SANParks.org Forums

Hello,

I'm a first timer to SAN Parks. I have already used the Frontiers Park "room" of this site and found the people there gave me really helpful and useful advice - so I'm hoping that you guys here in the Garden Route section will be just as good!

My partner and I will be driving from Addo Elephant Park to Knysna (Phantom Forest Eco Reserve) . I wanted to stop off at either Storms River Mouth or Nature's Valley for a lunch-time picnic and a light/easy hike for a couple of hours...needless to say with great views!

I couldn't make out from the Tsitsikamma National Park official site, exactly where one can access and park as a day visitor (as opposed to someone staying at one of the rest camps).

Anyone got any suggestions, ideas and advice please?

Cheers

Andy

Hi DevonBloke,

I'd recommend Storms River Mouth. Day visitors use the same entrance as overnighters, and park near the restaurant (at the eastern end of the camp).

If you want great views, I suggest to walk to the suspension bridge, go across the river, then follow the trail that climbs up the other side. At the top and along a bit is a lookout platform with ocean views which would make a great picnic spot if the wind isn't too strong.

If it's a strong wind, start the return journey and have your picnic when the trail goes round the corner, bringing into view the three suspension bridges.

Regards,
Roger

At Storms river mouth there is another option - walk in the opposite direction to the suspension bridge , thus towards the Otter trail , there is a waterfall about an hours good walk from the starting point alongside the oceanettes on the western extremity of the built up area .
Only Otter trail participants may proceed further than the waterfall ..

I'm not certain whether its inside the SANpark, but there's a nice hike called Salt River Cove near Nature's Valley.

As ndloti suggested, the start of the Otter Trail is a great option, but it may take you a bit longer than 2 hours (it took me longer last time if I remember correctly)

The walk from the Oceanettes to the waterfall is signposed as "three and a half hours return". It took us more than that, but we explored caves and stuff along the way.

I think a fit person moving at a brisk pace could do it in two hours easily enough, but with not much time for a picnic at the waterfall.

Regards,
Roger

Thanks for your advice and suggestion. We'll take it! We're also thinking of doing "Monkey Land"/ "Birds of Eden" the following day. Any thoughts?

Cheers

Andy

We enjoyed those places (and Monkeyland is promoted by SANParks on their Tsitsikamma pages). If you're doing both, it's cheaper if you get a combined ticket. Don't forget to print off the 10% discount voucher from the Monkeyland home page before you go.

Regards,
Roger