Eersterivier, Garden Route

Easily confused with the other Eersterivier, which lies between Cape Town and the Cape Winelands close to Somerset West, the little holiday village of Eersterivier lies virtually unknown on the rocky coastline of the Tsitsikamma on the country’s famous Garden Route, roughly 30 kilometres from Storms River.

This part of the world is remote and beautiful, despite being only an hour’s drive from Plettenberg Bay. Eersterivier is no doubt named after the Eerste River (first river), which borders the Tsitsikamma to the east, and is one of the reasons - there is also the Bloukrans River that lies to the west - that the Tsitsikamma is a ‘place of abundant or sparkling water’. It also rains fairly often, which accounts for the consistent lushness of vegetation, and the climate is mild all year round.

Deep river gorges, vast sections of indigenous forest, fynbos, giant yellowwoods, stinkwoods and hard pear trees, and a spectacular coastline where the sea constantly pounds craggy cliffs, rugged boulders and small, protected beaches are what make up the area around Eersterivier. Regular sightings of dolphins and the Cape clawless otter are just one of the highlights on this part of the coast, which isn’t about the incredible scenery and windswept cliff tops alone.

There is also plenty of activity for adventure enthusiasts. Black water tubing at Storms River, hiking, abseiling, the world’s highest bungee jump off Bloukrans River bridge, birding, cycling or simply relaxing in the shadow of the Tsitsikamma Mountains.