The Backyard Route might be one of the in style locations in South Africa for each locals and foreigners and it completely deserves to be. It’s undoubtedly a must-include in your South African itinerary. This is among the areas with rather a lot to supply for any traveler. It’s an ideal place for a honeymoon journey, a protracted weekend getaway, and an incredible place for a household vacation.
We’ve achieved this journey greater than as soon as, each time staying elsewhere, and doing various things, this itinerary is a quintessence of our Backyard Route expertise. On this information you’ll discover; highlights, high issues to do, an ideal journey itinerary, and a few nice locations for tenting on the Backyard Route.
Out of many highway journeys we’ve achieved the Backyard Route is our favourite and a must-include in your South Africa itinerary. The journey might be mixed along with your Cape City itinerary. If you wish to get pleasure from brief driving days, keep in stunning locations, do totally different out of doors actions, and chill out in nature this Backyard Route self-drive itinerary is ideal for you.
Touring the Backyard Route with a tour
Becoming a member of a mini-group tour on the Backyard Route is a good choice for solo vacationers and those that don’t wish to hire a automobile and do a self-drive journey. It’s a simple and enjoyable option to uncover the world and go to the principle highlights of the Backyard Route itinerary.
The place does the Backyard Route begin and end?
The Backyard Route formally begins in Mossel Bay (Western Cape), a coastal city 380 km east of Cape City. It finishes 300 km later within the small city of Stormsrivier (Jap Cape).
How lengthy is the Backyard Route?
The entire distance of the usual Backyard Route drive is 300 km/186 mi. In case you add to it a 160-kilometer loop by Oudtshoorn the overall distance will probably be 460 km/285 mi.
During which path to drive?
The Backyard Route might be pushed both means beginning in Cape City and ending in Stormsrivier or the opposite means round relying in your journey itinerary. In case you begin in Cape City you may mix the highway journey with one of many scenic drives alongside the coast.
You possibly can mix the drive with a go to to stunning wine farms in Stellenbosch. You’ll want 1 or 2 extra days to go to the Cape Winelands. Winetasting isn’t the one exercise within the area; there are many different issues to do in Stellenbosch and Franschhoek.
What’s one of the best ways to journey?
One of the best ways to discover the Backyard Route is to hire a automobile, you are able to do it at Cape City airport (when you begin your journey in Cape City) or at Gqeberha airport (ex Port Elizabeth), there are totally different choices and value ranges relying on what automobile you select. You possibly can choose a automobile up at one airport and drop it off at one other one.
When renting a automobile for this journey be certain that it doesn’t have a mileage restrict or the restrict is greater than 1000km, the urged beneath vehicles haven’t any mileage limits.
*Worth for 7 days if renting a automobile at Cape City Airport and dropping it off at Gqeberha (ex Port Elizabeth) Airport. The value features a one-way price (about US$70 on common). In case you choose up and drop off a automobile on the similar location rental costs are decrease.
An alternative choice is to hitch a 6-day all-inclusive tour with choose up out of your resort in Cape City or on the airport, a number of stops on the Backyard Route, and a safari in Addo Nationwide park.
It’s doable to journey alongside the Backyard Route with Hop-on Hop-off Bus, the bus drives from Cape City to Gqeberha (ex Port Elizabeth) with many stops alongside the Backyard Route. It could actually drop you off and choose you up at your hostel/resort, you may cease at as many locations on the route as you want and keep for so long as you need, it really works on the hop-on-hop-off precept.
Journey insurance coverage. Touring typically entails totally different dangers from a flight delay or cancellation to medical emergencies and baggage loss. It’s at all times advisable to have journey insurance coverage that can cowl you in case one thing goes fallacious particularly when you enterprise to a faraway nation like South Africa and are planning to journey across the nation and do excessive actions like shark diving, bungee leaping, paragliding or simply visiting safari parks. Theft or theft is one more reason to get journey insurance coverage in your South African journey. Their journey insurance coverage may be very versatile, you should purchase it on-line whereas touring, it takes solely a few minutes and it could cowl the entire journey, part of it, or a particular exercise. Get an prompt quote proper now!
Backyard Route highway journey suggestions
Energy sockets in South Africa are principally type-M that isn’t actually used anyplace else we’d suggest bringing a journey adapter plug.
If you wish to keep related I’d recommend shopping for an eSIM card for South Africa so you can also make native cellphone calls and use information with out worrying about the associated fee.
Probably the most funds lodging choice on the route is tenting, there are some wonderful campsites on the Backyard Route. A advantage of tenting in South Africa is that you simply pay per web site, which normally suits 6 folks, so when you’re a household or a bunch of pals tenting will price you as little as ZAR60/US$3 pp. common.
Hostels and motels might be discovered in any respect primary stops on the Backyard Route.
Eating places and outlets in small cities are normally closed on Sundays.
South Africans drive on the left aspect of the highway just like the British and Australians when you’re from North America or Europe you’ll have to regulate to it.
Driving observe pace restrict indicators, particularly in cities, there are pace cameras in lots of locations on the Backyard Route.
All roads are tar you don’t want a 4×4 for the journey.
In case you’re a short lived resident in South Africa take a doc proving it you pay native entrance charges, that are half and even lower than worldwide.
When is the perfect time to journey?
Rain. South African spring and summer time (October – April) is the perfect time to journey the Backyard Route. The realm is taken into account to be one of many richest rainfall areas. The western a part of the Route has extra rainfall in winter like Cape City. The jap half e.g. the Tsitsikamma space has extra rainfall in summer time, like Port Elizabeth. Mainly, on the Backyard Route, it could rain at any time however not for too lengthy.
Temperature. Summer time months (October to March) are good and heat it hardly ever will get as sizzling as in Cape City or Swellendam, avg. each day temperature +24°C-30°C. Spring and fall (September, April, and Might) are cooler +17°C-23°C. Winter months (June – August) between +16°C-20°C.
Backyard Route highlights
Cape City is a good place to start out or end the highway journey. There are a lot of nice locations to go to and issues to do in Cape City. Be certain to spare a few days of your South Africa itinerary for Mom Metropolis.
Hermanus – a coastal city on the best way from Cape City to the Backyard Route. Whale watching in Hermanus is between July and September. It’s a pleasant cease with stunning sea views, nice seafood eating places, good wine, and a calming vacation vibe.
Mossel Bay – a pleasant city with some cool issues to do, a few good eating places, good browsing, and good seashores.
Cango Caves, Oudtshoorn – a system of caves and tunnels.
Ostrich farm, Oudtshoorn.
7 Passes Drive (George), an outdated highway that related George and Knysna, with a few bridges and slender passes by the canyon.
Wilderness – a small cute city with many visitor homes, eating places, and a few paragliding colleges.
Ebb & Stream, Wilderness Nationwide park – an excellent place for tenting on the river financial institution, with a number of climbing trails and kayak leases. Day guests are allowed.
Sedgefield – cozy seashore city with lengthy white sand and a normally empty seashore, many lodging choices, and a few eating places and bars. Great spot for chilling, working on the seashore, swimming, or SUPing round.
Knysna – a fantastic city on the lagoon, with some nice lookout factors, eating places, and water actions (kayaking, boat excursions).
Diepwalle, Backyard Route Nationwide park, Knysna part – hidden forest paradise, 20min. drive from Knysna with nice wood tenting decks within the forest, three climbing trails, and a group espresso store.
Plettenberg Bay – a seashore city and an journey capital of the Backyard Route; canyoning, diving, climbing, snorkeling, bodyboarding, cover excursions the whole lot to maintain you busy for a few days.
The Bloukrans Bridge – the best bungee bridge on this planet.
Tsitsikamma Nationwide park – our favourite nationwide park on the Backyard Route. It has stunning surroundings, rocky cliffs, suspension bridges, lush inexperienced mountains, and plenty of climbing trails.
Stormsrivier village – a really small and comfy village with many visitor homes, motels, hostels, eating places, espresso outlets, and a Tsitsikamma cover tour.
One-week Backyard Route itinerary
Our Backyard Route itinerary (driving route): Cape City – Swellendam – Heidelberg – Mossel Bay – Oudtshoorn (non-obligatory) – George – Wilderness – Sedgefield – Knysna – Diepwalle Tenting Decks – Plettenberg Bay – Nature’s Valley – Bloukrans bridge – Storms River Mouth park – Stormsrivier.
Day 1. Cape City – Swellendam – Mossel Bay, 386 km/240 mi
In case you begin driving from Cape City early morning you’ll be in Mossel Bay earlier than lunchtime which supplies you a while to discover the city. As we already talked about as a substitute of driving from Cape City in a single go you may take your time and cease for a day or two in Hermanus there are various unimaginable issues to do there.
Swellendam is about midway between Cape City and Mossel Bay many individuals cease right here for the night time. It’s a pleasant city nevertheless it will get very popular in summer time; January – February between +35°C and +40°C.
As an choice, you may drive inland on Route 62, cease on the best way in Stellenbosch or Franschhoek and style the perfect South African wines.
The place to remain in Mossel Bay?
You will discover some actually funds locations for half of the worth examine to the vast majority of hostels/motels within the city however take into accout the placement, typically it’s not the perfect neighborhood, removed from the seashore and the town points of interest.
Day 2. Mossel Bay
As we already talked about above we stayed right here for 2 nights and actually favored it however when you’re not planning on doing any actions right here one night time could also be sufficient.
Issues to do in Mossel Bay
Hike St.Blaze path, a 14km path alongside the coast, begins at Bushman Cave and finishes at Dana Bay. There isn’t a entrance price however you must register on the Golf Property checkpoint because the path goes by its land. To get again to Mossel Bay you’ll want a taxi. It’s higher to ask for a taxi quantity at your resort/hostel. The hike might be down each methods.
Go to Level of Human Origins Cave – a well-known archaeological web site with early proof of contemporary human habits. It’s a guided exercise, the cave is situated on the St.Blaze path you may mix each. Cellphone for reserving +27(0)79 640 0004.
Safari drive within the Botlierskop Personal Sport Reserve situated within the mountains, a 30-minute drive from Mossel Bay, on the best way to George. In the course of the 3-hour safari within the reserve, you may see rhinos, lions, giraffes, buffaloes, and different African animals.
Skydiving. Probably the most adrenaline-pumping actions, Mossel Bay is a good spot; the best tandem skydive in Africa, stunning surroundings, good climate circumstances, skilled staff.
Shark cage diving. There are a number of locations alongside the Backyard Route the place you may dive with sharks, Mossel Bay is one in all them. You are able to do diving with sharks in Cape City as nicely.
Go to Dias Museum to seek out out extra in regards to the city’s historical past and take pictures of the well-known Submit Workplace Tree.
Browsing. There’s a good level break on the Level, although it’s essential to be skilled to surf right here. You possibly can take a lesson or hire a board at a surf faculty at Diaz Seashore.
Consuming good espresso, consuming scrumptious desserts, and having fun with good vibes in Blue Shed Espresso Roastery.
Chilling on the seashore. The primary seashores within the city are Santos Seashore, Diaz Seashore, and Nice Brak River Seashore.
Day 3. Mossel Bay – (Oudtshoorn) – George – Wilderness/Sedgefield, 60 km/37 mi (165 km/102 mi)
Cango Caves and Ostrich Farm, Oudtshoorn
It’s as much as you to maintain driving alongside the coast previous George to Wilderness or take a detour and go to Oudtshoorn, about 160 km return. The primary attraction there may be the Cango Caves, a formidable system of caves and tunnels. Some caves are big with many stalactites and stalagmites and different unusual rock formations, some are small.
Probably the most thrilling one is the final cave to entry it you undergo a really slender tunnel extra like a den. In case you’re an enormous particular person or afraid of closed areas relatively skip the final half. Exploring the cave is plenty of enjoyable. You probably have time why not come right here for a day, particularly when you journey with youngsters?
A go to to the well-known ostrich farm in Oudtshoorn might be attention-grabbing for youngsters as nicely, right here you are able to do a sport drive, go to a workshop and a manufacturing facility, watch an ostrich race and have lunch in a restaurant. In case your time is proscribed or crawling by tunnels and watching ostriches don’t excite you an excessive amount of relatively skip Oudtshoorn and follow the coastal route.
Extra excursions and actions in Oudtshoorn
George and seven Passes
George is the most important city on the Backyard Route however we’ve by no means stayed right here. It’s a superb place for procuring as a result of your choices in Wilderness and Sedgefield are relatively restricted. From George, you may proceed driving on N2 alongside the coast or go a bit inland and drive by Seven Passes, an outdated highway that connects George with Knysna.
The drive is gorgeous however we’d recommend not driving all seven passes however relatively going over the primary two and on the finish of the tar highway turning proper in direction of Wilderness and going again to the coastal route. The gravel highway on the Seven Passes is sweet however the coastal drive is certainly extra spectacular.
In case you actually just like the tranquility of the world and want to spend an evening on this inexperienced paradise you may keep at Fernhill Tented Treehouses. The tents on wood platforms are situated within the stunning forest. Company can benefit from the unimaginable surroundings and go biking or climbing.
Issues to do in Wilderness
We love this small city and its environment. It’s a peaceable and exquisite place with lush inexperienced mountains and lengthy sandy seashores. There are loads of issues to do and to see.
Climbing the Outeniqua path – a 6-day hutted hike within the Backyard Route Nationwide park.
Strolling one of many day climbing trails; there are 5 trails within the Wilderness Ebb & Stream Nationwide park, from 3km to 10km. The Big Kingfisher path to a waterfall is our favourite. To get an excellent view over the world go to the perspective, the climb is sort of steep and lengthy.
Canoeing on the Touw River and a few small lakes close by, kayak rental is offered within the park.
Consuming espresso. We’re large espresso junkies and each time we discover a cool espresso store we are able to’t cease speaking about it. There may be one in Wilderness the Inexperienced Shed Roastery. A small wood shack with a cool design, espresso beans from all all over the world, and scrumptious desserts, their chocolate cheesecake is the winner!
Paragliding. The realm is sort of well-known for it, there are a few colleges and equipment rental locations round Wilderness. You are able to do a tandem flight, do a course, or hire gear right here.
Water-skiing, fishing, and windsurfing at Island Lake Vacation resort.
The place to remain in Wilderness?
We camped at Ebb & Stream in Wilderness Nationwide park, an incredible and exquisite place. There are a number of climbing trails, kayaks, and paddleboard leases within the park. There are many cozy and never loopy costly lodging choices in Wilderness.
As an choice, you may keep in Sedgefield, which is barely 23km away. The seashore in Sedgefield may be very good. It’s a protracted white sand seashore nice for working and SUPing within the lagoon when it’s not too windy. In case you occur to be right here on Saturday morning try Wild Oats farmers’ market.
The place to remain in Sedgefield?
Day 4. Wilderness – Sedgefield – Knysna, 50 km/31 mi
Fulfilling drive alongside the coast with some stunning views. We have been fearful a bit about Knysna after the massive fireplace of 2017, on the best way driving we did see patches of burned forest. We discovered Knysna trying precisely the identical because the earlier time we have been right here. For a lot of vacationers, Knysna is one in all their primary Backyard Route highlights.
Issues to do in Knysna
- Drive as much as Knysna Heads for a surprising view of the world.
- Go to the Noetzie seashore and the Citadel; a implausible space with a fantastic sandy seashore, and a few castle-like homes.
- Uncover the fantastic thing about the Knysna Lagoon on a ship cruise.
- Benefit from the beautiful sundown on a ship cruise with captain’s BBQ
- Discover the Knysna forest on a scooter bike, the entire household will get pleasure from this journey.
- Paddle across the Lagoon, benefit from the surroundings, and spot marine life on a stand-up paddleboard that you could hire in Knysna.
- Go for a brief hike in Diepwalle, Knysna part of the Backyard Route Nationwide park, there are three climbing trails 7km, 8km, and 9km, in addition to a small museum and a espresso store.
- Uncover the varied wildlife on a ship tour round Knysna Heads and the estuary.
- Discover Knysna on the electrical bike, and luxuriate in this city whereas driving this easy and environmentally pleasant bike.
- Spot marine animals on a whale-watching cruise, beneficial solely within the season (June – October) if you wish to see Southern Proper whales.
- Take pleasure in scrumptious meals and good wine in one of many eating places in Knysna, there are various for various budgets and tastes.
The place to remain in Knysna?
We camped at Diepwalle tenting decks, it’s a distinct degree of tenting; spacious wood decks hidden within the forest with a roofed bar, hearth, and good ablution advanced. The primary drawback of this place is the placement, it’s about 30min. driving inland from Knysna in the midst of the woods with no eating places or bars.
Extra locations to remain in Knysna
Day 5. Knysna – Plettenberg Bay, 32 km/20 mi
On the best way cease at Harkerville forest to stroll within the well-known Backyard of Eden, a very simple and brief stroll, 1km, on a wood path in a fantastic Knysna forest is usually a good picnic cease on the best way.
There are a few attention-grabbing stops on the best way, particularly for vacationers with youngsters. Knysna Elephant park the place you are able to do elephant safaris and walks. Backyard Route Wolf sanctuary the place you are able to do a self-guided stroll by the park, observe wolves and get to know extra about these stunning animals.
Plettenberg Bay or Plett is a pleasant seashore city with many B&Bs, motels, and visitor homes, a well-liked place for South Africans to return for the Christmas vacation. The primary seashore is sweet for swimming and tanning, there are fairly a number of issues to do in and across the city.
The place to remain in Plettenberg Bay?
Day 6. Plettenberg Bay
In case you’re prepared to do any of the actions you’ll want not less than two days in Plett, we spent right here three nights, have been fairly busy each day and nonetheless haven’t achieved the whole lot we’d love to do.
Issues to do in Plettenberg Bay
It’s the actual journey capital of the Backyard Route there are various thrilling issues to do in Plettenberg Bay.
Do a ship tour to identify lots of of Cape fur seals at Robberg Marine Protected space close to Plett. There are over 6000 seals within the colony you’ll undoubtedly see them.
Discover Plettenberg Bay on a guided sea kayak tour. In the course of the tour, you get an opportunity to see seals, dolphins, and even whales (when you’re very fortunate).
In case you don’t thoughts getting moist you are able to do a 30-minute swim session with seals, wetsuits, masks, and fins included. We liked snorkeling with these guys they’re very playful and curious and are available fairly near folks to test them out.
Do a canyoning journey, and luxuriate in an excellent day of abseiling, leaping, zip-lining, climbing, and swimming in a fantastic canyon surrounded by the indigenous forest. It’s not a really excessive however a enjoyable journey. Gear is included.
Hike in Robberg Nature Reserve. There are a number of climbing trails from 30-minute walks to a 4-hour hike across the peninsula. Beautiful surroundings, many seals, stunning seashores, and possibilities to identify dolphins and whales.
Go to Plettenberg Bay Sport Reserve and do a 2-hour sport drive to identify magnificent African animals like elephants, buffalo, rhinos, leopards, giraffes, zebras, and crocodiles.
Be part of a whale-watching boat tour. Don’t miss an opportunity to come across these stunning giants. The perfect time to see Southern Proper Whales within the space is from mid-July to mid-September. Dolphins and seals might be seen all yr spherical.
Go to Keurbooms seashore, the perfect and fewer crowded seashore in Plett, swim, stroll round and have a drink in one of many native bars.
For vacationers with youngsters, Journey Land is a good out of doors place with swimming swimming pools, slides, and tremendous tubes in a 24-hectare space.
Day 7. Plettenberg Bay – The Crags – Nature’s Valley – Bloukrans bridge – Storms River Mouth Nationwide park/Stormsrivier, 75km
That is one in all our favourite drive days on the Backyard Route highway journey. You drive by a few beautiful bridges over the slender deep canyons, together with the well-known Bloukrans bridge with the best bridge bungee soar on this planet.
A few good seashore cities on the best way: Keurboomstrand and Nature’s Valley. In case you flip from N2 to R102 which results in Nature’s Valley you drive by the attractive Grootrivier Move.
Simply outdoors Plettenberg Bay, there are three attention-grabbing animal sanctuaries Monkeyland, Birds of Eden, and Jukani Wildlife. You should purchase a single entrance ticket and go to all three of them, they’re situated subsequent to one another. In simply a few hours, you’ll get to see 11 totally different species of free-roaming monkeys, and 200 species of birds, and see large cats like lions, leopards, cheetahs, Siberian tigers, pumas, and extra. All of the animals at Jukani are rescued it’s not a zoo, they don’t promote or purchase animals.
Bloukrans bridge bungee soar
It’s 100% price of cash, it’s one of the adrenaline-pumping actions you are able to do on the Backyard Route with unimaginable surroundings. The free fall is sort of quick, 3 sec. max nevertheless it’s sufficient to make you tremendous excited and agitated. I’m positive you are able to do it again and again and each time your coronary heart will beat like loopy. E book now your Tsitsikamma Bungee Leap with Zipline and Sky Stroll tour.
Issues to do within the Tsitsikamma Nationwide Park
Tsitsikamma Nationwide Park is a well-liked vacationer attraction on the Backyard Route. Many individuals come right here each day the principle parking space will get very busy when you go a bit additional you’ll discover virtually no folks. Tsitsikamma Park is one in all our favourite locations on the Backyard Route.
Climbing the Otter path. It’s a 5-day hike alongside the coast, thought-about to be one of the scenic hikes on this planet. Although it’s essential to ebook it fairly beforehand to test availability on arrival you may be fortunate to get an open spot in a day or two, as we have been.
Blackwater tubing in Tsitsikamma is a enjoyable option to discover the hidden corners of the park inaccessible from the land.
Tsitsikamma path is a 6-day hike, not like the Otter path this path goes inland by a mountainous space with a few pure swimming pools and waterfalls on the best way. We haven’t achieved this one but however are aiming to do it within the nearest future.
Discover the attractive indigenous forest on a zipline and cover journey in Tsitsikamma.
Storms River kayak and lilo tour is relatively a calming exercise with no rapids or robust currents that permits you to benefit from the beautiful and peaceable Storms River canyon. It’s the one means you may see it there isn’t any highway or climbing path alongside the canyon.
Stroll throughout the suspension bridges. It’s a stroll to 2 stunning bridges throughout the river mouth with nice views of the canyon.
Climb as much as the perspective. After the final suspension bridge, there’s a path that goes all the best way to the highest of the mountain. The views from there are beautiful. The path is sort of difficult, it takes about 1.5 hours to go up and down.
Benefit from the Waterfall hike. The path begins on the caravan park and goes alongside the coast to the waterfall and the rocky pool. It takes about 2-3h return. The route entails some rock hopping and a little bit little bit of climbing, not appropriate for climbing with babies.
Do a snorkeling path. It begins on the workplace and continues alongside the coast in direction of suspension bridges. The water is sort of chilly. Snorkeling right here we noticed loads of fish, starfish, one shy shark, and one sand shark. It’s advisable to do solely when the ocean is calm.
Spot whales and dolphins. In the course of the season between September and December, you may see Southern Proper whales from the shore. Dolphins and otters might be noticed all yr spherical.
There’s a large restaurant contained in the park, a store and braai locations for day guests you may have lunch by the ocean or BBQ your individual meat.
Issues to do in Stormsrivier
A guided hike within the Tsitsikamma forest is an alternative choice for nature lovers who wish to discover the forest, spend a few hours open air, and study extra in regards to the space and its inhabitants.
Discover the village and the attractive forest on a guided segway tour. It’s an thrilling and enjoyable exercise for the entire household.
Go on a paddle boarding and river tubing journey alongside the Storms River and benefit from the stunning indigenous forest and the tranquility of the world.
If strolling and ziplining by the forest don’t sound too thrilling for you, becoming a member of a quad bike tour by the forest – may be an excellent different.
The place to remain in Stormsrivier?
We camped at Storms River Mouth Relaxation Camp and at Nature’s Valley campsite. Each locations are nice although the primary one is correct on the sea, the second is on the river financial institution. In case you choose to remain in a resort or hostel there are many choices in Stormsrivier.
Our Backyard Route itinerary finishes right here. You possibly can proceed the journey alongside the coast in direction of Port Elizabeth and additional on or drive again to Cape City.
Backyard Route journey planning assets
LIKE THIS POST? PIN IT!
Please observe and like us:
The gorgeous half of Stingy Nomads, accountable for all our land adventures (climbing, climbing, strolling the Camino) and following them write-ups. Alya loves strolling since she was a baby, she prefers to stroll 1000 km with a backpack relatively than to do a ten 000 km highway journey (really any highway journey). Alya is an enormous fan of Latin America, the Spanish language, and dancing. Each time we go away she desperately misses our canine Chile.