On the Other Otter
A huge pod of dolphins circles just off the rocky shore, attracting a crowd of spectators. We’ve just arrived at Storms River Mouth Rest Camp, the starting point for the Dolphin Trail, a luxury slackpacking trail that heads east through the Tsitsikamma section of the Garden Route National Park.
Comprising two full days of walking and a scenic drive, the three-night, guided and fully-catered, 17-kilometre trail (a partnership between SANParks and two private lodges) is an accessible, upmarket alternative to the famous Otter Trail (that also starts at Storms River, but heads west towards Nature’s Valley).
After settling into our small but comfortable, wooden chalet, we spend the afternoon exploring the coastline, watching dassies, nesting seagulls and African Black Oystercatchers on the rocks, and swimming in a natural pool before a briefing at the park restaurant. Temporarily housed in a big tent on the rocks (after the permanent building was destroyed by fire), it has an uninterrupted view of the Tsitsikamma coastline
