Blogs from Tsitsikamma National Park, Western Cape, South Africa, Africa

We could not resist an early morning bike ride and a splash in the ocean before setting off to Tsitsikama only 100km away; another well-known stop on the Garden Route. We drove our bicycles through the nicely build canal area of St Francis Bay, admiring the gorgeous waterfront properties and the folks being active in their kayaks, canoes and jet skis. Some kids were already out and about jumping in and out of the water screaming and yelling from joy. Kids are kids everywhere. The black children from the ghettos nearby can not enjoy this canal areas. Even after Apartheid some communities like to stay separated. Tsitsikamma National Park is a multi-dimensional destination with dramatic coastal scenery, reefs, rivers and lush forest. The boundary of the Tsitsikamma National Park stretches some 5km out to sea, protecting ... read more

The first time we enjoyed the taste of homemade gorgonzola with a glass of red wine from the treehouse deck of the Wild Spirit Backpacker with a breathtaking view on the mountains and lush valleys of indigenous forest. Losing ourself in the forest discovering the waterfalls and rock pool, the Crags is defenitely a place not to miss.... read more

Beste mensen, De vorige keer ben ik geeindigd bij de bootreis van de wetlands.De avond ervoor had ik de blog met foto’s geupload maar dit ging allemaal zeer langzaam dus bij deze blog ook nog de ontbrekende foto’s van Swaziland van de vorige blog! De bootreis in de wetlands was prima verlopen, het was een leuke trip en we hebben een aantal nijlpaarden, krokodillen en vogels gezien en het was op zich zeker de moeite waard, maar we waren al erg verwend in het Krugerpark dus het was niet meer echt “super”speciaal! Na de bootreis zijn we met de auto naar het oostelijke gedeelte van het iSimangaliso wetland park gereden, dit is een park waar je zoals Kruger ook zelf kan rondrijden, maar dan aan een kust met enorme stranden. We zijn hier om 13.00 uur ... read more

Dear Nellie, I was just wondering what you were up to? Are you still eating all the juicy veggies visitors to your sanctuary dish out to you and your 4 legged friends? Are you still relishing showing off your gentle strength leaning gently against us whilst we try to push you along? Do you, the gentlest of all giant creatures ever wonder how great life would be if there were no poachers and hunters? Our visit at Tsitsikamma Forest was the most peaceful couple of hours in South Africa. We had already seen countless elephants on Safari in Kruger but having the opportunity to feed, touch and simply walk along with the elephants was simply therapeutic. Good night Nellie.... read more

Tuesday 4-5 to Wednesday 4-6 Around Tsitsikamma, we visited the largest and oldest (700 years) yellowwood tree in South Africa, known as the Big Tree. Considering the giant red woods in the U.S. and the giant fig trees we’ve seen in Australia and Costa Rica, this tree paled in comparison. Not so impressive and sadly not very yellow ;o) But it was nice to take a stroll in the crisp morning air. I didn’t realize how much of South Africa is managed forest. Everywhere we drove, we passed acre after acre of planted pine trees and logging trucks. More impressive than the Big Tree was the world’s tallest bungee jump (217m) at Bloukrans River. We watched the jumpers while sipping our hot, creamy beverages from the safety and comfort of a viewing platform. It was cool ... read more