Port Elizabeth’s Top 5 Sizzling Braai Spots

October 3, 2016 by Chasing the Rainbow in Addo, Eastern Cape, Locations, Port Elizabeth 2 Comments

National Braai Month is over, but that doesn’t mean that South Africans will give up on our favourite meal. With seven blissful months of summer sunshine ahead of us, there is plenty of time to fire up the coals and slap some meat on the grill. Us friendly-city people are lucky enough to have the most incredible spots to enjoy our braais – whether it be at the beach, in the forest or in a local game reserve.

Here are our family’s choice of Nelson Mandela Bay’s top 5 sizzling braai spots:

1. Jack’s Picnic Site – Addo Elephant National Park

We are huge fans of all things Addo. Where else in the world can you leave your city home and only 40 minutes later be sitting deep in a national park, gazing at the world’s largest land mammal? And the cherry on top is Jack’s picnic site, tucked right in the middle of the park. It is equipped with fabulous braai sites complete with private shaded picnic tables and built in brick braais. This is a very well-known destination with the locals, so if you are planning a braai breakfast or lunch in Addo Elephant National Park on a weekend or public holiday, make sure to head out early to secure your spot.

Jacks picnic site at Addo Elephant National Park

Braaing at Jack’s Picnic Site

Addo Elephant

2. Pearson Park Resort

Shoowee this place is amazing! The resort is located on a piece of absolute prime real estate along the banks of the Sundays River as it meanders into the Indian Ocean. The day visitor facilities are quite rudimentary – grass sites with basic little bricked braais. But it’s not the facilities that make this a top braai spot, it’s all about the location. Sundays River is the perfect spot to fish, swim in the river, climb some dunes and soak up the sun in pure paradise. We usually start with a braai along the river bank while the kids fish for leeries and grunter, and then drive to the river mouth estuary (which forms part of the Greater Addo National Park) to play in the sand dunes, paddle in the lagoon and fish for cob and rays. Make sure to stay until the sun sets – you won’t be sorry!

PE’s most magnificent sunset at Sundays River

Fishing at Pearson Park Resort

3. The Island Nature Reserve

This is a lesser known spot tucked right in the middle of the Seaview dune forest. It consists of two large grassed areas peppered with lots of braai and picnic sites and surrounded with 16km of pristine hiking trails through the indigenous bush. Its green lawns and leafy trees provide an absolutely sublime environment for a long and lazy family braai, and the happy family vibe on weekends is highly contagious. The Island also has two rather nifty fenced “bomas” which you can rent for larger groups – just perfect for birthday parties or other special occasions.

(See Getting Lost in The Island Nature Reserve)

The Island braai area from above

Braai site at The Island

4. Van Stadens Resort

Located 30 minutes drive West of Port Elizabeth, midway between PE and Jeffrey’s Bay, Van Stadens Resort is heaven on earth for day braai visitors. It has brick braai sites with wooden picnic tables dotted along the Van Stadens River, just before the mouth. The estuary is beach paradise, with a stunning crystal clear lagoon surrounded by endless sand dunes and a beautiful wild beach. You can rent canoes, paddle skis, pedal boats and dune boards by the hour, or just lie on the beach, climb the dunes and chill off in the lagoon. Remember to take an umbrella or gazebo as it gets really hot here.

Van Stadens Resort from above

Braaing at Van Stadens Resort

5. Kragga Kamma Game Park

Kragga Kamma is a favourite spot among Port Elizabeth families. It is just on the outskirts of town and its large population of antelope, zebras, giraffes, warthogs, ostrich, buffalo, rhino and cheetah make for a productive and fun day safari. It has a lovely braai area at its day centre, with built in braais and roofed picnic tables next to an outdoor play area for the kids. The monkey suspension bridge over the cheetah enclosure to a decked forest walk is a must-do. Remember to take your camera – Kragga Kamma is a photographer’s dream!

(See Kragga Kamma Kid’s Photo Safari)