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Protected area on the Garden Route, Western Cape and Eastern Cape, South Africa
Photo: (WT-en) Fluglotse2000 at English Wikivoyage aka. User:Africaspotter, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
The Tsitsikamma National Park, a section of the Garden Route National Park, is situated in the heart of the famous Garden Route in South Africa. The park offers some fine coastal scenery and sometimes the option of whale-watching.
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Eco-friendly boat cruise up the Storms River Gorge.
1 km, a linear route. Walk from the park's restaurant to the suspension bridge, the key feature of the Tsitsikamma National Park, a long free-hanging bridge. It can often be seen on photographs, advertising the Tsitsikamma.
Walk past the Suspension Bridge, 2 km, linear route. The first part is a pretty steep climb, towards the viewpoint it becomes a more gentle slope. You get a nice view of the Indian Ocean, the mouth, the bridge and the restcamp.
First half day hike of the famous Otter trail, starting at the Oceannettes on the eastern side of the restcamp. 6.4 km to the waterfall and back, just over 3 hours (a linear route). The latest starting time in summer 2:30PM and in winter 1:30PM. The hike is marked as difficult, due to uneven and slippery terrain. Take along your swimming gear for a refreshing dive under the waterfall, which marks the half way point.
Starts a little bit east of the restaurant, a small walk past a viewpoint, offering only ocean views. 1.5 km and circular.
5.5 km and circular. It starts along the Loerie Trail, later turns towards the coastline, following the Waterfall Trail back to the Oceannettes.
42 km, 5 days and 4 nights with good overnight huts. You have to book ahead. Bookings can be taken a year in advance, which means that there are often last minute cancellations, so it's always worth seeing if you can get in at the last minute. Bring your own food and sleeping bags. You do not need tents. You need to be fairly fit as the trail follows the cliffs and hills along the coastline, dipping down to the rivers. What goes down must come up. It's beautiful and only 12 people are allowed on any one part of the hike, so it really is unspoilt and worth doing. Be prepared for a difficult river crossing on day three. Please check with the parks officials when low tide is and ask for advice on getting over the river.
20 km, 2 days and 3 nights. Fully catered accommodation in luxury lodges.
Hike from Nature's Valley through the Tsitsikamma Mountains to Storms River. You can choose to walk 2 to 6 days, with or without porterage. If you want to walk just a section, just a day, it appears to be possible as well.
The bigger of the two with more facilities.
Camping without power point: R150 (2 persons, maximum 6 persons, additional rate per person R48). Forest Hut with communal facilities: R335 (2 persons).
Peace and luxury surrounded by mountains and a pristine beach. The garden hosts a unique hot-pool.
By bus
The main bus companies as well as the Baz bus stop at the Total Petroport on the N2 next to the Paul Sauer bridge over the Storms River.
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George · International · GRJ
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