Silaka Nature Reserve

Silaka Nature Reserve is only 6kms south of Port St Johns and is therefore perfect for a day-trip from the town. This small, but beautiful coastal reserve lies in a forested valley and stretches from Second Beach to Sugarloaf Rock. It comprises some grassland, a dramatic piece of coastline and an equally dramatic piece of forest with huge trees.

There is swimming at Third Beach and many trails wandering through the trees. It is even possible to persuade your lodge in Port St Johns to give you a lift to the reserve in the morning and you can meander back along the beach in the afternoon. A small but exquisite reserve caters for lovers of tidal pools and otters, plus these is exceptional birdwatching.

Attractions

Trails lead through the evergreen forest and provide the opportunity to view elusive birds such as Knysna Loerie, Cinnamon Dove and Grey Cuckooshrike. The Gxwaleni River flows through the forest and you should look out for Halfcollared Kingfisher and Longtailed Wagtail at fast flowing stretches. Giant forest trees are clad in mosses, lichens and epiphytic orchids, while lilies bloom on the forest floor. Blue Duiker and Bushbuck are indigenous to the forest but are secretive and seldom seen. Facing the sea are grassy hills where the stately Aloe ferox blooms in winter. The Natal Red Rock Rabbit lives among boulders and Blesbuck, Blue Wildebeest and Burchell??s Zebra graze the palatable grasses.

The shoreline is very rugged, with a small sandy beach at the mouth of the Gxwaleni River, below the rest camp. Thickbilled Weaver and Yellowthroated Longclaw breed in the marsh, from where Cape Clawless Otters may venture onto the beach. A huge rocky outcrop, Bird Island, is just offshore and provides a resting place for Whitebreasted Cormorants and other birds. Interesting rock pools occur on the shore surrounding the island, which may be reached at low tide. At the estuary opposite Bird Island, an attractive pebble beach is surrounded by driftwood and aloes, which grow almost to the sea. Large stands of banana-like Strelitzia nicolai blanket some of the sea- facing slopes, where red-hot pokers and Flame Lilies bloom.

Services

- Nature reserve
- Marine reserve
- Bird watching
- Game viewing
- Self-guided walks

How to get there

The reserve is located in the eastern part of the Eastern Cape, south of Port St Johns on the coast. From Port St Johns, follow the tar road towards the beach and look out for the sign to ??Second Beach Silaka?? which turns to the right. Follow the signs from here over a bridge and up a steep hill to the reserve gate.

Accommodation

Stay over in the self-catering, thatched rondawels if you need peace of mind, to view exotic bird life, to experience wild orchids and other forest fauna, to view small game, or to gaze at the Indian Ocean. Accommodation is available in the reserve as well as in Port St Johns. For details on the reserve accommodation, please contact EC Tourism. The accommodation in Port St Johns is in the form of a game lodge, which can be contacted on +27 (0)47 531 2711.

Booking Information Office

Wild Coast Community Tourism Initiative

Postal Address: PO Box 18171, Quigney 5211, South Africa

Physical Address: Tourism Centre, Eastern Cape Tourist Board, Quigney, East London 5211, South Africa

Telephone: +27 43 7222203
Fax: +27 43 7222219
info@wildcoast.org.za