Storms River - settlement in Sarah Baartman District Municipality in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa

Storms River (Stormsriver) is a small village in the Eastern Cape on the Garden Route surrounded by pine plantations along the N2. It is the gateway to the Tsitsikamma National Park.

Understand

Only a short drive east of Knysna, Storms River comprises more than just a village – it is a synonym for anything adventurous and daring, mild or wild. Storms River mouth is spanned by a suspension bridge, offering breathtaking views over rocks and coves and crashing waves of the Indian Ocean. The bridge leads to a lookout point from which sweeping views over a verdant forest and the Storms River camp reward any hike to this area. A first-class eco-destination, ecologically sensitive activities such as bungee jumping from the Bloukrans River Bridge, and canopy tours, are two of the most popular things to do at Storms River and surrounds!

Get in

By car

Located on the N2 the village is easily accessible by car from Port Elizabeth and Cape Town as well as other towns along the Garden Route.

By bus

The main companies stop in Storms River at the petrol station on their Cape Town—Port Elizabeth run. The petrol station is 5 km from town, all establishments in Storms River will charge something like R50 for pick up and drop off. The cheaper option: the public bus, drives from Knysna towards Port Elizabeth in the morning, returning to Knysna in the afternoon. The bus stops north of Storms River West (township) on the N2 (which is walking distance), around 07:30 and 15:30, bus fare to PE costs R60, way less than what the main companies charge.

By rail & plane

There is no rail station nor airport in Storms River. Though the nearest train station is at Assegaai, in Kareedouw (40 km), as a stop of the Apple Express. The nearest airports are located either in George or in Port Elizabeth, both 180 km away.

Get around

The village is small enough to get around on foot or by bike, or you can take your vehicle.

See

Tsitsikamma National Park is one of the main attractions near Storms River and is 5 km west of the village along the N2.

Do

• Outback Trial Riders, Corner of Assegaai & Formosa St's, +27 42 281-1842. Daily 08:00-17:00. Guided horse rides through the indigenous forest R300
• Segway Tours, 54 Formosa St, +27 81 320-3977, enquiries@segwaytours.co.za. Daily 09:00-15:00. Guided ride on a Segway around the village, through the township, indigenous forest and/or to the Big Tree. R285 for 1 hour, R400 for 2 hours
• Treetop Canopy Tour, 101 Darnell St, +27 42 281-1836, info@treetoptour.com. Daily 08:00-15:45. See the indigenous forest from the tree tops, 30 m up. R450 per person, this includes a meal and guides
• Tsitsikamma Falls Adventure, 8km east along the N2 from the Storms River bridge, +27 42 280-3770, tsitsikammafalls@lantic.net. 8 slides across the Kruis river, over waterfalls and rock pools, the longest 211 m long. R350 per person
• Woodcutters' Journey, 101 Darnell St, +27 42 281-1836, adventure@gardenroute.co.za. Daily 08:30, 11:30, 14:30. Enjoy a tractor-trailer ride down the old Storms River Pass, with a knowledgeable guide and refreshments served next to the river. Morning & afternoon R125pp, lunch R175pp.

Guided walks

• Forest Fynbos Walks, +27 42 281-1936, forestgranny@lantic.net. Guided forest walks with Bob and Louise Reed, bird watchers, who love to share their knowledge of nature.

Hiking

Starting at the Forest Station down-town Storms River, all have free self-issue permits at unmanned gates.

• Plaatbos Walk. Various options from 800 m to 12 km circular or linear.
• Low water bridge. About 5 km, circular, follow the gravel road (the Old Pass) to the picnic site on the banks of the Storms River. Braai facilities and swim in the river.
• Goesa Walk. 2 km, easy, passes through indigenous forest.

Mountain biking

A 22-km cycle route, starting from Storms River Village, through the old Storms River Pass, passing the low water bridge over the Storms River, all the way to the viewpoint of the Tsitsikamma National Park over Storms River Mouth. From there on you can cycle the same road back, or you could walk down (with your bike) towards the suspension bridge and exit through the rest camp, returning to Storms River Village over the N2. By entering the National Park from the rear, you're not paying entrance fees! Mountain bikes can be hired in town from the Mild2Wild Adventure Center and at all 3 backpackers.

• Mountain Bike Hire (at the Mild2Wild Adventure Center), 111 Darnell St, +27 42 281-1054, info@mild2wildadventures.com. Daily 08:00-17:00. R110pp

River tubing

River tubing in the Storms River starts around 08:00 with a briefing, then you get fitted with wetsuits and other gear, a short 4x4 ride gets you near the river, you'll have to walk the last bit, a very steep descent. When the river is high, you can paddle all the way, when the river is low, tubing becomes more of a 'kloofing' experience. Takes till 12:00, where get picked up with a 4x4, driven back to town for dry clothes and a well deserved lunch. There are 2 operators in town.

• Storms River Tubing, 111 Darnell St, +27 84 877-7100. Daily before 09:00. Storms River Tubing is fun, yet physically demanding activity. R495
• Black Water Tubing, Corner of Saffron & Darnell Sts, +27 42 481-1757. Daily before 09:00. Including free braai lunch. R495

Eat

• Andelomi, 31/34 Formosa St, +27 42 281-1726, info@andelomi.com. Daily. Best food in Storms River, including meat, fish and vegetarian options. Booking recommended so they can prepare for your arrival otherwise you may have to wait a while. ~R150-200 for 3 courses
• Koffiepot, Darnell St. Daily 08:00-16:00.
• Mild&Wild, 111 Darnell St. Daily 09:00-21:00. Offers affordable and nice meals, pizzas and steaks.
• {{eat | name=D'Oude Martha | alt=at the Protea Hotel | url=http://www.village-inn.co.za/facilities/restaurant.html (dead link: December 2020) | email= | address=Corner of Kamassi & Darnell Sts | lat= | long= | directions= | phone=+27 42 281-1711 | tollfree= | fax= | hours= | price=R60pp | content=A long tradition of good, home cooked food. }}
• Rafters, 24 Fynbos Ave (at the Armagh), +27 42 281-1512. Family restaurant serving traditional South African cuisine. Booking ahead recommended. R150pp including wine
• Trees, 101 Darnell St. Daily 08:00-16:00.
• Marilyn's 60s Diner, Darnell St (Storms River Village, Tsitsikamma), +27 82 920-6626. 10:00 - after dinner. American style 1960s diner with checked floors, red & white colour scheme, Juke Box and sugar shakers. With its Cadillac's and Chevy's on display, neon rimmed signage, 1950 and 60s décor and Elvis and Marilyn memorabilia, the place creates a quirky and nostalgic feel. Everything from breakfast, cakes and milkshakes to All American Cocktails, burgers, steaks and diner style deserts, as well as a venue for private functions and 1950s and 60s style themed weddings. Storms River's most popular eatery - can be busy and service isn't always the best. Reasonable

Sleep

Budget: under r500, mid-range: r500 to r1000, splurge: over r1000 (standard double room).

Budget

• DiJembe Backpackers Lodge, Corner of Assegaai & Formosa Sts, +27 42 281-1842, info@dijembebackpackers.com. Lodge and self-catering. Food and accommodation of all sorts. Staff is particularly angry and overall the lodge feels unclean. There is hot water available, when the water is on, though the water seems to be off every morning. Avoid if possible. Adventures like: horseriding, mountainbiking and rivertubing. From R110 pp
• Tsalanang Township Bed&Breakfast, House 252, Storms River West (Right on stop street, go left after 1km and 4 crossings), -33.9697166666667°, 23.8767305555556°, +27 84 801-6274, info@ttbb.co.za. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 11:00. Enjoy rural township life at a graded dinner, bed&breakfast. Township walk included. Call to confirm availability. From R150pps
• Tsitsikamma Backpackers, 54 Formosa St, +27 42 281-1868. From R110 pp
• Tube 'n' Axe Backpackers, Corner of Saffron & Darnell Sts, +27 42 281-1757, info@tubenaxe.co.za. With camping, dorms, cosy doubles and watertight elevated tents for budget travellers. From R116pp
• Serenity Retreat, Darnell St (on stop street, on your left after 800 m), +27 42 281-1530, kitty@serenityretreat.co.za. From R160 pps
• Pear Tree Cottage, Formosa St (first right as you come to village, 40 m into Formosa St), +27 82 427-5248, crodriguezbranch@yahoo.com. From R200 pp

Mid-range

• Andelomi Forest Lodge, 31 Formosa St, +27 42 281-1726, info@andelomi.com. In a quiet street but still an easy walk around town with a good restaurant, attached, laundry service.
• At the Woods, 43 Formosa St, +27 42 281-1446. A relaxing and comfortable base from which to explore the Tsitsikamma and surrounding areas. From R350-495pp
• March Hare Cottage, 94 Kamassi St, +27 42 281-1419, tglove@mweb.co.za. Luxury self-catering cottage, fully equipped, sleeps 2 (plus sleeper couch). Discounts by negotiation. Low season R700 per night for the cottage and R775 per night in school holidays and for August Traverse weekend. 2017-07-09
• Storms River Guest Lodge, 28 Kammassi St, +27 42 281-1703, info@www.stormsriverguestlodge.co.za. 16 upmarket and comfortable all en suite double rooms. From R410-460pps
• The Village Lodge, 40 Darnell St, +27 42 28 11 438, info@stormsrivervillagelodge.com. Variety of comfortable rooms, en suite hot shower, cooking facilities, spacious gardens. On the main road next to the main shops. From R200 (shared) to R1150 high-season self-catering for 5 people

Splurge

• Protea Hotel Tsitsikamma Village, Corner of Kamassi & Darnell Sts, +27 42 281-1711, info@village-inn.co.za. A reconstructed Cape village with 50 rooms -- looks like a village on its own. R360-700pps B&B
• The Armagh, 24 Fynbos Ave, +27 42 281-1512, info@thearmagh.com. Spacious, en suite rooms with magnificent views and private patios which lead into the sprawling natural gardens. From R295-750pps

Stay safe

• Police, 10111 (domestic).

Stay healthy

• Dr. Stander, Corner of Formosa & Kamassi Streets, +27 42 281-1710. M Tu Th F 10:00-13:00. Doctor.
• Public Hospital, Corner of Karen & Krom St, Kareedouw, +27 42 288-0210. The closest hospital is about 40 km away.
• Private Hospital, Muller St, Plettenberg Bay, +27 44 501-5100. The safest hospital is about 65 km away.

Go next

• Tsitsikamma - The surrounding area offers a wide variety of hiking opportunities and other activities.
• The rest of the Garden Route. Including Nature's Valley to the west, and Port Elizabeth to the east.