Car Hire Port Elizabeth

PE is one of South Africa's best beach holiday destinations, with 40km of unspoiled coastline — mostly golden sandy beaches renowned across the world. PE gets more sunshine hours than any other city in this part of South Africa. The Indian Ocean gives the city magnificent weather — PE’s weather ranks in the world’s Top Five for coastal cities. Summer stretches from October to April, with an average temperature maximum of 25°C throughout January to March.

After the beach, get out on the water! Algoa Bay is Africa’s water sport capital. There’s yachting and boat cruises, windsurfing, jet skiing and diving. The Bay is one of the best sailing waters in the world. Scuba diving is of world-class quality with great reefs, plenty of shipwrecks, fish and colourful coral.

Go further out to sea on deep-sea fishing trips, or at-sea photo safaris — Algoa Bay has whales, dolphins, seals, great white sharks, penguins and plenty of sea birds.

You mustn’t miss the magnificent wild game viewing in malaria-free game reserves. Within less than an hour’s drive of Port Elizabeth you can see the Big Five (elephant, rhino, buffalo, lion and leopard) and many other species.

Then, you’ve got to explore inland, further into the Eastern Cape where six of South Africa's 7 biomes (major habitats) converge and explode in richness of wildlife and vegetation! The region is South Africa's favourite eco-destination for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers. If you like the outdoors, there is so much to choose from — mountain-biking, river rafting, kayaking, bird watching and beach and country rides by horse.

Explore the area's rich cultural heritage, following the histories of African and European people. How did they meet? What did they produce together? Some of this can be seen in museums, some in the wide assortment of art, fashions and restaurants.

Want a break from rushing around? Port Elizabeth will help you to slow down, relax, and refresh. There are no crowds — neither at the beach nor in town. And South Africans know PE as the Friendly City.

Addo Elephant National Park
Addo Elephant Park has the densest population of elephant in the world. Safe from hunters and poachers, the grey giants of the bush now roam in peace through this dense valley in the Sundays River region. An estimated 100,000 elephants roamed South Africa up until 1652 when European colonisation started. In the 1930s, when there were only 11 surviving elephants, Addo Elephant Park was founded, to save the Eastern Cape elephant and Cape buffalo from extinction. In the 1960s, the endangered black rhino was also introduced to the park. Today, this quiet, evergreen valley is home to a breeding herd of over 450 elephants and offers sanctuary to a variety of other animals including antelope, monkeys, warthog, jackal and small cats. Recently, a group of lions was added to the wildlife of the southern part of the park. The dense Addo bush is also an excellent bird watching spot with over 180 species.

The expansion of the Addo Elephant National Park has been touted as one of the most exciting and ambitious conservation projects ever to be undertaken in South Africa. The Park currently covers an area of over 90.000 ha, stretching from Darlington Dam north west of the Zuurberg down to the N2 national road near the Sundays River.

You can join day, night and sunset guided drives or follow 4x4 trails for excellent elephant viewing from your own vehicle. The more adventurous can take a three-hour horseback ride across the bushveld for a close-up look of elephants and other wildlife.

Park facilities include attractive six- and four-bed cottages, four-bed forest huts and two-bed bungalows, available for overnight stays. Day-visitors can relax at a pleasant picnic spot. There is also a restaurant, serving à la carte meals and light refreshments.

Shamwari Game Reserve
The world's Leading Conservation Company and Leading Safari and Game Reserve in 1998, 1999, 2000 and 2001. Shamwari offers the ultimate African adventure! Less than an hour’s drive from Port Elizabeth, Shamwari is the southernmost private big game reserve with the Big Five: leopard, Cape buffalo, lion, elephant and black rhinoceros. It stretches over 18,000 hectares along Bushman's River.

This region of the Eastern Cape used to be one of the richest wildlife zones in Africa. Lions, rhinoceros and warthog were hunted to extinction, but have been reintroduced. Shamwari's mission statement is to put back what man has destroyed. Today Shamwari is home to a total of 58 mammals including free-roaming elephant, lion, black and white rhinoceros, buffalo, leopard and elephant as well as cheetah, hyena, giraffe, hippo, zebra and numerous species of antelope.

Shamwari has a great day-visitor programme at their Born Free Day and Conservation Centre. The Centre is a sanctuary for lions rescued from bad conditions and will deepen your understanding of the plight of wild animals held in captivity. The day programme continues at Khaya Lendaba, a traditional African Arts and Culture village, showing the culture and traditions of African people. Watch dancing and hear the drumbeats. You will see and hear about African rituals and customs, tribal dress codes and traditional marriages. Before you set off on a 3-4-hour game drive in open Land Rovers, lunch is served overlooking the Bushman's River. A true African treat with venison potjies, beef prepared in cast iron pots, honey-glazed barbecued chicken, roast butternuts, homemade bread and salads. Children under 6 years are not allowed on game drives.

Schotia Safaris
Set amongst the rolling hills and valleys of the Paterson area, a pleasant 35-minute drive from Port Elizabeth, lies Schotia Safaris. This sixth-generation family ranch and game reserve, approximately 1,600 hectares in size, features an abundance of game. Wildlife includes lions hunting for themselves, various antelope, zebra, wildebeest, crocodiles and warthogs. Game drives are in open Land Rovers.

Kariega Game Reserve
Set in the spectacular valley through which the Kariega River meanders to the sea, this 5000 hectare private game and reserve offer more than 20 species of game and abundant birdlife. Unique to the Kariega is the opportunity to walk safely amongst the game. A mere 85 minutes drive from Port Elizabeth, the Day Centre operates daily from 10h00 and offers a combination of a guided game drive, river cruise and lunch. Situated less than 15 minutes away from the golden beaches of Kenton-on-Sea.

Lalibela Game Reserve
This private game reserve spans five ecosystems (valley bushveld, savannah grassland, fynbos, riverine forest and acacia woodland) resulting in a breath-taking diversity of plants, animals and birds. There are two day visitor programmes each day: a day safari and an evening safari. On both programmes a ranger takes you on a 3 hour game drive in an open land rover.

Kwantu Game Reserve
Experienced game rangers host you on a 3 hour game drive. From specially equipped open Land Rovers you may encounter the impressive and rare white rhino, zebra, giraffe, wildebeest, kudu and a variety of other antelope, as well as elephant, with over 100 different species of birds to serenade and dazzle you. Kwantu Private Game Reserve is located on the legendary Sidbury Plains along the banks of the Bushman's river - a mere hour's drive from Port Elizabeth.


If you dont have a place to stay, get in contact with us, as we can help find you accommodation in any area in South Africa.

Our car rental rates are some of the most competitive in South Africa, and as such, we can offer you great value for money.

We are also proud to say we have some of the best customer service in the car rental industry in South Africa, and will gladly assist you with your travel needs.

To contact a representative directly about car rental, or finding some accommodation,
click here to send us a direct email, to the Port Elizabeth branch team leader.

We hope to make your visit as pleasurable as possible, and look forward to meeting you!