- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
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.
Named “Baia Formosa” (Beautiful Bay) by early Portuguese explorers - who were probably too awestruck to be more inventive - Plettenberg Bay is now one of the Garden Route’s major destinations, primarily because the Portuguese weren’t far wrong.
The bay is beautiful. Backed by majestic mountains, it overlooks miles of sandy white beaches and the moody tidal Keurbooms lagoon and whose crystal blue waters say ‘snap back’ to the sky.
Plett is one large playground. Whether you hike, groove on Mother Nature, want to adventure your socks off or enjoy a great meal and some vibey nightlife, you’ll find something to suit your mood.
Named “Baia Formosa” (Beautiful Bay) by early Portuguese explorers - who were probably too awestruck to be more inventive - Plettenberg Bay is now one of the Garden Route’s major destinations, primarily because the Portuguese weren’t far wrong.
The bay is beautiful. Backed by majestic mountains, it overlooks miles of sandy white beaches and the moody tidal Keurbooms lagoon and whose crystal blue waters say ‘snap back’ to the sky.
Plett is one large playground. Whether you hike, groove on Mother Nature, want to adventure your socks off or enjoy a great meal and some vibey nightlife, you’ll find something to suit your mood.
Robberg Peninsula Reserve
The fynbos covered reserve is home to abundant coastal marine life and a multitude of birds. Whales and dolphins can be spotted from vantage points along the cliffs.
Abseil down the ‘wild side’ or enjoy a slow paddle around the peninsula in a sea kayak.
Keurbooms River and Nature Reserve
Canoe quietly along the river beneath the trees in tranquil silence and you might catch the colourful flash of a Knysna Loerie or encounter a patient Kingfisher awaiting his dinner. 260 species of bird live in the reserve.
The call of the ocean
The ocean here is home to 15 000 Bottlenose dolphins (we counted!), the solitary Humpback dolphin, Orcas, Bryde whales and over 100 species of fish.
Between July and November Southern Right whales come into the bay to calve.
Boat trips and sea kayaking take you within metres of these gracious beasts.
Scuba divers will revel in the beautiful soft coral reefs with their sponges, starfish and diverse shellfish.
Dive courses and scuba diving excursions are available throughout the year.
Got some free time?
o Get an aerial perspective as you glide silently above the waves in a motorised
glider, or take a microlight flip.
o Give your soul a gift and go horse riding in the forest or on the beach.
o Do the world’s highest land-based bungy - 216m of sheer terror.
Places to Stay
- Abalone Beach House
Abalone Beach House is a beautiful Plett Backpackers set between coastal forest and the white sands of Keurboom's beach, this is Plettenberg Bays only beachfront backpackers.
- Albergo For Backpackers
This Plett backpackers is close to the centre of Plett. Albergo has great views of the ocean and offers plenty of outdoor adventures.
- Amakaya Backpackers
This Plett backpackers is right up at the top of the Plettenberg Bay hill, with a great view.
- Nothando Backpackers
Nothando is situated in the centre of Plettenberg Bay and is a five star backpackers.
- Plett Backpackers
Plett Backpackers in the newest backpackers in Plettenberg Bay. It is in the centre of town and boasts an awesome view over the Plettenberg Bay beaches.
- Starling Village Backpackers
At Starling you’ll experience all the beauty, wildlife, culture and all the adventure that you came to find in South Africa.
What to do
- Albergo One Stop Action Shop
Backpackers - tune in to all the action activities in and around Plettenberg Bay
- Voluntours
Volunteer to help with research on dolphins and whales.
Feeling lucky?(randomly selected service providers from all regions)
Knoll Guest House offers travellers comfortable accommodation on their beautiful farm.
(Hilton,Drakensberg Backpacker Hostels)
Hermanus Backpackers just gets better and better, thanks to the hard work and dedication of the live-wire owners, Braam and Hayley.
(Hermanus,Overberg )
Fisherhaven is before Hermanus, on the Bot River Lagoon.
(Fisherhaven,Overberg )
Amapondo is a friendly laid-back place which overlooks Second Beach with its good swimming.
(Port St Johns,Wild Coast)
House on the Hill offers luxurious accommodation at backpacker rates.
(Green Point,Cape Town)
Immerse yourself in township life...
(Khayalitsha,Cape Town)
This Swaziland backpackers is located in the Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary and offers an incredible African experience.
(MbabaneSwazi,Swaziland)
Cultural, historical and nature tours of Johannesburg and Soweto
(Johannesburg,Johannesburg)
Stop here for sundowners and safaris.
(MaunBotswana,Botswana)
Kick back and relax after a day out exploring Lesotho.
(Ficksburg,Free State)
