Garden Route National Park (Tsitsikamma Section)

Tsitsikamma National Park is situated at the heart of the picturesque tourist region known as the Garden Route, found in the Southern Cape of South Africa. Tsitsikamma is a Khoisan (early inhabitants of the area) word meaning, “place of much water.”

The Tsitsikamma’s spectacular scenery includes the Indian Ocean breakers, pounding rocky shores beneath 180 m high cliffs, ever-green forests and fynbos (proteas and heath) rolling down to the sea in a lush carpet where ancient rivers have carved their path to the ocean through rocky ravines.

Tsitsikamma National Park protects a wonderland of inter-tidal and marine life. This is one of the largest Marine Protected Areas (MPA) in the world, conserving 11 percent of South Africa’s Temperate South Coast rocky shoreline.

Approximately 30% of the park is covered in fynbos (Cape Floral Kingdom), scattered amongst the forest vegetation, boasting a wide variety of beautiful flowers, including proteas and heath.

The Tsitsikamma National Park incorporates various cultural heritage sites ranging from Khoisan cultural heritage sites such as caves, shell middens and rock art to more recent cultural historic sites such as the ruins of small fisher settlements, remnants of the past forestry industries and grave sites.

Rest Camp Facilities
Accommodation in the Park is available at 2 restcamps - Natures Valley Restcamp and the Storms River Mouth Restcamp. Natures Valley Restcamp is situated 40 km west of Storms River at Nature's Valley.

Facilities at the Storms River Mouth Restcamp includes:
Shop where souvenirs and basic commodities may be purchased, a la carte restaurant, also serving light refreshments, laundromat and ironing room (flat-irons not supplied) and an information centre.

Fuel is available at Storms River Bridge (±25km).

Natures Valley Restcamp has very little facilities.

Storms River Mouth Restcamp
All accommodation is serviced daily and provided with bedding, towels and soap.

Nature's Valley Restcamp
+- 40 km west of Storms River at Nature's Valley.
All accommodation is serviced daily and provided with bedding, towels and soap.

Two-bed forest huts with communal ablution facilities. All forest huts and ablutions have electricity as well as electric geysers in the ablutions. The forest huts are also fitted with a standard three point electric plug.

Two coin-operated washing machines and tumble driers have been installed.

Important Notice
1. Accommodation rates do not include Conservation Fees which are payable at the entrance gates.
2. Please ensure that you are familiar with the Rules & Regulations of National Parks before making a booking.

Rooms:

---

All accommodation is serviced daily and provided with bedding, towels and soap.

* Forest Huts – communal facilities (2 beds)
* Forest Cabins (a.k.a. Dolphin Cabins) – self equipped units 2 beds)
* Chalets – self equipped detached open plan units (2 single beds and either bunk beds, bed in lounge or double sleeper couch)
* Oceanettes – self equipped detached units on the ocean edge (3 or 4 beds)
* Cottages – self equipped free standing units (3 beds)
* Family Cottages – larger version of above (4 beds) - 2 bedrooms
* Honeymoon Cottages (double bed)

Camping

All with communal ablution, laundry and washing up facilities. A maximum of six persons, one caravan with a side tent and one vehicle, or one tent and one vehicle, or one autovilla or motorised caravan will be permitted per site.

* Caravan only sites with power point and view
* Caravan only sites with power point and no view
* Tent only site with no power point but with a view
* Camping sites (caravan or tent)
* Camping (tent or caravan) without power

Activities:

---

Most of the activities you can undertake are safe enough to do unguided. For a small fee, groups of more than ten people can book a guide to accompany them and discover more about the history and ecology of the area.

All activities are dependent on favourable weather conditions.

Storms River Mouth Restcamp:
- The Otter Trail, 42 km long, 5 days and 4 nights
- Several nature trails (1-3 hours)
- Marine and River Activities (boat trips, canoeing, snorkelling and SCUBA diving)
- Bathing at a small beach and swimming pool (for resident guests only).
- All angling in the Tsitsikamma National Park is prohibited
Guided outings (Eco-guides from local communities)
- Evening film shows during peak periods (holiday programme during school holidays)
- Activities for School Groups.

Nature's Valley Restcamp:
- A network of 6 nature trails (2-6 hours - Bird watching)
- Board sailing, rowing, sailing and canoeing on the river. No powerboats
- Bathing at Nature’s Valley beach (2 km from restcamp)

There are many activities in the area of the park, for which staying in the park is an excellent base:
- Abseiling & climbing
- Mountain biking
- Tractor-trailer rides
- 4x4 trails
- Tree top tours
- Kloofing

This is a multi-dimensional marine/forest national park. Remember to bring the following: bathing suit, angling equipment, hat, binoculars, sun block, walking shoes, bird and mammal reference books, snorkeling equipment.

Special Interest
Of special interest are:
Dolphins and porpoises – keeping vigil on the ocean will produce sightings of schools of dolphins and porpoises frolicking in the waves.
African Black Oystercatcher – this red data species is one of South Africa’s most threatened bird species. Several pairs nest along the park’s rocky coastline.
Knysna Lourie – these beautiful birds with a gruff call are common in the forest.
Cape Clawless Otter – the source of the name of the Otter Trail, this shy and elusive species hunts crabs along the park’s coastline and rivers alike.
Blue Duiker – this miniature antelope is found in the forests.

How to get there:

---

See Map
The Tsitsikamma Section of the Garden Route National Park is situated some 615km from Cape Town, 195km from Port Elizabeth and 68km from Plettenberg Bay.

The access route from the N2 highway and all internal roads are tarred. Car hire is available at Plettenberg Bay, which is also the nearest airport (limited scheduled flights).

Airports are also found in George and Port Elizabeth.
Gate Times (as of 1 November 2010)

* Gate opening 06:00 and closing times 22:00 due to restaurant service.
* Security service, starting 18:00 - leaving 07:00 in the morning.
* Late arrivals (after 18:00) may collect keys at the entrance gate. Overnight guests arriving after 18:00 should call the camp - key(s) may be picked up at the gate with the security service.
* Day visitors allowed until 21:30.

Health & Climate:

---

A temperate coastal climate with an annual rainfall of 1 200mm. The wettest months are May and October, and the driest are June and July.

Click here for Rates/Bookings