- Mossel Bay
Mossel Bay is halfway between Cape Town and PE, this coastal town marks the official beginning (or end) of the Garden Route. There’s a wide choice of backpacker hostels, beaches and adventure activities.
- Little Brak
A real beach holiday spot.
- Oudtshoorn
Oudtshoorn was home to rich feather barons until the turn of the century. The collapse of the feather industry meant the area had to find other attractions in order to survive. And boy, has it done a good job of that! You need daaaaays to “do” Oudtshoorn.
- De Rust
An interesting little one horse town.
- Victoria Bay
Victoria Bay is renowned as one of the world’s best surfing beaches and the waves here are often spectacular.
- Wilderness
Wilderness nestles in the green coastal hills, framed by the Touws River lagoon on one side and miles of superb beach on the other. The beautiful Wilderness National Park protects the unique eco-system that makes up the surroundings.
- Sedgefield
Straddling the N2 and in its turn surrounded by wetlands and sandwiched between the sea and the mountain, this is paraglider's paradise.
- Buffels Bay
This little coastal village lies just outside of Knysna and is a great place to relax and get closer to nature.
- Knysna
This backpackers haven is the centre of the Garden Route. The town of Knysna sprawls around the Knysna lagoon whose entrance is guarded by two rocky cliffs called The Heads. Knysna is the hub of the Garden Route and this once sleepy village is now a bustling town.
- Uniondale
Peaceful winding roads and lovely country side. The alternative inland route along the coast…
- Nature's Valley
Situated at the end of the Groot River pass, Nature’s Valley is surrounded by mountain, lagoon, sea and forest.
- Plettenberg Bay
Plettenberg Bay is a backpackers paradise. It was named “Baia Formosa” (Beautiful Bay) by early Portuguese explorers. Plettenberg Bay is now one of the Garden Route’s major destinations, primarily because the Portuguese weren’t far wrong.
- Bloukrans
The main attractions here are the Bloukrans Bridge, the world’s highest bungy jump and the beautiful surroundings
- Stormsriver
The major drawcard here is Mother Nature. And she’s a real Mother, but not the one you know. Wild, tempestuous, untamed, violent, calm, soothing, shouting, majestic and awe-inspiring if you can look past the hand of man.
George
George is very close to Oudtshoorn, Mossel Bay and Victoria Bay, it’s a convenient backpacker stop over point. George airport is a convenient way of arriving to explore the Garden Route.The Outeniqua Tjoe - Choo train comes puffing into the station once a week.
George is the start of the Garden Route
George is set on a plateau between the majestic Outeniqua Mountains and the beautiful beaches of the Indian Ocean, George lies at the centre of the Garden Route.George has two backpackers,which are both exceptional.
George is renowned for its golf courses and the area is embraced by evergreen forests and nature reserves. Drive or ride the scenic 7 passes route, choof on the Choo-Tjoe to Mossel Bay, or take a dunk in the ocean at Victoria or Herold’s Bay.
There are some excellent choices of backpacker accommodation in George and it is worth spending a few days here to explore the local area.
Places to Stay
- Afrovibe Lodge and Adventures
They offer easy access to the tourist attractions of George and the Garden Route.
- Outeniqua Backpackers
Outeniqua backpackers was the first backpackers in George. It is a great place to stop over if you want a base whilst backpacking the Garden Route.
- Rocky Mountain Lodge and Backpackers
This lodge is on the outskirts of George offering log cabins with en-suite bathrooms - an ideal spot from which to explore the Garden Route.
Feeling lucky?(randomly selected service providers from all regions)
For the best Scuba diving on the South Coast and some of the best scuba in the world.
(Umkomaas,South Coast)
This is Cape Town's longest running travel centre.
(Cape Town City Bowl,Cape Town)
This backpackers is only 700m from the beach, with a sweet sea view.
(Warner Beach,South Coast)
Studying Linguists and Backpackers tune into this Cape Town jazz vibe
(Sea Point,Cape Town)
Wild Spirit backpackers lodge just outside of Plettenberg Bay, is a wonderful place to stay at.
(Nature's Valley,Garden Route)
A backpackers in the heart of Observatory - the centre of Cape Town backpackerland...
(Observatory,Cape Town)
This Windhoek accommodation is a civilised stop on the edge of the wilderness.
(Windhoek,Namibia)
A South African wine tour with a difference.
(Stellenbosch,Wine Region)
Join hot Rod - for the ride of your life!
(Graskop,Mpumalanga)
Explore off the beaten track., adventuring as you go. They take you there, drop you off and pick you up again.
(Southern Drakensberg,Drakensberg Backpacker Hostels)
