Tsitsikamma

• Location: South Africa, Western Cape;
• Cost of visit: 11 USD

The Republic of South Africa will be pleased with a large number of natural parks and protected areas, among which Tsitsikamma deserves mentioning is the National Park, part of the most interesting tourist route Road of Gardens.

The name of the park perfectly characterizes its feature - in translation this strange and even slightly funny for our ear word means only "a place where there is a lot of water". The park consists of a rocky coastline, stretching for more than 80 kilometers - no one will be indifferent to the beautiful seascapes. The park also extends five kilometers into the sea.

History of foundation and features

Tsitsikamma Park was founded more than fifty years ago - in 1964. At that time it was the first marine park in the country. The main goal of creating this nature conservation object:

• protection of animals and birds living in forests and valleys;
• protection of the inhabitants of the sea depths, reefs and sea shores.

On the basis of the park, a laboratory has been set up to investigate certain species of fish, especially those that are on the verge of extinction. At the moment the laboratory is the largest in the world.

More than a third of the nature conservation complex is occupied by magnificent forests, gorges and rivers, on which there are waterfalls.

The increased content of tannin in the water of rivers makes their color dark, rich brown. Tannin enters the water from plants surrounding water objects.

But the valleys and valleys along the rivers will be pleased with the lush vegetation and various colors - this is constantly promoted by flowering plants that grow only in this region.

If we talk about animals, marine inhabitants of the Tsitsikamma National Park, they deserve special attention:

• African magpies;
• Dominican seagulls;
• African caresses;
• ostriches;
• seals;
• dolphins;
• killer whales;
• leopards and many others.

Tourist routes

Several routes have been laid in the Tsitsikamma National Park:

• Otter Trail. This route tourists will have to walk a lot, not a little, but 42 kilometers. Including, to make a crossing (wading or swimming) through Bloukrans is a full-flowing river. The duration of the transition is five days, and therefore on the road you need to take food and things for sleeping under the open sky.
• Tsitsikamma-Trail. Going on the road, tourists need to be prepared for the fact that they will have to cross the mountains with the same name with the National Park.
• Dolphin Trail. It takes three days to go through - in the wild, two nights. It is noteworthy that the tour along this route will allow you to fully enjoy the park and get incredible impressions. During the transition will be able to admire the incredible sunrises, colorful sunsets, amazing sea views and mountain views, wild animals - zebras, leopards and others.

There are also short pedestrian crossings, there are several of them:

• Mouse Trail - a little more than a kilometer in length, is sent to the suspension bridge;
• Viewpoint-Trail - similar to the above, but a little longer: it involves moving through a suspension bridge;
• Lory-Trail - a circular journey along the path with a total length of about one and a half kilometers;
• Blue Duke is another circular path, part of which is laid along the Indian Ocean;
• Waterfil-Trail - its length exceeds six kilometers. It leads to a beautiful waterfall, which forms a cozy lake. Tourists can swim in it!

And there is also an underwater route, which is recommended only for professional divers - its length exceeds 5 kilometers.

When going on the road, it is recommended to take an experienced guide with you - you can do without all professional help, not all, but only really experienced travelers.

Entertainment

Also, there are all conditions for different options for a full active and even extreme rest.

For example, we are talking about traveling by river on an ecological boat. For inspection of the nature protection complex, a rope park was created from the top - it is located at a height of 30 meters. It can be visited even by children, since the age of seven.

Extreme will enjoy the journey along the mountain river by boat - during the rafting it will be possible to admire the secluded corners of Tsitsikamma, because otherwise they will not be accessible to them!

But over the river Blowkrans you can make a jump from the bungee - its height is 221 meters! Do you want to test your boldness and tickle your nerves?

Fans of surfing are recommended to go to a small settlement Jeffries Bay, where everything is provided for the conquest of the waves!

How to get there?

First you need to come to the town of Storms River - it's on Highway 2. You can get there by car from Cape Town . It is convenient to travel to and from the city of Port Elizabeth .

Directly from the motorway No.2 to Storms River about eight kilometers, but shuttle buses to this settlement do not enter.

Entrance to Tsitsikamma Park is via the main gate. The cost of the pass card is 11 USD for adults and 6 USD for children (up to 14 years).

If you want to not just quickly see all the natural beauties of the nature protection zone or do not want to go on a long day of tourist routes, but want to spend a few days in a row, there are two living rooms in the park:

• Storms River Mouth Rest Camp;
• Nature's Valley's Restcamp.

Also, you can spend the night in the local "Mecca" of surfing fans in the small town of Jeffreys Bay, which is part of the National Park.