South Africa's Eastern Cape and Garden Route coastline is one of the world's great coastal wilderness walks — river mouths to wade, sea cliffs to traverse, ancient forest to move through.
The Otter Trail is the crown jewel — four nights of coastal hiking through Tsitsikamma National Park, wading river crossings, and sleeping in remote huts above the Indian Ocean. Permits are strictly capped and sell out six months ahead.
The broader Garden Route circuit adds the Knysna forest, whale-watching at De Hoop in season, and the laid-back culture of the Eastern Cape's small towns. It works as a road trip, a trail trip, or — best of all — both combined.
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