- 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 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.
- 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
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.Backpackers in Knysna are varying.
- Uniondale
Peaceful winding roads and lovely country side. The alternative inland route along the coast…
- 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.
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.
Oudtshoorn has so much on offer for the Backpacker
Oudtshoorn has the Cango Caves, with its awesome display of stalagmites and stalactites, the magnificent Swartberg Mountains and the warm sunny weather of the little Karoo which are all major draw cards. The cheetah ranch, the opportunity to ride an ostrich and watch one hatch (or scoff the poor bastard while it’s still an egg) all add to the deck…
The town offers some excellent backpacker hostels and each is unique in its own way.
Places to Stay
- Attakwas
This Oudtshoorn lodge has onwers who have an in-depth knowledge of the Little Karoo and offer excellent accommodation.
- Backpackers Oasis Shanti
Oasis backpackers is situated in a large, comfortable house with a variety of accommodation options in Oudtshoorn.
- Backpackers Paradise
Centrally located, this efficiently run backpacker has a fantastic view over the Swartberg Mountains and the sunset which casts a magical shadow over it every evening.
- Karoo Soul
Situated on Oudsthoorn's biggest hill, this spacious and upmarket Tudor-style mansion is owner run and has a full adventure centre.
What to do
- Cango Wildlife Ranch
An awesome croc encounter and plenty of other animals to see…
Feeling lucky?(randomly selected service providers from all regions)
The lodge is within walking distance of pubs, shops, banks and taxis.
(Nelspruit,Mpumalanga)
This Plett backpackers is close to the centre of Plett. Albergo has great views of the ocean and offers plenty of outdoor adventures.
(Plettenberg Bay,Garden Route)
Mossel Bay Backpackers is located just 300m from the Inner and Outer Point surf spots. This backpacker lodge also has a guest house adjoined to it, if you are after a few more creature comforts.
(Mossel Bay,Garden Route)
Hit the city centre and expereince life on Long.
(Cape Town City Centre,Cape Town)
A Johannesburg backpackers with a unique opportunity to experience township life.
(Johannesburg,Johannesburg)
Stumble Inn is an easy going backpacking hostel in the centre of Stellenbosch with lots of upbeat energy.
(Stellenbosch,Wine Region)
(Windhoek,Namibia)
This Plettenberg Bay backpackers is a short drive from town.
(Plettenberg Bay,Garden Route)
Tekweni Backpacking hostel in Durban cooks. One can’t say anything else about this ever-buzzy hostel and its hordes of people.
(Durban ,Durban)
Give your soul time and space to breathe.
(Montagu Western Cape,Overberg )
