- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
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.
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.
Feeling lucky?(randomly selected service providers from all regions)
Situated in a milkwood forest on large grounds, the Beach House has an incredible view of the coastline and Dolphin’s Point.
(Wilderness,Garden Route)
Student town = plenty of fun = why not stay?
(Potchefstroom,North West Province)
These are usually air-conditioned “luxury buses” which have on-board toilets and a hostess who occasionally offers you a sugary drink or blanket. “Chicken (pack ‘em and stack ‘em) busses” are cheaper, less spacious, more crowded, more likely to be fun (if you have a sense of humour) and more likely to break down. In some areas they may be the only bus service and are unlikely to have a strict timetable.
(Not Set / NA,Not set / NA)
Agulhas House, based in Umkomaas, with an on-site dive centre slash one-stop shop for all your travelling and diving needs.
(Umkomaas,South Coast)
This Windhoek accommodation is a civilised stop on the edge of the wilderness.
(Windhoek,Namibia)
Jungle Junction sits on an island in the middle of the Zambezi river and is a great backpackers for those looking to meet the locals, sample traditional food and enjoy Zambia.
(Addo Elephant Park,Zimbabwe and Zambia)
A mouthwatering selection of adventures from the Coffee Shack…
(Coffee Bay,Wild Coast)
this magical playground lies beneath the towering peaks of Cleopatra and Giants Castle.
(Highmoor,Drakensberg Backpacker Hostels)
Near the main road to Orpen gate, they offer accommodation and tours around Limpopo.
(Hoedspruit,Limpopo)
A real home away from home, the Old Vic Backpacking hostel offers snug doubles at refreshingly affordable prices.
(Nelspruit,Mpumalanga)
