User:(WT-en) Babbelas/Tsitsikamma

Tsitsikamma forms the eastern part of the Garden Route in South Africa. Also is the

Cities

 * Storms River, the Gate to the Tsitsikamma National Park
 * Nature's Valley, One of the few remaining areas of truly outstanding natural beauty along the Garden Route

Other destinations

 * Tsitsikamma National Park: encloses one of the most beautiful coasts in South Africa between Eersterivier and Nature's Valley.

By plane
South African Airways has regular flights to George. The nearest international airport is in Cape Town

By car
The Garden Route is easily reached from

Cape Town : east on the N2 highway Durban, Port Elizabeth : west on the N2 highway Pretoria, Johannesburg, Bloemfontein : south on the the N1 then the N9 Kimberley : south on the N12

The N2 is the main highway that passes through the Garden Route, connecting Cape Town with Port Elizabeth.

By bus
The main companies offer regular services along the Garden Route from Cape Town and Port Elizabeth. The region is also on the Baz Bus route.

Get around
As local public transport between the towns is rare (except minibus services), the best way to tour the Route is by car. You can hire a car all along the Garden Route, be aware though that there is a fee if you drop the car off somewhere else from where you have picked it up.
 * Garden Route travel services including a range of itineraries; Safaris;accommodation venues; car rental and private guiding services.

By car
Substantial roadworks are in progress on the N2 with the current single lane sections being upgraded to double lanes in both ways. Imagine the intro photo on this article with two extra lanes being constructed on the left of the current road. Some sections are restricted to single direction traffic flow with manned stop/go control points. Typical delay at these points are 20 minutes each. Expect delays and plan your travel accordingly.

See

 * One truly massive old yellowwood tree. Note: due to the roadworks is the Big Tree closed until December 2009. The nearest Big Tree is situated near the Khoi San Village at the Bloukrans Bungy site.

Do

 * Visit Tsitsikamma National Park and hike the Otter trail
 * Surf in Plettenberg Bay or Vic Bay
 * Do the world's highest commercial bungee jump Bloukrans Bridge
 * Take a walk on the catwalk under the deck of the Bloukrans Bridge, 216m above ground and see how it is build.
 * 
 * Get acquainted with the locals of the Tsitsikamma and share their lives with your personalized guide, Geraldine Damons.

Eat
As a main tourist destination there are many restaurants for every taste. Enjoy superb fish from the ocean ; Knysna is the place to taste some oysters.

Sleep
The Tsitsikamma sites at Storms's River mouth and Nature's Valley are also places of scenic beauty, and out of season can be havens of peace where otters appear on the beach.

Stay safe
Compared with the larger cities the towns along the Garden Route are quite safe. As always use your common sense. Driving at night is fine.

Get out

 * Go ahead for Cape Town or Port Elizabeth.
 * Jeffreys Bay is a well-known for its surfing grounds.
 * Visit the Little Karoo just to the north of the Garden Route