Tsitsikamma National Park

Tsitsikamma National Park
Storms River mouth in the Tsitsikamma National Park
Map showing the location of Tsitsikamma National Park
Map showing the location of Tsitsikamma National Park
Tsitsikamma National Park location
LocationWestern Cape and Eastern Cape, South Africa
Nearest cityKnysna
Coordinates34°01′S 23°53′E / 34.017°S 23.883°E / -34.017; 23.883
Established2009
A large wooden building on a rocky promontory with sea and surf in the background
Storms River mouth

The Tsitsikamma National Park is a protected area on the Garden Route, Western Cape and Eastern Cape, South Africa. It is a coastal reserve well known for its indigenous forests, dramatic coastline, and the Otter Trail. On 6 March 2009 it was amalgamated with the Wilderness National Park and various other areas of land to form the Garden Route National Park.[1]

The park covers an 80 kilometres (50 miles) long stretch of coastline. Nature's Valley is at the western end of the park, and the main accommodation is at Storms River Mouth. Near the park is the Bloukrans Bridge, the world's highest bridge bungee jump at 216 metres (709 ft).[2]

The word "Tsitsikamma" originates from the Khoekhoe language tse-tsesa, meaning "clear", and gami, meaning "water", probably referring to the clear water of the Tsitsikamma River.[3] Other meanings are 'place of much water' and 'waters begin'.[4]

  1. ^ "New Garden Route National Park Established". Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism. 6 March 2009. Retrieved 2008-03-09.
  2. ^ Westbrook, Andrew (12 November 2013). "Top 10 bungee jumps in the world". The Guardian. Retrieved 30 August 2017.
  3. ^ Tsitsikamma National Park, South Africa
  4. ^ Dictionary of Southern African Place Names