- Where to find: South Africa, Port Elizabeth, Park Drive
It's hard to believe that a cozy green park is located in the valley of the Baakens River, two steps from the center of Port Elizabeth . And how crowded it is on weekends, when people have picnics, spend time with their families and friends in nature! The park of settlers stretches along the river's crooked banks and covers an area of 54 hectares.
Place History
Port Elizabeth was founded by settlers from Great Britain who began to settle the southeast part of the African coast in 1820. In the remote corner of the park there is a small stele, the inscription on it informs about this event and about the landing of Jan Van Ribek at Cape Cape in 1652. The Anglo- The Boer War (1899-1902) did not affect Port Elizabeth, but under the city the British organized concentration camps for wives and children of unruly Boers. The sad pages of history are reminded of commemorative signs and trenches found in various places in the park, dug in the event of hostilities.
Park of Settlers - Reserve in the middle of the city
The park rich in vegetation is divided into several miniature landscaped zones. Overgrown with thickets of bushes, hills and rocky cliffs contrast with the marshy plain of the Baakens River. The main hiking trail along the picturesque riverbed 8 km long carries a poetic name - the trail of Cesarca. The fleet of immigrants is famous for its diversity of birds, especially large peacocks. Bird watching under their melodious trills pacifies, gives calmness and charges with a positive.
Walking short walk paths leading to the forest are also suitable for walking, they are more likely to meet representatives of African fauna - surrika, rabbit, turtle or small antelope.
The territory of the park is adorned with elaborately laid alpine slides and gazebos, which are almost never empty. Various kinds of shooting and wedding photosessions are popular.
How to get there?
The park can be accessed through one of the three entrances, the most convenient of them is behind St. George's Medical Hospital on the street. Park drive. Entrance to the park is just minutes from the parking. The second entrance starts from Chelmsford Avenue (not far from Target Clough Road), and the third one - downstream, from 3rd Avenue. Parking is arranged in front of each of these entrances. From the railway bus and airport to the city center there are city buses, the best option is to get to St. George's Hospital.
Before going to the park you should stock up on comfortable shoes, light provisions and sunscreen.
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