News

Sunday, 17 September – Following the storm surge and high spring tide in the Tsitsikamma Section of Garden Route National Park on 16 September 2023, South African National Parks (SANParks) would like to provide an update to the public.

Despite the recent challenges, the Storms River Mouth Rest Camp remains open to the public.

Unfortunately, the temporary restaurant structure within Tsitsikamma National Park has sustained severe damage and has been washed out by the storm surge. The restaurant remains closed. The Park shop is open and operational at this stage.

All guests on the Otter Trail have been successfully evacuated through designated escape routes, ensuring their safety throughout the storm surge. We appreciate their cooperation and understanding during this challenging time. The Waterfall hiking trail and the Mouth trails (Suspension bridge) have been temporarily closed. This decision has been made to ensure the safety of our visitors.

Nature’s Valley Camp remains temporarily closed due to flooding experienced last night. Park management is actively addressing the situation and conducting necessary assessments. We are committed to reopening the camp as soon as it is safe to do so.

The Wilderness and Knysna Sections of the Garden Route National Park are also affected by the storm surge and high spring tide with minimal damage to infrastructure. The parks are accessible to the public and remain on high alert. Park management is currently assessing the damage.

The recovery and restoration efforts in Tsitsikamma National Park are ongoing, with our dedicated team collaborating closely with local authorities and support teams. The safety of our visitors remains our highest priority.

No injuries are currently reported in the Garden Route National Park. Members of the public are urged to exercise caution when visiting this area and also check the South African Weather Service for weather alerts and warnings.

The dedication of our park staff and rangers ensures that visitors have access to accommodations and services. We appreciate the resilience of our visitors as we work together to provide a safe and enjoyable experience.

As a result of the ongoing storm surge, our park communications remain offline. In the case of emergency inquiries, please contact Mr Phokela Lebea on 071 2121 330.