TSITSIKAMMA NATIONAL PARK

South Africa’s first marine park, Tsitsikamma extends along a rocky coastline of 80 km, stretching 5 km out into the sea. It is one of the prettiest game parks in the country, perched, as it is bang in the middle of South Africa’s picturesque Garden Route. Cliffs and beaches bound a narrow coastal plain, and vast stretches of fynbos cover much of the area. Fynbos is the common name for the characteristic Cape vegetation, including woody shrubs, heath, protea, geranium, stinkwood and the giant Outeniqua yellowwood tree. There are in all over 7700 species of plants- a delight for the botanist.

"Tsitsikamma" is derived from the Hottentot words ‘tse-tsesa’ meaning clear and ‘gami’ meaning water. The name probably refers to the clear waters of the Tsitsikamma River

An amazing range of pleasurable experiences awaits the visitor at the Tsitsikamma. There are two beaches where one can have a quiet and peaceful relaxing day. On the other hand you want a hard work out and excitement you can go surfing, canoeing, swimming or hiking. If you want to be with Mother Nature, you can go bird watching-remember, there are plenty of bird varieties on the treetops.

And if you are the adventurous amphibian, clear blue waters and quiet tidal pools harboring a wealth of marine life await you. The best of the underwater panorama is marked by well planned ‘scuba trails’.

Tsitsikamma is famous for its five-day Otter Trail. There are five more hiking trails crisscrossing the deep gorges and temperate evergreen forests. So there is plenty to see on the land too. The Otter Trail wends its way along the shoreline, providing ample scope for wildlife watching, both terrestrial and marine. It starts from Storm’s River Mouth and makes its way to Natures Valley, covering 41 km of caves, cliffs and waterfalls. There is a wide variety of wildlife to be seen: dolphins and whales in the waters, caracal, genet, chacma baboon, dassie, mongoose and other small mammals on land. This is apart from the scenic beauty that dots the trail. There is plenty of bird life too. The prominent bird species are the African black oystercatcher, the orange-breasted sunbird, Nerina trogan and the colorful Knysna Loerie.

With luck on your side, you might even catch a glimpse of a rare Cape clawless otter, after which the Otter Trail is named.

Entry Permits
The Park gates are open from 7.00 am to 9.30 pm, and an entrance fee has to be paid at the gate. The fee for adults is R18; for children it’s about R10.

The Otter Trail is immensely popular and advance booking is necessary if you are keen on hiking along the trail. Thousands of avid walkers are literally in line to `do’ the Otter Trail and only 12 hikers are permitted per day. An Otter Trail permit costs R400 per person. There has to be a group of at least four to go on the hike. Hiking permits for the other trails in Tsitsikamma are cheaper, usually about R200 per person.

Access
The Park is 195 km from Port Elizabeth and 615 km from Cape Town, and both cities have buses going to and from the park. Good-tarred roads from Port Elizabeth, Cape Town, Plettenberg Bay (68 km away) and Humansdorp (99 km from Tsitsikamma) lead to the Park, making it a great idea to drive your own vehicle. The nearest airport is Port Elizabeth, and it has good air connections to all of South Africa’s larger airports.

Best time to visit
 The climate here is temperate, with rainfall being highest in October and May, and lowest in June and July. Tsitsikamma is accessible throughout the year, with May to November being the peak season.

Accommodation
 Log cabins, guesthouses campsites and seaside cottages known as `oceanettes’, are among the options available for accommodation. Tariffs in Tsitsikamma range from about R80 for camping to beyond R500 for a family cottage. In between is a vast range of options, covering virtually every budget category.

Amenities include sites for tents and caravans, conference facilities, public telephone, a shop, restaurant, a garage within 30 km, a Laundromat, a medical clinic with doctor and other facilities within 55 km. Bunks and mattresses are available in cottages along the Otter Trail.  Elsewhere within the Park are a swimming pool, tarred roads and even two beaches. All these make Tsitsikamma a superbly comfortable wilderness destination.

For bookings and reservations, contact the offices of South African National Parks Board (in Pretoria, 643, Leyds Street, Muckleneuk, Tel: 27 (0) 12 343-1991).