The Tsitsikamma area is geared for visitors who prefer simple accommodation, unspoiled nature and active holidays. If you prefer to be entertained in neon-lit clubs you should definitely avoid the area!

Paul Sauer Bridge
The Paul Sauer Bridge (1956), 160km from Port Elizabeth in the Eastern Cape, spans the impressive Storms River Gorge on South Africa's Garden Route. It is erroneously known to many as the Storms River Bridge. It is a marvel of architecture and engineering and was designed by Italian Riccardo Morandi.

For visitors who have time available it is possible to not only enjoy the sight of the Storms River Gorge below, but to actually engage in a number of adventure activities to experience this beautiful piece of nature up-close. For more information on the bridge, click here.

Big Tree
The well sign-posted "Big Tree" is located a short way west of the Paul Sauer Bridge along the N2. A pathway through indigenous bush leads to the Yellowwood giant. Walking to the tree takes about 10 minutes. The tree is estimated to be ±800 years old, it stands 36.6 metres high and has a circumference of almost 9 metres.

Storms River Village
Storms River Village is located between Paul Sauer Bridge and the Storms River Mouth Rest Camp, approx. a kilometre south of the N2. It's surrounded by plantations and forest. The peaceful village is really just a collection of smallholdings, a few houses and very basic shops. It offers a surprising range of middle-range accommodation.

The main attraction of the place is a number of great adventure-type activities operated from or close to the village. Options include black-water tubing (kloofing), mountain bike trails, abseiling, Tsitsikamma Forest canopy tours, guided or non-guided hikes, forest tractor-rides and picnics, fly-fishing and scuba diving. The canopy tours consist of traversing from one platform to another along a steel cable suspended up to 30 meters above the forest floor between giant Yellowwood Trees. We strongly recommend all of these activities. Africa Deluxe Tours will gladly arrange participation in your preferred activities if so requested.

Storms River Mouth
The Storms River Mouth section of the Tsitsikamma National Park is quite special. The section's rest camp is wedged between overgrown mountainside and a rugged rocky coastline. The Rest Camp offers a range of middle-range (chalets, cottages & oceannettes) and basic ("forest huts") accommodation as well as a camping ground.

Other facilities include a restaurant and dining deck with great ocean views, a tidal pool and a small curios and convenience store. A number of short trails (2-6km) allow you to explore the coastal bush and rocky shoreline. The most popular heads to the nearby river mouth and pedestrian hang-bridge that spans it.

Multi-day hiking trails
The most popular hiking trail in South Africa, the 5-day Otter Hiking Trail starts at the Rest Camp. Another popular trail, the 5-day Tsitsikamma Hiking Trail ends there. For those who prefer more luxury the Dolphin Trail provides more comfortable accommodation, a guide and best of all your luggage is transferred to each overnight stop - no heavy backpacks! Booking is absolutely essential - all of these trails are booked months in advance.

We strongly recommend a visit to Storms River Mouth, whether you choose to stay there or go as a day-visitor.

The Bloukrans River Bridge
A few kilometres west of Storms River Mouth the N2 crosses the Bloukrans River Gorge over an impressive reinforced concrete arch-bridge by the same name. The site also features an arts & crafts market and visitor's centre. However, the Bloukrans River Bridge is best known as the base for the highest commercial bungy site in the world - a whopping 216m high. For more information on the bridge and bungy site, click here.

The Bloukrans River & Grootrivier Passes
Before the establishment of the Garden Route section of South Africa's N2 highway a small secondary road (R102) snaking its way through the area's valleys and gorges provided the only access into South Africa's "Garden of Eden".

When the R102 was built its engineers did not have the luxury of today's huge concrete-arch bridges and thus the route descends into gorges rather than jump across them. If you have time, diverting from the N2 onto the R102 makes for a very scenic and quiet detour. On the Garden Route the best sections of the R102 are those incorporating the Bloukrans River Pass and Grootriver Pass.

Nature's Valley & The De Vasselot Nature Reserve

Nature's Valley is tucked in between a shallow lagoon and a long sandy beach.

Nature's Valley is home to the De Vasselot Nature Reserve (part of the Tsitsikamma National Park). The village marks the end of the most popular hiking trail in South Africa, the five-day Otter Hiking Trail between it and Storms River Mouth. Another very popular trail, the five-day Tsitsikamma Hiking Trail, starts from Nature's Valley. The village features various other short coastal and inland trails. It also has a lovely sandy beach and a shallow lagoon, which is safe for swimming. Accommodation in this secluded destination is limited to private guesthouses, B&B's and the Nature's Valley Rest Camp (De Vasselot Nature Reserve), which offers camping and picnic sites as well as economic log "bush huts" (not en-suite).

The Crags, Monkeyland & Tsitsikamma Wolf Sanctuary
The Crags is located ±17km east of Plettenberg Bay along the N2 at the western end of the Grootrivier Pass leading to Nature's Valley. It consists of smallholdings and one or two rural convenience stores as well as a (petrol / gas) filling station. Some of the smallholdings offer accommodation and short trails into the surrounding hills and forests.

The main attraction for tourists however is Monkeyland. It is a sanctuary for previously caged primates offering informative and entertaining tours to members of the public. It aims to conserve, educate and create awareness. Click here for more information on Monkeyland.

Another attraction in The Crags is the Tsitsikamma Wolf Sanctuary. This relatively new institution has however been shrouded in controversy and we do not feel comfortable recommending it to tourists at this time. No wolf species are endemic to Africa and we are not convinced that the project is operated on a sound ecological basis. However, should you be interested in visiting the Wolf Sanctuary or would like to know more about them you can visit their website*.

(Also see: The Garden Route)