- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
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.
Open spaces.
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. Botanically, the Richtersveld is in a league of its own. A third of all known mesembryanthemum (vygies) species are found here, as for the rest, well, some of the flora has yet to be identified and classified...We're talking wild. Richtersveld wild. A spectacular feature of the northern segment is Wondergat, a deep cave which holds deep religious significance for the local Nama people. Those who embark on backpacking hikes and horseback trails into this strange and lonely region really do feel like pathfinders. You are strongly advised though, not to venture forth into this wilderness without an experienced guide.
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. Botanically, the Richtersveld is in a league of its own. A third of all known mesembryanthemum (vygies) species are found here, as for the rest, well, some of the flora has yet to be identified and classified...We're talking wild. Richtersveld wild. A spectacular feature of the northern segment is Wondergat, a deep cave which holds deep religious significance for the local Nama people. Those who embark on backpacking hikes and horseback trails into this strange and lonely region really do feel like pathfinders. You are strongly advised though, not to venture forth into this wilderness without an experienced guide.
Feeling lucky?(randomly selected service providers from all regions)
Spice up your Big Five holiday with a generous measure of local culture and vibrant music
(Hoedspruit,Limpopo)
A children's volunteer project in the heart of the Wild Coast.
(Addo Elephant Park,Wild Coast)
A retro country house in the heart of a big city.
(Pretoria City,Pretoria)
Lungile backpackers in PE is perched on top of a hill in an attractive house overlooking the city and the ocean, Lungile is just three minutes walk from Port Elizabeth's main beach.
(Port Elizabeth,Sunshine Coast)
Let these accredited tour and safari guides take the wheel
(Hazyview,Mpumalanga)
(Nelspruit,Mpumalanga)
Explore off the beaten track., adventuring as you go. They take you there, drop you off and pick you up again.
(Southern Drakensberg,Drakensberg Backpacker Hostels)
Find this wonderful Montagu backpackers a short stroll from the centre of town.
(Montagu Western Cape,Overberg )
A backpackers overlooking Wilderness.
(Wilderness,Garden Route)
Muizenberg's and Cape Town's original youth hostel. It is a mere stroll from Muizenberg beach.
(Muizenberg and Kalk Bay,Cape Town)
