What to do in East London

The Buffalo City Municipal Metro (BCMM) straddles five rivers on the east coast of South Africa, with East London being the central and largest urban component. As such BCMM is also the capital of the Eastern Cape province. So it goes without sating that this city is host to not only a vibrant commercial economy but to two tiers of government as well.

Much of the economy is driven by the public sector and associated business and to a lessor but no less important motor vehicle industry which has grown around South Africa’s manufacturing facility for Mercedes Benz.

Access to Tourism

But East London is also the hub city for many of the tourism routes that extend from these shores. Tourists arrive in East London by road, air and rail and flow out through the sought after Wild Coast Tourism Route, The African Sunshine Coast Route and the Friendly N6 Route.

Each of these major tourism routes have spurned smaller tourism routes suitable for day excursions and exploration. You can try visiting The Jikeleza Route, (Big 5 game farm, boutique brewery, rose farm, restaurants and hiking trails) or take a day trip to visit Amatole Mountain Escape Route where the hamlet of Hogback was said to to inspire Tolkens famous “Lord of the Rings”. There are also the heritage routes of Makana, Maqoma and Sandile which provide valuable insight into the birth of this area.

Sport

East London is probably best known for the The Surfers Marathon and it’s motor car racing. However it is also known as the home of boxing in South Africa. East London has South Africa’s best aquatic centre – The Joan Harrison Complex, and is quite famous for it’s picturesque cricket ground, Buffalo Park. Of Course the many local schools have an excellent sporting reputation and one can safely say that many upcoming rugby and soccer starts are nurtured here. All these facilities are in close proximity to Harewood Lodge.

The Sea

East London is a harbour city and sports South Africa’s only River Port. The beaches on the East Coast are known nationally and East London has some of the most unspoilt in the country. Locals and visitors alike frequent Nahoon, Gonubie, Eastern and Orient Beaches. A short drive outside East London delivers even more. naturally east London has an enthusiastic surfing and fishing community.

Harewood Lodge is a few minutes walk away from the famous Nahoon Beach and close to all the sporting facilities.

Restaurants

Like any major city East London has its fair share of restaurants. Those closest to Harewood Lodge are situated in Beach Road, just off Harewood Drive.