Tsitsikamma South Africa

SOUTH AFRICAN SAFARIS AND TSITSIKAMMA

Tsitsikamma is a coastal reserve & protected area making up a fair portion of the Garden Route. Tsitsikamma can be found approximately 615 km east from Cape Town and 195 km from Port Elizabeth. Despite the long distances to get to Tsitsikamma most tourists, when in South Africa, will spend a few days of their holiday travelling up or down parts of the Garden Route… and if you think you will be doing the same then Tsitsikamma is a must.

This area was named after the Khoisan phrase that means ‘place of abundant water’ – it’s believed that this refers to the Tsitsikamma River or the surrounding & protected coastal marine area… either way Tsitsikamma is known for its stunning coastline, dramatic river and indigenous forest. In 1964 Tsitsikamma was proclaimed the first marine national park in Africa… with activities such as sailing, surfing, scuba diving and the beautiful beaches you can see easily why this area needs to be protected. The Tsitsikamma Mountains also falls into the protected region of the Tsitsikamma National Park; the highest point on this mountain is called ‘Peak Formosa’ at 1675 m. There are even hiking trails around the mountains for the adventurous hikers…

Tsitsikamma also boasts the Otter Trail, Bloukrans Bridge (highest bungee jump at 216 m), restaurants, shops, tree-top canopy tours, surfing, canoeing, camping, swimming and much more.  

The protected and indigenous forest of Tsitsikamma contains the most amazing array of vegetation, such as; woody shrubs, heath, proteas, fynbos, geranium, stinkwood, giant Outeniqua yellowwoods and about 7700 more unique plant species. For the avid bird lovers; you can enjoy possible sightings of African black oyster catchers, orange-breasted sunbirds, Nerina trogans, Knysna Loeris and about 200 more species of fascinating birds. Wildlife sightings range from dolphins and whales to caracal, genet, chacma baboons, dussies, mongooses and even leopards.

If you love history then Tsitsikamma is a great historic holiday destination to visit as it contains cultural heritage gems, such as; Khoisan caves, shell middens & rock art, small fishing settlements, abandoned forestry operators and grave sites.   

Tsitsikamma has a pleasant climate which makes it even more attractive as a holiday destination. It receives about 1000 mm of rainfall per annum and sometimes it even snows on the highest peaks of the Tsitsikamma Mountains. In the summer months the temperatures range between 20ºC and 28ºC. The best time to visit Tsitsikamma would be in the warmer summer months – anytime between September and April is recommended.

Have a look at our South African Safaris that include the Garden Route and Tsitsikamma … There are also other South African attractions beneath that you might want to visit on your South African Safari.

• Kruger National Park
• Garden Route
• Cape Town
• Winelands
• KwaZulu-Natal
• Addo Elephant National Park
• Greater St Lucia
• Hluhluwe-Umfolozi National Park
• Overberg
• Pilanesberg National Park
• Ukhahlamba
• West Coast
• Aquila
• Table Mountain
• Cango Caves
• Cape Point, Cape Agulhas
• Drakensberg
• Gods Window
• Kapama Game Reserve
• Kirstenbosch
• Knysna
• Madikwe Game Reserve
• Pilgrims Rest
• Robben Island
• Soweto
• Sun City
• Karoo South Africa
• Wild Coast
• V&A Waterfront
• Johannesburg
• Gansbaai
• Valley of a 1000 Hills
• Inverdoorn
• Cederberg
• Kimberley
• Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
• Zululand
• The Battlefields