Tsitsikamma National Park

Until 1868 there were no roads to the Tsitsikamma area. Now, for travelers coming from Plettenberg Bay, there is a choice between N 2 (a toll road) and R 102. N 2 shortens the distance between Plettenberg Bay and Humansdorp by 7km/4.5mi, crossing the Bloukrans River on the 460m/500yd long Bloukrans Bridge, 270m/885ft above the river. Just after a little place called the Crags R 102 branches off N 2 into beautiful Nature's Valley it then goes over the Bloukrans Pass and rejoins N 2 6km/4mi before Storms River. R 102 is one of the most beautiful stretches of the Garden Route, winding its way through unspoiled natural forest and deep and narrow gorges, with spectacular views of the coast. 1km/.75mi after the hamlet of Kleinbos a road branches off N 2 and runs south to Storms River Mouth. Off this road opens the access road to Tsitsikamma National Park.

In the Hottentot language the name Tsitsikamma means "clear water". The National Park, opened in 1964, takes in a narrow strip of land extending for 80km/50mi along the coast, alternating between rocky and sandy shore. The coastal waters are also included in the park. Thanks to the rain which falls throughout the year (heaviest in May and October, lightest in June and July), the vegetation in the Tsitsikamma National Park is particularly luxuriant. The dense forest, which contains some very ancient trees, is interspersed with ferns and flowering plants; there are many rivers and streams flowing down to the sea from the Tsitsikamma Mountains; and the rocky coast, here falling steeply down to the sea, is covered with fynbos vegetation. The park contains many species of birds, monkeys and the smaller antelopes, and there is also a very varied marine fauna (of particular interest to scuba divers and snorkellers). Dolphins and whales are frequently sighted off the coast.

The park, which is open daily throughout the year, has a variety of accommodation for visitors, together with restaurants and shops. A number of short hiking trails start from the Storms River Mouth rest camp. From the end of the road a boardwalk (1km/.75mi) leads to the mouth of the Storms River, with signs giving information about the main species of trees in the coastal forest. There is also a narrow path leading to a suspension bridge which crosses the Storms River to a viewpoint on the other side.

For those who want a longer walk there is the 42km/26 mile long Otter Trail between Storms River Mouth and Nature's Valley (with overnight accommodation in four huts along the route). A number of shorter trails start from the Vasselot rest camp (3km/2mi from Nature's Valley).