- 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.
- Clanwilliam
Lying at the foot of the Cederberg, Clanwilliam's biggest drawcard is the Cederberg Mountains.
- 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.
- 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.
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.
The best left hand break…
This is a surfer's (and beach lover's) paradise with the best left hand break in S.A. according to Surf bum Geoff. Elands also has some very fine seafood and lots of kreef*. In fact, a while back millions (and I mean millions) of kreef crawled out of the sea in a desperate attempt to escape a bad Red Tide (which starves them of oxygen) only to die on the beaches. It was an unforgettable spectacle which made environmentalists weep as they desperately tried to loads the creatures in bulldozer tips and transport them to healthier sea. Ask the locals about it - someone will have pictures. Very freaky stuff.
This is a surfer's (and beach lover's) paradise with the best left hand break in S.A. according to Surf bum Geoff. Elands also has some very fine seafood and lots of kreef*. In fact, a while back millions (and I mean millions) of kreef crawled out of the sea in a desperate attempt to escape a bad Red Tide (which starves them of oxygen) only to die on the beaches. It was an unforgettable spectacle which made environmentalists weep as they desperately tried to loads the creatures in bulldozer tips and transport them to healthier sea. Ask the locals about it - someone will have pictures. Very freaky stuff.
* Kreef - lobster, crayfish.
Surf report.
For surfing enthusiasts, Eland's Bay is a place of pilgrimage. The majestic, fast moving waves which roll into the bay in summer when the south easter blows are world famous. Surfers can work into the sea from a headland to catch the waves early and enjoy a long ride.
For surfing enthusiasts, Eland's Bay is a place of pilgrimage. The majestic, fast moving waves which roll into the bay in summer when the south easter blows are world famous. Surfers can work into the sea from a headland to catch the waves early and enjoy a long ride.
Check out Baboon Point and the Elands Bay Cave which houses San paintings that date back 15 000 years. Excellent camping is available right on the beachfront.
Places to Stay
- Elandsbay Backpackers
Chill on the West Coast.
Feeling lucky?(randomly selected service providers from all regions)
Based at Sani Lodge, they offer tours into the spectacular mountain kingdom of Lesotho.
(Southern Drakensberg,Lesotho)
Mossel Bay Backpackers is located just 300m from the Inner and Outer Point surf spots. This backpacker lodge also has a guest house adjoined to it, if you are after a few more creature comforts.
(Mossel Bay,Garden Route)
Sodwana backpackers accommodation close to the beach and dive courses for everyone.
(Sodwana Bay,Zululand)
Little Brak Beach House offers fab out-of-town tranquillity and loads of comfort .
(Little Brak,Garden Route)
The backpackers choice of car rental agency in Cape Town.
(Cape Town City Centre,Cape Town)
The Tube ’n Axe is just 300m away from the Stormsriver Adventure Centre - this is Wild Adventure Frontier Territory.
(Stormsriver,Garden Route)
Nestled in a rural conservation village, these two self-catering timber cottages are perfect for snuggle sessions between surfing, fishing and hiking.
(Scarborough and Kommetjie,Cape Town)
This Pretoria Backpackers is run by travellers who understand just what other travellers need…
(Pretoria City,Pretoria)
This area is a hiker’s wet dream and rock climber’s secret fantasy.
(Cederberg,Cederberg)
Oasis backpackers is situated in a large, comfortable house with a variety of accommodation options in Oudtshoorn.
(Oudtshoorn,Garden Route)
