- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
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.
Knysna sprawls around a stunning tidal lagoon whose entrance is guarded by two rocky cliffs called The Heads. The hub of the Garden Route, this once sleepy village now bustles thanks to its many pubs and clubs which offer live music and bop into the wee hours.
Delight your taste buds with ocean-fresh Knysna oysters and locally brewed beer. Go hunting for the last remaining forest elephants or the tiny sea horses that shelter in the lagoon. Whatever. It’ll be nice, nê.
To some Knysna is about the little seahorses that live gently amongst the reeds. To others it’s about the salty taste of oysters on eager tongues. But whatever your passion, Knysna is bound to satisfy some part of your soul.
Surrounded by deep forests which were once crowded with elephant (three still roam the forests), Knysna is close to loads of fantastic beaches, rivers and mountains.
It has a lot to offer and there’s tons to do. In fact George Bernard Shaw loved Knysna so much he ended up staying for five weeks whilst he wrote a book called “The black girl in search of God”.
Check out the King Edward tree. Standing at 46 meters, it is said to be over 700 years and has an impressive 7 meter circumference.
Try the locally brewed Bosuns bitter - it’s one of SA’s few non-monopoly beers.
Places to Stay
- Highfield Backpackers
This Knysna backpacking lodge is centrally located in town just 2 blocks from the action.
- Island Vibe Knysna
This Knysna backpackers is in the thick of the action in Knysna and all set to rock.
- Jembjos Knysna Lodge
Knysna's newest boutique backpackers lodge
- Knysna Backpackers
Set in a century old Victorian house with loads of character, Knysna Backpackers is an easy going place.
- Southern Comfort Horse Ranch
Southern Comfort - a 26 hectare horse farm - is situated in the heart of the Knysna forest overlooking indigenous forest.
What to do
- African Trails
Crisscross Africa with a tour operator that can navigate borders and bushveld with ease. African Trails runs budget overland tours from Cape Town, Jozi and Vic Falls. All you need to do is decide what size adventure you wear...
- Knysna Elephant Park
An awesome Backpacker experience never to be forgotten
- Mothers of Creation Rural Homestay Route
Appreciate the beauty of the countryside and get face to face with the locals
Feeling lucky?(randomly selected service providers from all regions)
Easy access to the North West and to the Plilanesberg National Park.
(Hartbeespoort and surrounds,North West Province)
So you’re taking your AroundAbout car on safari?
(Nelspruit,Mpumalanga)
The B.I.G is perfectly perched at the foot of Signal Hill, a short walk to shops and the buzzing promenade, Stadium or Waterfront.
(Green Point,Cape Town)
Welcome to God's country at the Tsitsa Falls
(Hogsback,Eastern Cape Inland and the Karoo)
A Johannesburg backpackers with a unique opportunity to experience township life.
(Johannesburg,Johannesburg)
Go adventuring in the Wilderness - abseil, kloof or canoe.
(Wilderness,Garden Route)
Join hot Rod - for the ride of your life!
(Graskop,Mpumalanga)
This is a friendly, warm and welcoming PE beachfront backpackers.
(Port Elizabeth,Sunshine Coast)
Adventures and tours in the Cape.
(Cape Town City Centre,Cape Town)
A perfectly peaceful position - with mountains all around.
(Kestell,Drakensberg Backpacker Hostels)
