Tsitsikamma National Park
Dreamlike nature in South Africa
The Tsitsikamma National Park is located on the southern tip of South Africa between Cape Town and Port Elizabeth. The now no longer independent national park has been part of the Garden Route National Park for eight years and one of the most famous nature reserves and one of the last primeval forests in South Africa.
The park
The Tsitsikamma National Park was opened back in 1964 and now has an area of almost 30,000 hectares. The area consists of impressive primeval forest, stretches for approx. 100 km along the coast and also protects the adjacent strip of sea over a width of 5 km.
The park is particularly known and popular for its huge yellowwod trees. These evergreen trees reach a height of up to 40 meters and the diameter of a trunk is around three meters. Overall, the vegetation in the Tsitsikamma National Park is very lush and diverse.
The park is also home to some species of birds, monkeys and even smaller species of antelope. Dolphins and whales can often be seen off the coast.
Sights and walks
The national park in South Africa offers a number of impressive sights that are interesting and exciting for locals and tourists alike. The suspension bridge, for example, is a great destination. Whales can also be observed from there at the right time of year. This suspension bridge is located over the mouth of the Storms River. The way there leads through a damp forest, as it is typical in this area. Very close to the bridge, boats invite you to take a short ride, which shows, among other things, the gorge of the river. The “Lookout Trail” leads behind the Suspension Bridge up a mountain to two beautiful viewpoints. At the first point you get a wonderful view of the sea, the coast and the forests.
Those who would like to discover the “Blue Duiker Trail” can enjoy the beautiful nature in the interior of South Africa. This hiking trail leads tourists through the lush jungle and offers unforgettable moments in an impressive landscape. The path ends with the “Agulhas” lookout point.
The “Waterfall Trail” is also very popular and is a popular day trip. First the path leads over beautiful green meadows and dense forest. Afterwards, nature lovers can admire pristine stretches of coastline and steep cliffs. At the end of this trail, one of the greatest sights in Tsitsikamma awaits: the waterfall. The natural highlight is extremely impressive and invites you to cool off and relax.
Addo Elephant Park
National Park in South Africa
The Addo Elephant Park, northeast of Port Elizabeth, impresses with the multitude of exotic animals that live in it and is the largest national park in the South African province of Eastern Cape. Since this national park is not far from the legendary Garden Route, it is easily accessible and therefore very popular.
In particular, the camp set up for visitors, in which a restaurant and a pool are available in addition to various accommodations, is very popular and is the starting point for varied tours through the park.
A sanctuary for elephants
The Addo Elephant Park was established as early as 1931 to protect the elephant population in the area, which had been reduced to 11 animals at the time. This was preceded by targeted hunting of these animals, as fields and gardens were frequently devastated by them in the region. The population, which is only slowly recovering due to the protective measures, has been prevented from devastating human settlements by a newly built protective fence since 1954, a time when 22 elephants lived in the Addo Elephant Park. Today around 600 elephants live in the very extensive national park, which has been expanded several times in the course of its history and is also supposed to continue to grow, as the existing area does not offer a habitat for more than the specimens currently living there.
The Addo Elephant Park – a paradise for many animal species
An extensive road network makes it possible to reach even remote areas of the park, especially since the two main roads are paved. The other roads and paths within the national park have gravel and are easily passable. Over the years, a number of other animals have settled in the Addo Elephant Park, so that you can also experience zebras, black rhinos and antelopes in the wild. As a result of the targeted settlement of lions in 2003, all animals belonging to the so-called “Big Five”, lion, leopard, elephant, rhinoceros and buffalo are represented in the Addo Elephant Park and make excursions in this park, which is also impressive in terms of landscape, an experience. where you can discover a lot.
