Welcome to South Africa’s warm Indian Ocean coast—where the water invites year-round swimming, the surf breaks are consistent, and the street food comes with history. This two-week itinerary strings together Durban, East London, and Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth), three seaside cities that deliver big on culture and nature for surprisingly low prices.

Durban’s story is a mosaic: Zulu heritage, a massive Indian diaspora, and colonial-era architecture, all stitched along the palm-lined Golden Mile. East London, gateway to the Wild Coast, is a mellow surf city famous among biologists for the rediscovery of the “living fossil” coelacanth. Gqeberha (the official new name for Port Elizabeth) anchors Algoa Bay with penguin colonies, marine life, and quick access to elephant country.

Practical notes: The local currency is the South African rand (ZAR), and your dollars go far—think $1.50–$2 for a cappuccino, $5–$9 for a hearty curry, $30–$70 for comfortable mid-range rooms. Uber/Bolt are common in all three cities. As with any big city, stay alert after dark, and ask your host about areas to avoid. Summer (Nov–Mar) is hot and humid; Apr–May and Sep–Oct are ideal shoulder seasons for beach days and safari.

Durban

The country’s sunshine capital hums with energy: surfers at dawn, promenade joggers at dusk, and spice-scented curry houses in between. Durban also has the largest Indian community in South Africa, which means you’re in the right place for authentic bunny chow and fiery vindaloo. Beaches, markets, street art, and a modern stadium skyline make this a terrific, affordable base.

• Top sights: The Golden Mile, uShaka Marine precinct, Moses Mabhida Stadium (for SkyCar views), Umhlanga Rocks promenade, Durban Botanic Gardens (Africa’s oldest), and Victoria Street Market for spices and textiles.
• Local flavor: Try a half-loaf bunny chow—Durban’s signature curry-in-bread invention—then chase it with a beachfront ice cream on North Beach or a bike ride to the piers.
• Fun fact: Durban’s ricksha pullers—dressed in beaded headgear—have been a promenade icon since the early 1900s.

Days 1–3: Beachfront, markets, and curry trail

Start with an oceanfront reset: walk or cycle the Golden Mile from uShaka Pier to Blue Lagoon, stopping at Bike & Bean for sunrise flat whites and beach views. Ride the Moses Mabhida SkyCar for a panorama of the city meeting the sea, and wander the shady avenues of Durban Botanic Gardens.

For a spicy, budget-friendly lunch, order a mutton bunny at Gounden’s Restaurant & Takeaway (old-school, generous portions) or CaneCutters in Glenwood. In the afternoon, shop for cardamom, chili powder, and rooibos at Victoria Street Market. Sunset is best from North Pier; grab grilled prawns or hake-and-chips from Ocean Basket Suncoast or a casual dinner at Afro’s Chicken Shop on the beachfront.

Days 4–5: Umhlanga and safari day trip

Head 20 minutes north to Umhlanga Rocks for a lighthouse photo, tidal pool dip, and an easy promenade stroll. Treat yourself to an early lunch at Grimaldi’s (wood-fired pizza, sea breeze) or a curry sampler at Ocean Terrace if you want a splurge meal with a view.

The next morning, take a Big 5 day safari from Durban—an unforgettable value compared to many global wildlife experiences.

• Featured activity (Viator): Durban: Big 5 Luxury Safari at an Award Winning Game Reserve — Zeiss Binoculars
  

  

  Book on Viator
  Expect an early 05:00 start, prime wildlife viewing when predators are active, and a high chance of elephant, rhino, buffalo, and more. It’s a full-day door-to-door excursion—ideal if you want safari memories without multi-day costs.

Coffee & breakfast: Bike & Bean (promenade espresso, smoothies), Colombo Coffee in Glenwood (micro-roasters), Surf Riders Café (breakfast burritos, seaside tables).

Lunch & dinner: Gounden’s (legendary curries), CaneCutters (bunny chows, breyani), 9th Avenue Waterside (seasonal small plates overlooking the harbor, great value lunch specials), Little Gujarat (vegetarian thali).

Stay (great value): Browse self-catering apartments and guesthouses near the beachfront on VRBO Durban and compare deals on Hotels.com Durban. Expect $35–$80 per night for clean, central stays.

Getting in: Fly to King Shaka International (DUR). Search fares on Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com. From Johannesburg, expect 1h10 nonstop flights ($40–$90 one-way in advance). Ride-hailing to the beachfront runs ~$12–$18.

East London

Easygoing and wallet-friendly, East London spreads along river mouths and broad beaches on the edge of the Wild Coast. Surfers know Nahoon Reef; walkers love Gonubie’s boardwalk; museum-goers come for the coelacanth that rewrote fish evolution stories in 1938.

• Top sights: Nahoon Beach and Reef, Gonubie Boardwalk, East London Museum (coelacanth), Hemingway’s craft and food spots, river estuaries alive with birdlife.
• Local flavor: Weekend markets for farm breads and biltong, long beachfront braais, and casual seafood with sunset views.
• Fun fact: Locals sometimes call it “Buffalo City,” after the river that meets the ocean here.

Days 6–7: Nahoon, Gonubie, and the museum

Morning dips and shoreline runs on Nahoon are the move—watch surfers carving the reef while you grab coffees at Nahoon Reef Tea Room. Explore the East London Museum’s famed coelacanth display, then stroll the wooden Gonubie Boardwalk for sea spray and rock pools.

For lunch with a view, try Guido’s near Nahoon (wood-fired pizza, ocean-facing terrace). For a budget dinner, Sanook Eatery serves creative burgers and flatbreads; The Cow Shed grills excellent steaks and seafood at fair prices.

Days 8–9: Wild Coast taster

Day-trip north to Cintsa for swinging palms, a lazy lagoon, and mile-long sands—perfect for a picnic and a beach walk. If you’re curious about local culture, look for community craft stalls and small township bakeries along the way.

Back in town, catch golden hour on Esplanade, then unwind with hake-and-chips at Buccaneers on the Beach in Cintsa (if you’re still out that way) or a hearty pot pie at Lavender Blue market café earlier in the day.

Coffee & breakfast: Lavender Blue (farm-style breakfast, pastries), The Aroma (espresso and light bites), Nahoon Reef Tea Room (simple seaside fare).

Lunch & dinner: Sanook Eatery (modern, still affordable), Guido’s (beachside pizza), The Cow Shed (value grilled mains), Grazia Fine Food & Wine for a special night with bay views.

Stay (great value): Look at Beacon Bay and Nahoon areas for quiet, safe bases near the sea: VRBO East London and Hotels.com East London. Typical rates: $30–$65 per night.

Getting there (morning travel assumed): Fly Durban → East London (~1h20 nonstop on regional carriers, ~$70–$120 if booked early) via Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Budget alternative: intercity bus (~8–9 hours, ~$20–$30). Use ride-hailing in town.

Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth)

Renamed Gqeberha in 2021, this port city offers Blue Flag beaches, historic architecture around the Donkin Reserve, and easy routes to Addo Elephant Park. It’s also a superb choice for travelers who love ocean air by day and affordable eats by night.

• Top sights: Hobie and Kings Beaches, Shark Rock Pier, Cape Recife lighthouse and nature reserve, Donkin Reserve & Route 67 street-art trail, Sacramento Trail coastal hike.
• Local flavor: Roadhouse milkshakes, fish braais, and bakeries that punch above their weight for the price.
• Fun fact: Algoa Bay hosts one of the world’s largest African penguin breeding populations (visit the rehab center near Cape Recife for context).

Days 10–12: Beaches, lighthouse, and Route 67

Drop your bags near Pollok or Humewood and hit Hobie Beach for a swim, then stroll out on Shark Rock Pier. Spend an afternoon at Cape Recife Nature Reserve—walk dunes, photograph the lighthouse, and keep an eye out for penguins and cormorants.

Dedicate a morning to Route 67: a public-art trail linking 67 works that celebrate Nelson Mandela’s legacy; finish at the Donkin Reserve pyramid and lighthouse with wide city views. Late afternoon, walk the easy Sacramento Trail to Schoenmakerskop village—rock pools and golden light are camera candy.

Days 13–14: Addo day and slow farewell

Take a day trip to Addo Elephant Park for self-drive wildlife viewing at terrific value; elephants crowd waterholes in dry months, and you might spot lions or buffalo. Wrap up with a relaxed final beach day, morning espresso, and a long seaside lunch.

For dinner, try Fushin (creative sushi, Asian small plates), Something Good Roadhouse (retro drive-in vibe, burgers and shakes right by the sand), or Bocadillos on 6th (fresh bakes, hearty mains).

Coffee & breakfast: Vovo Telo in Richmond Hill (the original bakery-café), Bocadillos (croissants, cake), Something Good (oceanfront breakfast rolls).

Lunch & dinner: Something Good Roadhouse (budget-friendly), Fushin (value lunch specials), Grass Roof on Seaview Road (farm-style salads and pizzas with a quirky turf roof).

Stay (great value): Search Humewood, Summerstrand, and Pollok Beach areas on VRBO Port Elizabeth or compare on Hotels.com Port Elizabeth. Expect $35–$75 per night near the sea.

Getting there (morning travel assumed): East London → Gqeberha: quick flight (~45–55 minutes, ~$45–$90 when booked ahead) via Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Overland bus takes ~4–5 hours (~$15–$25). In Gqeberha, ride-hailing is the easiest way to hop between beaches and downtown.

How the 14 days break down

• Days 1–5: Durban (beaches, markets, curry, Umhlanga, Big 5 day safari)
• Days 6–9: East London (Nahoon, Gonubie, Wild Coast taster)
• Days 10–14: Gqeberha/Port Elizabeth (Cape Recife, Route 67, Addo day trip, beach time)

Getting home

Gqeberha (PLZ) has nonstop flights to Johannesburg and Cape Town for onward connections. Compare fares on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Morning departures make tight connections easier.

From sunrise coffees to penguin-dotted capes and elephant encounters, this coastal route keeps costs low and experiences high. You’ll leave with the taste of masala on your tongue, salt in your hair, and a camera roll full of blue water and big skies.