- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Springbok
Springbok is the largest town in Namaqualand proper and at the centre of the spectacular springtime flower show.
Oasis in a dry land.
Baked by a relentless sun and surrounded by high granite mountains, Springbok is an atmospheric little place and rather like a setting for a western film. Herds of springbok once drank at a fountain here but that was before the copper mines were opened up. Today, Springbok is the commercial and administrative centre for the mining area and is regarded as the capital of Namaqualand. It lies about 80km from the Atlantic coast and began its life as a copper mine in 1852. In fact, copper featured earlier in the region's history when it was worked by the local Khoi (bushmen) centuries ago and, then later, much sought after by the first Dutch settlers. Today there are fairly large workings in the general area which visitors can visit.
Baked by a relentless sun and surrounded by high granite mountains, Springbok is an atmospheric little place and rather like a setting for a western film. Herds of springbok once drank at a fountain here but that was before the copper mines were opened up. Today, Springbok is the commercial and administrative centre for the mining area and is regarded as the capital of Namaqualand. It lies about 80km from the Atlantic coast and began its life as a copper mine in 1852. In fact, copper featured earlier in the region's history when it was worked by the local Khoi (bushmen) centuries ago and, then later, much sought after by the first Dutch settlers. Today there are fairly large workings in the general area which visitors can visit.
Just outside the town you’ll find the Hester Malan Nature Reserve with its springbok, gemsbok, and other desert creatures. Despite the aridity of the area, many wild flowers grow in the spring, transforming the drab veld into a blaze of colour
Feeling lucky?(randomly selected service providers from all regions)
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(Gaborone,Botswana)
The lodge is within walking distance of pubs, shops, banks and taxis.
(Nelspruit,Mpumalanga)
Backpackers dive specials.
(Mossel Bay,Garden Route)
East London backpackers is just 50m from Orient beach with restaurants, clubs and pubs nearby.
(East London,Sunshine Coast)
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)
A safe way to get around Jo'burgs night time hotspots.
(Johannesburg,Johannesburg)
Want to learn to speak English in Cape Town? Look no further.
(Cape Town City Centre,Cape Town)
The travel specialists for Botswana
(Addo Elephant Park,Botswana)
Wild Spirit backpackers lodge just outside of Plettenberg Bay, is a wonderful place to stay at.
(Nature's Valley,Garden Route)
Here's a bug you'll want to catch.
(Windhoek,Namibia)
