Tsitsikamma National Park

Tsitsikamma National Park’s natural scenery, combined with its convenient location along the Garden Route, makes it one of the country’s top outdoor adventure destinations. The expansive park can be explored by bus, bike, kayak, and on foot via tours that take you to highlights such as the Storms River Gorge and the Bloukrans Bridge.

The park also can be visited on multi-day tours of the Western Cape that include adventure activities in Tsitsikamma National Park along with other attractions, such as Addo Elephant National Park, the wine country, and surfing in Jeffreys Bay.

• Popular trails include Otter Trail, Suspension Bridge and Lookout Trail, and the Strandloper Cave and Waterfall Trail.

• There are lodges, campgrounds, and restaurants located within the park.

• Book your excursions in advance to avoid activities selling out.

• There is an entrance fee to enter the national park.

Conveniently located just off the N2, Tsitsikamma National Park is about a 3-hour drive from Port Elizabeth and a 6-hour drive from Cape Town. You can reach the park by car or join a tour that covers round-trip transportation to the park.

To avoid the crowds of vacationers that flock to the coast during South Africa’s summers (December–April), consider visiting in the spring (September–November). Not only is the park less crowded, but you can see the wildflowers and fynbos, the vegetation most associated with the Cape region, at their most vibrant. From June to October, you also can spot migrating humpbacks and southern right whales.

Known as the top trek in South Africa—and one of the best in the world—the Otter Trail lines 28 miles (45 kilometers) of rocky coastline, beaches, and cliffs. Most hikers take three to five days to complete the route and rustic huts offer accommodations along the way. If using, book the huts in advance to ensure a place to stay. You also can hire a shuttle service to simplify the logistics of the one-way trip.