KuGompo City — officially renamed from East London in February 2026 — is the Eastern Cape’s surf capital and one of South Africa’s most unexpectedly rewarding city breaks. Home to the world’s finest reef surf at Nahoon, a 124,000-year-old human footprint and Africa’s only river port, KuGompo rewards those who make the detour.
KuGompo City is East London’s new name. The Department of Sport, Arts and Culture signed off the change on 6 February 2026, one of 21 geographic name changes. The name comes from the sound of waves breaking on Gompo Rock, a site sacred to the Xhosa people. You will still see “East London” on many signs, maps and bookings.
Why Visit KuGompo City?
KuGompo sits at the mouth of the Buffalo River where it meets the Indian Ocean. It’s a city of genuine contradictions: a working port town with a surf culture that punches far above its weight, a museum housing one of the world’s rarest fish, and a hinterland of game reserves and grassland plateaus that most South African tourists have never heard of.
Top Attractions
Nahoon Beach & Nahoon Reef
Nahoon Beach is one of South Africa’s finest surf breaks — a powerful right-hand reef that has hosted international WSL Championship Tour events. The beach itself is beautiful: a long, north-facing bay sheltered by the headland, backed by the Nahoon River lagoon. Non-surfers enjoy the beach for swimming and walking; surfers come for the reef break that fires on east swells. The human footprint discovered at Nahoon — about 124,000 years old, long thought to be the oldest known footprints of anatomically modern humans (older tracks, about 153,000 years old, were reported on the Cape south coast in 2023) — is preserved and on display at the East London Museum.
East London Museum
Home to a dodo egg and the original coelacanth specimen — the prehistoric “living fossil” fish rediscovered off the Eastern Cape coast in 1938. The coelacanth had been presumed extinct for 65 million years before its discovery; the museum holds the type specimen, identified in 1938 by its curator, Marjorie Courtenay-Latimer. Worth an hour of anyone’s time.
Inkwenkwezi Private Game Reserve
25 km north of the city, Inkwenkwezi offers a genuine Big Five safari without the distances of Kruger. The reserve is malaria-free and operates excellent morning and afternoon game drives. Accommodation ranges from budget chalets to luxury villas. Highly recommended for travellers combining surf with safari.
Gonubie Beach
About 18 km north-east of the city centre, Gonubie is the family-friendly alternative to Nahoon — calmer water, a tidal pool, and a lagoon at the Gonubie River mouth. The beachfront strip has good restaurants and a relaxed atmosphere.
Cove Rock
A dramatic basalt headland 6 km south of the city, Cove Rock is a favourite spot for whale watching (June–October), fishing, and sundowners. The rock formation itself is geologically striking — huge hexagonal basalt columns reminiscent of the Giant’s Causeway.
More things to do in KuGompo City
Beyond the highlights above, these are the places locals and visitors use most. Opening times are given only where the venue or municipality publishes them. Checked 7 October 2026.
| Place | Type | What it is | Where / distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Orient Beach | Beach | City beach at the Buffalo River mouth with a pier, water tube, children’s pool and lawns; named after the SS Orient, wrecked there in 1907 | South end of the Esplanade |
| Eastern Beach | Beach | One of the most central and popular beaches, just past the aquarium | Esplanade, Quigney |
| East London Aquarium | Family | Beachfront aquarium, reopened in July 2025 after repairs | Esplanade, Quigney |
| Nahoon Point Nature Reserve | Nature | Ten walking trails on boardwalks over sandstone, a visitor centre with a small museum and a restaurant; open daily, free | Nahoon Point |
| Nahoon Estuary Nature Reserve | Nature | Five estuary walking trails; Monday to Friday 08:30–16:00, free | Blue Waters Road, Beacon Bay |
| Ann Bryant Art Gallery | Art | South African art from about 1880 onwards in an Edwardian house; the facades are a Provincial Heritage Site | St Mark’s Road |
| Latimer’s Landing | Waterfront | Quayside on the Buffalo River, in what Wikipedia calls South Africa’s only river port; being redeveloped with restaurants and leisure outlets (completion expected April 2027) | Port of East London |
| Bonza Bay Beach and Quinera Lagoon | Beach | Beach beside a lagoon, good for fishing, birding and swimming | Bonza Bay, Beacon Bay |
| Hemingways Mall and Casino | Shopping | The largest mall in the Border region, with a casino | Two Rivers Drive and Western Avenue |
| Mpongo Private Game Reserve | Safari | More than 3,500 ha with elephant, lion, buffalo, hippo and giraffe | About 35 km along the N6 |
| Kidd’s Beach | Day trip | Small resort town on the Mkhanzi River, west of the city | About 28 km |
| Chintsa (Cintsa) | Day trip | Wild Coast village with white beaches, forested dunes and lagoons | About 38 km north-east |
Getting There
King Phalo Airport (ELS) — 10 km from the city centre. FlySafair and Airlink connect daily from Johannesburg (1h 35m). Car hire from the airport is recommended for exploring Gonubie, Nahoon and Inkwenkwezi.
Frequently asked questions
Why was East London renamed KuGompo City?
East London was officially renamed KuGompo City in February 2026. The guide reflects the new name while noting it for travellers who may still see “East London” on older maps, flight bookings or signage during the transition.
What is special about Nahoon Reef?
Nahoon Reef is one of South Africa’s finest surf breaks — a powerful right-hand reef that has hosted international WSL Championship Tour events. It fires on east swells, while the wider bay is sheltered and good for swimming and walking even if you don’t surf.
What is the Nahoon footprint?
It’s a 124,000-year-old fossilised footprint discovered at Nahoon — long thought to be the oldest known footprint of an anatomically modern human (older tracks, about 153,000 years old, were reported on the Cape south coast in 2023). It’s preserved and on display at the East London Museum.
What is the coelacanth connection to KuGompo City?
The coelacanth, a prehistoric “living fossil” fish presumed extinct for 65 million years, was rediscovered off the Eastern Cape coast in 1938. KuGompo’s museum holds the only mounted coelacanth specimen in the world, alongside the world’s only display of a dodo egg.
Can I do a malaria-free safari near KuGompo City?
Yes. Inkwenkwezi Private Game Reserve, 25km north of the city, offers a genuine Big Five safari without the distances of Kruger. It’s malaria-free, runs morning and afternoon game drives, and has accommodation from budget chalets to luxury villas.
Which beach is best for families in KuGompo City?
Gonubie Beach, 15km north of the city centre, is the family-friendly alternative to Nahoon — calmer water, a tidal pool, a river-mouth lagoon, and a relaxed beachfront strip with good restaurants.
How do I get to KuGompo City?
Fly into King Phalo Airport (ELS), 10km from the city centre, with FlySafair and Airlink connecting daily from Johannesburg (1h 35m). Car hire from the airport is recommended for exploring Gonubie, Nahoon and Inkwenkwezi.
When is whale watching best at Cove Rock?
June to October. Cove Rock, a dramatic basalt headland 6km south of the city with huge hexagonal basalt columns, is a favourite spot for whale watching, fishing and sundowners during those months.
Sources
Last checked 7 October 2026.
- BusinessTech: East London and Graaff-Reinet are officially no more (6 February 2026)
- Wikipedia: East London, Eastern Cape
- Buffalo City Metro: amenities and nature reserves
- Visit Eastern Cape
- Daily Dispatch: East London Aquarium reopens (July 2025)
- SAnews: Latimer's Landing redevelopment (October 2025)
- GO! Express: Nahoon loses claim to oldest footprints (June 2023)
- SA-Venues: KuGompo (East London) beaches
About the author
Makume Toti is a digital marketing veteran with 15+ years of cross-vertical experience and a 12-year foundational career in the airline industry. He leverages his extensive insider knowledge of travel and enterprise SEM & AIO expertise to curate authoritative guides to Southern Africa for ExploreMzansi.