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All Regions (Map) Cape Town Winelands West Coast Cederberg Route 62 The Overberg Garden Route Karoo Sunshine Coast Eastern Cape Interior Wild Coast Free State South Coast Durban North Coast Midlands Drakensberg Zululand Kruger Mpumalanga Limpopo Johannesburg Pretoria North West Northern Cape Eswatini Lesotho

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IN-COUNTRY

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SPECIFIC INTERESTS

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SELF-DRIVE ITINERARIES

1 Week: The Cape Loop 2 Weeks: The Whistlestop Tour 2 Weeks: The Northeast Triangle 2 Weeks: The Grand Cape Loop 2 Weeks: The Wild North 2 Weeks: The Road Less Travelled 3 Weeks: The Backpacker's Bible 3 Weeks: Coast & Karoo 3 Weeks: Off The Beaten Track 1 Month: The Rainbow Nation 3 Months: The Full Monty

TOURS / DAY TRIPS

Cape Town Winelands West Coast Garden Route Karoo Route 62 The Overberg Sunshine Coast Durban Drakensberg Zululand Kruger Johannesburg Eswatini Lesotho
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Map showing the backpacking regions of South Africa

The Backpacking Regions
Of South Africa

Explore the wonders of the rainbow nation. From the peaks of the Drakensberg to the otherworldly vibes of the Zulu Kingdom, find your next adventure here. The countries of Lesotho and Eswatini are included in this guide, as many backpackers visit them during their tour of South Africa.

Hippo

CAPE TOWN

Few cities on earth pack this much into one place - mountains, beaches, world-class food, nightlife and scenery - all wrapped in jaw-dropping scenery...

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Vineyard, Cape Winelands

CAPE WINELANDS

Rows of vines beneath rugged mountain ranges, Cape Dutch architecture, and world-class wine for backpacker-friendly prices. Stellenbosch, Franschhoek & Paarl are easy day trips...

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West Coast cottage

WEST COAST

Wild flowers in spring, fresh crayfish on the braai, and a raw Atlantic coastline far from the tourist trail - the West Coast rewards those who wander...

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Cederberg landscape

THE CEDERBERG

A raw wilderness of red rock, ancient Bushman paintings, and fynbos solitude just two hours from Cape Town. Hikers, climbers and stargazers feel immediately at home here...

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Overberg

THE OVERBERG

Beyond the Hottentots Holland mountains lies whale country - rolling wheat fields, the wild Cape Agulhas coastline, and some of the best whale watching on the planet...

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Route 62 landscape

ROUTE 62

The world's longest wine route snakes through the Little Karoo past ostrich farms, rustic towns, and dramatic mountain passes. Slow down and savour every kilometre...

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Karoo

THE KAROO

Visit semi-desert silence broken only by wind and birdsong, stargazing, fossil hunting, the Cango Caves, ostriches, history, and an otherworldly landscape that gets deep under your skin...

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Garden Route

THE GARDEN ROUTE

South Africa's holiday classic for good reason. Lush forests, lagoons, bungee jumps, and a string of coastal towns keep backpackers happily busy for weeks...

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Sunshine Coast

SUNSHINE COAST

Warm Indian Ocean water, uncrowded beaches, and the elephant-packed wilderness of Addo Elephant National Park - this underrated stretch punches well above its weight...

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Eastern Cape town

EASTERN CAPE INTERIOR

Eccentric, arty villages hidden in the mountains. Hogsback is misty and mystical; Nieu-Bethesda is sunbaked and surreal. Both are unlike anywhere else in South Africa...

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Coast

WILD COAST

Untamed, gorgeous, and gloriously underdeveloped. This stretch of former Transkei coastline rewards slow Travellers with empty beaches, Xhosa culture, and legendary hiking trails...

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KZN South Coast seascape

KZN SOUTH COAST

Warm water, affordable resorts, and a laid-back vibe define this stretch of KwaZulu-Natal coastline - a quieter, cheaper alternative to Durban just up the road...

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Durban

DURBAN

South Africa's surf city - a buzzing, multicultural port Town with legendary curry, golden beaches, a vibrant street scene, and an energy entirely its own...

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KZN North Coast seascape

KZN NORTH COAST

North Coast dolphins, sugar and dunes - the North Coast blends beach-town relaxation with some of the finest coastal wilderness in Southern Africa...

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Nyala male, Zululand

ZULULAND

The heart of Zulu heritage and home to Hluhluwe-iMfolozi, the oldest game reserve in Africa. Culture, wildlife, and history converge in one extraordinary region...

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Mandela Capture Site, Midlands

KZN MIDLANDS

A misty patchwork of dairy farms, fly-fishing streams, craft studios, and country pubs. The Midlands Meander is perfect for slowing down between bigger adventures...

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Drakensberg Mountains

DRAKENSBERG

The Roof of Africa. Soaring basalt peaks, San Rock art, world-class hiking, and crisp mountain air make this one of South Africa's great backpacker destinations...

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Golden Gate, Free State

FREE STATE

Golden plains, sandstone mountains, and a warm African heartbeat. The Free State is often overlooked but offers real, unhurried South Africa at its most authentic...

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Johannesburg

JOHANNESBURG

Jozi moves fast. Street art, craft beer, Soweto township tours, apartheid history, and an infectious creative energy make South Africa's biggest city impossible to ignore...

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Union Buildings in Pretoria

PRETORIA

South Africa's administrative capital offers excellent museums, a more relaxed pace than Joburg, and easy access to the Cradle of Humankind...

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Safari

KRUGER

Africa's most accessible Big Five safari destination. Self-drive through endless bush, sleep in rest camps and wake to lions roaring in the dark...

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Leopard, Mpumalanga Province

MPUMALANGA

Panorama Route, Blyde River Canyon, and the gateway to Kruger - dramatic scenery and incredible biodiversity in an endlessly rewarding backpacker playground...

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Limpopo Province landscape

LIMPOPO

South Africa's wild Northern frontier. Ancient baobabs, sacred mountains, rock art, and remote game reserves make Limpopo feel like the country's best-kept secret....

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Cheetah - North West Province

NORTH WEST PROVINCE

Home to Sun City and the ancient Cradle of Humankind. Closer to Johannesburg than you'd think, wilder than you'd expect...

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Northern Cape landscape

NORTHERN CAPE

The big empty. Namaqualand wildflowers, Kgalagadi lion, Augrabies falls, and the darkest skies in South Africa await those venturing into the vast interior...

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Lesotho snow

LESOTHO

The Kingdom in the Sky. Entirely surrounded by South Africa, this mountain nation offers pony trekking, Basotho culture, and high-altitude adventure unlike anywhere else on the continent...

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Eswatini

ESWATINI

Small but spirited. This independent kingdom offers royal cultural ceremonies, excellent wildlife reserves, white-water rafting, and some of the warmest hospitality in southern Africa...

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