- 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.
- 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.
Something for everyone
Although the river mouth is prepared for visitors, magnificent Mother Nature can be found living wild all around. You’ll see splashes of her in the waves that pound the rocks, in the tangled forests and along the peaceful rivers. Here, there are myriad places where you can escape and be alone with her. The Stormsriver/Tsitsikamma forest and coastal reserve extend for 80km between The Crags and Eersterivier. Along this region a few quaint little villages can be found which are great for exploring. Stormsriver itself comprises of not much more than a few buildings - so don’t expect to go shopping for ostrich skin backpacks here. But do expect to find bushbuck, clawless otters, dolphins and whales, ancient trees and rare birds like the Knysna Loerie and the Narina trogon. The area has become a bit of an adrenaline junkie’s haven with the bungy jumping off the nearby Bloukrans Bridge (216m high, free falling at 180km an hour), Blackwater Tubing, abseiling and mountain biking.
Although the river mouth is prepared for visitors, magnificent Mother Nature can be found living wild all around. You’ll see splashes of her in the waves that pound the rocks, in the tangled forests and along the peaceful rivers. Here, there are myriad places where you can escape and be alone with her. The Stormsriver/Tsitsikamma forest and coastal reserve extend for 80km between The Crags and Eersterivier. Along this region a few quaint little villages can be found which are great for exploring. Stormsriver itself comprises of not much more than a few buildings - so don’t expect to go shopping for ostrich skin backpacks here. But do expect to find bushbuck, clawless otters, dolphins and whales, ancient trees and rare birds like the Knysna Loerie and the Narina trogon. The area has become a bit of an adrenaline junkie’s haven with the bungy jumping off the nearby Bloukrans Bridge (216m high, free falling at 180km an hour), Blackwater Tubing, abseiling and mountain biking.
Hiking the Otter Trail
Keen hikers can try to get onto the Otter Trail. This five day hike from Stormsriver to Nature’s Valley is sensational. The trail is booked up a year in advance, but last minute cancellations happen all the time and small groups are likely to get on. The trail hugs the coastline and cliffs climbing through fynbos and forest. Quiet walkers might be blessed with a sighting of the shy Cape clawless otter in the early morning.
Keen hikers can try to get onto the Otter Trail. This five day hike from Stormsriver to Nature’s Valley is sensational. The trail is booked up a year in advance, but last minute cancellations happen all the time and small groups are likely to get on. The trail hugs the coastline and cliffs climbing through fynbos and forest. Quiet walkers might be blessed with a sighting of the shy Cape clawless otter in the early morning.
The Tsitsikamma Trail
This inland walk through the indigenous forest and fynbos of the Tsitsikamma Mountains runs in the opposite direction to the Otter Trail. It covers a distance of 64 km and takes 5 days. Unlike the Otter Trail it can be broken into shorter sections if you don’t want to do the full hike.
This inland walk through the indigenous forest and fynbos of the Tsitsikamma Mountains runs in the opposite direction to the Otter Trail. It covers a distance of 64 km and takes 5 days. Unlike the Otter Trail it can be broken into shorter sections if you don’t want to do the full hike.
The name “Tsitsikamma” was derived from a Hottentot word meaning “clear” or “sparkling water”.
There are no banks in Stormsriver so make sure you do all your banking in Plett or J’Bay.
Check out the Indiana Jones type suspension bridge that crosses the Storms River.
Places to Stay
- Dijembe Backpackers Lodge
A comfy, fun spot.
- Storms River Village Lodge and Flashpackers
An up-market Backpackers lodge at affordable prices
- Tsitsikamma Backpackers
This is a great choice of backpackers when staying in Stormriver.
- Tube 'n Axe
The Tube ’n Axe is just 300m away from the Stormsriver Adventure Centre - this is Wild Adventure Frontier Territory.
What to do
- Oudebosch Farm Stall
Stop for a break half way between Knysna and Port Elizabeth.
- Stormsriver Adventures
These adventure specialists offer a variety of exciting activities in the Stormsriver Gorge and its surroundings.
- Tsitsikamma Falls Adventure
Waterfall Zipline tours of note. They're on the N2 just outside Stormsriver.
Feeling lucky?(randomly selected service providers from all regions)
This Cape Town based car rental agency offers great deals on car hire in Cape Town.
(Cape Town City Centre,Cape Town)
S 23° 00” 000’ E 016° 52” 500’ is where it all starts.
(Windhoek,Namibia)
Located in the centre of the village, this thatched backpackers lodge has a pub and restaurant and is just a stones throw from the beach.
(St Francis Bay,Sunshine Coast)
Here’s a great way to experience the wonders of Mpumalanga…
(Nelspruit,Mpumalanga)
Discounts on backpackers travel in South Africa.
(Addo Elephant Park,)
Is an excellent option for budget accommodation in Ponta
(Ponta D ouro ,Mozambique)
They also do horse trails.
(Vredenburg,West Coast)
MozVolunteers is a small volunteer organisation based in Xisondwe, Zavora.
(Zavora,Mozambique)
Volunteer to help with research on dolphins and whales.
(Plettenberg Bay,Garden Route)
In the centre of the vibey student town of Ob's
(Observatory,Cape Town)
