East London

Cruise ships berth at the Port of East London, just 3km from the town centre. When a vessel is alongside, taxis are usually available outside the port exit.

East London is South Africa's only substantial river and sea port, exporting citrus fruit, mineral ores and wool while also handling significant imports. The first recorded vessel reached these waters in 1688 during a search for shipwreck survivors, and a proclamation brought the area into the Cape Colony in 1848. Now the commercial hub for the surrounding area, the busy town has a population of approximately 175,000. Its small museum displays the world's only surviving egg of the extinct dodo bird and a mounted coelacanth caught near East London in 1938, a fish…

Travel west via Port Alfred towards Port Elizabeth and the Garden Route.

To the east, the Wild Coast offers a dramatic, rugged stretch of coastline.

Head north into the Karoo for Bloemfontein.

Near the Buffalo River, the newer harbourside Latimer's Landing development brings together shops and restaurants.

Hemingways Mall is a sizeable retail complex with shops, restaurants and entertainment including a casino and cinema.

The local currency is the Rand (ZAR). Automated teller machines (ATMs) connected to all major international networks can be found across the country. Prefer machines inside a mall or other building, shield your PIN from anyone nearby and remain alert for scams, such as a machine that appears to retain your card after you enter the PIN.

Credit cards are accepted by most retail shops.

South Africa recognises 11 official languages. English is spoken by most people other than rural black Africans, although it is not the first language for many; Afrikaans is also widely spoken, particularly among the white and colored population.

Usual shopping hours are Mon-Fri 0900-1700 and Sat 0900-1400. Major tourist areas are increasingly open later and throughout the weekend, while shopping malls often remain open until 9PM.