Storms River Mouth, Tsitsikamma
Storms River Mouth
Tsitsikamma National Park, where primeval forest runs down to the sea, and a suspension bridge over the Storms River mouth are the Garden Route's most classic scene.
Tsitsikamma (a Khoekhoe name meaning “place of abundant water”) is now part of Garden Route National Park. It was one of Africa's earliest marine protected areas (1964) and protects about 80 km of rugged coastline and the nearby offshore waters. The visitor centre is at the Storms River Mouth Rest Camp. The signature route is the Mouth Trail. From the camp, a boardwalk winds through coastal forest and past a sea cave for about 1 km to the suspension bridge across the Storms River mouth. The bridge is about 77 m long and roughly 7 m above the water, where dark river water meets the crashing waves, and it sways underfoot. Beyond the bridge, you can climb to a viewpoint over the river mouth and coastline (about 2 hours round trip). Other activities include boat trips and kayaking in the river gorge, a kayak-and-lilo trip into the gorge, and waterfall trails. The Otter Trail, South Africa's most famous multi-day hike, starts here: 5 days and 45 km, with places that must be booked about a year in advance. Entry: a SANParks international visitor conservation fee is charged per day (rates are adjusted annually), and it is free with a Wild Card. The park is about 65 km from Plettenberg Bay.
Opening hours
Approx. 07:00–19:00 (gate hours vary by season)
Nearby sights
- Tsitsikamma Canopy Tour
- Tsitsikamma Big Tree
- Bloukrans Bridge Bungy
- Nature's Valley
- Birds of Eden
- Monkeyland Primate Sanctuary
- Jukani Wildlife Sanctuary
- Robberg Nature Reserve