BackpackersBible.com
SA's Backpacking Regions
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.
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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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 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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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...
EXPLOREWe're the only guide that lists all the hostels, with their full contact details, in case you want to book direct, plus useful info such as Safety Ratings and Value For Money, Solo Female Friendliness, and Digital Nomad scorecards.
Every listing below is independently researched and unsponsored. We review them all the same way -
the hostels do not pay us for advertising. More info...
Did we miss a hostel? Email us at and we'll add it.
