- Oos-Kaap
- Nelson Mandela Bay Platteland
- Colchester
Colchester, Nelson Mandela Bay Platteland, Oos-Kaap
- Inligting
- Aktiwiteite & Vermaak (1)
- Winkels & Dienste (2)
Jewel of the Sundays River
Colchester is situated just off the N2 along the banks of the Sundays River, and only 20 minutes from Port Elizabeth. This beautiful village lies only a few kilometres from the river mouth where it flows into the Indian Ocean through the majestic and world-renowned Coastal Dune Fields.
Colchester is a tourist town and an ideal stopover for Addo Elephant Park. It is situated on the edge of the coastal section of the Park and just 3 km from the southern gate and Matyholweni Camp. This part of the country offers visitors unspoilt South African nature at its best!
The Sundays River meanders through both Colchester and Cannonville and the famous Alexandria Dunes – the Great Dunes date back 10 000 years and is home to various wild animals and about 150 bird species. The Colchester salt pans are home to the greater and lesser flamingo, African pied avocet, the blue crane and a number of other waders.
The Sundays River is a huge drawcard for visitors and a “must see”! It provides opportunities for visitors to entertain themselves with activities such as fishing, river cruises, sand boarding, sand sledding, canoeing and swimming. This makes Colchester a superb spot to spend the weekend, enjoy an extended family holiday or to even to retire to – the setting is relaxed and easy going!
This small community boasts a wide selection of accommodation with a host of guest houses, bed & breakfasts and camp sites near the river.
Things to do and see
- Sundays River Beach
- Sundays River Ferry Cruises
- Canoeing & Quad Biking
- Addo Elephant National Park
- Nanaga Farm Stall, 19 km
- Addo Raptor Reptile Centre, 28 km
- St Georges Strand Beach, 22 km
- Amakhala Game Reserve, 34 km
Climate
Colchester receives approximately 440 mm of rain annually. The is little rainfall throughout the year with March seeing the majority of the rain per annum.
Summer months, November to March will have average temperatures of between 16˚C and 28˚C.
Winter months, May to August will have average temperatures of between 7˚C and 23˚C.
Transport
There are daily flights into Port Elizabeth Airport, approximately 43 km away via the N2. Car Hire facilities are available at the airport.
History
Colchester was named after the oldest town in the United Kingdom. The town apparently came into being approximately a century ago when it challenged the town of Port Elizabeth as a port. The driving force behind the challenge was an Engineer who had arrived from Westminster and who envisaged Colchester as the railway centre for the Eastern Cape Province.