Garden Route National Park: Temporary closure of water activities and trails due to heavy rainfall

last updated 16 February 2026

South African National Parks (SANParks) released an update on the temporary closure of water-based activities and selected facilities in the Wilderness section of the Garden Route National Park. Following improved conditions, the Half Collared Kingfisher Trail and all the water-based activities in the Ebb and Flow area are now open. 
The Brown Hooded Kingfisher Trail and Galinule Bird Hide remain closed until further notice

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South African National Parks (SANParks) has announced the temporary suspension of all water-based activities in the Ebb and Flow area of the Wilderness section of the Garden Route National Park, effective immediately until further notice.

The closure comes after recent heavy rainfall, which has caused elevated water levels and created potentially hazardous conditions for visitors. To ensure safety, the following trails and facilities are also temporarily closed:

• Half Collared Kingfisher Trail
• Brown Hooded Kingfisher Trail
• Galinule Bird Hide

These precautionary measures are designed to protect visitors and restrict access to areas impacted by high water levels. SANParks has confirmed that all affected activities and facilities will reopen once conditions stabilise and it is safe to do so.

Visitors are encouraged to plan their trips accordingly, respect all safety notices, and check for updates before visiting. SANParks thanks everyone for their understanding and cooperation during this temporary closure.

 

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Garden Route National Park: Waterside Boardwalk in the Ebb and Flow Rest Camp is temporarily closed!

South African National Parks (SANParks) has informed the public that the Waterside Boardwalk in the Ebb and Flow Rest Camp in Garden Route National Park's Wilderness section is temporarily closed until further notice. Due to the recent floods, the Waterside Boardwalk has incurred structural damages, rendering it unsafe for public use. According to SANParks, work is underway to address the situation. We'll keep you posted!

The Waterside Boardwalk is located in the Ebb and Flow Rest Camp in the Wilderness section of Garden Route National Park and provides visitors with a scenic pathway that meanders alongside the Touw River, offering beautiful views of the surrounding forest and wetland habitats.
The Wilderness section of Garden Route National Park is located around the seaside town of Wilderness, Western Cape between the larger towns of George, Sedgefield and Knysna, in the Western Cape. It stretches from the Touw River mouth to the Swartvlei estuary and beyond, where it links with the Goukamma Nature Reserve.

Garden Route National Park: Ebb and Flow Rest Camp reopens!

South African National Parks (SANParks) has announced that the Ebb and Flow Rest Camp in the Wilderness Section of the Garden Route National Park has been reopened. The Rest Camp was temporarily closed due to flooding since 09 April 2024. The accommodation facilities have not been affected by the floods and accommodation and camping is available for bookings. SANParks further announced that the Tsitsikamma section and the Knysna section of the Garden Route National Park remain open to the public. However, the following hiking trails and facilities remain closed: Half Collared Kingfisher trail, Gallinule bird hide, Brown Hooded Kingfisher trail, Waterside boardwalk, Woodville Big Tree, Outeniqua Hiking trail and Canoe activity. We'll keep you posted!

Garden Route National Park: Ebb and Flow Rest Camp & hiking trails closed due to flooding!

South African National Parks (SANParks) has informed that heavy rains have caused flooding at the Wilderness Section of the Garden Route National Park, so that the Ebb and Flow Rest Camp has been temporary closed. Mop up operations are already underway and guests who were camping at the Rest Camp have been safely evacuated to the Forest Cabins. All the hiking trails including the trails at Ebb and Flow Rest Camp, Swartvlei, Woodville Big Tree, Farleigh and Goudveld - Outeniqua hiking trail and Circles in the Forest are closed until further notice. The Touw River Mouth was mechanically breached at 06:20 on 09 April 2024. Potential damage to infrastructure and tourism facilities is getting evaluated. Garden Route National Park is currently experiencing power cuts and SANParks' technical team together with the municipality are working on resolving the matter. We'll keep you posted!

Garden Route National Park: N2 leading to the Ebb & Flow Rest Camp temporarily closed!

South African National Parks (SANParks) just announced that the entrance road from the N2 leading to the Ebb & Flow Rest Camp in the Wilderness section of the Garden Route National Park will be temporarily closed for 12 - 16 weeks because of construction work. The main rest camp, the reception area and the Loerie Nest venue will remain fully operational during the period. Visitors to the Garden Route National Park are encouraged to use two alternative routes:

• Entry from the N2 via Hoekwil. This route leads to a dirt road of approx. 1.4km
• Entry through the town of Wilderness is about 3.5km

Map of the alternative routes (screenshot via sanparks.com)
click here to download (pdf)

According to SANParks, noise levels are expected to remain normal and visitors will still be able to enjoy the tranquillity of the Park. The parking space as well as the operating hours for the booking office and reception of the Garden Route National Park will also not be affected by any of the construction work.