"Place
of Much Water"
The
Mountains, pristine forests and wild unspoiled rocky coast creates an
unbelievable setting. The Tsitsikamma National Park is is situated at
the heart of the the Garden Route it covers over 80 kilometre long coastal
strip between Nature's Valley and the mouth of the Storms River. Tsitsikamma
is a Khoisan (early inhabitants of the area) word meaning, “place
of much water.”
The
Tsitsikamma’s spectacular scenery includes 180m high cliffs, ever-green
forests and fynbos (proteas and heath) rolling down to the sea in a lush
carpet where ancient rivers have carved their path to the ocean through
rocky ravines.
Tsitsikamma
National Park protects a wonderland of inter-tidal and marine life. This
is one of the largest Marine Protected Areas (MPA) in the world, conserving
11 percent of South Africa’s Temperate South Coast rocky shoreline.
The
Tsitsikamma National Park incorporates various cultural heritage sites
ranging from Khoisan cultural heritage sites such as caves, shell middens
and rock art to more recent cultural historic sites such as the ruins
of small fisher settlements, remnants of the past forestry industries
and grave sites.
Two
long hiking routes with some huts for overnight stays are well established.
Some indigenous Yellowwood trees still exist here, over 800 years old.
There is abundance of bird life, smaller mammals can be seen through the
park.
The
5 day Otter Trail of 48 km and the Tsitsikamma Trail of 72 km, is probably
the most well known trail world wide and offers the tourist an adventure
of a life time experiencing the plant and animal world first hand.
The
Tsitsikamma Forest has a variety of fauna and flora. Explore the gorges,
caves and winding paths. Visit the famous 36m high Yellowwood Big Tree
and the steel cable suspension bridge built in 1969. Variety of wildlife
can be found such as the Cape claw less otter, whales, seals, dolphins,
grysbok, blue duiker, vervet monkeys, baboons, leopard, honey badger,
bushpigs, mongoose, and countless species of birds.
The
forest also hosts an abundance of tress like the Outeniqua yellow-wood,
saffron wood, elder, stinkwood, cape chestnut, fynbos, proteas, white
milkwood just a few to mention.
Tsitsikamma
Coastal National Park
Storms River 6308, South Africa.
Tel +27 42 541-1607; Fax +27 42 541-1629.
Bookings
and reservations: South African National Parks
P.O. Box 787, Pretoria 0001, South Africa
Tel +27 12 343-1991, Fax +27 12 343-0905
eMail Reservations@parks-sa.co.za
Attractions
-
Tsitsikamma
Mountains
-
Hiking
trails
-
Snorkeling
-
Diving
- Trails
-
Robbehoek
Kloof Trails
-
Quteniqua
Biking Trails
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