Things to Do in Tsitsikamma

Tenikwa Wildlife Awareness Centre offers guests the opportunity for a close, safe, inter-active encounter with indigenous cats of South Africa. Guests will meet leopard, cheetahs, caracal, Serval, African wild cats and black-footed cats. The Tenikwa encounter is a great follow-on to a game reserve or safari experience to study these beautiful creatures at close quarters. Tenikwa also has a Meerkat Meander where visitors can see meerkats and tortoises and there is also a variety of indigenous waterfowl, Blue Cranes and Marabou Storks to delight bird watchers. Programs include one hour guided tours and cheetah walks. Entrance fees fund Tenikwa’s NPO Wildlife Rehabilitation and Release Programme. Open 09:00 – 17:00 daily 365 days a year, including Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. Amenities include a tea garden for light meals, parking, wheelchair friendly, Mothers Corner and liquor licence. +27 (0) 44 534 8170 +27 (0) 82 486 1515 info@tenikwa.co.za www.tenikwa.co.za

Birds of Eden is the Garden Route’s very own world class free flight bird sanctuary. Boasting the largest dome on the planet, the unique two hectare dome spans over a gorge of indigenous forest. The sanctuary has its own mysterious ruin, which incorporates a walk-behind waterfall. Another feature is its amphitheatre, which has the ability to seat over 200 visitors.Like Monkeyland, the popular primate sanctuary next-door, Birds of Eden features a canopy walk. Slightly shorter than the 128 meter bridge at Monkeyland, it is higher and hangs above the clouds. The decision to develop Birds of Eden stems from the need to create a safe environment in which to release a large collection of free-flight African birds and miniature monkeys. The sanctuary also enables bird owners to apply to release their pet birds into the sanctuary, after undergoing rehabilitation.Birds of Eden opened its doors to the public December 2005. Currently over 3500 birds live at the sanctuary.

Bramon Wine Estate is a boutique vineyard named after the Thorpes’ children Bram and Manon. Being the first Wine Estate this far east in the Western Cape, Bramon has broken new ground by pioneering vineyards in the Plettenberg Bay area.Producing a superior Sauvignon Blanc ‘cap classique’ sparkling wine, the first and only to be produced in the country, Plettenberg Bay has subsequently been classified as a wine of origin region. A coup for the area!Other wine farms have subsequently started up and the Garden Route’s own ‘Sparkling Wine Route’ is now underway.Bramon Methode Cap Classique is a dry brut with the delicate characteristics of it’s cultivar. Green grass and asparagus with granny smith apple aromas and a zesty lingering lime finish. The addition of ‘The Crags,’ a beautiful still Sauvignon with a granadilla and passion fruit nose has added to the Bramon range. New cultivars planted are increasing the range and uniqueness Bramon has become synonymous with and will be vinified in the cellar currently being built. Vukani Empowerment wines are a hand selected collection of local cultivars. Vukani means ‘wake up’ in isiXhosa and supports developing farmers in the Plettenberg Bay area. A percentage of these sales go to The Vukani Trust which helps establish and train previously dis-advantaged farmers in the fields of viticulture and wine making where they have been awarded diplomas in their area of expertise.Land has now been secured around Kurland Village, the Crags’ Township, where they will establish vineyards under the mentorship of Bramon Wines for the Vukani Cellars. This will not only ensure an income for the community but also promote a sustainable, environmentally sound lifestyle for the area as a whole.Vukani and Bramon are committed to the upliftment, education and improvement of the community and further projects are in the pipeline.

Spectacular coastlines, lush forests, deep river gorges, majestic mountains and open savannah – the Garden Route National Park has it all. This section of the South Coast of South Africa owns one of the loveliest stretches of coastline on the planet. Home to a variety of ecosystems, the park combines the world renowned Wilderness and Tsitsikamma sections, the Knysna Lake section, various mountains, and indigenous forest and Fynbos regions. Resembling a mosaic of landscapes and seascapes from ocean to mountain areas, the Garden Route National Park is celebrated for its diverse ecological and cultural heritage. Not only that, the Park is a playground for adventurers and nature lovers. Managed by SAN Parks, it offers numerous accommodation choices, events, activities, places of interest and scenic attractions.

Starting a little distance from the restaurant, the Loerie Trail is one of the short hikes from Storms River Mouth Rest Camp that don’t require permits or fees. The two-kilometre circular route starts on the same path as the Blue Duiker Trail and takes a short cut through beautiful scrub forest featuring small trees of Cape Beech, Kershout and Bastard saffronwood. The meandering path then passes through pristine coastal fynbos. Don’t miss seeing the views from the lookout platform. This is also a brilliant vantage point to spot whales in winter. Grab a copy of 'Secrets of the Forest' and 'Deeper into the Forest' at the Enviro Centre. Maps and info are available at the camp's Info Centre. The start and end is well signposted just off the tarred road.

Known as ‘Day One’ of the massively popular Otter Trail, the Waterfall Trail is definitely a worthwhile excursion at Storms River Mouth. The linear route runs along the coastline for three kilometres until reaching the graceful waterfall, which marks the halfway point. The starting time for doing this walk is all important – in latest time to start in summer is 14:30 and in winter it is 13:30. The hike is considered tricky because of the jagged and slippery terrain and it is advisable to tackle it at low tide. Don’t forget to take your swimming gear for a cooling plunge under the waterfall. Look out for the red flash of Knysna turacos in flight. Grab a map of the various walks and a list of fauna and flora species at the Storms River Mouth Info Centre.

Looking for hip and unusual things to do on the Garden Route? Segway Off-Road ECO-Tours offer guided tours on a Segway Personal Transporter, a great way to see the outdoors. The Segway Personal Transporter is easy and safe to use. Before each tour, guests receive a thorough orientation from an experienced trainer. Tours pass through the quaint Storms River Village, into the Tsitsikamma pine forest and over the historical Witteklip Bridge. Booking is essential. www.segwaytours.co.za

This scenic ride offers 22 kilometres of wonderful riding through forest and mountain fynbos. Suitable for families, the undemanding trail mostly follows comfortable contours in the plantation and indigenous forest. Starting from Storms River Village along the old Storms River Pass, the trail takes cyclists over the low water bridge over the Storms River. This will get you to the awesome viewpoint of Storms River Mouth in the Tsitsikamma National Park. From this point you have the choice of cycling back on the same route or walking with your bike down to the suspension bridge. Mountain bike hire: Mild2Wild Adventure Centre +27 (0)42 281 1054

Monkey about and zip between the tree tops for a unique forest experience. Situated in the magnificent Tsitsikamma Forest, the Tsitsikamma Canopy Tour was the first tree top canopy tour to be developed in South Africa. Combining a generous shot of adrenaline with a stunning setting, the trip through the trees consists of 10 platforms and 10 slides, the longest of which is 100 metres. Steel cables are suspended up to 30 metres above the forest floor and most of the platforms are in massive Outeniqua Yellowwood trees. The scenery and bird life is amazing from this height. Well-trained professional guides keep you entertained with interesting details about the forest during the two to three hour trip. Tours start with a thorough safety briefing followed by a kitting up session. At this stage you will be issued and assisted with a full body harness, pulleys and climbing equipment which is then checked. A short drive takes you into the Tsitsikamma Forest and then the fun begins!

Get your grey matter going at Plett Puzzle Park! Situated in the heart of the beautiful Garden Route among blue mountains and rolling fields, Plett Puzzle Park will entertain the whole family.Plett Puzzle Park features the first life size 3-D Maze in South Africa, as well as an exciting Forest Puzzle Walk which meanders through the natural forest, and a fun Rope Maze for the kids. Plett is more than just the beach This is a place for visitors of all ages to exercise their bodies and minds in an entertaining, educational and affordable way – no more boring days when not on the beach! Light refreshments are available in a lovely garden setting, and the Puzzle Gift Shop has games and puzzles for all ages. Don't forget to wear comfortable shoes and bring a hat!

One of the most popular and heartwarming places to visit along the Garden Route is Monkeyland. This unique sanctuary endeavors to rehabilitate and free previously caged primates into a harmonious forest environment.Entry to Monkeyland is free – this entitles you to spend time on the forest deck, which also doubles as a restaurant named The Blue Monkey Cafe. Primates moving about the forest are always seen and heard from the deck. An amazing thing to do is go on a monkey safari with one of the rangers (for which there is a fee).These walking safaris take visitors into the forest where the primates are free roaming. The rangers will track the primates and impart interesting information about them, the forest and anything else you come across. Part of the safari route takes you across the 128 meter canopy walk which rises above the forest canopy for a birds’ eye view of this primate paradise. The safaris last an hour and depart from reception each half hour. The tours depart daily, every half hour and are open-ended which means that you can go on more than one tour on the same day. Safari guides are multi-lingual. German, Spanish, Italian, Dutch, French, Xhosa, Swedish and Finnish tours can be arranged by contacting Lara 082 979 5683 lara@monkeyland.co.za

South Africa’s most frequently hiked trail is so popular that bookings need to be made at least a year in advance – but don’t let that stop you. The dramatic setting of luxuriant Tsitsikamma forest meeting the rugged Indian Ocean coastline in the Garden Route National Park contributes greatly to this unforgettable five-day hiking experience. Along with the incredibly diverse natural beauty, the area is paradise to numerous birds, wildlife, plants and trees. Starting at Storms River Mouth, the first day is an easy warm up of 4.8 km, passing an interesting cave and gorgeous waterfall. The following three days are fairly tough and a reasonable level of fitness is required. The last leg of the 42 km route is a relatively easy 6 km amble to Nature's Valley. Footpaths mostly follow the shoreline along cliff tops with stunning ocean views – dolphins and whales are often spotted. The trail returns to sea level for river crossings. Be aware of the dates and times of high and low tides as it is highly inadvisable to attempt river crossings during high tide. The best time to hike the trail is between September and March. Overnight stops are situated at stunning locations. Rustic wooden huts offer bunks and mattresses, fireplaces, firewood, drinking water and toilets.

Five… four… three… Experience the extreme thrill of the highest commercial bungy jump bridge in the world. So you’re brave enough? After being secured in a full body harness, you walk along a 200-metre catwalk suspended beneath the road surface. This gets you to the place where it all happens – the top of the arch – 216 metres above the Bloukrans River! Not into plunging headfirst? Try the exhilarating zip across the gorge on a 200-metre Flying Fox cable slide (foofie slide in South Africa speak). This takes you to the top of the arch where you can watch all the action. For the less fearless you can walk along the catwalk to the top of the arch from where you look out over the gorge to the mountains and the sea in the distance.