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ESSENTIAL INFORMATION
Banking Hours Cellular Phone Hire
Communication Credit Cards & Travellers’ Cheques
Consulates & Embassies Currency
Foreign Exchange Department of Home Affairs
Emergency Numbers Hospitals
Information Offices Internet Cafes
Safety Tips Tours, Travel & Transport
Weather Forecast
BANKING HOURS
Operating hours for Commercial Banks are Mon. to Fri. 08h30 to 15h30, Sat. 08h30 to 11h00.
First National Bank - 293 Cape Road, Newton Park, Tel: 041 390 8000. Website: http://www.fnb.co.za/
ABSA Commercial Bank - Corporate Place, Ring Road, Greenacres, Tel: 041 396 5500. Website: http://www.absa.co.za/
Standard Bank of SA Ltd. - 1 Pickering Street, Newton Park, Tel: 041 391 2727. Website: http://www.standard.colza/
CELLULAR PHONE HIRE
Vodashop Renta Fone - Between Arrival & Departure Terminal, Port Elizabeth Airport, Allister Miller Drive. Operating hours 05h30 to 20h00. Tel: 041 507 7370.
COMMUNICATION
Postal Information - Post Offices are open from 08h00 to 17h00 Mondays to Fridays and 08h30 to 13h00 on Saturdays. Main Post Office, 259 Govan Mbeki Avenue, Tel: 041 508 4039.
Phonogram / Telegram - May be sent by dialing 1028 or from any Post Office.
Telephones - Public coin and card telephones are fully automatic with direct dialing to most parts of the world. Phone cards may be purchased at any Post Office Branch. Booked International calls can be made by dialing 0903 for International Telephone Enquiries.
CREDIT CARDS & TRAVELLERS’ CHEQUES
Most international cards such as American Express, Diners, Master Card and Visa are accepted, as well as Travellers’ Cheques.
CONSULATES & EMBASSIES
Belgian – 16C Lower Valley Rd, South End / Baakens Valley; Tel: 041 582 2275 (Mon. to Fri. 09h00 to 12h00)
British – 5th Floor, First Bowring House, 66 Ring Road, Greenacres; Tel: 041 363 8841 (Mon. to Fri. 09h00 to 12h30)
Danish – 3 Fearick Street, Sidwell; Tel: 041 453 2696 (Mon. to Thur. 08h00 to 17h00; Fri. 08h00 to 12h00)
French – 3 Digby Road, Framesby; Tel: 041 360 2730 / Cell: 082 921 4475 (Mon. to Fri. 08h00 to 16h30)
German – 11 Uitenhage Road; Tel: 041 487 2840 (Mon. to Fri. 08h30 to 12h30)
Italian – 16 Dyason Street, Mount Croix; Tel: 041 373 6443 (Mon. & Wed. 10h30 to 12h30, Tue. & Fri. 08h30 to 10h30)
Portuguese – 9 Oak Road, Walmer; Tel: 041 367 1693 (Mon. to Fri. 09h00 to 12h00).
CURRENCY
One Rand (R) = 100 cents (c). Notes issued are R200, R100, R50, R20 and R10. Coins issued are R5, R2, R1, 50c, 20c, 10c and 5c.
FOREIGN EXCHANGE
Foreign currency may be exchanged at some Commercial Banks and Travel Agencies.
American Express Foreign Exchange - Boardwalk Casino Complex, Tel: 041 583 2025 (Mon. to Fri. 08h00 to 22h00, Sat. & Sun. 10h00 to 14h00).
Rennies Foreign Exchange – Shop 8, Walmer Park Shopping Centre, Tel: 041 368 5890. (Open Mon. to Fri. 08h30 to 16h30, Sat. 09h00 to 12h00).
Rennies Foreign Exchange – Shop B29, The Bridge Shopping Centre, Top Floor, Tel: (041) 363 1185. (Open Mon. to Fri. 08h30 to 16h30, Sat. 09h00 to 12h00).
DEPARTMENT OF HOME AFFAIRS
Nashua Building, cnr. Stone & Lavinia Streets, North End. Tel: 041 487 1026, Open Mon. to Fri. 08h00 till 15h00.
EMERGENCY NUMBERS
AA Emergency Breakdown, Tel: 083 843 22 (http://www.aasa.co.za/)
Aids Counselling, Tel: 041 506 1415 / 506 1357 / 506 1249 / 506 1560
Aids Help Line, Tel: 0800 012 322
Alcoholics Anonymous (Port Elizabeth District), Tel: 041 585 3626
Ambulance, Tel: 10 177
Garmed Ambulance, Tel: 041 373 6777
NETCARE 911, Tel: 086 091 1000
Fire Brigade, Tel: 041 585 1555
Life Line (PE), Tel: 041 585 5581 (Crisis Line)
NSRI, Tel: 041 507 3911
Police Flying Squad, Tel: 10 111.
HOSPITALS
Dora Nginza Hospital - Spondo Rd, Zwide, Tel: 041 406 4111
Netcare Greenacres Hospital - Ring Road, Greenacres, Tel: (041) 390 7000 / 390 7070
Livingstone Hospital - Standford Road, Korsten, Tel: 041 405 9111
Mercantile Private Hospital - Durban Road, Korsten, Tel: 041 401 2700
Provincial Hospital - Gipson Street, Mount Croix, Tel: 041 392 3911
St George’s Hospital - Park Drive, Central, Tel: 041 392 6111
INFORMATION OFFICES
Nelson Mandela Bay Tourism (uniting Port Elizabeth, Uitenhage & Despatch)
E-mail: info@nmbt.co.za/ bookings@nmbt.co.za
Website: http://www.nmbt.co.za/
- Head Office / Call Centre, Cnr. Mitchell Street & Walmer Boulevard, South End
Tel: 041 582 2575 (Mon. to Fri. 08h00 to 16h30)
- Donkin Information Office, Lighthouse Building, Belmont Terrace, Central
Tel: 041 585 8884 (Mon. to Fri. 08h00 to 16h30, Sat. to Sun. 09h30 to 15h30)
- Boardwalk Information Office, Boardwalk Complex, Marine Drive Entrance
Tel: 041 583 2030 (Mon. to Sun. 08h00 to 19h00)
Uitenhage Information Office, 73B Graaff-Reinet Road, Uitenhage, Tel: 041 922 5214 (Mon. to Fri. 08h00 to 16h30)
Cradock Publicity Association - Municipal Building, Hoog Straat, Cradock, Tel: 048 881 2383. Website: http://www.cradock.co.za/
Eastern Cape Tourism Board - Head Office, Cnr. Longfellow and Aquarium, Quigney, East London. Tel: (043) 701 9600, Email: info@ectourism.co.zaWebsite Address: http://www.ectb.co.za/
Graaff-Reinet Publicity Association - Church Street, Graaff-Reinet, Tel: 049 892 4248, E-mail: info@graaffreinet.co.zaWebsite: http://www.graaffreinet.co.za/
Kenton-On-Sea / Bushmans River Mouth Tourism - Tel: 046 648 2418, Email: info@kenton.co.za, Website: http://www.kenton.co.za/
Makana Tourism – Grahamstown - 63 High Street, Grahamstown, 6140, Tel: 046 622 3241. E-mail: mailto:n4@grahamstown.co.zaWebsite: http://www.grahamstown.co.za/ Middelburg Karoo Tourism – 8 Meintjies Street, Tel: 049 842 2188. E-mail: tourismmid@adsactive.comWebsite: http://www.middelburgec.co.za/Ndlambe Tourism - Port Alfred - Market Building, Pascoe Crescent, Port Alfred, Tel: 046 624 1235. E-mail: tourism@ndlambe.co.zaWebsite: http://www.portalfred.net/
Tourism Buffalo City (incorporating East London, King Williams Town, Bisho) - 35 Argyle Street, East London, Tel: 043 722 6015, E-mail: info@tourismbuffalocity.co.zaWebsite: http://www.eastlondontourism.co.za/
INTERNET CAFÉ’S
Axxess Africa Internet Café, 64a Wesbourne Road, Tel: 041 374 0134
Axxess Africa Internet Café, Humerail Centre, Humerail, Tel: 041 585 6142
Atomic Computers, 18 Summerstrand Village, Summerstrand, Tel: 041 583 4043
Boardwalk Internet Café, The Boardwalk Complex, Marine Drive, Tel: 041 583 4725
Computer Africa, Pier 14 Shopping Centre, Tel: 041 487 0620
Lisa’s Internet Café, Rink Street, Central, Tel: 041 585 4608
SAFETY TIPS
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Tourists should take the sensible precautions they would in any major city.
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Avoid carrying large sums of cash and other valuables (cameras, video cameras, etc.).
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Avoid leaving belongings unattended.
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Be alert and vigilant at all times.
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Take special precautions in secluded areas (including parks & gardens and walks / trails), especially at dusk and after dark.
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Street children and beggars may approach one for a handout – Social workers counsel against giving money.
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Try and walk around in groups, there is safety in numbers.
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At night, park in a secure, well lit area.
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Be aware that uniformed parking attendants will offer to safeguard ones car for a tip (small fee).
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Do not leave valuable belongings in your car; rather lock everything in the boot where they are not visible.
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For any emergency, dial 1011.
TOURS, TRAVEL & TRANSPORT
The wide variety of scenic day tours and excursions offered have fascinated independent travellers who have taken the time to explore. Qualified and accredited tour guides operating in the Metro offer tailored tours to meet individual requirements. Nelson Mandela Bay’s motor freeways are easily accessible. The uncongested motorways are “user friendly” and getting around is an easy, scenic experience. Public transport is adequate with an option of inter-city bus shuttle or taxi.
Guide Tours & Excursions
Guided City Tours / Game Reserve Excursions
Superb and enlightening orientation tours of the city are available. These incorporate many of the historical attractions, as well as the modern developments in the city. The Eastern Cape Region’s rich and diverse wildlife may be experienced on comprehensive and exciting tours to the various private Game Reserves in the region.
Specialised Tours
Accredited Specialist Guides cater for general visitors, guests and groups with special interests. These guides can focus on golf, as well as topics such as beer brewing, oyster cultivation, bird life, wildlife, shipwrecks off the coast, fossils, indigenous flora and conservation of our marine resources, etc. A firm favourite is Rose Trehaeven’s Evening Haunted Walks where one can hear tales of mystery and ghostly encounters.
TRAVEL AGENTS
American Express / Ned Travel - Shop No. 33, Kahns Building, Langenhoven Drive, Greenacres, Tel: 041 397 5200
Carlson Wagonlit - 68 Hurd Street, between 4th & 5th Avenue, Newton Park, Tel: 041 365 2318
Harvey World Travel - Shop 8, Walmer Park Shopping Centre, Tel: 041 368 4935
Jet Travel (Rennies) - 12 Dickens Street, off Westbourne Road, Central, Tel: 041 373 7858
Pentravel (Port Elizabeth) - Shop 63, Walmer Park Shopping Centre, Tel: (041) 368 6151
Rennies Travel - Murray & Roberts, 48/52 Ring Road, Greenacres, Tel: 041 363 0989
Sure Go Travel - 50A Pickering Street, Newton Park, Tel: 041 365 2344
Sure Maritime Travel – Figtree Park, Walmer, Tel: 041 397 3200
Sure Maritime Travel – 32 Graaff Reinet Road, Uitenhage, Tel: 041 922 9114
TRANSPORT
Railway Station / Train Services
Shosholoza Meyl Reservations (Spoornet). Tel: 086 000 8888.
Website: http://www.spoornet.co.za/
The city’s mainline railway station is situated in the centre of the city in Station Street, just off Strand Street, alongside the Campanile and the harbour entrance.
Inter City Bus Service
Algoa Bus Company. Timetable Information Toll Free No: 080 142 1444.
Tel: 041 404 1200.
Buses to all parts of the city and residential areas depart from the Market Square Bus Station, located beneath the Norwich Union Centre Building, Strand Street. Outdoor access is from the stairs at Market Square level, Govan Mbeki Avenue, or via the Traduna Mall escalators beneath Market Square.
Inter-City Coach Services
Luxury inter-city coaches operate regular services between major cities and towns in SA. For further information, contact Intercape Mainliner MaxiCall: 086 128 7287 (http://www.intercape.co.za/); Greyhound Tel: 041 363 4555 / Booking Hotline Tel: 083 915 9000 (http://www.greyhound.co.za/); Translux Intercity Coaches, MaxiCall: 086 158 9282 (http://www.translux.co.za/); Citiliner Tel: 083 915 9000 (http://www.citiliner.co.za/); SA Roadlink Tel: 011 333 2223 (http://www.saroadlink.co.za/)
Car Hire
Various affordable car hire company options are available, which provide visitors with an alternative mode of transport while exploring the Nelson Mandela Metro and surrounding areas.
WEATHER FORECAST
Port Elizabeth Weather Office, Tel: 082 231 1624. Website: http://www.weathersa.co.za/
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