Day Trip from Plett to Nature’s Valley and Tsitsikamma
This trip is unique in that it will satisfy the most addicted adrenalin junkie and the nature lover at the same time.
How? you may ask…
Well, the route to Nature’s Valley is not only spectacular, taking you through old growth indigenous forest, mountain passes, lagoons, rivers, beaches and a secluded village but is also en-route to bungee jumping, zip line flips, forest canopy tours and black water tubing.
Those who are risk-averse can watch the junkies doing it, or visit Tsitsikamma National Park and do the suspension bridge walk over the Storms River.
Then there is the quaint village of Tsitsikamma that is worth a visit. Have tea or lunch at the hotel, or book for the canopy tour or the black water tubing.This trip is 180 kms return so pack your camera, hiking shoes, cozzie for a swim in Natures Valley, and binoculars if you are a birder.
Get ready for a great day!
From Plettenberg Bay, take the N2 towards Port Elizabeth. Just past the Crags, take the R102 to Nature’s Valley.
Drive through real old growth indigenous forest with green lichen hanging off the trees like beards from the Wizard of Oz. You could expect to see a troop of baboons foraging on the side of the road as you descend the Grootrivier Pass.
Just before the bridge, turn right to visit the unspoilt village of Natures Valley, where building regulations have ensured the preservation of the natural coastal bush.
The lagoon at Nature’s Valley is one of SA’s best, as is the magnificent beach.
There is a network of hikes through forest, rivers, along the beach and over rocks through stunning scenery which also produces good results for the birder. Hiking permits are obtained from the De Vasselot Camp, off the N2, just after the Nature’s Valley turnoff
Rivers, Forest, Beaches, Mountains – these hikes have it all!
Continue with the R102 up the other side of the Grootrivier Pass. Stop at the view site at the top. Carry on until you reach the N2 and turn right towards Port Elizabeth.
You will go through a toll gate. Three kms after the toll gate, you’ll drive over Bloukrans Bridge – the highest bridge in Africa, and the highest bungee jump in the world.
tsitsikamma adrenalin
Take the leap off the terrifying 216 meters Bloukrans Bungee bridge and boast afterward about taking the highest commercial bungee jump in the world!
Boast about taking the highest commercial bungee jump in the world!
You can even buy a DVD of your jump. Also offered are Bridge Walks (where you walk underneath the bridge on a suspended catwalk – still pretty grizzly if you’re scared of heights!) and the “Flying Fox”, a 200m cable slide to the middle of the bridge. This bungee site operates daily from 9am to 5pm – take the turn-off immediately to your left after driving over the bridge towards Port Elizabeth. Contact details are +27(0)42 281 1458
After the bungee jump, the next turnoff to the right will take you to the Tsitsikamma National Park. There is a lovely walk to the Storms River Mouth after which you can cool off and soak up the surroundings at the restaurant. This is also where the famous 42-kilometre Otter Trail starts. For reservations or more info, call them on +27(0)42 281 1607.
Continue on the N2 and not much further on, take the turn off to the right to the Village of Storms River.
Go on a Canopy Tour – consisting of ten platforms high up in a yellowwood forest, you slide down ten long “fufi” or cable slides.
It’s safe and secure, and will take you on an exciting and really unique ecological journey. Call Tsitsikamma Canopy Tours on +27(0)42 281 1836. Their office is in the small village of Storms River. Have a cup of tea at the local hotel with it’s Cape Dutch architecture.
Return to the N2 and drive for a short distance to the Big Tree on your left. Take the short walk to see the tree before returning to Plett.
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