- 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 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.
- 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
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.Backpackers in Knysna are varying.
- 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.
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.
Honeymoons and love-birds
The Wilderness National Park is bordered by the mountains inland and runs through the wetlands down to the ocean. A series of freshwater lagoons edged by forests, dotted with islands and connected by rivers are home to fish eagles, wading birds, small buck and otter. 250 species of bird include 5 of South Africa’s 10 kingfisher species – giant, pied, half-collared, malachite and brown-hooded kingfishers. 75 out of 95 species of waterfowl in the country live in the park and this is one of the few places where marsh harriers and grass owls breed. There are several marked hiking trails that vary in length from one to four hours walking time or you can launch a canoe and paddle through the waterways.
The Wilderness National Park is bordered by the mountains inland and runs through the wetlands down to the ocean. A series of freshwater lagoons edged by forests, dotted with islands and connected by rivers are home to fish eagles, wading birds, small buck and otter. 250 species of bird include 5 of South Africa’s 10 kingfisher species – giant, pied, half-collared, malachite and brown-hooded kingfishers. 75 out of 95 species of waterfowl in the country live in the park and this is one of the few places where marsh harriers and grass owls breed. There are several marked hiking trails that vary in length from one to four hours walking time or you can launch a canoe and paddle through the waterways.
The Lakes
A number of lakes such as Langvlei, Rondevlei, Groenvlei and Swartvlei run between George and Knysna. Swartvlei is the largest and deepest and stretches over 40 km along the shoreline. If you’re lucky (and very quiet), you may grab a glimpse of the Cape clawless otter or the Knysna loerie.
A number of lakes such as Langvlei, Rondevlei, Groenvlei and Swartvlei run between George and Knysna. Swartvlei is the largest and deepest and stretches over 40 km along the shoreline. If you’re lucky (and very quiet), you may grab a glimpse of the Cape clawless otter or the Knysna loerie.
What's in a name?
According to legend, a George Bennet of Cape Town won the hand of the love of his life on the condition that he take her away to the wilderness. So, on the 16 January 1877, he purchased Lot 497 for 500 pounds. He called it Wilderness - describing it as “a wilderness of dense forest and bush falling from the interior down to the lagoon of the Touws River”. Today Wilderness still has some of that wild feel and long stretches of beach invite romantic strolls.
According to legend, a George Bennet of Cape Town won the hand of the love of his life on the condition that he take her away to the wilderness. So, on the 16 January 1877, he purchased Lot 497 for 500 pounds. He called it Wilderness - describing it as “a wilderness of dense forest and bush falling from the interior down to the lagoon of the Touws River”. Today Wilderness still has some of that wild feel and long stretches of beach invite romantic strolls.
Places to Stay
- Asante Caravans and Camping
Give your inner gypsy a caravan to play in.And meet Billy the bull and his menagerie.
- Beach House Backpackers
Situated in a milkwood forest on large grounds, the Beach House has an incredible view of the coastline and Dolphin’s Point.
- Fairy Knowe Backpackers
Fairy Knowe is set on an old rambling farm with masses of space, horses, dogs and birds, overlooking the wetlands.
- Phumla Private Bush Camp
Hire yourself a private bush camp.
- The Wild Farm Backpackers
A backpackers overlooking Wilderness.
What to do
- Eden Adventures
Go adventuring in the Wilderness - abseil, kloof or canoe.
Feeling lucky?(randomly selected service providers from all regions)
Discover the Valley of 1000 Hills.
(Durban ,Durban)
Explore the mountains, the museums, second-hand shops, art galleries and rocky shores, then bliss out in the waves or on the beach.
(Muizenberg and Kalk Bay,Cape Town)
The Old Goal is one of the most unusual backpackers in SA. Located in a bona fide old jail, complete with heavy metal prison doors and bars, it offers an interesting insight into what “doing time” must be like in real as-they-were cells.
(Grahamstown,Eastern Cape Inland and the Karoo)
20 years of experience in running overland trips from east to west to Southern Africa.
(Cape Town City Centre,Overland Trips)
In the centre of the vibey student town of Ob's
(Observatory,Cape Town)
Durban Backpackers - On the Beach is on the beach and within walking distance of La Lucia Mall and a bunch of city amenities.
(Durban ,Durban)
Close to all animal farms and a huge curio market.
(Hartbeespoort and surrounds,North West Province)
They promise an adventure around every corner.
(Sabie Mpumalanga,Mpumalanga)
A mouthwatering selection of adventures from the Coffee Shack…
(Coffee Bay,Wild Coast)
Kruger Inn Backpackers is a community inside a nature reserve, on the border of the Kruger National Park.
(Marloth Park,Mpumalanga)
