Top Things to do in Tsitsikamma National Park
Top Hotels in Tsitsikamma National Park
What to do and see in Tsitsikamma National Park, Eastern Cape: The Best Budget-friendly Things to do
Discover the best top things to do in Tsitsikamma National Park, South Africa including Otter Trail, Storms River Suspension Bridge, Tsitsikamma Canopy Tours, Tsitsikamma Falls Adventures, Tsitsikamma Segway Tours, Waterfall Trail, Blackwater Tubing, Tsitsikamma Forest’s Big Tree.
Restaurants in Tsitsikamma National Park
1. Otter Trail
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 80 reviews
Reviewed By belindas731 - Durban, South Africa
Amazing, challenging, adventurous, beautiful! Don’t think you can just get up off the couch and hike the Otter trail - it requires cardio fitness and strong legs and arms to carry the backpack and you up those steep ascents! However, don’t not try if you haven’t had time to train - just take lots of Deep Heat/ Arnica ice and anti-inflamm tabs because you will feel muscles you never thought you had! It’s absolutely worth the effort and worse comes to worse, you take one of the escape routes... you tried! You’ll also need a head for heights as there are a couple of rock climbs that take you up high... all the better to see dear. This was our first Otter Hike for the whole group so we found ourselves chasing low tides on day 3 (Lottering 10:50) and day 4 (Bloukrans 11:30). In the end it was the Kleinbos river (!) which gave us the biggest challenge as the flow of water from upstream was quite strong due to previous days rain. We laughed our way through the other 2 biggies. Every day of the year is going to offer up a different set of weather conditions for river crossings and hiking - be prepared and try reach the big rivers round low tide (it helps take the stress out of the event). But worse comes to worse, take the escape... hey - you’re on the Otter, it’s part of the adventure!! Practical tips: We all had different priorities when it came to luxury ‘necessities’ - some had a small pillow, some binoculars, some whiskey, some goggles & snorkels (or small swimming goggles) - take what will add to the enjoyment of your experience.... just don’t overpack! Don’t share toothpaste or Vaseline with someone sleeping in the other cabin - it’s a schlep. 2 thumbs up for water bladder, but take an empty water bottle for practical use around camp Trek pole - some of the group swore by them and a few put them away. Suggest you take one (safe) and decide on route. Some of us drank the water without purification drops (we only filled up at the huts) and were fine. If in doubt, rather use them. If you like taking photos, carry a pouch around your neck to store your phone in for easy access (but remember to cover it in plastic if it rains or water crossings) Red survival bags for river crossings are so big - we tested 2 backpacks in 1 surv bag across the Bloukrans and it worked fine. Share between 2 and save weight and space on the hike. Bloubaai (Blue Bay) turnoff is now clearly sign marked. Leave your bags on the trail, put your lunch in a small bag and carry it down to the beach. Lovely spot. It’s not a bad thing if you get to the huts early on a few days - you can chill, wash & recover in a beautiful setting. By the way, crows can open your top zipper, open your marshmallow packet and fly off with your booty. Did I mention we saw an Otter?? Day 3 Elandsbos River. JUST DO IT!!
2. Storms River Suspension Bridge
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,022 reviews
This picturesque suspension bridge is on one of the shorter hikes of this river gorge.
Reviewed By west0909 - Metro Minneapolis-Saint Paul, United States
There is an entrance fee to the park, but IMHO it's worth every penny--the park is just another one of the amazing landscapes South Africa has to offer, but is so unlike the rest. The walk to the Storms River Suspension Bridge is lovely, the type of walk you want to have your camera at the ready throughout b/c every turn is more beautiful than the next. The walk to the bridge was 20-30 minutes each way, leisurely, and was quite accessible (it wouldn't be doable with wheels, there are too many stairs, but it is a board-path that makes for pretty easy walking. There are several suspension bridges (the one in all the pictures at the mouth of the river, then a few others right nearby). We only had time to walk tot he bridge and back, but you can continue onto other paths to make the journey as long as you'd like. If the weather is cooperating, the views alone are worth the walk, but the walk itself is a great experience, too.
3. Tsitsikamma Canopy Tours
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,870 reviews
The Tsitsikamma Canopy Tour is a unique eco-wilderness adventure that takes place in the magnificent Tsitsikamma indigenous rainforest. The first of its kind in Africa, the canopy tour involves traversing from one platform to another along a steel cable suspended up to 30 meters above the forest floor
4. Tsitsikamma Falls Adventures
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 225 reviews
Tsitsikamma Falls Adventure Park is situated close to Stormsriver on the Garden Route of South Africa. We offer various adrenalin Eco Adventure Activities such as Waterfall Zipline Tours, Gravity Zone Abseiling and Quad Bike Tours.
5. Tsitsikamma Segway Tours
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 235 reviews
Tsitsikamma Segway tours is located in Stormsriver Village at Tsitsikamma Backpackers, along the Garden Route in the Tsitsikamma. Bordering the Tsitsikamma National Park this is a scenic location and an awesome stop over. Your tour starts with a 20 minute training session; from there we depart from the backpackers, through the village and into the local indigenous forest. Our 2 hour tour includes a visit to the Big Tree. The tour is fully guided and refreshment is served halfway. Helmets are provided. Please wear comfortable clothes, sunscreen and shoes.All permits fees are included. 1 or 2 hour tours available. Pre bookings essential. Min age is 6 years old.
6. Waterfall Trail
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 110 reviews
Reviewed By williamhblair - Muizenberg, South Africa
Excellent coastal trail! You definitely need good shoes for slippery rocks and be able to boulder a bit.
7. Blackwater Tubing
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 162 reviews
Tubing on the Storms River is somewhat similar to kloofing/canyoning yet completely dis-similar as no rope access is necessary and rock jumps are not compulsory. One paddles the calm pools in one man inflatable river tubes. We used tubes as there are parts of the river bed where Portage is necessary. We also do include some optional rock jumps up to 8m in height. We offer two different excursions namely a Green Route tubing and SUP combo trip that takes place in the Plaatbos Nature reserve and a Red Route canyon Tubing trip that takes place in the Goesa nature reserve and Tsitsikamma National Park.
8. Tsitsikamma Forest’s Big Tree
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 213 reviews
Reviewed By NomadsNature - Pretoria, South Africa
The Tsitsikamma Big Tree was re-opened to visitors during September 2020. A small coffee shop is available, but it was not open at the time of our visit. A wooden walkway winds through the forest and leads to another majestic big tree. There is a hiking trail available for a longer walk.
