Tsitsikamma Park entrance on track for spring

GARDEN ROUTE NEWS - The entrance gate to the Tsitsikamma section of the Garden Route National Park (GRNP) is expected to be completed in spring, after hiccups in the project hampered its progress.

The main aim of the new gate is to introduce a streamlined structure and system for visitors entering the main gate. There will be four lanes to enter the park and two to exit.

Roofing and paving are currently under way, and glass doors and windows were added last month. Speaking confidently about the progress of the project, Tsitsikamma area manager Bulelwa Msengi says, "We can certainly see the light now at the end of the tunnel. The construction is progressing well and not affecting visitors entering or exiting the park. We are confident the project will be completed by spring."

Measures in place to ensure easy access during peak season in December includes temporary entrance lanes as well as two to three roving SANParks officials to assist with paperwork from the entrance gate.

The Tsitsikamma section remains the most popular coastal national park in South Africa and reported an increase of 12% in the number of visitors to the park for the 2017/2018 financial year.

"Visitors are drawn to the park’s many activities. For starters, the park has 12 Green Flag status trails in close proximity making it the only park to have this in South Africa. The suspension bridge, water activities and the beauty of the national park are some of the reasons for the yearly increase," says Msengi.

The upgrade started in 2016 as part of a (approximately) R19-million project to improve infrastructure in the Storms River Rest Camp and includes the development around the Big Tree. The funds were granted by the Expanded Public Infrastructure Programme (EPIP) and national department of tourism.

More about the park
Following the First World Conference on National Parks held in 1962 in Seattle, US, the Tsitsikamma National Park was declared in 1964 to protect "coastal forest vegetation and marine world".

The park covers an 80km long stretch of coastline. Nature's Valley is at the western end of the park, and the main accommodation is at Storms River Mouth. GPS Coordinates: 34°01?S23°53

The Storms River swing bridge is one of the popular attractions to the park. Photos: Supplied

There are two rest camps, one in Storms River and another in Nature's Valley. The lush rainforest contrasted by plantations can be seen and accessed from the N2 into the Storms River camp. The Nature's Valley camp is 40km west of Storms River Mouth and is accessible from the R102.

According to the park’s State of Knowledge report (2005), the Tsitsikamma mountains are 900 to 1 600m high. The most common species of trees are milkwood, real yellowwood, stinkwood, Cape blackwood, forest elder, white pear and candlewood, and gigantic Outeniqua yellowoods.

Tsitsikamma means "place of much clear water" in the Khoe-khoe language.

Staff on boat patrol in the Tsitsikamma marine protected area.