- 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.
- 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.
Uniondale
Peaceful winding roads and lovely country side. The alternative inland route along the coast…
A mere spit off Route 62, Uniondale lies on the alternative route between the Karoo and the Garden Route and the coastline and Oudtshoorn. It’s close to the Prince Alfred Pass and the Baviaanskloof wilderness which offers excellent mountain biking.
Places to Stay
- Kammanassie Backpackers
Kammanassie backpackers in Uniondale can be found on a road less travelled, and therefore a good alternative to the N2 zoom.
Feeling lucky?(randomly selected service providers from all regions)
A Johannesburg backpackers which is where it’s rumoured that Ghandi stayed here 100 years ago.
(Johannesburg,Johannesburg)
Rafting, caving, mountain biking, hiking, adventure and culture - just ask them.
(Lobamba,Swaziland)
(Hluhluwe,Zululand)
The experts on travel and adventure in Southern Africa, based in Vic Falls.
(Victoria Falls,Zimbabwe and Zambia)
Ride from Khotso backpackers in the Southern Drakensberg over the mountains and into Lesotho.
(Southern Drakensberg,Lesotho)
Tucked away in the magnificent Baviaanskloof is the blissfully remote Kamerkloof
(Addo Elephant Park,Eastern Cape Inland and the Karoo)
Discover the glorious underwater world of the two oceans.
(,Cape Town)
For couples and singles that enjoy their privacy
(Green Point,Cape Town)
This dedicated backpackers in Joburg organises everything from car hire to safaris.
(Johannesburg,Johannesburg)
Soul country, food for the soul.
(Clanwilliam,West Coast)
