Waterfall Hike in Tsitsikamma

Planning your own trip to South Africa? Read more about my Garden Route itinerary here.

Following this morning’s bungee jump off the Bloukrans Bridge (midway between Knysna and my next destination), I’m not sure the day can get any better. The ball is in Tsitsikamma’s court…

Tsitsikamma National Park sits right along the coast, near the end of the Garden Route. And it’s a stunning spot — after all the beauty I’ve seen on this road trip, I can’t believe the views are still this good. South Africa is a gem of goliath proportions.

There’s just enough time before sunset to do a popular waterfall hike along the ocean. The parking lot sits next to one of the prettiest camping spots I’ve come across, and it’s almost entirely deserted. What a place to park your trailer or pitch a tent:

As the sign below reads, this waterfall hike is considered difficult. It’s a fair rating — the trail requires lots of scrambling over rocks and the incoming tide makes things slippery. But it’s scenic the whole way and worth the effort. It actually overlaps with the beginning of the 5-day Otter Trail along this same stretch of coast; a woman I met while bungee jumping just completed that trek and highly recommended this waterfall hike. I’m grateful for that sort of spontaneous advice from other travelers, as it totally informed my afternoon plans.

I’m greeted by the welcoming committee on the first stretch of trail… can you spot three of them?

Hello there!

See the terrain that lies ahead? While there is a proper trail around this first bit, it turns into slippery black rocks for much of the way.

I’m enchanted by the blue pools that form from crashing waves — there are many along this trail:

Gorgeous, right? I’m so impressed with this hike. Add in my relief for having successfully bungee jumped earlier, and I am on cloud nine the entire afternoon. I feel so lucky to be here.

Love that intense orange color on the rocks. I remember seeing the same natural effect at Freycinet National Park in Tasmania.

Since I want to get back in time for sunset photos at the main bridge in Tsitsikamma, I try to push the pace on this hike and limit photos. But it still takes longer than anticipated to get to the actual waterfall — I am relieved to see it. Too bad it’s hidden in shadows since I’m here rather late in the day; I’ve done my best to lighten it in these photos.

The waterfall is certainly pretty, but the best part has been hiking along the coast for a few hours. And getting my first real cardio since Kilimanjaro.