Plan your trip
GETTING THERE
Storms River Mouth is 190km west of Port Elizabeth on the N2. Turn left about 8km after Storms River Bridge.
BEST TIME TO GO
It depends on which conditions you prefer: December to February tend to be the hottest, May to September the coldest, and it’s most likely to rain the most and hardest in August.
TRANSFERS
We left our cars at De Vasselot Rest Camp in Nature’s Valley and took a transfer back to Storms River Mouth. From R100 pp for eight to 12 passengers. geckotours.co.za
THE OTTER TRAIL
The trail is five days and four nights, from Storms River Mouth to Nature’s Valley. At each overnight camp there are two huts sleeping six each on two triple-bunk beds. There’s a central lapa for cooking or chilling around the fire. Hikers need to bring sleeping bags, cooking equipment and food. It’s best to get a group of 12 together and book the whole trail, but you can book as a group of six to secure one cabin, and there are also single spots available. It costs R1 150 pp, plus a daily conservation fee of R45 (waived if you have a Wild Card). Book well in advance – up to a year – to secure your desired spot. There is no waiting list, but keep checking online for cancellations. sanparks.org
NEED TO KNOW
There are rain tanks at each camp with drinking water. You’ll be briefed on water usage at the start (pack biodegradable soap), and this includes which rivers and streams you can drink from. Firewood is provided, but it’s not covered and can be wet on arrival, so don’t bank on it. I wouldn’t call the trail extreme but you need to be prepared, fit enough for the uphills and nimble enough to clamber over rocks.
DO THIS
1. Take a short stroll across the Storm’s River suspension bridge before you start the trail. 2. Stop for lunch at the Jerling River waterfall on Day 1 (this is at the end of the Waterfall Trail walked by day hikers). 3. Have a braai on the first night – it’s a short day and you can afford to carry a little extra. 4. Find the path to Bloubaai Beach on Day 2 (the toughest). We saw the path to it from the lookout at the top of a very long climb but nobody in our group was keen to descend again to find it. 5. Pack food away properly if you plan to leave your backpack anywhere – it will be ransacked by baboons! 6. Look for Cape clawless otters on Day 3 on the far bank of the Elandsbos River – your best chance of a sighting. 7. Make the Bloukrans River crossing easy by checking the tides ahead of time ( tides4fishing.com) and pack a headlamp in case you have to make an early start to get there when it’s at its lowest. Buy a waterproof survival bag to seal your backpack. R120, capeunionmart.co.za 8. Take it easy on the final day. This last stretch is beautiful and goes fairly quickly despite the longer distance.
STAY HERE
For accommodation before and after the trail, Rattrays Cottage in Nature’s Valley is a beautiful self-catering beach house with six rooms, and easily had space for our whole group with four bunk beds to spare. It comes with beach chairs, body boards, umbrellas and paddle skis. From R3 000 per day. 034-642-1843, naturesvalley. fugitivesdrift.com
RUN THE TRAIL
Bookings for the Otter African Trail Run Classic 2017 (in October) are full, but there is a waiting list. Keep an eye on the Facebook page to check when entries open for the Retto in 2018. The race has four categories: The Run covers the full trail and must be completed in under eight hours (R4 600). The Challenge also covers the full trail but is ‘more social’ – it can be completed in under 11 hours (R4 300). The Dassie is a 10km trail race along a section of the route (R180). The RockRat is a 6km dash (R180). otter.run
TASTE THE TRAIL
If you’re in two minds about tackling the full Otter, do the Waterfall Trail – a 6km day hike from Storms River Mouth. It’s an excellent example of the type of terrain on the full trail – rocky shores and forest stairs. It takes roughly three hours to do the round trip, but pack a picnic and you can make a day of it. R45 pp conservation fee. sanparks.org *Prices correct at time of going to print