- Cederberg
The Cederberg is a wilderness area with some fantastic indigenous cedar forests, San rock paintings, magical waterfalls and bizarre rock formations. In winter, you'll find snow capped peaks and in summer you'll trade your soul for an ice cube.
- Paternoster
Paternoster and the adjacent Cape Columbine Nature Reserve are an easy drive from Cape Town - but far enough away to give a taste of true West Coast splendour.
- Darling
Small, sweet and home to some serious satire.
- Citrusdal
Citrusdal is home, as it's name suggests, to a citrus growing industry. Nestling in the beautiful Olifants River valley between fynbos clad mountains, it makes a great base for exploring the area and everything it has to offer - such as hiking, mountain biking, horse riding, spring flower hunting and the art of pure relaxation.
- Saldanha Bay
This safe natural harbour is home to a navy training base and a hub for the fishing industry. Thanks to its encircling arms, the bay is not only super safe for swimming and a top spot for sailing, but the water is also warmed by the sun, making it lekker* to swim in, unlike the rest of the West Coast, which is generally a breath-freezing temperature.
- Lambert's Bay
This large fishing village is something of a birdwatchers' paradise.
- Eland's Bay
This is a surfer's (and beach lover's) paradise with the best left hand break in S.A. according to Surf bum Geoff.
- Langebaan
Set on the coast overlooking a beautiful azure lagoon, Langebaan is a watersports paradise.
- Namaqualand
Namaqualand, on first impressions, is a harsh, relentless, arid wilderness. Its few inhabitants are burned and dehydrated by the sun and scorching winds, but far from loathing the territory, they have an intense affection for it.
- Piketberg
The high places in the mountains around Piketberg once offered sanctuary to groups of San (Bushmen) and some fine examples of their rock art can still be seen in the area.
- Richtersveld
This wilderness vastness (bounded in the north by the curve of the Orange River) offers hilly, rugged terrain distinguished by weird wind-sculptured rock pillars and spires. It's brown and bone dry except for the odd astonishingly lush greenness of irrigated lands.
- Springbok
Springbok is the largest town in Namaqualand proper and at the centre of the spectacular springtime flower show.
- Vredenburg
Founded around a bubbling spring of clear water, and an important centre for sheep and wheat farmers, "the town of peace" is situated 13km inland from Saldanha and is one of the bigger towns in the area. This is the only town with real backpacker accommodation on the West Coast.
Clanwilliam
Lying at the foot of the Cederberg, Clanwilliam's biggest drawcard is the Cederberg Mountains.
Rooibos Tea and Dams
Clanwilliam is famous....yes famous for Rooibos tea!
The town is situated at the foot of the Cederberg monutains and is one of the oldest towns in South Africa.
The town itself is about 60km from the sea and there are no real backpackers in the town.
It has a fantastic dam which becomes a weekend playground for Cape Town water junkies but in the week it is an awesome place to kick back and relax.
Clanwilliam used to be home to the famous Veldskoen factory but Jimmy Choo became a more favourable wear and saw the factory close.
Awesome climbing
Other attractions include Rocklands - a well known site for rock climbers, activities in the Cederberg Mountains, prolific bushman paintings, rooibos tea, wild flowers and the annual flower show which is held at the end of August each year.
Other attractions include Rocklands - a well known site for rock climbers, activities in the Cederberg Mountains, prolific bushman paintings, rooibos tea, wild flowers and the annual flower show which is held at the end of August each year.
Permits for climbing are available in Citrusdal.
Rock art
San rock paintings can be seen at their best in the Agter-Pakhuis vicinity.
San rock paintings can be seen at their best in the Agter-Pakhuis vicinity.
Places to Stay
- Enjo Adventure and Nature Farm
Soul country, food for the soul.
Feeling lucky?(randomly selected service providers from all regions)
Centrally situated in Johannesburg and close to WITS - a perfect venue for Profs and Researchers - kids are welcome too
(Johannesburg,Johannesburg)
for the more conservative traveller...
(Nelspruit,Mpumalanga)
This Mozambiquan backpackers is situated in paradise.
(Vilanculos,Mozambique)
A backpackers lodge in Swaziland that is home to an adventurous ancestral spirit and other adventurous types of earthly people.
(Lobamba,Swaziland)
This Backpackers is perched on a hill where hutted green hills roll down to the river mouth and to the sea - an oasis of tranquillity
(Mdumbi,Wild Coast)
Southern Cross lodge is a very central Swaziland backpackers with a huge garden, a swimming pool and great mountain views.
(MbabaneSwazi,Swaziland)
A grand backpacking hostel in midst of Cape Town city centre, within waltzing distance of almost everything a Cape Town Backpacker could need.
(Cape Town City Centre,Cape Town)
A homely backpackers hostel near to the beach and other main attractions
(Port Elizabeth,Sunshine Coast)
Tekweni Backpacking hostel in Durban cooks. One can’t say anything else about this ever-buzzy hostel and its hordes of people.
(Durban ,Durban)
Daytrippers offers a wonderful way to explore the Cape peninsula and winelands by bicycle.
(Cape Town City Centre,Cape Town)
