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South Africa🇿🇦 | national parksStorms River Mouth77 m suspension bridge, Waterfall Trail, river-mouth rock pools, gorge kayaking | things to do and best time to go

Explore Mongena Private Game ReserveExplore Table Mountain National Park

Backpacking in Storms River Mouth
👍 Recommendednational park ranked #16
By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 22, 2026

Storms River Mouth is the coastal section of Tsitsikamma National Park, not the village of Storms River, which sits about 8 km inland, so book your sleeping spot accordingly. It lies on the Garden Route in South Africa, east of Plettenberg Bay. Skip the long drive-through; the suspension bridge and the Waterfall Trail are what count. A ranger at the gate told me, “Go before the tour buses.” Arrive early, because parking and midday bridge queues eat your time. Pay the conservation fee at the gate and carry card.

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✨ Why go?
Ranked #16 national park in South AfricaWhat makes this national park worth exploring

Storms River Mouth works for self-guided travelers because the trails start right at the rest camp, so you need no guide and no tour. The Suspension Bridge walk is short enough for any fitness level, while the Waterfall Trail gives scrambling over boulders for anyone wanting more effort. Camping and forest cabins sit on the shoreline, so you wake up to surf, not traffic. You can string together coastal walks, a swim in the tidal pools and a kayak or tube outing, all within a few hundred meters of your tent.

💡 HighlightsKey sights and experiences for travelers

  1. Storms River Suspension Bridge: A 77 m swaying span over the river mouth, reached by a short boardwalk, with cliffs on both sides and surf pounding below.
  2. Waterfall Trail: A rocky coastal path to a 10 m waterfall and a plunge pool, with boulder hopping and forest views.
  3. Lookout Trail: A short, easy loop to a viewpoint over the coastline, good for photos and watching waves.
  4. Mouth Trail: A gentle forest walk leading from the camp to the bridge, with signs on the local vegetation.
  5. Dolphin and whale watching: Bottlenose dolphins are regularly seen from the shore, and southern right whales pass in season.
  6. Untouched rock pools: Tidal pools near the camp, good for exploring at low tide and watching small marine life.
  7. Kayaking and tubing in the gorge: Guided paddles upriver between steep, forested walls,
… read more 👉
  1. Storms River Suspension Bridge: A 77 m swaying span over the river mouth, reached by a short boardwalk, with cliffs on both sides and surf pounding below.
  2. Waterfall Trail: A rocky coastal path to a 10 m waterfall and a plunge pool, with boulder hopping and forest views.
  3. Lookout Trail: A short, easy loop to a viewpoint over the coastline, good for photos and watching waves.
  4. Mouth Trail: A gentle forest walk leading from the camp to the bridge, with signs on the local vegetation.
  5. Dolphin and whale watching: Bottlenose dolphins are regularly seen from the shore, and southern right whales pass in season.
  6. Untouched rock pools: Tidal pools near the camp, good for exploring at low tide and watching small marine life.
  7. Kayaking and tubing in the gorge: Guided paddles upriver between steep, forested walls, a quieter side of the park that also gets you wet.
Storms River Mouth can be covered in about half a day, though the waterfall and a paddle stretch it to a full day.
Spotted a mistake or missing something? Contact us.

Things to do near Storms River Mouth

Tsitsikamma Canopy Tour

Tsitsikamma Canopy Tour

4.7(1072) 2h
From €53
per personViator
Bloukrans Bungy, the worlds best bungy jump!

Bloukrans Bungy, the worlds best bungy jump!

5.0(525) 1h
From €94
per personViator
Most Exciting Adventurous Activities and the Only Quadbike Tours in Tsitsikamma

Most Exciting Adventurous Activities and the Only Quadbike Tours in Tsitsikamma

4.6(123) 1h 30m
From €47
per personViator
Scooter Tours through Tsitsikamma National Park

Scooter Tours through Tsitsikamma National Park

4.3(84)
From €44
per personViator
Blackwater Tubing Green Route Forest Adventure

Blackwater Tubing Green Route Forest Adventure

4.7(29) 3h
From €60
per personViator
1 Hour Segway Experience

1 Hour Segway Experience

4.7(26) 1h
From €28
per personViator
Tsitsikamma Wolf Sanctuary Guided Tour & Day Pass

Tsitsikamma Wolf Sanctuary Guided Tour & Day Pass

4.9(14) 1h
From €22
per personViator
2 Hours Segway Experience in Stormsriver Village

2 Hours Segway Experience in Stormsriver Village

4.8(14) 2h
From €47
per personViator
Bloukrans Skywalk Tour

Bloukrans Skywalk Tour

4.4(9) 1h
From €22
per personViator
1 Hour Storms River Horse Trails Activity

1 Hour Storms River Horse Trails Activity

4.3(6) 2h
From €53
per personViator

Ratings based on Tripadvisor reviews. When you book through this link, you support our work at no extra cost to you.

🌤️ When to go?Seasonal considerations and timing

Storms River Mouth is comfortable year-round, but December to February and Easter are the busiest and priciest.
  • Summer (Dec to Feb): 18 to 26°C (64 to 79°F), long daylight, warm swimming-hole days, school holidays, full camps and top rates.
  • Autumn (Mar to May): 14 to 23°C (57 to 73°F), calmer trails, clear skies, easier bookings after Easter.
  • Winter (Jun to Aug): 8 to 19°C (46 to 66°F), shorter days, the most rain risk, cheapest beds and near-empty paths.
  • Spring (Sep to Nov): 12 to 22°C (54 to 72°F), windy spells, whale sightings offshore, moderate prices.
Book Suspension Bridge-side camping and the Otter Trail months ahead for summer.

source: climatestotravel.comJANJanuary: highly recommended for travelingFEBFebruary: highly recommended for travelingMARMarch: highly recommended for travelingAPRApril: excellent for travelingMAYMay: excellent for travelingJUNJune: good for travelingJULJuly: fair for travelingAUGAugust: fair for travelingSEPSeptember: excellent for travelingOCTOctober: excellent for travelingNOVNovember: highly recommended for travelingDECDecember: highly recommended for traveling
when-to-go

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🛏️ Where to stay?Best areas to stay in South Africa

The best base is inside the park at Storms River Mouth Rest Camp, where oceanfront chalets, cabins and forest campsites run about US$25 to 130.
Inside the park: Book through SANParks well ahead. Campsites suit tents and sit close to the shore, with a restaurant and shop on site. The Otter Trail huts are for hikers only.
Storms River Village: About 8 km (5 mi) away, it has the budget-friendly backpacker lodges, with dorms from roughly US$12 to 20, plus guesthouses, a pub and bungee and zipline operators.
Plettenberg Bay: About 60 km (37 mi) west, it offers more hostels, restaurants and beaches, and works if park lodging is full.
Best hostels in South Africa


Best quality hotels in South Africa

👛 Costs (as of 22 October 2026)Typical daily expenses

Storms River Mouth costs about US$60 to 115 a day for a backpacker on a modest budget, with accommodation the biggest expense.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Entrance feeUS$10 to 15Per adult daily conservation fee; international rates apply.
AccommodationUS$20 to 40Campsite or village dorm in high season; cabins and chalets cost far more.
Local transportUS$10 to 20No public buses reach the park; shuttles or shared rides run from the village and Plettenberg Bay.
Food and suppliesUS$15 to 25Self-catering from village shops is cheapest; the park restaurant is pricier.
ActivitiesUS$5 to 15Walking the trails costs only the fee; guided tubing or kayak trips cost extra.
Total Daily BudgetUS$60 to 115Roughly US$85 for a typical day.
⚠️ Prices can change and everyone travels differently, so take this as a rough guide. Hope it helps you plan your adventure!

🥾 TrailsDiscover Storms River Mouth's top trails and natural wonders

Storms River Mouth offers short coastal walks of mostly easy to moderate grade, all starting around the rest camp, with forest, rocky shoreline and fynbos.
  • Mouth Trail: about 1 km one way, 30 to 45 minutes, easy, boardwalks and steps to the suspension bridge.
  • Waterfall Trail: about 3 km one way, 1.5 to 2 hours return, moderate, includes boulder scrambling and some wading near the end.
  • Lookout Trail: about 1 km loop, 20 to 30 minutes, easy, with a clear ocean view.
  • Wildlife: dassies on the rocks, birds in the forest, and dolphins or whales offshore.
Wear shoes with grip, since rocks are slick when wet. … read more 👉
Storms River Mouth offers short coastal walks of mostly easy to moderate grade, all starting around the rest camp, with forest, rocky shoreline and fynbos.
  • Mouth Trail: about 1 km one way, 30 to 45 minutes, easy, boardwalks and steps to the suspension bridge.
  • Waterfall Trail: about 3 km one way, 1.5 to 2 hours return, moderate, includes boulder scrambling and some wading near the end.
  • Lookout Trail: about 1 km loop, 20 to 30 minutes, easy, with a clear ocean view.
  • Wildlife: dassies on the rocks, birds in the forest, and dolphins or whales offshore.
Wear shoes with grip, since rocks are slick when wet. The park lies off the N2 and is reached by car; public transport is thin, so many people come on tours or hitchhike from the village. Crowds build around midday, especially in school holidays. There is a daily conservation fee payable at the gate.
⚠️ Hiking info can sometimes be outdated or inaccurate. Before you hit the trail, check the latest conditions with locals. If you do spot anything that's off, I'd love to hear from you, so I can update it for fellow travelers.

🛡️ SafetyStaying Safe: What Travelers Should Know

Storms River Mouth is straightforward and well managed, with the main risks being slippery rock and sudden weather. Coastal trails get wet, so wear shoes with real grip, especially on the boardwalk and rocks near the suspension bridge. Rain can roll in quickly, and the sea is rough with strong currents, so swim only in the calm river pool area and never climb out on wet rocks. Baboons and dassies are occasional; keep food zipped away. Carry water for longer hikes, check tide tables for Otter Trail river crossings, and tell the camp office your plan.
Check Country Safety

FAQTraveler FAQ

Two to three days works well for Storms River Mouth. One day covers the Suspension Bridge walk, Waterfall Trail and a tubing trip, while a second lets you try the Loerie Trail or a kayak paddle. Add a third if you plan the multi-day Otter Trail, which takes 5 days and 4 nights over 42 km (26 mi).
Visiting Storms River Mouth without a car is possible but takes planning. Intercity buses such as Intercape stop at Storms River Village, about 8 km (5 mi) from the park gate. From there you need a hostel shuttle, a taxi or a pre-booked ride, usually around US$10 to 20. Hitching is not advised.
Yes, Storms River Mouth charges a daily conservation fee, roughly US$10 to 15 per adult for international visitors, paid at the gate. Overnight stays need advance booking through SANParks. The Otter Trail needs a separate permit, costing about US$110 to 150 per person, and it sells out many months ahead.
⚠️ Things can change over time, so always validate details locally before you go.

Other South African national parks near Storms River Mouth

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We 💚 feedbackWhat to keep in mind

Storms River Mouth is best at opening time on a weekday outside school holidays, when the bridge is nearly empty and the surf is loud. I would stay overnight to get that, and bring shoes with grip for the waterfall rocks.

✈️ When did I visit South Africa?
I have visited South Africa, before and after my Zimbabwe trip in 2001.

✍️ Help improve this page!
The information on this page is based on my own backpacking experience in South Africa, supplemented with up-to-date research and feedback from other travelers. Travel details can change, so if you notice anything outdated or incomplete, feel free to let me know.



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