Country
South Africa
Reviews
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Family friendly
Check local rules
Terrain
Mixed
Season
October to March
About Striptease River Trail
The Striptease River Trail is a private hiking route at Tsitsikamma Lodge and Spa, a hotel of 32 free-standing log cabins in the Tsitsikamma forest on the Garden Route, at the western edge of the Eastern Cape. The trail follows a river through old indigenous forest for about 5 km and passes 11 rock pools, each with a cheeky name tracing a gradual undressing: Bikini, Topless, Bottomless, Halfway and finally Kaalgat, Afrikaans slang for bare-bottomed, with others such as Fantasy and the Cataract pool, which has waterfalls. Hikers can start fully dressed and shed a layer at each stage, or skinny-dip from the first pool. The walk typically takes around four hours with swims, though there is no time limit. Its key feature is privacy: once booked, the trail is reserved exclusively for you and your companions, which is what makes nude hiking and swimming possible. The lodge itself, with its restaurant, spa and cabins, is an ordinary clothed hotel, so the trail is a nude-friendly activity rather than a naturist venue. Summer is the best time to enjoy the pools.
Legal context & local rules
The trail is on private lodge land reserved for each booking, so nudity on it is not public. Public nudity elsewhere in South Africa is generally unlawful outside designated places.
South Africa permits public nudity only in designated areas. The Sexual Offences Act criminalises public indecency, but naturist beaches exist in Western Cape and KwaZulu-Natal. The South African Naturist Federation (SANF) works with municipalities for designated areas.
What’s here
Getting there and visiting
Tsitsikamma Lodge is beside the N2 on the Garden Route: from Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth) drive west on the N2 past Humansdorp and follow signs to the lodge on the right. The trail is free for lodge guests and is booked at reception or through River Hotels reservations (+27 42 280 3802); it is then reserved for your party alone. Cabins were advertised at about R750 to R950 per person per night in the tourism board's article (year not stated). The path follows a river with rock pools, so wear sturdy footwear and bring sunscreen.
Before you go
- 1 Check the current local rules and access conditions before travelling.
- 2 Bring a towel and sit on it when using shared seating.
- 3 Never take photographs of other people without clear consent.
- 4 Respect the venue’s clothing, privacy, and behaviour rules.
Location
⌖View this place on the map
-33.9812, 24.0202
Frequently asked questions
Can I hike the trail nude?
Yes. It is reserved exclusively for your party, and you can undress gradually or go nude from the start.
Do I have to stay at the lodge?
The trail is offered free to lodge guests and booked through the lodge.
How long is it?
About 5 km with 11 rock pools, usually around four hours.
Is the lodge naturist?
No. The lodge, restaurant and cabins are a normal clothed hotel.
Sources
- South African Tourism: Cool off, strip off and bare all on the Striptease Trail Official
- Wikipedia: List of social nudity places in Africa
Researched 25 October 2026 ; confirmed against an official source 25 October 2026.
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