Storms River Mouth

Storms River Mouth is truly spectacular. Over millions of years the river has carved a deep gorge down to the ocean and thus creates a very striking river mouth. It's this spot that are reached by taking the one kilometre Mouth Trail from the Tsitsikamma National Park's main rest camp. Over the years the suspension bridge over the … Continue reading Storms River Mouth →

Maitland River Valley

I was very impressed with the Maitland Nature Reserve Trail when I got to do it for the first time a couple of weeks ago . Even though it was very overgrown after all the rain we've had these last couple of months its wonderful to be able to walk through the coastal forest and … Continue reading Maitland River Valley →

Maitland Nature Reserve

A week or so ago I got the opportunity to venture into the Maitland Nature Reserve for the first time. It wasn't that I've never wanted to go there, its more a case that I just never had the opportunity. The reserve is made up of mostly indigenous coastal forest and is located just up … Continue reading Maitland Nature Reserve →

Mouth Trail lily

I know that not everybody loves arum lilies like I do, but I just can't get enough of them specially when they grow wild somewhere in a forest or next to a stream. This one was growing next to the Storms River Mouth Trail in the Tsitsikamma National Park.

Tsitsikamma Forest Trail Part 2: Old Storms River Bridge

After a couple of hours hiking through the Plaatbos Nature Reserve we emerged from the forest close to where the old pass road crosses the Storms River. We headed straight down to the river, kicked off our shoes and soaked our feet in the cool, soothing water. Just what we needed at the halfway mark of our … Continue reading Tsitsikamma Forest Trail Part 2: Old Storms River Bridge →

Tsitsikamma Forest Trail Part 1: Plaatbos Nature Reserve

I find forests to have some kind of therapeutic effect on me, hence the fact that I will find any excuse to go and spend some time around forests. It's no surprise then that I found myself and Family Firefly on a family outing in Storms River Village in the Tsitsikamma. Three days around the forest for … Continue reading Tsitsikamma Forest Trail Part 1: Plaatbos Nature Reserve →

Cannon looking west

The cannon in Schoenmakerskop at the start of the Sacramento Trail is one of the cannons recovered from the wreck site of the Sacramento in 1977 and points towards the site where the ship went down in 1647. The Sacramento was a Portuguese Galleon on its way back to Portugal when it ran aground in a … Continue reading Cannon looking west →

Cape Recife WWII Forward Observation Post

Port Elizabeth has arguably the most complete collection of surviving coast artillery buildings and equipment dating from the Second World War (1939-45) of any port in South Africa. Before the Second World War the Port Elizabeth Harbour actually had no defence in place except for Fort Frederick which was built in 1799 to guard the … Continue reading Cape Recife WWII Forward Observation Post →

Roseatte Tern Trail along the coast

Walking along the Wildside coastline on the Roseatte Tern Trail through Cape Recife

The top of the trail

Most people hiking along the Sacramento Trail between Schoenmakerskop and Sardinia Bay follows the path along the shore line in both directions not really knowing how stunning the views are from the top trail. I had taken the bottom path many times before and got to take the top path for the first time while … Continue reading The top of the trail →