SANPARKS Trail – Paid permit / entrance required
The Half Collared Kingfisher Trail is an 8-kilometre out-and-back (4km each way) trail located near Wilderness that features a waterfall and is good for all skill levels. The trail is primarily used for hiking and nature trips.
It is a beautiful shady walk through the forest and you are likely to see most of our birds, e.g. the Knysna Loerie, Giant Kingfisher and the Fish Eagle. You will also see the Yellow wood trees.
The trail starts on the west bank of the Touw River and joins up with the Giant Kingfisher trail on the east bank of the Touw River that leads to the waterfall. You cross the Touw River with a pontoon.
As this falls under SanParks’ jurisdiction, hikers are required to purchase a permit in order to be allowed to do the hike. Permits are available at the start of the trail entrance.
- Day visitors are allowed until 17h30.
- No dogs allowed.
SanParks contact information: Tel +27 (0) 44 877 1197
The trail is close to the Ebb & Flow Restcamp, part of the Wilderness section of the Garden Route National Park, known for a variety of forest and edge bird species, including the Knysna Turaco and Cape Parrot.
| Species (Common Name) | Scientific Name | Status in Forest Area |
|---|---|---|
| Half-collared Kingfisher | Alcedo semitorquata | Forest specialist, regularly seen in indigenous forest patches |
| Knysna Warbler | Bradypterus sylvaticus | Secretive forest understorey species; occurs though seldom seen |
| Orange-breasted Sunbird | Anthobaphes violacea | Resident; fynbos and forest edge |
| Victorin’s Warbler | Cryptillas victorini | Secretive forest understorey species; occurs though seldom seen |
| Narina Trogon | Apaloderma narina | Forest specialist; regularly seen in indigenous forest patches |
| White-starred Robin | Pogonocichla stellata | Forest understory specialist; more often heard than seen |
| Black-headed Oriole | Oriolus larvatus | Forest and woodland edges; commonly heard |
Sources:
Alex Aitkenhead: Garden Route National Park (Wildernes, Knysna, Tsitsikamma) – alexaitkenhead.co.za
Visit Knysna: Birding in the Greater Knysna area – www.visitknysna.co.za
SANParks – www.sanparks.org
| Start Coordinates: (DD) | -33.987595, 22.606653 |
| Start/Finish | Ebb & Flow North, Waterside Rd, Hoekwil, Wilderness |
| Distance | 7 km (linear route) |
| Route type | Out-and-back |
| Elevation Gain | ± 209 m |
| Perceived Exertion | Light |
| Trail System | Wilderness |
| Surface | Hiking trail Jeep track |
| Route Markers | Yes |
| GPX Map | Download GPX file for self-navigation on your GPS device or smart phone. |
ESTIMATED TIME
| Hiking | ± 1 h – 2 h |
FACILITIES AT THE START
- Parking
- Water / tap
- Restroom
LAND OWNERS & MANAGERS
Links & More Info
SANPARKS Ebb & Flow Rest camp.
GPS Waypoints: 33°59’25.32″ S 22°36’30.05″E
Day Hiking Permits *
- You do not have to prebook/prepay for day hike permits.
- If and when you do need to pay for permits, please note that the Garden Route National Park is cashless. Permits must be paid for by card.
- At Ebb & Flow the Half-collared Kingfisher trailhead/start is from the public road, with a hut just inside the entrance where one would buy the permit.
- Where trails appear to start/end within a rest camp, one would pay for entrance to the park at the entrance gate.
- It is only the overnight trails that must be booked via the reservations system.
* This information was correct at the time of writing.
SANParks – Wilderness – Rates & Fees
| 1 November 2025 – 31 October 2026 | Adults (12+ years) | Children (2 – 11 years) |
|---|---|---|
| South African Citizens and Residents | R61 | R30 |
| SADC Nationals | R124 | R62 |
| International (non-South African) Citizens | R235 | R118 |
