Situated on the Eastern Cape of South Africa, East London is a mecca definitely not be overlooked by world travellers. This outstanding place boasts a myriad of activities from some of the worlds finest beaches and water sports to museums and a game reserve affording tourists opportunities to see wild animals and the only ‘dodo’ egg known to be in existence.

East London, or Xhosa (Afrikaans) is the only river port on the southeast coast. The town bearing the nickname ‘Buffalo City’ was established in 1847 and began operating under city council type of government in 1914. In the mid-1800’s it was the scene of many battles between British inhabitants and Xhosa natives. East London is to Africa what Detroit, Michigan is to the USA, ‘the motor city’, home to Daimler Chrysler and Mercedes-Benz automobile factories with many cars finding homes in American driveways.

Among the many attractions in and East London are the Mpgongo Private Game Reserve where visitors take open -jeep rides to view elephants, lions, buffalo and rhinos along with other creatures such as hippos and exotic birds. Nahoon Reef is a mecca for surfers. The East London Museum is home to the coelacantha fish, a prehistoric fish believed to be extinct, but with reports of one being caught by a fisherman in 1938.

East London and the Eastern Cape are the birthplace of some of the world’s finest athletes such as Joan Harrison, a 1952 Olympic gold medal winner for swimming. John ‘Jonty’ Skinner, who began his career coaching for the University of Alabama, ultimately became a National American Swimming Coach, currently resides in Colorado Springs, Colorado. In the world of auto racing, Jody Scheckler holds 1979 Formula 1 world champion driver trophy. In 2009, Wendy Botha became part of the ‘Surfing Walk of Fame’ in Huntington Beach, California, being a 4-time world champion surfer.

The East London clock tower was built to commemorate the diamond jubilee of Queen Victoria. Musical entertainment in East London affords music lovers the opportunity to try their hand at drumming which was the universal language used to bring tribes together.