- 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.
- 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.
Uniondale
Peaceful winding roads and lovely country side. The alternative inland route along the coast…
A mere spit off Route 62, Uniondale lies on the alternative route between the Karoo and the Garden Route and the coastline and Oudtshoorn. It’s close to the Prince Alfred Pass and the Baviaanskloof wilderness which offers excellent mountain biking.
Places to Stay
- Kammanassie Backpackers
Kammanassie backpackers in Uniondale can be found on a road less travelled, and therefore a good alternative to the N2 zoom.
Feeling lucky?(randomly selected service providers from all regions)
A backpackers in the heart of Observatory - the centre of Cape Town backpackerland...
(Observatory,Cape Town)
Cape St Francis backpackers is located just off the beach. The town of Cape St Francis will give you some of the best surf breaks in South Africa.
(Cape St Francis,Sunshine Coast)
Chill on the West Coast.
(Eland's Bay,West Coast)
Lying on the border of Mozambique high in the mountains, this is a community owned camp with good facilities.
(Eastern Swaziland,Swaziland)
This Johannesburg backpackers is situated on a large property 3km from Johannesburg international airport.
(Johannesburg,Johannesburg)
Stop for a break half way between Knysna and Port Elizabeth.
(Stormsriver,Garden Route)
Buccanner backpackers offer surf lessons, day trips and much more.
(Chintsa-East,Wild Coast)
Theyare hidden in the heart of coconut groves next to the beach.
(Inhambane and Tofo,Mozambique)
A funky Jeffrey's Bay backpackers surf lodge, overlooking Supertubes.
(Jeffreys Bay,Sunshine Coast)
Discover the glorious underwater world of the two oceans.
(,Cape Town)
