KNYSNA NEWS - Featuring upgraded huts and services, the Green Flag (status awarded for excellent management) Tsitsikamma Mountain Trail not only supports local communities but gives visitors from near and far a unique nature experience.
Tsitsikamma means "place of many waters" (Khoisan) and offers one of the country’s special destinations and experiences. The trail was recently revamped by the MTO Group, custodians of the area, through its extensive forestry operations spanning from Tokai in the Cape to Longmore south of Jeffreys Bay. All five of the huts on the trail have been upgraded but retain a rustic and outdoorsy experience with basic conveniences and maximum enjoyment.
Portage services for 'slackpacking'
Though the trail is known for its distance and difficulty, portage services are on hand to carry supplies for visitors from hut to hut, making the trail an option for those not keen on walking with a backpack. "Slackpacking" options allow for families to enjoy the hike. The truly hardcore can also consider combining the Tsitsikamma Mountain Trail with the nearby Otter Trail.
MTO chief executive Lawrence Polkinghorne says bringing this trail back into the limelight will help boost the local communities. “Visitors are encouraged to shop locally and MTO employ resident communities to maintain the trails. Local educational tours of the area are also frequently arranged, with facilities that cater for anything from single travellers to large groups. It is time for the rest of South Africa, and the world, to discover the unique Tsitsikamma Mountain Trail,” he says.
The newly upgraded hut at Keurbos offers all the convenience you would need after a long day on the trail.
Hiker's dream trail
Situated in the Tsitsikamma mountains, running along the borders of the Western and Eastern Cape, the five-day trail is a hiker's dream. It includes beaches, rivers and breathtaking views across rolling vistas. One can also enjoy the local wildlife, which includes wild bushbuck, fish eagles, honey badgers, vervet monkeys and even some shy predators. The Tsitsikamma contains about 42% of the animal species of southern Africa and is home to over 1 700 plant species, 24 reptiles and 305 species of birds.
“South Africa has no shortage of unique natural wonders, but this trail stands out from the rest, it offers something unique for everyone … The abundance of beauty and captivating vistas will be etched in your memories forever,” says Polkinghome.
The Green Flag status system is officiated by the Hiking Organisation of Southern Africa (HOSA) and ensures hiking trails meet standards in terms of trail outlay, accommodation, facilities and service, as well as the conservation of natural resources.
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