This region, stretches from Plettenberg Bay to Jeffreys Bay and is renowned for its dense forests, majestic mountains and deep river gorges. It forms the eastern end of the Garden Route. The word tsitsikamma is derived from the Khoekhoen words tse-tsesa meaning clear water. South Africa’s first marine park, the Tsitsikamma National Park, extends along a rocky coastline of 50 km, and 3 km out to sea. Inland, adventure seekers will find deep gorges and temperate evergreen forests criss-crossed by six hiking trails, including the five-day Otter Trail. The varied wildlife includes dolphins and whales, caracal, genet, chacma baboon, dassie and mongoose.
Another popular adventure is a black-water tubing experience on the Storms River. Prominent bird species in the area are the African black oystercatcher, the orange-breasted sunbird, the Nerina trogan and the colourful Knysna loerie. A lucky few may catch a glimpse of the rare Cape clawless otter, after which the Otter Trail is named.