In a tiny fragment of indigenous forest in the Garden Route, elephants eke out a living among the trees, along the forest edge and into surrounding fynbos. Protected in part by the Garden Route National Park, these are Africa’s most southerly elephants and South Africa’s only free-roaming population.
For many years it was generally believed that just one lone female, the Matriarch, survived. But, thanks to a new approach to researching and monitoring, at least five of these elusive giants are now known to persist, making it essential that proper conservation and management plans be put in place to protect the country’s last free-roaming elephant population.
These lone females are a relict population of a large herd, numbering about one thousand, which roamed the Tsitsikama Forest and surrounding regions at the southern tip of Africa until the 1800s and 1900s, when contact with European farmers and hunters led to their near extinction.
Recent DNA analysis of dung samples undertaken by conservation geneticist Dr Lori Eggert of the University of Missouri-Columbia and environmentalist Gareth Patterson, has revealed the presence of at least 5 cows and possibly some bulls and calves, moving within an area of 121,000 hectares of forest managed by the South African National Parks, and constituting the only unfenced elephant group in South Africa.
The Elephant Walk Hiking Trails
The Elephant Walk Hiking Trails are fun forest walks with a difference that begin at the Diepwalle Forest Station, where you are able to obtain your permits, a map and information sheets to help you identify certain trees and plants along your way.
These majestic forests have always been well known for the Knysna Elephants, whose population has depleted dramatically in recent years.
Apart from just walking, give attention to the impressively large variety of vegetation and trees which includes Yellowwood trees [that are over 600 years old], Cape Holly, Stinkwood, White Pear and Ironwood to name a few, the vast variety of fungi, the fynbos, vervet monkeys playing in the tree tops and the many other small animals that can be seen scurrying around the forest.
The Olive Woodpecker, Black-Headed Oriole, Narina Trogon, Red-Billed Wood Hoopoe and the Knysna Loerie are just some of the birds you may see along the way if you keep your eyes peeled.
It is highly unlikely that you will spot the elusive Forest Elephants!
Diepwalle is also a popular start/finish/overnight point on the Outeniqua Overnight Hiking Trail and there is also a new campsite at the forest station where you can camp on wooden decks among the trees.
Distance:
Elephant 1 (Black) 9km, easy, circular route, start at forestry station.
Elephant 2 (White) 8km from forest station or 6.5km from Diepwalle picnic site, easy, circular route.
Elephant 3 (Red) 7km, intermediate, circular route, start at forestry station [the Cache is hidden on this route].
Important: Always follow the “elephant” signs. The Outiniqua Hiking Trail crosses these routes often and is marked by footprints painted on rocks and tree trunks. If you follow the elephants AND the footprints you will go round in circles!
Duration: 1 – 3 hours If you feel really energetic you can link the routes into one long route of 18.2km which takes approximately 6 – 7 hours to walk. This includes rests, a slow pace and lots of time to look around.
Rating: Easy – Intermediate
Permit: Permits are obtainable from the Diepwalle Forestry Station for a small fee during season. When the offices are closed issue yourself a self-issue permit from the wooden box under the tree in front of the offices. Free for Wild Card members.
Take With You: You will need the following:
- Hat
- Sunglasses
- good walking shoes
- insect repellent
- refreshments and water
- camera
- binoculars
Getting There: From Knysna take the N2 towards Plettenberg Bay. About 4km from Knysna take the R339 Uniondale turnoff to the left and follow this road for 15.5km, take the Diepwalle turnoff to the right. Continue for 1km and park at the Diepwalle Forestry Station [see Parking Way Point].
Cache: The container is a camouflaged honey bottle containing a log sheet [please replace it carefully in the zip lock bag], pencil and sharpener. Please hide the container carefully as found.
There is space for small items of SWAG/trackables.
Location: It is not necessary to do any of the Elephant Trails in order to retrieve the cache. You may Park at the Forestry Station and follow the Red trail to GZ and return directly to your vehicle.