Visitors planning a trip to the Storms River Mouth in the Tsitsikamma Section of the Garden Route National Park can still enjoy one of South Africa’s most photographed attractions despite ongoing upgrade work.
SANParks has confirmed that the iconic Storms River suspension bridge remains open while refurbishment continues, although the project will now take longer than originally expected after months of challenging weather slowed construction.
Visitors can still cross the bridge
The refurbishment project focuses on replacing and reinforcing important structural elements to improve the bridge’s long-term safety and durability while protecting the experience visitors have come to expect.
Rather than closing the attraction completely, SANParks has adopted a phased construction approach that allows people to continue accessing the bridge during the upgrades.
That means travellers exploring the Garden Route can still include the famous crossing in their itinerary, even as work continues around it.
Weather pushes completion date back
When refurbishment began earlier this year, construction was expected to wrap up by 23 June 2026. However, repeated spells of adverse weather across the region disrupted work and forced contractors to adjust the schedule.
The revised completion date is now set for the end of August 2026.
Winter weather along the Garden Route often brings strong winds, heavy rain and rough sea conditions, making outdoor construction projects more challenging than anticipated.
A landmark worth preserving
The Storms River suspension bridge has become one of the Garden Route’s best-known attractions, drawing thousands of local and international visitors each year. Stretching above the river mouth where the river meets the Indian Ocean, the bridge offers dramatic coastal views and serves as the highlight of the popular walking trail from the Storms River Mouth Rest Camp.
News that the bridge will remain accessible during the upgrades is likely to be welcomed by holidaymakers planning winter and spring trips to the area, especially as it remains one of the park’s biggest drawcards.
For now, SANParks is encouraging visitors to continue exploring the Storms River Mouth area while refurbishment work progresses toward its expected completion at the end of August.
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Picture: SANParks / Facebook
