If the Garden Route has a wild heart, it beats in Tsitsikamma. Here the ancient forest doesn't ease gently into the sea — it plunges, down sheer cliffs and into deep river gorges where the Indian Ocean thunders against black rock. It is a place of superlatives: the Storms River suspension bridge swaying above the surf, the world's highest bridge bungee nearby, the legendary Otter Trail, and forest so old and dense it feels prehistoric. The name itself, from the Khoekhoe, is often translated as "place of much water" — and one look at those tumbling rivers explains why.
This complete guide covers the suspension bridge and 2026 fees, the Bloukrans bungee, canopy tours, hiking, kayaking and exactly how to visit the Garden Route's most spectacular stretch.
Tsitsikamma — where ancient forest plunges into the wild Indian Ocean.
Quick Answer
Tsitsikamma is the coastal section of the Garden Route National Park — a wilderness of forest, gorges and pounding surf. The must-do is the walk to the Storms River suspension bridge (a 45–60 min return boardwalk from the rest camp). 2026 SANParks entry is about R232 per international adult. Nearby, the Bloukrans bungee (216 m — the world's highest bridge jump) costs around R1,690. Add canopy tours, kayaking and the Otter Trail. It's a 6–7 hour drive from Cape Town, best done as part of a multi-day Garden Route tour.
Do it the easy way — let our team plan your Garden Route adventure.
The Storms River Suspension Bridge
The image that sells the whole Garden Route is the Storms River suspension bridge — a 77-metre pedestrian bridge slung across the river mouth just where it spills into the sea. Getting there is half the joy: from the Storms River Mouth Rest Camp, a well-maintained boardwalk trail winds for about 20–30 minutes each way through coastal forest and fynbos, past viewpoints over the churning gorge, before delivering you onto the gently swaying deck. Below, the dark river meets the surf; above, cliffs rise into forest. It's an easy, family-friendly walk with an unforgettable payoff. (Don't confuse it with the Paul Sauer road bridge on the N2, about 19 km away — that's a different "Storms River Bridge".)
Tsitsikamma Entrance & Fees
Tsitsikamma is managed by SANParks as part of the Garden Route National Park, so a daily conservation fee applies. For 2026, expect roughly R232 per international adult, with much lower rates for South African citizens and SADC nationals, and free entry for SANParks Wild Card holders. The fee covers the Storms River Mouth Rest Camp and the suspension-bridge walk. As always, SANParks sets and adjusts fees annually, so verify before you travel — or let a guided tour handle entry and timing for you.
The Bloukrans Bungee
About 30 km east of the park, the Bloukrans Bridge arcs 216 metres above its gorge — and from it plunges the world's highest commercial bridge bungee jump. Operated by Face Adrenalin and running 365 days a year (weather permitting), it's the Garden Route's ultimate adrenaline rite. For 2026, the "Jump and Skywalk" package runs around R1,690; if you'd rather keep your feet closer to the bridge, the Skywalk "hangout" under the deck is about R500. Jumpers must be 14 or older and weigh 35–150 kg. It's a separate commercial site — not covered by your park fee. Our 2-Day Garden Route Adventure packages it with a Tsitsikamma canopy zipline and shark cage diving for the full thrill-seeker's tour.
Canopy Tours, Kayaking & Hiking
Beyond the bridge, Tsitsikamma is an adventure playground. The canopy tour sends you gliding on ziplines between platforms high in the forest treetops — thrilling but gentle enough for families. The kayak-and-lilo trip paddles up the Storms River gorge into a hidden world of cliffs and caves. Hikers can tackle sections of the world-famous Otter Trail — the full five-day, 42 km coastal route is booked out up to a year ahead, but its spectacular first stretch to the Storms River mouth and waterfall makes a superb day walk. There's also snorkelling and diving in the protected marine reserve.
Storms River Village & Getting There
The nearby Storms River Village is a charming little forest settlement with cafés, lodges and adventure operators — an ideal base. Tsitsikamma sits about 570–600 km east of Cape Town along the N2, roughly a six-to-seven-hour drive past Mossel Bay, George, Knysna and Plettenberg Bay, so almost everyone visits as part of a multi-day Garden Route road trip rather than one long haul. The nearest airport is George (about two hours west); Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth) lies to the east near Addo.
Tsitsikamma on a Garden Route Journey
Tsitsikamma is the dramatic climax of any Garden Route trip. Our Tsitsikamma & Storms River adventure day tour is the focused option, while the 5-Day Garden Route tour links it with Knysna, the Cango Caves and Oudtshoorn, and the elephants of Addo for the complete experience.
Let us take you across that swaying bridge, into the forest canopy and along the wildest coast in the country. Talk to our Garden Route team and we'll build your perfect adventure.
