Nature's Valley

城市概覽

Flora and fauna The Tsitsikamma forest is an ecological wonderland. It can alternately be describes as a coastal temperate rainforest or an Afromontane forest. The forest on Platbos Reserve includes many if not all of the special species of tree found here, such as Real Yellowwood (Podocarpus latifolius), Outeniqua Yellowwood (Podocarpus falcatus), and Stinkwood (Ocotea bullata). It is beautiful inside the forest, as if you are inside a cathedral. Sounds are muted, and the call of the birds are clear and simply enchanting. The forest canopy lets through dappled light, but keeps the air moist enough to smell of earth and humus. It is this forest that is so difficult to rehabilitate. It can take hundreds of years for the forest edge to advance only meters. The fynbos prepares the way for a nurse population of trees (such as Virgilia divaricata, or Cape lilac). Only under the shelter of these fast growing trees will the trees that characterise Tsitsikamma forest grow at all. The meadows of fynbos look and feel completely different. Fynbos consists of low shrubbery, and what makes it so special is the variety of flowers and colours. Fynbos's most wonderful attribute is the spicy, woody fragrance. In a fynbos field like this the air is full of the smell. Platbos Reserve is home to several bush and forest mammals, such as the shy bushpig (Potamochoerus larvatus), caracal (caracal), Chacma baboon (Papio ursinus), bushbuck (scriptus) and many more. The forest and the open fields hosts a vast variety of different bird species. If you are a bird watcher you will enjoy the exquisite and very rare tauraco, which is popularly known as the Knysna lourie (Tauraco corythaix) in the forest, and several species of colourful sunbird in the fynbos.

Since it is a wilderness area snakes, spiders and insects are also plentiful.

History The area has a very interesting political, social and environmental history. Palaeontological evidence abounds of the prehistoric hominins who people

如何抵達

By car Located on the R102, just off the N2, the village is easily accessible by car from Port Elizabeth (3hrs) and Cape Town (6hrs) as well as other towns along the Garden Route.

By bus The main companies pass along the N2 on their Cape Town to Port Elizabeth route. You can ask to be dropped at the R102 in The Crags and from there you can hitch down to Nature's Valley. If they do not want to drop you (if you travel for example with Intercape), the best is to stop in Plettenberg Bay and take a minibus (see below). From Plettenberg Bay, you can take a minibus/shared taxi (at the taxi rank) to the little township of Kurland (35 rands pp, November 2025). Ask the driver to be dropped at the Engen station at the entrance of Kurland. From there, walk to the road going to Nature's Valley (1 km) and hitch-hike, or continue walking. You can also ask the drive if he/she can drop you directly at Nature's Valley (ask before tanking the minibus and bargain the price. It should not be more than 300 rands to go from Kurland to Nature's Valley for the all minibus (not per person), November 2025). The only BazBus stop is at the Wild Spirit Lodge and Backpackers on the R102 Nature's Valley Road.

By rail & plane There is no rail station nor airport in Nature's Valley. The closest airports are in Port Elizabeth (201km away) and George (130km away).

當地交通

The only way to get around Nature's Valley without your own car is to walk.

必看景點

Nature's Valley beach is one of the most spectacular along the Garden Route. The village is surrounded by the Tsitsikamma National Park.

體驗活動

Hike the Salt River Cove Trail and the Kalanderkloof Trail, a 5 hour mini Otter Trail 1 Birds of Eden, The Crags (10 km out of Nature's Valley), ☏ +27 44 534-8906, [email protected]. (updated Jan 2023) Elephant Sanctuary, The Crags (10 km out of Nature's Valley), ☏ +27 44 534 8145, [email protected]. Visit the other Animal Sanctuaries in The Crags (10 km). Snakes, Birds and Big Cats. Jump from the Worlds Highest Bungee at the Bloukrans Bridge (20 km) Rent a canoe and spend some hours on the lagoon. Walk the final stage of the Otter Trail. GoTrekking Africa (GoVertical), Internet based, ☏ +27 82 731 4696, [email protected]. Guided hikes in the area and the entire Garden Route (updated Nov 2017)

住宿

Nature's Valley Nature's Valley Restcamp, ☏ +27 44 531-6700, [email protected]. Camping and Forest Huts. From R150. Tranquility Lodge, ☏ +27 44 531-6663, fax: +27 44 531-6879, [email protected]. A haven of peace and luxury awaits you in the heart of the Tsitsikamma, surrounded by mountains and a pristine beach. The garden hosts a unique hot-pool.

Outside Nature's Valley, known as The Crags 1 Lily Pond Country Lodge, R102 Nature's Valley Rd, ☏ +27 44 534-8767, [email protected]. From R650 per person per night. (updated Jan 2023) 2 Wild Spirit Lodge and Backpackers, R102, The Crags (From Plettenburg Bay, 3km along R102, see sign), ☏ +27 44 534-8888, [email protected]. Backpackers Lodge and self-catering. Accommodation incl. dorms, doubles and camping. Shuttle service to all nearby attractions. BazBus stop. Dorms from R100.

順遊推薦

Nearest cities are Plettenberg Bay to the west, 37km away, and Storms River to the east. The neighbouring area is called The Crags, a tourist destination full of things to do and see. They include:

Birds of Eden. Bramon Wine Estate. Monkeyland. Tenikwa Wild Cat and Wildlife Sanctuary.