EASTERN CAPE EXPERIENCE GIFT GUIDE

Looking for gifts in Eastern Cape? From the peaks of the Drakensburg Mountains to the rainforests of Tsitsikamma National Park, Eastern Cape has an incredible landscape crying out to be explored.

We've rounded up our favourite gifts in Eastern Cape below, so whether you're buying for a bold adventurer, a discerning foodie or someone who just needs a fun day out, there's an Experience Days voucher to choose from. 

World's Highest Bridge Bungy Jump - Bloukrans River - R 1350

Yes, you read that right, this daring experience taking place over the Bloukrans River is the world’s HIGHEST bungee jump. Think you (or a daring gift recipient) are up to the challenge?

Kicking things off with one for the adrenaline junkies… This bungee jump over the Bloukrans River is sure to inflict jelly-legs on even the most seasoned thrill-seeker. This imposing structure stands at a height of 216 metres, looking out over the glittering Bloukrans River which will serve as an idyllic backdrop for this daring (but very safe, don’t worry) experience!

Taking place in the Tsitsikamma region of the Garden Route, there will be plenty of gorgeous scenery for your giftee to take in while they ascend the bridge. They’ll be accompanied by a highly professional and fully trained team, who have been providing bungee jumps for over two decades. Safety is their number one priority, so you know that guests can feel absolutely safe in their capable hands. 

Your giftee will be secured into a full-body harness and ankle connection, and directed to the platform’s edge. Their heart in their mouth, their pulse is sure to be racing as they ask themselves why they ever agreed to do this! But next, they’ll step off and fall more than 200 metres towards the river below. The scenery rushing by around them and the surge of adrenaline they’ll feel as they plummet is indescribable, and they’re sure to be addicted after just one go!

Pendulum bungee technology will ensure a smooth, comfortable jump as they bounce back up, and they’ll return home smiling and buzzing from their incredible bucket list experience.

Half-Day Safari - Addo Elephant National Park - R 1350

A slightly gentler option for the animal lovers, this half day safari takes place in Addo Elephant National Park, and treats guests to 4 hours touring this unique park with assistance from an expert guide!

If your giftee is an animal lover, there’s no shortage of species roaming the park for keen-eyed guests to spot. The park is home to over 600 elephants, as well as black rhinoceros, Cape buffalos, lions, leopards, various antelope species and even more. 

While they enjoy their half-day safari, your giftee will learn all about the animals and their natural habitat and ride around the park in an enclosed vehicle, so they can enjoy visiting the animals from a safe distance. 

Light snacks and drinks are provided, and they’ll pause for a braai at lunchtime. The park’s animals are always on the move, so they’ll rely on the expertise of their guides to ensure the best sighting opportunities. No two tours are the same—each one’s an unpredictable and unique wildlife adventure!

Sunrise Wild Meerkat Tour in Oudtshoorn - R 660

Who doesn’t love meerkats? We think you’ll be hard-pressed to find any right-minded person who won’t enjoy this outdoor wildlife adventure, taking place in Oudtshoorn. 

This sunrise meerkat encounter treats guests to an up-close experience, observing these adorable creatures in their natural habitat. The tour starts in the early morning, and your lucky giftee will meet with expert guides in the meerkat burrows. There, they’ll enjoy a nice, hot cup of coffee to begin their day. As the sun rises, guests will take their seats on the chairs provided, and settle down for the show!

These meerkats are wild but habituated to humans, so provided everyone sits very quietly, they will emerge from their burrows and go about their daily (adorable) routines undisturbed. 

Though it won’t be possible for guests to feed or handle the meerkats, they are more than welcome to watch, take photos, and learn from their expert guides as the meerkats forage and frolic in the morning sunshine. The guides will be on-hand at all times to talk guests through the meerkats’ unique behaviours and complex social structure, helping everyone make sense of the activity taking place in front of them. 

A completely unique and fun wildlife adventure for animal-lovers!

11,500ft Tandem Skydive in Jeffrey's Bay - R 3500

Another sky-high feat of courage for adrenaline junkies comes in the form of this tandem skydive in Jeffrey’s Bay! Your daring giftee will plunge through the air from 11,500 ft, experiencing a rush of adrenaline unlike anything else. 

They’ll arrive at the airfield, where they’ll meet their instructor and sign in. Next, they’ll be fitted with a harness and goggles, before taking the heart-pumping 20 minute flight to altitude. Gazing out of the window, they’ll take in stunning views of Jeffrey's Bay as they gear themselves up for what they’re about to do!

They’re sure to feel reassured by the clear expertise of the crew, each boasting thousands of dives' experience. At a height of around 11,500ft, your giftee and their instructor will exit the plane, beginning an incredible 45 seconds' freefall. 

They’ll reach speeds of up to 200kph before the parachute is released, bringing their decent to a gentler pace. After 5 minutes' gliding beneath the canopy, they’ll touch down, feeling elated and eager to go again!

Oyster Farm Scenic Boat Cruise in Port Elizabeth - R 500

This oyster farm scenic boat cruise is the perfect gift for sophisticated foodie types who also love an adventure! And if they’re a fan of fresh oysters, you really can’t go wrong. 

Their seafood adventure begins as they board the catamaran and head out towards the Zwembesi Oyster Farm for a truly fascinating boat tour. Along the way, their experienced guides will inform them on oyster cultivation and harvesting as an industry, as well as the work done at the Zwembesi farm. They’re in for a treat, as this is one of the oldest oyster farms in South Africa. The cruise then journeys on to the Port Elizabeth beachfront, where guests will be treated to six deliciously fresh oysters with all the trimmings. 

BYOB? Of course! Guests are invited to bring their tipple of choice to complement their lavish feast of oysters, and the boat trip ends back at the harbour, where they can set off on another adventure exploring the various restaurants and bars to top off a perfect night out. 

Sandboarding in Port Elizabeth - 3 Hour - R 650

You’ve heard of surfboarding … but have you ever thought of transferring that motion just a little further, past the sea and onto the sand? 

Sandboarding is a unique and unforgettable way to enjoy the beach, and will prove to be a great gift for beach bums with an adventurous streak! 

With its pristine white beaches and glittering sea, Port Elizabeth is an ideal place to get to grips with the unique sport of sandboarding. 

Your lucky giftee will be met by their expert guide and taken on a short, scenic boat ride along Sundays River to the beautiful Alexandria Dunes. The dunes are quite a sight to behold, covering around 142 kilometres of ground, and towering majestically above the water. (Perfect for sandboarding...)

Upon arrival, guests will be shown the basics of sandboarding and how to use the equipment. Once everyone is familiar with the equipment they’ll be using, the guides will give out the best tips and tricks to get the group boarding like pro’s!

Whether your giftee is daring enough to take on the steepest dune around, or they’d rather slide down the sand-hills on a belly-board, this relaxed sandboarding lesson is accommodating to everyone. 

St Croix, Brenton And Jahleel Islands Boat Tour - R 900

This boat tour takes its lucky guests on a scenic journey through the St Croix, Brenton And Jahleel Islands. This is an in-depth, half day adventure for anyone looking to explore this area of stunning natural beauty. 

The 4 hour trip begins at Port Elizabeth Harbour, circling around the breakwater towards the Port of Ngqura, reaching Jahleel Island and jetting out to sea until it reaches Brenton Island. If your giftee is keen on wildlife, they can keep their eyes peeled for Cape Gannets flying between the islands, along with bottlenose dolphins and Southern right whales! 

Once the cruise reaches the St. Croix Island, guests will spot the real stars of the show: the African penguin colony who call the island home. These birds are currently listed as endangered due to exploitation and pollution, but many organisations in PE are working hard to conserve the population - so hopefully guests will get to see a thriving community of adorable penguins!

Beginners Beach Horse Riding in East London - R 400

If your giftee is looking to learn how to ride a horse but doesn’t know where to begin, this beginners lesson in East London is the perfect place to start. 

Once your giftee has met their equine companions and gotten comfortable in the saddle, they can take the reins and begin their journey. Beginners are sure to feel comfortable on the well-schooled horses and even children on lead rein can be accommodated. They can practice the basic principles of horse riding and feel themselves growing in confidence with every step. 

Thanks for reading!

Thanks for reading our Eastern Cape Gift Guide! There's so much to see and do in this part of the world, but if you're still looking, please browse our full range of Eastern Cape gifts here. Have a suggestion for us? Leave a comment; we'd love to hear from you!