THE OTTER HIKING TRAIL

I am here to help you have an amazing, hassle free hike.

I do this by running a shuttle transport service for all hikers to the start or from the finish. I have listed some of the great nuggets of info I have gained chatting to my passengers over the years. (but more of that later...)

So many of you have battled to find out this information before heading off on your hike resulting in the hassle of having a car at each end of the trail and someone having to head off to fetch a car, only to head all the way back again to fetch the rest of the hiking party. (This is no fun when you are sore and weary after hiking for 5 days, and you should be relaxing with your hiking buddies reflecting on the past 5 days’ experiences)

Here is some advice

If you are driving from Cape Town direction, it is a good idea to park your car at the SanParks site at Natures Valley where you will be finishing, so you will be closer to Cape Town for the return trip. (you will avoid the toll road fees too - R38 each direction).

In order to help make your hike more hassle-free, I offer the transport from Natures Valley to Storms River to the start. If, however, you decide you want to spend the first or last night either before or after the hike at Storms River Mouth Chalets, Natures Valley Guest House or Storms River Village Lodge there is safe shady parking at the reception at Sanparks Storms River and at Sanparks Natures Valley. I will then transfer you from Natures Valley back to Storms River to your cars when you finish your hike.

Pick up at the end can be either from the beach parking in Natures Valley, at the river mouth, or if you can manage the extra 2 kilometers hike to the restaurant/pub I will fetch you from there after you have indulged in a  hamburger (or two) and earned your Otter Trail Certificate after the customary “shooter”.

For your further convenience, I can shuttle you from any of the airports directly to the start and again from the finish.

There are no bank atm machines nearby, and the only shop for last minute items you may have forgotten is down at the Storms River mouth restaurant/shop. If you have flown and I collect you from the airport, remember you cannot carry gas cylinders on the plane, so if you let me know I can pick up those last minute supplies you need for you.

I run an owner/driver shuttle transport business, and have the necessary “P.D.P.” licence and insurances in place.

OTTER TRAIL TIPS AND TRICKS

The constant feedback from my passengers - very excited, tired, experienced, novice, young, old and a few despondent hikers (who have had to take an escape route for whatever reason) over the last 7 years, is always changing.

I aim to keep this site updated with all the latest tips for menus and those lovely little “gadgets” and “tricks” that help make hiking life more comfy.

The Otter Trail in Tsitsikamma, South Africa is rated as one of the top hiking trails in the world, so make sure you are as prepared as possible and squeeze out maximum enjoyment!

Trail Overview »