NB!! See Johan's Guided Trails at bottom of this page... Not to be missed!!

3-Days of things to do
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Welcome to the Tsitsikamma, place of abundant water, as the ancient San people called this region. We hope that you do not have abundant water during your visit and that you will enjoy your stay to the fullest!

To assist you in making the most of your time with us, we have compiled a menu of things for you to see and do. We have put this into a three-day format but you will obviously pick and choose the things you find of interest within the time available to you. (It is of course permissible to stay for more than three days!)
DAY ONE. (Assuming arrival time of around 15h00)
Book in at Armagh Country Lodge and have us give you some info about the area, where everything is, and so on. The easy way to enjoy the rest of the day:

Tsitsikamma National Park / Storms River Mouth
1. Order a beer, take up a comfortable position on the patio or on the deck at the swimming pool with a good book (and/or a good companion) and watch the sun heading west. In urgent cases, order another beer.

2. Take a stroll around the metropolis of Storms River. There is a shop in Darnell Street (the C.B.D.!) for emergency purchases. In the same street you will also find the Post Office (open Mon – Fri, 08h30 – 16h30) Next to the post office is Storms River Adventures which specializes in somewhat more lively activities (see day two). Just a little further along is the office of the Dept of Forestry (they look after the indigenous forests for us and do a jolly good job too!)

A few meters down the road and on your left is the local police station. The staff will be only too eager to assist should you have any questions.

Heading West along Darnell Street you may take any of the roads to your right and simply wander around the residential area…say hi to anyone you meet…it is sort of a tradition to greet all and sundry. If you make your way to the northernmost road (closest to the mountain) you will come to a vlei (marshy area). A footpath will bring you back to The Armagh and perhaps that beer on the patio. There is also a short, circular fynbos walk, which starts just before our main gate (where it says "Fynbos Trail Parking")...about 20 to 25 minutes if you stop and look at the plants.

3. A slightly harder way of spending some time…. walk past the shop and post office and turn left at the police station. Continue along this dirt road towards the mountain until you get to the N2. Turn right and walk a few hundred meters to where you see the sign “Big Tree”. Here is a footpath which takes you on a boardwalk through the forest to one of the biggest trees, a Podocarpus Falcatus (Outeniqua Yellowwood) aged between 800 and 1000 years. Remember to take a few Rand to enter this forest. There is a longer trail here which takes you through some fine natural forest but this will take an additional 40 minutes or so. If you only walk to the big tree and back it will take between an hour and an hour and a half. After this the beer will taste even better!

Try also the Fynbos Trail (mentioned above) which starts just before our gate and consists of two loops, the total distance being a comfortable 2 km. This area burnt out totally in the fire of ’98 but is recovering beautifully…many species of fynbos (including Proteas) to be seen for the keen observer.

Dinner is served in our restaurant, “Rafters”, but remember to make a reservation, as tables are limited. Enquire also about our speciality evenings, i.e. barbeque, traditional buffet and seafood evenings.

DAY TWO
After breakfast, which is at 08h00 (to 09h00), you might like to try some of the following:
1. A day at the Tsitsikamma National Park.

(Remember to ask for a packed lunch)!

The Tsitsikamma National Park (Storms River Mouth) is arguably the most beautiful of all the parks in South Africa. It boasts some of the most well-preserved coastal areas and this, coupled with the indigenous forest and fynbos, makes this an absolute “must see”.

From Armagh Country Lodge, drive to the N2 and turn left towards Cape Town. Travel 4,5km and you will see the sign “Tsitsikamma National Park”.

Monkeyland Primate Sanctuary
Turn left off the N2 and drive 10km…if you go much further you will be in the Indian ocean!! This is the main center of the park with a restaurant and shop. (The info office is up at the main gate). >From here you can walk the “Mouth Trail” which is along a boardwalk. 1,5 Km along this path you will cross the Storms River on a suspension bridge. Continue uphill to a lookout point with a spectacular sea view…keep your eyes open for whales and dolphins! The round trip will take you about one and a half hours depending on how often you stop to enjoy the views or argue with your companion on whether you are lost or not.

On the western side of the park you will find the Otter Trail…a five day hike to Natures Valley. Day visitors are permitted to walk to the waterfall on this trail. This hike is really fantastic with stunning scenery. The coast forms sheltered rock pools, which is great for swimming. Do not swim in the open sea except at the little beach at the restaurant. The fresh water pool at the waterfall is also excellent for swimming. The colour of the water of all the rivers and streams is naturally brown from tannins picked up from the vegetation. It is not polluted so enjoy!! (For total relaxation and a waiter with drinks on call, also remember the swimming pool at the Armagh!) The Waterfall walk is more strenuous than the mouth walk (Take some water and a snack) with some boulder hopping to be done. Wear good walking shoes! Allow more or less 3 hours there and back.

2. The Tsitsikamma Forest.

Most of our guests like combining the coastal experience with that of the indigenous forests of the Tsitsikamma Area. You might enjoy spending the morning at the park, return for lunch at The Lodge and do some of the superb forest walks around the Village in the afternoon. (if you still have the energy)
 

Tsitsikamma Mountain Hiking
The indigenous forests of the Tsitsikamma are all protected conservation areas and support a very large number of plant species (500-1000 plants per hectare) as well as a variety of wild life. The dominating feature of these forests is obviously the trees, which are almost all evergreen and include Yellowwood, Candlewood, Red alder, Hard Pear, Stinkwood, Ironwood…in all 116 different types of trees. Many types of ferns can also be found and the wildlife includes wild pig, bush buck, blue duiker, baboon, vervet monkey, porcupine, leopard and several smaller species of cat. For the convenience of birders, approx 250 species of bird have decided that the Tsitsikamma forest and fynbos is a fine place to live. Ask for our bird list and see if you can add to it. For more info on the forest and fynbos eco systems, ask us…we are quite knowledgeable about these things and enjoy sharing it with people. To experience these and other delights, try the following:

1. From the Armagh walk past the Post Office and continue beyond the sign which says “Private Road” until you reach a gate. At the gate you will find a box with a hinged lid, which contains maps and a permit book. This map will give you several colour-coded routes. Simply choose the route you fancy and follow the coloured signs that correspond to your route. Easy and beautiful! You can also reach the big tree via these routes…ask our staff. Another very nice longish walk on the map will take you all the way to the Storms River bridge on the N2. REMEMBER ALSO JOHAN’S GUIDED ECO/ CULTURAL WALKS WHICH WILL PROVIDE YOU WITH GREAT INSIGHT INTO THIS FASCINATING AREA.

2. For the more energetic we suggest a walk from the Armagh right down to the National Park. This walk will take between 3 and 4 hours and brings you to the suspension bridge This, combined with the walks in the park itself will take most of the day and guests who do this can arrange for us to pick them up by car at the end of the day (not later than 17h00) Come home to a well deserved sundowner! Ask Johan about this hike.
DAY TWO
After your day in the National Park, you may feel like something a little more sedate. Storms River Adventures offers a tractor & trailer trip, the “Tsitsikamma Forest Ride”, down the old Storms River pass (about to be declared a national heritage site). This is really a superb outing which includes refreshments and interesting information from your guide. In the afternoon, if you have rested sufficiently, you can also do the mountain bike trail (you may hire bikes from us) along more or less the same route. Plenty of fun and exercise…ask for a packed lunch.

Alternatively, the Treetop Canopy Tour is a wonderful & exhilarating opportunity of viewing the forest from above, not on foot! Enquire at Stormsriver Adventures.

If all this adventure and exertion seems a bit much, we advise that you take a leisurely trip to Natures Valley, a beautiful 30 minute drive, where you will find one of the finest beaches in South Africa. It is always far less crowded than any of the other beaches (bad cell phone reception doll) and allows you to soak up the sun in relative privacy. Natures Valley also has some beautiful walks and we can highly recommend the Salt River Trail…. To get to Natures Valley take the N2 towards Cape Town (by car of course) travel for about 10km then turn right at the sign “George, Cold Stream, R102”. This used to be the N2 prior to 1985 and is a fantastic drive through forest and two passes, the Bloukrans and the Groot Rivier passes. There is an opportunity of turning onto the N2 after the Bloukrans pass but don’t.

Tree Top Canopy Tours

Carry on going and you enter the Groot Rivier pass, which takes you to Natures Valley. Turn left off the R102 at the Natures Valley sign. Take any one of the right hand turns and cruise through the quaint village to the western end. Here you will find a restaurant with great fish and chips and cold beer. Park your vehicle and follow the short path to the beach. This is also where the Salt River trail begins.
To return to the Armagh, simply backtrack the way you came. Or you could continue towards Plettenberg Bay by turning left onto the R102, and travelling westwards towards Cape Town .

Where the R102 intersects with the N2, turn left. Drive the further 20 km and you will be in Plett, famous for its beaches and hordes of tourists. The Robberg Nature reserve is well worth a visit with a lovely trail along the sea cliffs. Here you will also find a very interesting archeological site called Nelson Bay cave. On the way back to Storms River, turn right at the Keurbooms Strand sign…lovely beach for a walk along the shore. Continuing along the N2, you will see a sign “Monkey Land” This is a primate reserve and very well worth a visit. In the same area you will also find an African Elephant Sanctuary (where you can ride on an elephant!) and a spectacular, free-flight bird aviary.

When returning remain on the N2, pass through the Toll Plaza and then cross the Bloukrans bridge. You will then see a sign “Khoisan Village” This is where you can indulge in your favorite sport of bungi jumping…at 220mt the world’s highest commercial jump. For those thinking of partaking in this activity we can offer free psychiatric counseling between 5 and 6pm each day. Also enquire about the bridge walk for those of a non-flying persuasion!

Fifteen minutes further along the N2 and you’re back at the Armagh In the opposite direction you can travel to Jeffrey’s Bay (about 50 minutes), which is great for surfing. The town itself is pretty dreary and consists of thousands of houses clustered together with no trees and lots of fast food joints. But that is only my opinion.

For the full range of Storms River Adventures activities, see their brochures in reception…The Treetop Canopy Tours is my favourite…absolutely stunning! And if confused by all of this please ask us for help… we would like you to have a really great time!!

Ask for more info about your trip, bookings for accommodation. etc…we are Africans and know the country…WATCH OUT FOR POOR (“VROT” IN AFRIKAANS) OR MISLEADING INFORMATION…YOUR TIME IS VALUABLE AND YOU SHOULD NOT WASTE IT!!!………Toby and Natasha , Johan and Marion.

Distances from The Armagh:

Port Elizabeth: 165km (hour and a half)
Jeffrey’s Bay: 98km (fifty minutes)
Addo Elephant Park: 195km (two hours or so)
East London: 320km (four and a half hours)
Plettenberg Bay: 65km (35-40 minutes)
Knysna: 100 km (1 hour)
Wilderness: 145km (one hour 20minutes)
Oudtshoorn: 200 km (2 hours and a bit) (Pronounced Oats horn)
Cape Town: 600km (6 hours 30 min, depending on stops, shops & cops)

Tsitsikamma Trails  - Guided Forest & Mountain Trails

We offer Guided trails through the forests and mountains of the Tsitskamma. These walks can be tailor made to suite your needs or you may simply join us on one of our standard routes.

You can walk for one hour or for six, into the mountains or to the Storms River. You can experience the beauty of  fynbos or the splendour of the forests.  Hike down into the spectacular Storms River gorge and discover how nature over millions of years formed this natural marvel.  Find out how the intricate forest eco-system functions and how it is both threatened and protected by man. With a bit of luck you may see bushbuck, blue duiker, otters, baboons, vervet monkeys, honey badgers or the elusive forest birds - the Knysna Loerie and the Narina Trogon.  Visit ancient elephant trails and follow in their, and our, ancestor’s footsteps through mountains and ravines. Learn about the fascination geology and history of the Tsitskamma. Find out about the clash of different cultures that ultimately resulted in the New South Africa.

Guided Trails must be reserved at least 24 hours in advance,
Snacks will be provided and an optional picnic lunch may be ordered (Storms River Peak trail includes Lunch)

The following trails are available: -
1/. Storsmriver Gorge, and ancient elephant trail and old Storms River Pass Approx 2 – 3 hours R125 p/p
2/. Stormsriver Gorge, ancient elephant trail. Storms River Pass, Plaatbos indigenous forest Approx 3 – 4 hours R150 p/p
3/. Eco-forest walk…an introduction to the forests of the Tsitskamma Approx 1 hour R95 p/p
4/. Stormsriver Peak Trail into the Tsitsikamma mountains…forest, fynbos and fantastic views.  For the more seasoned trailists. Approx 6 hours R195 p/p including a picnic lunch

Johan will personally guide each trail, sharing information and knowledge the has gained over many years.  You will dictate the pace of walking and how much information you require…we do not want to it to be a mobile lecture room or a race!

Enquiries and reservations may be emailed to: armagh@mweb.co.za or telephone
 + 27(0) 42 2811512

Hope to walk with you soon!

 

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P O BOX 99 Stormsriver Village  6308, 24 Fynbos Avenue Stormsriver Village
Tel: +27 (0)42 281 1512     Fax: +27 (0)42 281 1510     Mobile: +27 (0)82 2962000, + 27(0) 72 853 53 52

Email: armagh@mweb.co.za • [ CLICK HERE TO ENQUIRE ONLINE NOW ]
                

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