Sometimes called Otter Trail – Tsitsikamma or Otter Trail – Garden Route
The Otter Trail along the Tsitsikamma coast is probably the most popular hike in the country. Lush forests, rugged shorelines, mountain streams and waterfalls and fragrant fynbos make this a special one. It’s strenuous, with lots of ups and downs …
permits are difficult to get as only 12 hikers start each day. December and Easter holidays are highest demand.
Recommended to book 12 months in advance. (Because folks book so early, it’s often possible to get a last minute cancellation spot.)
South Africa Tourism
Why We Like This Hike
gorgeous cliff top walking, returning to sea level to cross many rivers
Roger Gordon
side trips down rivers for swimming recommended
Roger Gordon
you can swim in the ocean, as well
Hugo Vincent, South Africa, Otter Trail
consider bringing a snorkel
named after the elusive otter, which is found in fresh water and in the sea.
rich variety of bird and animal life including Cape Clawless Otter, Seal, Caracal, Genet, Leopard, Duiker, Bushbuck, Bushpig, Badger, Vervet Monkey, Baboon, Dolphin and Whale.
there are two huts and a single toilet at each overnight stop. Each of the two huts contains 6 beds with mattresses – hikers must provide their own blankets/pillows/sleeping bags etc.
cold showers are available at all huts
trash bins are provided at each of the overnight stops. Field rangers remove the rubbish regularly.
malaria free — though we saw almost no mosquitoes over the week.
numerous streams and springs are suitable for drinking. But it’s still recommended to treat water. Rainwater tanks at each overnight hut. Due to erratic rainfall patterns, the level of these tanks may be low from time to time.
each hut has braai with a steel grid. Within each hut there is a table on which food can be prepared. Hikers need to provide their own gas stoves and pots for cooking.
mobile phone reception is intermittent along the Otter Trail. Reception may be picked up when the trail reaches up onto the plateau or when the coastline juts out to sea. There is no reception at the overnight huts.
Storms River Police – 10111
Park Headquarters – (042) 28 11 607
King protea
Considerations
It is important to be aware of the dates and the times of the high and low tides to hike the Otter. This is especially important when it comes to crossing the bigger rivers such as the Lottering and the Bloukrans Rivers.
Hugo Vincent, South Africa, Otter Trail
tide charts are given to you at registration
… one way to cross the Bloukrans
If you are unable to cross Bloukrans, there is a higher escape route. Check with Rangers if you get struck overnight on the wrong side.
obviously, all water sensitive items must be kept in waterproof bags
In 2012 wardens offered to hike in meat and drinks for your last night. A menu with prices and a telephone was available in Day 3′s hut. A small service fee charged. By 2013 that service had been cancelled.
CNN
Before you scroll down, check this video. Ruth is an expert on Otter.
Cost
In 2013 for my booking from overseas I paid:
860 Rand ($95) – 4 nights in Camps
480 Rand ($53) – conservation fees
Sounds like costs were something similar in 2018.
Genets have learned to steal food from the huts
Routes
Day 1 = 4.8km (± 2 hours) – tips
Day 2 = 7.9km (± 4 hours) – tips
Day 3 = 7.7km (± 4 hours) – tips
Day 4 = 13.8km (± 6 hours) – tips
Day 5 = 6.8km (± 3 hours) – tips
Total Distance = 42.5km
Bloubaai beach – good LUNCH spot – day 2
Otter Trail is possibly the most desired hike in South Africa, but it’s only one of many treks along that coast. Check the otherGarden Route Hiking Trails.
Trekking Guides
We don’t know of any company guiding this trip. Leave a comment if you hear of one.
Watch out for snakes on day five of the hike when hiking through the fynbos vegatation, also keep an eye on crows raiding your backpack when crossing esp the Bloukrans river. They are notorious for damaging packs in search of food. Also look out for smaller predators at esp Andre Hut at night. They will snatch esp meat from the barbecue area. Lovely hike.
Walking the beautiful Waterfall trail on my own on 20 April 2015, I met a group of 6 women on their frist day of the Otter trail. I am interested in how they liked the rest of the trail. In case you know any of this groups’ members, kindly e-mail llrr1957@hotmail.com. Walk on!
My husband and I plan to do the Otter Trail in March, 2016. Do you see any reason why we couldn’t combine day 4 and day 5? Especially if low tide is early? I understand staying on track on previous days because of the hut situation, but it would be nice to finish a day early to have a little more time to see other things in the area (we didn’t get our permits on the day we would have liked, are are a bit pressed for time). Thank you!
Yep, loved the Otter Trail. I can see why i had to book a year in advance but really well worth it. I would love to hike it again but with so many trails to choose from in South Africa its a difficult decision. When i researched the Otter I found an app called Trail Guide South Africa that was very helpful finding trail info and other details. Maybe it will help someone else ? http://www.trailguide.co.za
one of our top 10 coastal hikes in the world
besthike.com 
Watch out for snakes on day five of the hike when hiking through the fynbos vegatation, also keep an eye on crows raiding your backpack when crossing esp the Bloukrans river. They are notorious for damaging packs in search of food. Also look out for smaller predators at esp Andre Hut at night. They will snatch esp meat from the barbecue area. Lovely hike.
Thanks for the tips, Bert.
Walking the beautiful Waterfall trail on my own on 20 April 2015, I met a group of 6 women on their frist day of the Otter trail. I am interested in how they liked the rest of the trail. In case you know any of this groups’ members, kindly e-mail llrr1957@hotmail.com. Walk on!
My husband and I plan to do the Otter Trail in March, 2016. Do you see any reason why we couldn’t combine day 4 and day 5? Especially if low tide is early? I understand staying on track on previous days because of the hut situation, but it would be nice to finish a day early to have a little more time to see other things in the area (we didn’t get our permits on the day we would have liked, are are a bit pressed for time). Thank you!
You certainly could finish a day early. Arrange transport on the far side in advance, however. Or you may be staying there overnight on your arrival.
Yep, loved the Otter Trail. I can see why i had to book a year in advance but really well worth it. I would love to hike it again but with so many trails to choose from in South Africa its a difficult decision. When i researched the Otter I found an app called Trail Guide South Africa that was very helpful finding trail info and other details. Maybe it will help someone else ? http://www.trailguide.co.za
Thanks Garth. I’ll check that out.
Rick, great site, thanks for the excellent info! Inspired by your enthusiastic trail description, we went off to do the trail ourselves last december – the trail’s indeed incredibly photogenic 🙂
(feel free to check out our impressions here: https://theboabnut.wordpress.com/home/otter-trail-what-goes-down-must-come-up-again/)
I’ll be following up on other recommended hikes here, especially in Canada!
brgrds
Thanks. We linked to your trip report. Happy New Year.