The wild eastern end of the Garden Route, where indigenous forest meets the cliffs. The suspension bridge over the Storms River mouth, the start of the Otter Trail, and the world's highest bridge bungee, all within a few kilometres.
Tsitsikamma is where the Garden Route turns wild. At the eastern end of the route, the indigenous forest runs right up to the cliffs and drops into the sea, and the Storms River cuts a deep gorge through it to the coast. It’s the most dramatic stretch of the drive, and the most active.
The heart of it is the Storms River Mouth, in the Tsitsikamma section of the Garden Route National Park. A coastal boardwalk leads from the rest camp through the trees to a set of suspension bridges that cross the river where it meets the sea, an easy, spectacular walk. This is also where the Otter Trail begins, the five-day coastal hike that sells out a year ahead, and the Big Tree, an 800-year-old yellowwood, stands a short stop away off the N2.
For anyone with the nerve, it’s the adventure capital of the route. The Bloukrans bridge bungee is the world’s highest off a bridge at 216 metres, with a skywalk and winch-ride for those who’d rather watch. Canopy ziplines run through the forest treetops, and kayak-and-lilo trips paddle up the gorge to the bridge from below. A day here covers the park, the bridge and as much adrenaline as you want, with Plettenberg Bay half an hour west for the night.
Forest, cliffs and the Storms River mouth, with as much or as little adrenaline as you want.
From the Storms River Mouth rest camp, a coastal boardwalk leads through the trees to the suspension bridges that cross the river where it meets the sea. The Otter Trail starts here, and the Big Tree, an 800-year-old yellowwood, is a short stop off the N2. The gentle, scenic half of Tsitsikamma.
Tsitsikamma is the adventure end of the route. The Bloukrans bridge bungee is the world's highest off a bridge at 216 metres, the canopy ziplines run through the forest treetops, and kayak-and-lilo trips paddle up the gorge to the bridge from below.
The boardwalk from the Storms River Mouth rest camp to the bridges is the signature Tsitsikamma walk, easy and short, over the river where it meets the sea.
The Bloukrans bungee is the world's highest off a bridge and busy in season. Book a slot in advance, and budget extra for the photos and video.
The forest canopy tour glides you between platforms in the treetops, a gentler thrill than the bungee and good for most ages.
A kayak-and-lilo trip takes you up the Storms River gorge from the mouth, paddling and floating to the suspension bridge from below. A different angle on the park.
Just off the N2, a short boardwalk loops around a giant Outeniqua yellowwood reckoned to be around 800 years old. A five-minute leg-stretch.
The park, the bridge and an activity or two fill a day easily. Stay over in Storms River village or pair it with a night in Plettenberg Bay, half an hour west.
Book the bridge, the forest and the bungee through our trusted partners, at the same price as booking direct.
The world's highest bridge bungee at 216 m, with a skywalk and winch-ride option if you'd rather take in the gorge without jumping.
Book on GetYourGuide →A guided zipline tour through the forest treetops, gliding between platforms high in the indigenous canopy.
See canopy tours →Paddle and float up the Storms River gorge from the mouth to the suspension bridge, the park from the water.
See gorge trips →Lodges and guesthouses in Storms River village and Plettenberg Bay, the easiest bases for the eastern end of the route.
Find a stay →We may earn a commission when you book through our partner links — at no extra cost to you.
Tsitsikamma is the wild eastern end of the Garden Route. See the rest of what the route holds.
