- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
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.
Old white-washed fishermen cottages rub shoulders with newer holiday homes in this small fishing village. To the south of the town lies the Cape Columbine Nature Reserve and lighthouse (named after the Columbine wreck of 1829) which marks a navigational point for ships approaching from Europe and America. The reserve is fringed by a jumble of rocks interspersed with small beaches that provide private viewpoints over the restless waves and hundreds of secret shell-strewn sitting spots. In Spring, masses of flowers carpet the reserve with rich and varied colours.
Thanks to the icy Atlantic Ocean, summer is cooled by a fresh sea breeze and a plunge into the bracing water will wake every nerve in your body. Early risers can meet the small fishing boats on their return from their sunrise sojourn and buy a fresh fish. Mmm. Sushi for breakfast, Red Roman for lunch and crayfish for supper...
Places to Stay
- The Beach Camp™
This Paternoster backpackers could not get you any closer to the sea...
Feeling lucky?(randomly selected service providers from all regions)
Stop over here if you're on the road between SA and Mozambique, or want to go from Mozambique to the Kruger and Swaziland and need to restock.
(Komatipoort,Mpumalanga)
East London backpackers is just 50m from Orient beach with restaurants, clubs and pubs nearby.
(East London,Sunshine Coast)
Set in a century old Victorian house with loads of character, Knysna Backpackers is an easy going place.
(Knysna,Garden Route)
A comfy, fun spot.
(Stormsriver,Garden Route)
This wonderful Jeffreys Bay backpackers is perched on top of a dune with a magnificent 270° view of the Indian Ocean, Island Vibe’s setting is divine.
(Jeffreys Bay,Sunshine Coast)
This lodge is on the outskirts of George offering log cabins with en-suite bathrooms - an ideal spot from which to explore the Garden Route.
(George,Garden Route)
Myxo’s Cultural Tours
(Manzini,Swaziland)
Small group safaris throughout Southern Africa.
(Maputo,)
The Oude Molen Eco Village provides an interesting alternative to regular city living.
(Observatory,Cape Town)
This Knysna backpackers is in the thick of the action in Knysna and all set to rock.
(Knysna,Garden Route)
