The shores of the lagoon were the home of the Saldanha Man who lived here 100 000 years ago. Eve’s footprint - a set of 117 000 year old footprints was discovered here in 1997.
- 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.
- 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.
Langebaan
Set on the coast overlooking a beautiful azure lagoon, Langebaan is a watersports paradise.
The Langebaan lagoon is a magnificent stretch of crystal clear sheltered water warmed by the sun. It’s a great place for a picnic, a windsurf or a day trip from Cape Town. There are important sea bird breeding colonies on the islands off the coast and large numbers of migrant birds in summer. In winter and spring the adjacent West Coast National Park is renowned for its flower displays. The lagoon has excellent sailing and windsurfing and the relatively shallow water is warmer than the sea. It is entirely marine, with no fresh water inlet. The sandy shores are populated with countless molluscs, crustaceans and other mud living organisms which provide the staple diet of thousands of wading birds (20 species, up to 55000 birds), many of them summer visitors from the Arctic. The islands off the coast are home to colonies of jackass penguins, kelp gulls and gannets. There are almost 250 species of birds in the area, and there are several walking trails and bird hides in the West Coast National Park (also called Postberg National Park).
Pas op*
*Watch out - for tortoises crossing the road.
*Watch out - for tortoises crossing the road.
Feeling lucky?(randomly selected service providers from all regions)
Ex Sleek Hostel, they've re-created the whole place from the ground up and are huge fans of live music (it's all soundproofed, don’t fret).
(Johannesburg,Johannesburg)
Take a 25-minute flight to 10,000 feet to see the Klein Karoo then jump harnessed to a pro and freefall for 35-seconds.
(Oudtshoorn,Garden Route)
Kick back and relax after a day out exploring Lesotho.
(Ficksburg,Free State)
The perfect backpcker adventure in Cape Town....
(Cape Town City Bowl,Cape Town)
Backpackers - Ready to soak up the beautiful Cape Peninsula on a chauffeur ride with a difference? Yeah! Hit the road on the back of a Harley-DavidsonTM motorcycle.
(Cape Town City Bowl,Cape Town)
Think of a cultural tour in Zululand and they probably offer it - or something like it.
(Eshowe,Zululand)
An international company specializing in Campervan Hire
(Johannesburg,Johannesburg)
Stokkiesdraai backpackers in St Lucia is centrally situated in the main street and opposite a convenience stores, a bank and an Internet café.
(St Lucia,Zululand)
Crisscross Africa with a tour operator that can navigate borders and bushveld with ease. African Trails runs budget overland tours from Cape Town, Jozi and Vic Falls. All you need to do is decide what size adventure you wear...
(Knysna,Garden Route)
This backpackers has recently been renovated. It's a snazzy spot with great communal spaces, welcoming surfers and holidaymakers alike.
(Jeffreys Bay,Sunshine Coast)
