Ancient forest and marine sanctuary
Eastern Cape, South Africa
Tsitsikamma is the eastern section of the Garden Route National Park, a strip of ancient forest and cliffs on the Eastern Cape border where the Storms River meets the sea. The rest camp at Storms River Mouth sits on the rocks with the suspension bridge and the start of the Otter Trail, the country's most sought-after hiking route, and the Tsitsikamma forest behind holds giant yellowwoods and Knysna turacos. The village of Storms River has the adventure operators: the canopy tour, the Bloukrans bungee and kayaking into the gorge. It is malaria-free and the Garden Route's wildest stretch.
The species most recorded in Eastern Cape, drawn from citizen-science observations. Tap any to find stays where it has been recorded. These are records of past sightings, so nothing here is a guarantee you will see it.
Ranked by how often they are recorded in the province, from iNaturalist observations. Tap one to find stays where it lives.
Species birders log most in this province. Numbers are records, not guarantees.
Occurrence data from iNaturalist, aggregated by province. It reflects where a species is seen across Eastern Cape, not confirmed sightings inside this reserve.
Apr-Sep
Why book here
Wild places survive when the communities around them earn more from protecting wildlife than from anything that would replace it. Every stay you book through Spekboom carries a conservation contribution built into the price, never added on top, so choosing where you sleep becomes a way to fund the people and projects keeping this landscape intact.
Request inside-park camps here. Spekboom confirms with SANParks, then you pay on Spekboom. Mix in a gateway stay from the same list if you want nights outside the fence.
Inside parkStorms River Mouth is the dramatic heart of the Tsitsikamma section of the Garden Route National Park, set where the booming breakers of the Indian Ocean pound a rocky shore and temperate high forest and fynbos roll right down to the sea. The chalets and camping sites are strung along a narrow strip between the cliffs and the water, with some of the finest coastal views in the country. This is the start of the famous Otter Trail and the much-photographed suspension bridge over the Storms River mouth. Short forest and clifftop walks lead off from the camp, and the protected marine area makes it a notable spot for snorkelling and scuba diving. Wildlife here is coastal and forest-dwelling: schools of dolphins offshore, the rare African black oystercatcher nesting along the rocks, the elusive Cape clawless otter, and Knysna louries and blue duiker in the forest. A restaurant overlooks the sea, and a shop covers basic supplies.
Inside parkNature's Valley Rest Camp lies in the De Vasselot section of the Garden Route National Park, on the banks of the Groot River where the Tsitsikamma forest meets the sea. It is a green, sheltered setting of tall indigenous trees, river, lagoon and beach, one of the most tranquil corners of the Garden Route. The camp is a paradise for birdwatchers and walkers. A choice of day trails leads from the camp, among them the Salt River Mouth, Kalander and Groot River trails, with maps that double as permits available at reception. Canoeing down to the Groot River mouth is one of the finest ways to spend a slow afternoon, and canoes can be hired at the camp. A shop and a small restaurant in the nearby village cover basic needs, with fuel available at The Crags. Accommodation and camping here suit those who want forest, river and shoreline within a few steps of their door.
Tsitsikamma National Park is in Eastern Cape, South Africa.
In Eastern Cape, commonly recorded species include mammals such as Meerkat, Black Wildebeest, Blesbok, Common Bottlenose Dolphin and birds including Red-necked Spurfowl, Cape Parrot, African Rock Pipit, based on iNaturalist occurrence data. These reflect the wider province, not confirmed sightings inside the reserve.
Request inside-park rest camps on Spekboom. We confirm the dates with SANParks, then you pay on Spekboom. SANParks assigns the unit after confirmation. Gateway lodges and guesthouses listed here book the same way, so you can mix nights inside the park with a stay outside.
SANParks opens rest-camp bookings about a year in advance, and popular camps sell out within days for school holidays, long weekends and peak season. Request as early as you can on Spekboom for those dates. Stays just outside the park usually have availability much closer to the time, and you can book those here too.
Yes. SANParks charges a daily conservation fee per person on top of accommodation, with lower rates for South African residents and SADC nationals. Wild Card members do not pay the daily fee. Tariffs are revised each year, so check current rates when you book.
The best time to visit Tsitsikamma National Park is Apr-Sep.
Popular activities at Tsitsikamma National Park include game drives, hiking, camping, bird watching, photography.
2 places are listed in and near Tsitsikamma National Park on Spekboom, from inside-park rest camps to nearby lodges. Request them here; Spekboom handles the SANParks confirmation. Every booking funds conservation.
Other parks and reserves that share something with Tsitsikamma National Park.
Park rules, maps and daily conservation fees. Book rest camps and nearby stays on Spekboom, not on the SANParks website.