Tsitsikamma National Park

Rest Camp Facilities
Accommodation  
Activities   
Special Interests  
How to get there

General
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 Park incorporates 80 km of rocky coastline with spectacular sea and landscapes, a remote mountainous region with secluded valleys covered in mountain Fynbos and temperate high forests with deep river gorges leading down to the sea.

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. Many species of forest, fynbos and sea birds are present.

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.

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

Forest Huts - with 1 bedroom with 2 single beds, Communal ablutions, Communal Kitchen, Utensils

Oceanettes - self equipped detached units on the ocean edge 3 beds (1 bedroom) or 4 beds (2 bedrooms), W/c, bath or shower, Kitchen, Open Plan

Chalets – self equipped detached open plan units (2 single beds and either bunk beds, bed in lounge or double sleeper couch), Kitchen, Wc and shower

Family Cottage - 2 bedrooms, each with 2 single beds, Kitchen, Wc, shower and bath

Honeymoon Cottage - 1 bedroom with double bed, Kitchen, Stand alone units, Wc and shower

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.

Conservation Fees
Please note rates do not include daily conservation levies. Please see details of Conservation Fees

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:
A- bseiling & 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
The park (and Storms River restcamp) is situated 68 km from Plettenberg Bay towards Port Elizabeth. The access route is clearly signposted (about 6km before the Storms River Bridge) from the N2 highway.

Gate Hours - 05:30 – 21:30
Visitors with reserved accommodation who arrive after 18:00 may collect the keys to their accommodation at the entrance gate.