- 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.
- 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.
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.
The sailor boys of Saldanha.
Sadly, the days when Saldanha was a peaceful little fishing village with weather beaten men drying their catches on the beach have gone forever. The shortage of fresh water which held up development of the town was solved by the construction of a pipeline to the Berg River during the Second World War and Saldanha began to grow rapidly soon thereafter. Saldanha is a huge, natural harbour and the Mussel Mecca of South Africa, what with four mussel farms. It also has a very large commercial fishing fleet and local factories process lobster, mullet and tunny for export. Massive harbour works have been undertaken to cater for ore carriers. Despite all these developments, Saldanha still retains some of its earlier atmosphere and is peppered with well-preserved old cottages. Saldahna is home to some of the SA navy.
Sadly, the days when Saldanha was a peaceful little fishing village with weather beaten men drying their catches on the beach have gone forever. The shortage of fresh water which held up development of the town was solved by the construction of a pipeline to the Berg River during the Second World War and Saldanha began to grow rapidly soon thereafter. Saldanha is a huge, natural harbour and the Mussel Mecca of South Africa, what with four mussel farms. It also has a very large commercial fishing fleet and local factories process lobster, mullet and tunny for export. Massive harbour works have been undertaken to cater for ore carriers. Despite all these developments, Saldanha still retains some of its earlier atmosphere and is peppered with well-preserved old cottages. Saldahna is home to some of the SA navy.
Those flowers
Langebaan National Park and the Postberg Nature Reserve lie on the other side of the bay and are home to many species of marine and coastal birds as well as glorious profusions of wild flowers in spring.
Langebaan National Park and the Postberg Nature Reserve lie on the other side of the bay and are home to many species of marine and coastal birds as well as glorious profusions of wild flowers in spring.
Places to Stay
- Saldanha Backpackers
A holiday by the sea.
Feeling lucky?(randomly selected service providers from all regions)
This dedicated backpackers in Joburg organises everything from car hire to safaris.
(Johannesburg,Johannesburg)
Topsail House is a perfect place to stay in the centre of Simon's Town.
(Simon's Town,Cape Town)
They offer easy access to the tourist attractions of George and the Garden Route.
(George,Garden Route)
This Plett backpackers is right up at the top of the Plettenberg Bay hill, with a great view.
(Plettenberg Bay,Garden Route)
Get in on the surf action.
(Muizenberg and Kalk Bay,Cape Town)
Adventure and cultural tours in Mozambique, Kruger and Botswana.
(Malkerns,Swaziland)
Immerse yourself in township life...
(Khayalitsha,Cape Town)
They offer scuba diving, ocean kayaking and Lilo trips at the Storms River Mouth
(Stormsriver,Garden Route)
Adventures and tours in the Cape.
(Cape Town City Centre,Cape Town)
Plett Backpackers in the newest backpackers in Plettenberg Bay. It is in the centre of town and boasts an awesome view over the Plettenberg Bay beaches.
(Plettenberg Bay,Garden Route)
