Greater Tsitsikamma – Tsitsikamma National Park/Storms River Mouth

About the Birding

Greater Tsitsikamma – Tsitsikamma National Park/Storms River Mouth – return to the N2 via the eastern side of the Grootrivier Pass and drive east through the Toll Plaza for about 21 kms to the turnoff to the Tsitsikamma National Park/Storms River Mouth.

The National Park has a number of walking trails which offer good birding, some are The Mouth Trail, The Loerie Trail and The Blue Duiker Trail. Trail maps are available at the entrance gate office. Bird species to be seen will be similar to the Nature’s Valley bird list in the coastal forests and on the fynbos plateau. The long stretch of rocky shoreline provides more shore and sea birds and there are usually a number of spots where the terns roost. At sea you may see Cape Gannet, Subantarctic (Brown) Skua, Parasitic Jaeger and Common Tern.

The Storms River Village is worth a visit and there is good birding along the Plaatbos Walk just outside the village.

Key species:

Victorin’s Warbler, Cape Sugarbird , Cape Grassbird, Knysna Turaco, Knysna Woodpecker, Cape Batis, White-starred Robin, Chorister Robin-chat, African Finfoot, Forest Buzzard

About the Birding Site

The Greater Tsitsikamma covers the area from the N2 along the plateau on the R102 through the Fynbos reserve to the Grootrivier Pass, Nature’s Valley estuary and forest trails around the Groot River, then continuing on the R102 to the N2 and on to the Tsitsikamma National Park and Storm’s River mouth. Afromontane forest, deep river gorges and fynbos covered plateaus predominate in this coastal strip against the backdrop of the Tsitsikamma mountains.

Key species:

Victorin’s Warbler, Cape Sugarbird , Cape Grassbird, Knysna Turaco, Knysna Woodpecker, Cape Batis, White-starred Robin, Chorister Robin-chat, African Finfoot, Forest Buzzard

Other Related Information

Access and facilities:
Wild Cards are applicable for all Garden Route National Parks
N2/R102 junction for Crags to Nature’s Valley: -33.9382, 23.4899
Natures Way Farm forest road access: -33.9417, 23.5107
Salt River Fynbos trail parking area: -33.9673, 23.5397
Nature’s Valley Camp Site entrance: -33.9706, 23.5616

Other related information:

Access and facilities:
Groot River Trail Boardwalk (after bridge): -33.9681, 23.5593
Tsitsikamma Toll Plaza: -33.9508, 23.6235
N2/Tsitsikamma NP turnoff: -33.9712, 23.8398
Tsitsikamma – Walks and Short Hikes in Storms River Village and Tsitsikamma National Park
Storms River Village: -33.9695, 23.8879

Recommended accommodation nearby:
There is a good variety of accommodation available in both Natures Valley and Storms River towns.

Local guide information:
No BirdLife South Africa Birder Friendly tour operators in the area.
Ian Pletzer
Cell: +27 (0)83 357 5267
Email: Pletzer.Ian@gmail.com operates locally

Text prepared by:
Bruce Ward-Smith – Birdlife Plettenberg Bay

Key species:

Victorin’s Warbler, Cape Sugarbird , Cape Grassbird, Knysna Turaco, Knysna Woodpecker, Cape Batis, White-starred Robin, Chorister Robin-chat, African Finfoot, Forest Buzzard

Contact details:

Farm Stay Accommodation
Accommodation: Anne Wilson
Cell: +27 (0)73 565 6400
Farm stall & Nursery: Judy Wilson
Tel: +27 (0)44 534 8849
Email: Natureswayfarmstay@gmail.com
Website: naturesway-sa.com

Garden Route National Park – Nature’s Valley Camp Site and Storms River Mouth
Reservations: +27 (0)12 428 9111
Website: www.sanparks.org/parks/garden_route