- 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)
Fisherhaven is before Hermanus, on the Bot River Lagoon.
(Fisherhaven,Overberg )
An international company specializing in Campervan Hire
(Johannesburg,Johannesburg)
Volunteer with a company who has received awards in the field of Responsible Travel internationally and regionally
(Johannesburg,)
Set in a valley surrounded by rolling mountains and only five clicks from the border of Kruger Park
(Hazyview,Mpumalanga)
Dive at the aquarium and for close up encounters with big (and small) fish.
(Durban ,Durban)
One World Lodge and Travel Centre is a small backpackers ideal for people looking to escape the madness of Long Street.
(Cape Town City,Cape Town)
The only real backpackers in St Lucia and good at that!
(St Lucia,Zululand)
4 departures a week to the Kruger mean you can fit this one in for sure.
(The Kruger National Park,Mpumalanga)
A great backpacking hostel in the centre of Port Elizabeth.
(Port Elizabeth,Sunshine Coast)
The ultimate thrill for Backpackers. Mossel Bay offers the highest skydives in South Africa.
(Mossel Bay,Garden Route)
