2019 The Tsitsikamma mountains form an east-west range in the southern region of the 2019 South African coast in the Western Cape and Eastern Cape provinces. Stretching just over 80 km from the Keurbooms River in the west just north of Plettenberg Bay, to Kareedouw Pass in the east, near the town of Kareedouw. It forms a continuous range with the Outeniqua Mountains to the west. The range consists almost exclusively of Table Mountain sandstone which is extremely erosion-resistant. Peak Formosa is the highest point in the range at 1675m. The climate of the range is extremely mild, with temperature variations only between 10°C and 25°C generally and rainfall exceeding 1000mm per annum, thus the region supports verdant fynbos and Afro-Mantane temperate gallery forest habitats. Snow sometimes occurs on the highest peaks in winter. The topography of the mountains is interesting, in that the range rises abruptly from the south at a very defined line that runs almost due east-west at the 34º south latitude. The Storms River Bridge was one of the first arch bridges in South Africa with a span of 100m over the gorge at a height of 123m above the river. In 1954 a Roman professor was appointed to construct a bridge over the Storms River to link Port Elizabeth to George via the N2. Completed in 1956, the Ricardo Morandi designed bridge was built 15 years prior to Van Stadens and 28 years before the 3 Bloukrans-area arches came along in 1984. Storms River is unusual for having inclined spandrel supports that radiate out from the main arch rib. The approach supports are also inclined in the opposite direction - balancing out the profile of the entire bridge. The Bloukrans arch bridge is the highest on the entire continent of Africa with a deck 216m above the bottom of the gorge. Located on the N2, the 2-lane route also has several other spectacular and high concrete arch bridges including the Van Stadens, Storms River, Groot River and Bobbejaans River bridges. This is also the only highway in the world outside of China or Italy to have 3 bridges in excess of 152m in height. When it opened in 1984, the Bloukrans also held the record for being the world’s highest concrete arch bridge. The span was constructed using the stayed cantilever method whereby a tower is erected on either side of the gorge and cables temporarily radiate out from it to support individual sections of the arch until the two halves can be joined in the middle. The South African engineering firm of Liebenberg and Stander was responsible for the design. 59 62 58 P T T P N2 N2 N2 N2 N2 N2 N2 55 61 57 P P N2 N2 N2 N2 Formosa Street 56 17 17 60 12 Tsitsikamma Backpackers Lodge 042 281 1868 Good quality family rooms with communal self catering facilities. www.tsitsikammabackpackers.co.za 18 Black Water Tubing 042 281 1757 10 Bistro at Bitou & Art Gallery 081 099 9957 Homely and relaxed, free Wi-fi. [email protected] The original and ultimate adventure experience. The fun filled experience is ideal www.tubenaxe.co.za Homemade food at a vibrant, arty restaurant. Great gallery and grounds. www.stormsriverart.co.za for anyone seeking a spectacular day out in nature. [email protected] 8 to late. [email protected] 40 Tsitsikamma Cottages 083 270 8959 Fully equipped self catering units with breathtaking mountain views www.tsitsikamma.net 4 Bloukrans Bungy 042 281 1458 4 Cliffhanger Pub 072 444 6509 and many activities on the premises. [email protected] World’s highest bungy jump from a bridge. www.faceadrenalin.com Pub and Restaurant at Bloukrans Bridge. - [email protected] 45 Tsitsikamma Faith Farm 082 302 0610 [email protected] Self catering units and Christian camping facilities with big lawns and - 7 Garden Route National Park 042 281 1607 53 Fynboshoek Cheese Farm & Cheesemaking Workshop 072 342 0445 a play park. [email protected] Suspension Bridge trail, Boat trip, Otter trail, Waterfall. Boat trips. www.sanparks.org Food at source. SA’s Best Small Cheesemaker 2014. Bookings essential. - [email protected] 55 Tsitsikamma Gardens Self Catering Cottages 083 301 6774 [email protected] Two cottages nestled by a working dairy farm in the adventure hub of www.tsitsikammaselfcatering.com 1 Hog Hollow Horseriding Trails 082 771 3745 21 Marilyn’s 60’s Diner 042 281 1711 (ext 267) Tsitsikamma. [email protected] 1, 2 & 3 hour trails & day excursions to winelands and animal sanctuaries nearby. www.horseridinggardenroute.com Swing into Marilyn’s for a typical diner menu – a trip down memory lane! www.marilyns60sdiner.co.za 5 Tsitsikamma Khoisan Village 042 281 1450 [email protected] [email protected] Fully equipped self catering accommodation. www.tsitsikamma.org.za 59 Moria Riding School & Mountain Horse Trips 082 925 9301 46 Oudebosch Farm Stall 042 285 0562 [email protected] Daily mountain horseriding trips. Historical horse cart rides and moonlight riding www.baviaanshorsetrips.co.za Farm Stall and Wedding Venue. www.oudeboschfarmstall.co.za trips by arrangement. [email protected] 49 Tsitsikamma Seaside Accommodation 083 656 2891 [email protected] Stunning self catering holiday homes situated on the Tsitsikamma coast. www.tsitsikammaseaside.co.za 29 Tsitsikamma Adventure Land 072 664 2419 15 Tsitrus Café 076 873 1509 [email protected] We offer adventurous activities such as Quad biking and many more! www.tsiadventure.com Coffee shop. Pizza, wine, light meals and gifts. www.tsitruscafe.co.za [email protected] café@atthewoods.co.za 23 Tsitsikamma Canopy Tours 042 281 1836 21 Tsitsikamma Microbrewery 042 281 1711 (ext 267) A family fun activity 30m above forest floor on 10 cable slides. www.stormsriver.com A craft brewery that supplies really good beer! www.tsitsikammamicrobrewery.co.za [email protected] [email protected] 16 Andelomi Forest Lodge 042 281 1726 Tsitsikamma Woodcutters Journey 042 281 1836 A B&B best for friendliness, rest and peace in Storms River. www.andelomi.com 23 [email protected] Experience the Tsitsikamma forest’s history in comfort of a specially www.stormsriver.com designed vehicle. [email protected] 9 Armagh Country Lodge and Spa 042 281 1512 46 Oudebosch Info Centre 042 285 0562 Character-filled classic rooms, honeymoon hideaway cottages, www.thearmagh.com 12 Tsitsikamma SEGWAY Tours 081 320 3977 At Oudebosch Farm Stall. [email protected] spa and restaurant. [email protected] Guided Segway Tours. Perfect FAMILY adventure. www.segwayfun.co.za Everyone wants to ride a Segway! [email protected] 62 Bloukrans Bookings & Info Centre 084 790 9040 51 Assegaaibosch Country Lodge (Kareedouw) 042 288 0700 Tsitsikamma Falls Adventures 042 280 3770 At the Bloukrans Bridge. [email protected] Forest & chapel weddings, conferencing, accommodation, forest walks & www.assegaaibosch.co.za 36 wonderful food. [email protected] 8 exhilirating ziplines over 3 waterfalls. www.tsitsikammaadventure.co.za 10 Stormsriver Info Centre 042 281 1098 [email protected] Storms River Village. - 15 At the Woods Guest House 042 281 1446 Tsitsikamma Info Centre 042 280 3561 Relaxed, stylish B&B accommodation close to all attractions. Pool, TV’s, www.atthewoods.co.za Tsitsikamma Wolf Sanctuary 082 956 4175 27 Mountain views. Wi-fi. [email protected] 39 Come experience the enchanting wolves while relaxing in our picnic viewing area. www.wolfsa.org.za At Total Tsitsikamma. - [email protected] 56 Walk In Bookings 042 281 1043 58 Buffelsdam Country House (The Crags) 072 695 1558 Privately run info centre in Storms River Village. [email protected] Come unwind at Buffelsdam, where modern comforts and the www.buffelsdam.co.za 8 Untouched Adventures 073 130 0689 refreshing countryside meet. [email protected] Kayak & lilo, Scuba & Snorkel at the Storms River Mouth. www.untouchedadventures.com [email protected] 37 Elandsrivier Guest House 042 280 3505 Experience the joys & tranquility of life on a dairy farm with nature at www.elandsrivier.co.za your doorstep. [email protected] Fynbos Golf Estate Accommodation 042 285 0321 26 Big Tree 042 281 1557 18 Tube n Axe Accommodation 042 281 1757 48 500m wooden boardwalk through indigenous forest leads to the Yellowwood giant. www.sanparks.org National and provincial award winning Lodge offering a wide variety of www.tubenaxe.co.za Enjoy 9 holes of golf whilst staying on the estate. www.fynbosgolf.co.za - accommodation, food & beverage and recreational facilities for all ages. [email protected] [email protected] 28 Dolphin Trail 042 280 3588 Tsitsikamma Backpackers Lodge 042 281 1868 2 Redford House (The Crags) 076 907 1019 12 A historic country house where the fish eagles fly and the night jar cries. www.redfordhouse.co.za Hike the Tsitsikamma Coastline in luxury. www.dolphintrail.co.za Good quality spacious family rooms and glamping tents. Daily meals. Free Wi-fi. www.tsitsikammabackpackers.co.za - [email protected] [email protected] 9 Fynbos Trail 042 281 1512 11 Storms River Guest Lodge 042 281 1703 This trail meanders through fynbos, and is an easy 1.8km flat route. www.thearmagh.co.za We have 14 spacious en-suite rooms situated in Storms River Village. www.stormsriverguestlodge.co.za - [email protected] 24 Goesa Trail 042 281 1557 The Village Lodge 042 281 1438 Gentle 2km walk with many tree ferns to see. www.sanparks.org 57 Albatros Luxury House 072 751 6162 22 - A spacious self catering house in Skuitbaai private resort. www.fynbosgolf.co.za Central in the Village, Family rooms with TV’s, Games Room, WIFI, www.stormsrivervillagelodge.com popular outdoor Lapa.