-purpose stadium with seating for 50 000 spectators. It is conveniently located near the N2 highway, just a few kilometres from the coast and the port of Coega. In close proximity to Port Elizabeth / Nelson Mandela Bay is the Addo Elephant National Park and two of South Africa's award winning private game reserves and lodges - Shamwari Game Reserve and Bushman Sands Hotel (featuring a world-class Gary Player designed golf course) along with many other accommodation options. Called the "Friendly City" for good reason, Port Elizabeth offers a number of stunning beach options.

Pollock Beach is yet another beautiful Sunshine Coast beach that stretches from the Summerstrand lifesaving club to the beacon at the bottom of Admiralty Way. Beachcombers will find numerous shells walking along this wild shore. There are some good snorkelling spots close to the Humewood golf course - rated one of South Africa’s Top 10 Golf courses. Pollock Beach is favourite for swimming, sunbathing and body surfing. It also offers sheltered rock pools with interesting inter-tidal sea life. Known locally by surfers as the "Pipe" because of its excellent waves and surfing opportunities. It is the first place to pick up swell and the last place to loose it. Pipe is a sand covered reef that delivers a very descent left as well as a right. Along the beach you will find a cyclist path and new walkway stretching from within the dunes all the way to Hobie Beach and the Boardwalk. The Summerstrand Village Shopping Centre with a Pick ‘n Pay family supermarket, several restaurants, banks and gift shops is close by.

Although Bayworld Oceanarium’s two dolphins, Dumisa and Domino, have winged it off to Hong Kong, the aquarium remains one of the star attractions in Nelson Mandela Bay. Situated in the heart of the Port Elizabeth beachfront, Bayworld continually dishes up a feast of education and entertainment to thousands of visitors each year. Kids love the little colony of rescued Cape fur and Sub Antarctic seals. These web-footed friends provide an up-close experience, giving visitors a chance to see them swimming and feeding. Interactions with their trainers and related stories present their amazing adaptations to the aquatic environment. The African and rock-hopper penguins never fail to amuse with their awkward waddling on land but never fail to impress with their exceptional agility in the water. Be thrilled by the adult ragged-tooth sharks displaying jagged jaws of eating tools as they cruise around the circular tank. There’s lots to see but don’t miss the tiny Knysna seahorses and the wily octopus. Open 09:00 – 16:30 every day of the year, except on Christmas Day, 25 December.

Fascinating but fearsome to some folk, reptiles are always a hit with kids. The Bayworld Snake Park has been around since 1919 and is home to numerous reptiles, many of which are indigenous to the Nelson Mandela Bay area. The slithery and scaly collection includes the longest species of snake in the world, the deadliest snake in Africa and a cunning snake that pretends to be dead so as to avoid being attacked. There are also some of the common species which you might find in your back garden while staying in the Bay. Informative signs help you identify the snakes so if you do happen to meet one of them, you’ll know whether it is dangerous or not. Along with the amazing snakes, you will also be able to see lizards, crocodiles, tortoises and terrapins. Open 09:00 – 16:30 every day of the year, except on Christmas Day, 25 December.

Rainy day in the Bay? Why not check out what's up at PE Museum at the Bayworld Complex. Situated on the main beachfront, it delivers a feast of education and entertainment to thousands of visitors each year. March the kids straight to the life-sized reconstruction of the giant prehistoric dinosaur known as Algoasaurus that once lived here. Another leviathan for your pipsqueaks to gawk at is the 15 metre skeleton of the last Southern right whale harpooned in Nelson Mandela Bay. Wannabee pirates will dig the replica of the Dias Cross and a five metre bronze cannon dated 1640, salvaged from a Portuguese galleon wrecked near Port Elizabeth. The Port Elizabeth Museum is a wonderful blend of cultural and natural history and is the third oldest in South Africa. Displays include the Dinosaur, Marine, Bird, Maritime History, Costume and Local History Halls, as well as a Curiosity Corner, Xhosa Beadwork Gallery and the First People of the Bay. Diverse temporary exhibits in the fields of natural science, archaeology and geology regularly spice up what’s on offer. Definitely worth a visit! Open 09:00 – 16:30 every day of the year, except on Christmas Day, 25 December.

The glamorous and touristy Boardwalk Casino & Entertainment World is situated on the Port Elizabeth Beach front in the exclusive suburb of Summerstrand. The casino offers 802 slot machines and 21 casino tables. The complex includes a convention centre, a sports café and an extensive retail component dynamically integrated around a man-made lake offering a choice of restaurants, specialty shops, a cinema, an amphitheatre and children's entertainment facilities. As the sun sets, The Boardwalk Casino and Entertainment World blazes with fantastic lights reflecting off the lakes. The quintessential elegance and romance of the Victorian regency are the dominant architectural influences at The Boardwalk Casino and Entertainment World. The setting conjures up reminiscent scenes from a bygone era. From the grace of the classic Victorian white and red façades, to the Tivoli styled gardens, to the debonair style of the casino - the regency of this classical period has been revived.

Situated right in the city centre, No 7 Castle Hill is a picturesque Victorian cottage museum dating back to 1827. It's one of the oldest remaining houses in Port Elizabeth and is furnished as a family home of the mid-Victorian period, depicting the early Settler way of life.Need to know? Staff will provide general tours or special interest tours on request. To arrange this, please contact +27 (0)41 582 2515.

Considered one of the world's most challenging links courses, Humewood Golf Course is consistently ranked as one of South Africa's Top 10 golf courses. The late Bobby Locke considered Humewood Golf Course to be the best in South Africa and said that it compared favourably with the top links courses in the British Isles. Humewood has hosted the South African Amateur 9 times and the South African Open 4 times.Situated in the coastal city of Port Elizabeth, the golf course is a genuine seaside links, frequently lashed by the winds off Algoa Bay. The length of the course is 6 225 meters with 18 holes/par72. With wide and undulating fairways, fast greens and thick coastal bush, a round at Humewood is an absolute must for any golfers visiting South Africa.The course is home to a variety of animal life with an abundance of cheeky plovers, otherwise known as kiewietjies, one of which makes up the club's emblem. And, after your round of golf, relax at the "19th" in the elegant Club House and indulge in a spectacular view over the links course itself as well as Algoa Bay.

One of the largest private game reserves in the Eastern Cape, the award winning Shamwari Game Reserve is a superlative safari destination for discerning guests. Boasting numerous high profile animals including the Big 5 and five of South Africa's seven biomes, the reserve is one of the most successful private conservation initiatives coupled with responsible tourism in Southern Africa. Shamwari is situated in luxuriant bushveld along the Bushmans River. Easily accesable, the malaria-free reserve lies halfway between Port Elizabeth and Grahamstown. There are daily flights from Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban to Port Elizabeth. It’s also an enjoyable drive from Cape Town along the beautiful Garden Route. Guests can choose from seven unique luxury lodges on this private game reserve.

Sahara Oval, St George’s Park Cricket Ground, St George’s Oval, The Crusaders Ground – the grand old cricket oval of many names was the first ground in South Africa to host a Test match in 1889. St George's Cricket Ground lies in Nelson Mandela Bay's upmarket suburb of St George’s Park and is one of the venues for Test matches and One Day Internationals in South Africa. The oval is home to the Port Elizabeth Cricket Club, one of the oldest cricket clubs in South Africa, and the Eastern Province Amateur Cricket Board.

The African Penguin Rehabilitation Center is used for the rescue and rehabilitation of the endangered African Penguin, other marine birds and marine animals. The center is equipped with a receiving area, ICU, washing, drying and pool facilities and provides opportunities for research as well as an education centre. Visitors can view the rehabilitation process without disturbing the animals and enjoy watching the feeding of penguins in the finishing pool. There is also a pleasant coffee shop for relaxing with tea or coffee and cake afterwards.

The Ron Belling Art Gallery is situated in a beautiful Art Deco house built in 1936. Designed by Gertruida Brinkman, the first woman architect to graduate in South Africa, it is recognized as a significant example of the Early Modern Style. The house has been modified tastefully as a modern art gallery and both the building and the privately owned collection are available for the benefit of the larger community. Ron Belling was South Africa’s foremost aviation artist who produced 1650 paintings during his lifetime. Many of these are exhibited at the gallery, dedicated to his memory in Port Elizabeth. The gallery also exhibits examples of the Marine and Junkers series, the latter almost completed at the time of his death and are on loan from the Ron Belling Memorial Art Trust. Open Monday to Friday 10:00 – 16:00. Weekends on the first Saturday and Sunday of the Month 10:00 – 13:00; third and fourth Saturday of the Month 10:00 – 13:00. Closed every second weekend of the month (Saturday, Sunday, Monday) and religious holidays. A nominal admission fee is payable.

Greenacres Shopping Centre is situated in the heart of Port Elizabeth, the economic hub of the Eastern Cape. This trendy shopping mecca forms part of a one-kilometre complex that entices visitors from afar to indulge in retail therapy. Two choices in parking facilities are on offer. There is an outdoor parking space and a three-level parking facility with over 1000 parking bays situated on the Northern side of the building. Two levels of this facility are undercover, while the rooftop is open. Opening hours: Monday to Friday 09:00 – 18:00 Friday 09:00 – 19:00 Saturday 08:30 – 17:00 Sunday and Public Holidays 09:00 – 14:00 Selected tenants and food outlets trade longer hours for your convenience. Banking Hours: Nedbank Monday to Friday 08:30 – 16:00 Saturday 08:30 – 12:00 First National Bank Monday to Friday 09:00 – 15:30 Saturday 08:30 – 11:00 Rennies Foreign Exchange Monday to Friday 08:30 – 16:30 Saturday 08:30 – 12:00.

Conveniently situated within Port Elizabeth, the Cape Recife Nature Reserve has much to offer visitors and locals alike. A stunning beach, rolling dunes, coastal fynbos, marine birdlife, rock pools, and a 133-year old lighthouse beckon further exploration. The reserve is renowned as a ‘must do’ birding site in Port Elizabeth to see marine and freshwater birds. The tern roost at Cape Recife is the best place in the country to see Roseate Tern. Seven species of tern are found here including Roseate tern, Antarctic tern and occasionally Damara tern. Waterbirds that are often seen include Little Bittern, South African Shellduck, African Black Oystercatcher and Southern Tchagra. African penguin and ocean birds can also be spotted offshore. Cape Recife Nature Reserve facilities include an Information Centre, ablution block, bird hides, picnic site and a nine-kilometre walking trail.

Founded in 1890, the Port Elizabeth Golf Club is one of the oldest in South Africa. Over 100 years later many of the holes still have the same routing! Today the 6121 metre layout features significant changes including bent grass greens, 25 strategically placed bunkers, and two nines of par 36 for a total par of 72. Well established trees, palm trees, strelitzias and lush plantings line the fairways. The two signature holes, the 8th and 17th holes, feature distinctive water features. The vibrant club house offers multi-functional lounges, bars and modern change room facilities with a sauna. +27 (0) 41 374 3140 bookings@pegolf.co.za Westview Drive, Mill Park, Port Elizabeth