Kaaimans River Pass

About Kaaimans River Pass

The Kaaimans River Pass connects the towns of Knysna and George on the Garden Route. It lies on the N2, a tarred pass that during the 2006 heavy rains in the area was placed under severe strain when a huge chunk of the pass slipped into the sea, forcing the N2 to close between the two major towns.

Did you know? Having a closer look at the origin of the name of the Kaaiman River, over which the pass drives, a more direct connotation is with turning around. The river is also known as the Keerom River probably because the gorge is pretty daunting to cross without the assistance of the pass.

Now more than safe to travel along, if you disregard the several strategically placed speed cameras (it pays to slow down along this part of the pass anyway as during rainy weather it can get slippery), there is only congestion to be aware of as traffic volumes increase year on year. There is little chance of widening the pass, engineering wise at any rate.

The pass itself is incredibly beautiful. there is a wonderful place at which to stop, known as Dolphin Point, with views over the sea where the beaches seem to stretch for miles. Sighting dolphins is commonplace, and even whales during the winter months are not uncommon.

However the original meaning of Kaaiman, also spelt Caymmans, Kaymans or even Kujmans, seems to indicate that at one stage there were crocodiles in the river over which the Kaaimans bridge spans. It is more likely to have been the iguana and an overactive imagination than crocodiles on this part of the Garden Route, however.