Tsitsikamma
Mountains, forest, ocean and adventure
Almost every guest who leaves, says to us … “We wish we had booked to stay another night, there is so much to do in the area, and we would have loved to have enjoyed time at the Lodge with a day at the spa or having a picnic by the dam or waterfall or playing chess in the gardens.”
Surrounded by Mountains often blanketed in a peaceful mist, dramatic Indian ocean landscapes, indigenous forests with cascading waterfalls, ancient rivers that meander through deep river gorges. A true garden of Eden …. it was the nomadic Khoikoi who named this place Tsitsikamma … place of abundant water.
Storms River Village began with Thomas Duthie, Warden of the crown forests, who decided to build a hunting lodge in 1836. 57 years later Thomas Bain a famous road building pioneer arrived in this wild place and built a pass following the winding elephant trails through the shady forests. Almost 200 years have passed by and the branches of the giant gum trees wave in the wind and welcome you as drive down the main street. The ruins of the old Toll house can still be seen, and it is amazing to contemplate that it took three days for an ox wagon to negotiate this pass en route to Port Elizabeth.
Today you can cycle from The Fernery Lodge to the Hunters Pub for an ice-cold drink… and raise a glass to Thomas and Thomas who founded our quant little village…the original Hunters Lodge still stands proud with its welcoming fire place at the historic Village Inn.
A cycle trip from The Fernery Lodge and Spa down the old Storms River Pass takes you through spectacular indigenous forest to cross the river, before climbing up to Storms River Village.
The peaceful setting of Storms River Village, lined by giant gum trees.
The Hunter’s Pub in Tsitsikamma village – the original Hunter’s Lodge and a worthy destination for anyone wanting to delve into the area’s colourful past.
Activities in Tsitsikamma
- Forest Ferns Wellness Spa – great for a couples massage or foot pamper after a day of hiking.
- Fernery Lodge Garden Tour – learn about Ferns, Fynbos and Mushrooms of the Forest.
- Fernery Lodge Mountain Bike hire per hour cycle through the dairy farms with mountain views.
- Quad Biking.
- Fernery Lodge Guided Mountain bike tours through the historic Baines Pass to Storms River Village.
- Fernery Lodge Guided Birding Tours.
- Honeybush Tea Tour – Visit a local community Project in Thornham.
- Fynbos Secret Cheese Farm Culinary Experience.
- Monkeyland and Birds of Eden.
- Wolf Sanctuary.
- Forest Zipline Adventure.
- Tubing Adventures down the Storms River to the Indian Ocean.
- Segway Tours.
- Visit the giant Yellowwood tree.
- Bungi off the Bloukrans Bridge – the highest bungi in Africa (216 M).
- Sky Walk on the Bloukrans Bridge – for those not keen to Bungi.
- Hike to the Storms River Mouth Suspension Bridge.
- Hike the Waterfall Trail.
- Book the Dolphin Trail 3-night 2 day Slack Packing Trail.
You’d go a long way to find a better cheese experience than Fynbosch Secret Cheese Farm. One of the Tsitsikamma’s many hidden gems.
The Waterfall Trail in Tsitsikamma National Park is a beautiful day hike which end at this incredible cascade of mountain water.
There are no lack of adventure activities for the adrenaline junkies.
The tranquil and lush gardens of The Fernery Lodge and Spa – so many ways to unwind after a busy day of Tsitsikamma explorations.