Top Things To Do On & Around The Storms River

Summer in South Africa, and especially on the Garden Route, is all about water. Whether it’s a beach, a dam, a river or a swimming pool – South Africans will find it! It’s just too hot to do otherwise.

Here at Knysna Hollow Country Estate, we’ve got a sparkling pool for you to lay beside and enjoy, complete with poolside service and as many cocktails as your heart desires. However, for the more adventurous among you, the Storms River is one of our region’s biggest attractions. Most know it for its Instagram-worthy suspension bridge, but this blog post will detail more activities around the river, giving you that taste of adventure centred around a lush and cool place to take a dip whenever the mood strikes you.

From gentle forays down the stream, to cruising through the forest on a Segway, we’ve got a few recommendations for every kind of thrill-seeker, all within a stone’s throw of the Storms River. (And our estate!)

First things first – getting in the water. Untouched Adventures is a tour provider in the Tsitsikamma Section of the Garden Route National Park who combine two heavenly summer activities – kayaking and floating on a lilo!

This adventure tour takes about three hours and takes you deep up the Storms River Gorge – from kayaking below the suspension bridge to drifting through deep, calm pools framed by hidden caves and the ancient indigenous forests the Garden Route is known for.

(Also check out their snorkeling adventure at the Storms River Mouth!)

Discover more here.

Take a guided tubing trip through the Tsitsikamma Forest, where you float down the river on inflatable tubes, surrounded by trees and fresh forest air. It’s cool, refreshing and a lot of fun, especially on a warm day when sunlight filters through the canopy above.

This is an easy, enjoyable way to experience the forest and is especially popular with families and those travelling with children. Along the route, experienced guides lead you through a narrow gorge with fern-covered rock walls, keeping things safe while pointing out interesting features along the way.

Tsitsikamma Blackwater Tubing is based in Storms River Village and is a great option for a relaxed, adventure-filled outing.

Image Credits: Instagram | blackwater_tubing

You knew this one was coming…

But as the region that boasts some of the most ancient indigenous forests in South Africa, how could we not recommend a tour of its canopy?

Fly among the tree tops on a thrilling zipline circuit, with platforms high above the forest floor and stunning views of the Tsitsikamma landscape. This is an unforgettable way to see nature from above.

And, if you do struggle with heights, the safety precautions and double-cable features, as well as the guides’ intrinsic sense of fun and undeniable capability leaves you feeling strangely reassured and free to take in the full majesty of this experience!

Discover more here.

Guided Segway tours take you smoothly through lush indigenous forests and out to towering yellowwood trees without tiring the legs, leaving you energised and sprightly enough to keep exploring the river or take a hike when it’s done.

Tours are available in 1 or 2 hour options, covering the forest trails near Storms River Village and the famous Big Tree, a 1000‑year‑old yellowwood that can’t help but inspire awe.

Never operated a Segway before? No worries. Each tour includes a 20‑minute training session before you head off.

Discover more here.

Image Credit: Instagram | tsitsikammasegwaytours

When all else fails, nothing beats skirting the river’s edge and exploring the forest that surrounds it on foot. It’s free, it’s at your own pace and, most importantly, you can hop into the water whenever you find a pool that suits your fancy.

The Garden Route National Park offers world-class trails ranging from short forest walks to longer hikes. Here are five of our favourite routes within striking distance of Knysna Hollow Country Estate.

Along the way you’ll find dramatic coastline, suspension bridges and breathtaking viewpoints!

No visit is complete without that classic holiday shot on the Storms River Suspension Bridge, a marvel of engineering that sways gently above a gorgeous river mouth as it meets the ocean in a churn of currents.

This is a popular tourist attraction, so it will be busy over the summer time, but remains worth the trip nevertheless.

From the Storms River Mouth parking lot, follow the marked trail to the suspension bridge. The walk takes about 10 to 15 minutes along a wooden path through the forest. Along the way, enjoy views of the river gorge before reaching the bridge.

When is the best time for river adventures?

Most activities are best enjoyed between spring and autumn (September to April), when water levels and weather make river-based adventures particularly fun, but there’s always something spectacular to discover year-round in Tsitsikamma and Storms River.

Enhance your stay at Knysna Hollow Country Estate by enjoying some of these exciting Storms River activities. Whether you’re after adventure or a relaxing way to take in nature, our friendly front desk team can help you plan your day or book experiences on your behalf.

Explore our range of suites online and secure your stay through our easy-to-use booking platform. Alternatively, reach out directly at reservations@knysnahollow.co.za for personal assistance.

Your Knysna escape awaits!