The Tsitsikamma National Park is a national park at the end of the Garden Route in South Africa.
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The Tsitsikamma National Park is a relatively small but beautiful national park on the border of the provinces Western Cape and Eastern Cape. Characterized by the warm currents of the Indian Ocean and the year-round pleasant, constant temperatures, almost tropical vegetation has developed here, which is still preserved in its original, wild form. And it's not for nothing that Tsitsikamma means something like "water-rich place" in the language of the Khoi-San who used to live here, because here on the coast it rains much more often than in the very dry hinterland. A large number of birds animate this place, especially the one Knysna Turaco (lat.Tauraco corythaix, known in South Africa as Knysna Lourie) and a flock of small hummingbirds, as well as many different water birds. In the forests you can even find small antelopes and with a little luck you will see dolphins and whales as well as otters in the cliffs. The Otter Trail after all, a multi-day hiking trail is named after them.
The park basically consists of two parts. Once that Nature's Valley in the west, a quite untouched and less crowded place and the Storms River-Part in the east, with the large main camp and the Storms River Bridge.
getting there
In the street
Direct arrival is only possible with your own car or rental car. If you are traveling to the Garden Route by plane, it is best to fly to George Airport and takes a rental car there. The airport of Plettenberg Bay is a little closer, but offers only a limited number of flights. Since the Tsitsikamma on the national road N2 it is easily accessible by road from all parts of the country. Of Cape Town from you should expect a good day tour and who from Port Elizabeth comes, should plan 3 hours. The exit to the park is just a few kilometers west of the city Stormsrivier. All roads to the un in the park are paved.
By bus
The BazBus for backpackers stops in Stormsrivier. From here you can try to hitchhike to the park.
Fees / permits
Entry currently costs R20 for South Africans and R40 for members of the SADC countries. Adult tourists who are not from a country in Southern Africa pay R103 and children a reduced price of R40 per day. This does not apply to holders of a Wild card the South African National Park Authority.
mobility
Within the park, walking is usually used.
Tourist Attractions
- Storms River Bridge. This suspension bridge spans the mouth of the Storm River, which is 69 m wide and 9 m deep at this point. The bridge, which was renewed in 2006, is 77 m long and can swing a bit when you cross it. It has a load capacity of 2,250 kg and is approved for 25 people. The walk from the main camp here leads through the forest, but on well-developed paths with numerous steps. On the way back you can pass two more suspension bridges, they are only 39.5 m and 50.5 m long.
- Big tree. A yellowwood tree around 800 years old. Its height is 37 m, the trunk alone is 18 m high, has a circumference of around 9 m and a volume of over 50 m³. From the N2 you can reach the well-signposted parking lot near the entrance to Storms River Village, it is around 500 m in the interior of the forest. In this context, there is a well-signposted circular hike, the Ratel Forest Trail, it is around 4 km long.
activities
- hike, Hiking, hiking and enjoying the unique landscape and nature. There are several hiking trails to choose from. Due to the roughness of nature, you should be reasonably fit. If you don't want to walk on one of the multi-day hiking trails, you can also hike beautiful trails in the "vicinity" of the camp. These take about 1-3 hours. Current information is available at the reception
- Otter Trail. The most famous and longest among the hiking trails. You don't hike through the wilderness with a guide over a period of five days and have to take everything with you from the start. There are four overnight accommodation points, each with two small huts for six people and a toilet. Firewood is made available there, but could be wet due to unfavorable weather (so always have an emergency supply with you). In total, the Otter Trail is 42.5 km long and must be reserved well in advance.
- Dolphin Trail. This semi-private, 17 km long, guided hiking trail leads east through the park. It starts at the main camp of the park and lasts 2 days (1 day return trip).
- Tsitsikamma Hiking Trail. Depending on the route, you can walk this path for two to six days and only need to take your day's luggage with you. Because on request, the "large luggage" can be transported to the next overnight accommodation. It starts at Nature's Valley Restcamp and then leads to the main camp on the Storms River, through fynbos landscapes and past freshwater pools. It was the first designated hiking trail in South Africa and offers a lot of luxury and comfort.
- Swimmingbecause at least there is a beach here
- Snorkeling and Diving are also possible
- Take a boat trip up the Storms River Estuary
- Canopy tour - Although this starts outside the park, it is a good opportunity to get to know the forest from a new perspective. At a height of about 30m you move over platforms through the trees and get from platform to platform by hanging on a rope and sliding through the treetops while hanging
to buy
In the main camp on the Storms River there is a shop with the most essential items and souvenirs.
kitchen
An a-la-carte restaurant is located in the main camp. Here you not only get full meals, but also light refreshments.
accommodation
Apart from the accommodations on the hiking trails, there are two camps, one that invites you to stay overnight and one that invites you to stay overnight here can reserve:
- Storms River Mouth Restcamp. This is located near the Storms River and is very easy to reach via the access road to the N2. It is a large camp with a restaurant, shop and a large number of huts. However, these are lined up along the beach so that you can feel undisturbed. There are a number of possible accommodations here, all of which are cleaned daily and where you don't have to bring your own bedding or towels :.
- Forest hats - 2-bed room with shared kitchen
- Forest Cabins / Dolphin Cabins - Self-catering units with 2 beds each
- Chalets - Self-catering huts with an open terrace (2 beds one bed in the lounge or as a sofa bed)
- Oceanettes - Huts on the beach for 3-4 self-caterers
- Cottages - Detached self-catering hut with 3 beds
- Family cottages - Larger version of the above with 2 bedrooms and a total of four beds
- Honeymoon Cottages - ideal for couples with a large double bed
- Camp is also possible here with
- Nature's Valley Restcamp. This simple camp is located 40 km west of the Storms River. There are either 2-bed huts with shared toilets or the possibility of camping, but under simple conditions.
security
The park is safe, but of course you should lock your car and the cabin.
trips
- The Garden Route offers many more destinations
