- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Clanwilliam
Lying at the foot of the Cederberg, Clanwilliam's biggest drawcard is the Cederberg Mountains.
Rooibos Tea and Dams
Clanwilliam is famous....yes famous for Rooibos tea!
The town is situated at the foot of the Cederberg monutains and is one of the oldest towns in South Africa.
The town itself is about 60km from the sea and there are no real backpackers in the town.
It has a fantastic dam which becomes a weekend playground for Cape Town water junkies but in the week it is an awesome place to kick back and relax.
Clanwilliam used to be home to the famous Veldskoen factory but Jimmy Choo became a more favourable wear and saw the factory close.
Awesome climbing
Other attractions include Rocklands - a well known site for rock climbers, activities in the Cederberg Mountains, prolific bushman paintings, rooibos tea, wild flowers and the annual flower show which is held at the end of August each year.
Other attractions include Rocklands - a well known site for rock climbers, activities in the Cederberg Mountains, prolific bushman paintings, rooibos tea, wild flowers and the annual flower show which is held at the end of August each year.
Permits for climbing are available in Citrusdal.
Rock art
San rock paintings can be seen at their best in the Agter-Pakhuis vicinity.
San rock paintings can be seen at their best in the Agter-Pakhuis vicinity.
Places to Stay
- Enjo Adventure and Nature Farm
Soul country, food for the soul.
Feeling lucky?(randomly selected service providers from all regions)
Backpackers - tune in to all the action activities in and around Plettenberg Bay
(Plettenberg Bay,Garden Route)
Hout Bay Backpackers behind the dunes explore Llandudno and Chapman's Peak or hop on a bus to Cape Town
(Hout Bay,Cape Town)
Affordable car hire in South Africa
(Cape Town City Centre,Cape Town)
Backed by a nature reserve and not far from the lagoon and sea, this is a great spot for some time out.
(Betty's Bay,Overberg )
Sleepy? Naah. Hint…this Pietermaritzburg backpackers has the website address wylderide…
(Pietermaritzburg,Drakensberg Backpacker Hostels)
One of the original backpackers in Livingstone.
(Livingstone,Zimbabwe and Zambia)
Topsail House is a perfect place to stay in the centre of Simon's Town.
(Simon's Town,Cape Town)
Isinkwe backpackers is a well managed bush camp set in the middle of indigenous bush, just outside of Hluhluwe.
(Hluhluwe,Zululand)
Satvik in Tzaneen is a wonderful laid-back and rustic backpackers farm where time holds its breath and fish eagles are framed by seablue skies.
(Tzaneen,Mpumalanga)
A great variety of local tours are on offer here.
(Port Elizabeth,Sunshine Coast)
