- 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.
- 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…
- 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.
Situated at the end of the Groot River pass, Nature’s Valley is surrounded by mountain, lagoon, sea and forest.
Positioned between the glitz of Plett and the adrenaline adventures of Storm’s River, this area has become known for its pristine beach, unusual art and craft studios and wild life sanctuaries, and the highest bungy jump in the world!
Straddling the N2, the Crags is made up of scattered settlements and a couple of shops, drawn together by a postal address more than an official boundary. It includes polo fields, exclusive hotels,
woodcutter’s huts, farms, and a number of animal and bird sanctuaries. Acres of watsonias colour the grasslands rosy pink in spring, proteas line the roads, fynbos punctuates the air and knotted forests clothe the rocky gorges where peat coloured streams run into the sea.
Here sugarbirds dart, loeries shriek warnings and baboons are king of the road. The countryside is peppered by creative people and within easy reach of splendiferous beaches (and bright lights and pubs if you need them...)
Hike along scented fynbos ridges and into cool Yellowwood forests. Skinny dip in Salt River Cove’s secluded waters or discover secret bays on free canoes at Nature’s Valley Beach.
Feed an elephant, walk with a cheetah, stroke a snake or just monkey about at nearby animal sanctuaries.
Support The Mill’s community craft studios.
Try the world’s highest bungy.
Back home, enjoy free internet, feed your soul with meditation and yoga, a telescope for stargazing and weekly drum circles in the driftwood boma.
Places to Stay
- Wild Spirit Lodge at Khoinania
Wild Spirit backpackers lodge just outside of Plettenberg Bay, is a wonderful place to stay at.
What to do
- Getting wicked at the Wild Spirit
These guys offer great adventure on the Garden Route.
Feeling lucky?(randomly selected service providers from all regions)
This backpackers in Addo is on a working citrus farm which is on the banks of the Sundays River.
(Addo Elephant Park,Eastern Cape Inland and the Karoo)
This wonderful Jeffreys Bay backpackers is perched on top of a dune with a magnificent 270° view of the Indian Ocean, Island Vibe’s setting is divine.
(Jeffreys Bay,Sunshine Coast)
Quality safaris and adventures in and around Vic Falls.
(Gordon's Bay and Strand,)
They are less than 1km from a gate into the Kruger National Park.
(Phalaborwa,Limpopo)
Molumong backpackers in Lesotho,a self-catering spot is an ideal base from which to discover the mountainous eastern region of Lesotho.
(Bloemfontein,Lesotho)
Muizenberg's and Cape Town's original youth hostel. It is a mere stroll from Muizenberg beach.
(Muizenberg and Kalk Bay,Cape Town)
A backpackers across the road from the 2010 world cup stadium
(Green Point,Cape Town)
A Community Centre and Homestay that offers fascinating insight into our history and the paths that can be taken to repair past injustices.
(Punda Maria and Makuleke,Limpopo)
Your one stop shop for tours and activities in Port Elizabeth.
(Port Elizabeth,Sunshine Coast)
These adventure specialists offer a variety of exciting activities in the Stormsriver Gorge and its surroundings.
(Stormsriver,Garden Route)
