Category Archives: Garden Route

Harkerville Forest Lodge

Garden Route Backpacker

Harkerville Forest Lodge is a lovely owner-run establishment situated on the “Golden Mile” of the Garden Route. The property is situated within the boundaries of SanParks, in a tranquil forest setting. The basic but comfortable accommodation facilities on offer is perfect for nature lovers.

Accommodation comprise of a forest chalet, a fully equipped self-catering unit that can accommodate up to 5 guests, log cabins that can accommodate between 1 and 4 guests, guesthouse rooms and a campsite. A privately owned 3-bedroom house is also available as an option.

A restaurant, Akkedis, is available for breakfasts and dinners that is served by prior arrangement only. Other facilities include a swimming pool, volley ball court, zip line (foefieslide) and a licensed bar with pool table. Secure on-site parking is available to all guests.

Harkerville is the perfect launching point for hiking trails in the area. Guests can also enjoy sightings of bushbuck and knysna loeries from the deck while enjoying a braai or sundowner.

Plettenberg Bay Beach Cottage

Garden Route Backpacker

Plettenberg Bay Beach Cottage Offers comfortable self-catering accommodation in a tastefully decorated house, situated in the town of Plettenberg Bay, conveniently located in close proximity to a variety of restaurants, and within walking distance to the Beacon Island Centre and beaches.

The house comprises 4 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms. The main bedroom is furnished with a king-sized bed and has an en-suite bathroom with a shower. The second bedroom is furnished with 3 single beds and pull-out bed and the third bedroom is furnished with a king-sized bed. The second and third bedrooms share a bathroom wit a bath and separate toilets. The fourth bedroom is furnished with a double bed and has an en suite-bathroom with a shower.

The living areas comprise a lounge and dining area. The well-equipped kitchen contains 2 fridge-freezers, a deep freezer, a microwave, a stove, an oven, a washing machine, and a dishwasher. The lounge has comfortable couches, a fireplace, and a TV. The lounge area leads out onto the veranda with patio furniture and a hammock. There is an outdoor shower with hot and cold water as well as a garden.

Riverclub 4217

Garden Route Backpacker

At Riverclub 4217 is a spacious, luxurious and well-equipped self-catering home, that is centrally located in the coastal town of Plettenberg Bay within the popular Riverclub development on the banks of the Piesang River. Here you can rest your soul. This 5-bedroom home provides a first-rate base from which to enjoy the area’s stunning beaches, breathtaking forests and natural surroundings. It is also a mere 5 minute drive to the golf course and gym facilities.

The security complex offers a fresh water swimming pool, fenced in but with no net or covering, and two tennis courts and squash courts. It is a 10 minute walk to Central Beach and Beacon Isle Shopping Centre which offers a Spar shop, a pharmacy, dentist, doctor, various restaurants and a liquor store.

This upmarket home with sun-basked interior spaces is furnished in minimalist neutral sand colours complemented by quality finishes. The large open-plan living areas lead to a patio with outdoor dining facilities, overlooking a pond and well-maintained gardens. There is underfloor heating in the living areas and a gas fireplace in the lounge for the colder winter months.

The ground-floor consists of a open-plan lounge, dining room leading onto a patio with braai facilities, fully equipped kitchen with a dishwasher, tumble-dryer, washing machine, double door fridge-freezer, microwave and stove, 1 spacious luxury twin bedroom, a guest toilet, and a double garage.

The first-floor consists of 4 spacious luxury bedrooms, of which 3 are doubles and 1 is a twin room. 3 of the lead out to balconies. The double rooms each contain an en-suite bathroom with a bath, a shower, a basin and a toilet. The twin room has access to a separate bathroom with a bath, a shower, a basin and a toilet. All of the rooms lead into a TV room.

There are TVs on the ground and first floor with local channels, and a DVD player with surround sound. Full DStv (Explora) is available at an additional charge out of season (in season it is included). Other facilities at the house include a baby camping cot, high chair and walking ring, tennis rackets and balls, beach chairs, an umbrella, beach bats and balls, boogie-boards and beach towels, electric blankets, heaters and fans, and a safe in the main bedroom for valuables. 24-hour security and secure parking is provided. A cleaning service is available at an additional fee.

Die Houthuisie

Garden Route Backpacker

Die Houthuisie offers quality accommodation for a family or group of friends. The apartment is near numerous shops, restaurants and the beach.

The apartment comprises 1 bedroom and can accommodate up to 6 guests at a time. The bedroom has a double bed and there are 2 single beds and a double sleeper couch in the living room. The bathroom is fitted with a shower, toilet and basin.

The kitchen is equipped with everything guests will need for a care-free, self-catering stay.

There is a TV in the living room with a DStv connection, but guests are required to bring along their own decoder, smart card and remote to make use of the facility. Dstv can be provided at R30 extra per day.

The patio has braai facilities for guests’ use. There are a canoe and row boat for guests to use on the lagoon during their stay.

Guests have access to secure parking on the premises.

Please note: The apartment is a seperate garden flat. If you need more information about the view etc. please send us a message before you book.

Hooikraal Tented Camp

Garden Route Backpacker

Hooikraal Tented Camp is an eco-friendly camp with a bushveld feeling built in a beautiful gorge, under the thorn trees. It is located 8 km from Heidelberg, next to the N2, and can be reached by all vehicle.

Accommodation is provided in 3 structured tents, each with private bathroom, braai facilities, and wood-fired hot tub, as well as a campsite with shared bathroom facilities. Each tent has solar powered lights and place to charge cell phones.

Duiker and Bosbok Safari Tent are the family tents and sleeps up to 4 people. It has 1 double bed, 1 bunk bed, private bathroom, 2 plate gas stove and all basic cooking, pots and pans.

Steenbok Safari Tent is for 2 people who want to break away. He has 2 single beds, private bathroom, a 2 plate gas stove and all the basic cooking, pots and pans.

The campsite comprises 10 big campsites where guests can pitch a tent or park a caravan. The campsite has a communal bathroom. The bathrooms have gas geysers and the showers are bags to save water. The shower bags takes each 25 liters of water. The camp has no electricity, so guests need to bring with if necessary their own solar panel or battery system for a longer visit.

Peace of Eden – Nature Lodge and Vegan Retreat

Garden Route Backpacker

Peace of Eden – Nature Lodge and Vegan Retreat is on a magical country smallholding which nestles on the edge of its own indigenous forest situated in Knysna.

The accommodation offers quirky, rustic bohemian accommodation options, from converted stables to 2 little Woodcutter Cottages overlooking fields and forest, a cosy rustic Timber Barn Cabin on the forest edge with stunning sunset views and on a more traditional note there is a quaint double storey cottage. For the more adventurous outdoor, nature lover there are old style retro canvas tents on timber decks in the forest with all the simple basics for a comfy stay. There are lovely free-range, eco campsites that do not have electricity and are in a field on the forest edge, they have their own eco-timber ablution huts with compost toilets and hot showers.

On-site guests can walk on the wild side along the beautiful forest pathways, have a candlelit picnic on the jetty overlooking an enchanting lily pond or get in touch with your green side and order delicious organic vegan breakfasts and dinners including a night special or a 4-course vegan dining experience.

As a vegan lodge, Peace of Eden expects guests to respect the ethos whilst staying and guests are not able to cook or bring any animal meat products onto the property, that includes red meat, game meat, chicken and fish.

The characteristics of a more eco country lifestyle mean that the lodge uses golden brown water from the dam, filtered and chlorinated and supply sweet bottled rainwater to drink. Guests can also bring their own. There are eco flushing toilets, so no double ply toilet paper can be used. There are low-pressure showers which vary as the water is pumped from a dam, gas heated showers which invariably run out of gas in the middle of a shower and is replaced when that happens.

Wildlife including baboons, monkeys, a myriad of birds, wild pig, porcupines, spiders, snakes though these are rarely seen by guests and large areas of unmowed lawns, which are ecologically better for insect and bird life.

The lodge is 8 km from the N2, only 15 minutes outside Knysna and the beautiful beaches of Buffalo Bay and Brenton on Sea.

Louvain Guest Farm

Garden Route Backpacker

Louvain Guest Farm is located on a working farm in the upper Langkloof valley between George and Uniondale in the Western Cape.

Louvain offers accommodation in a variety of different self-catering units and 7 en-suite guests rooms which are ideal for weddings, corporate functions, and team building. Camping facilities are also available. Guests are required to bring their own tents and camping equipment.

Activities on the farm include 4×4 trails, bird watching, mountain bike trails, stargazing, and hiking trails.

The Langkloof valley is 160 km in distance and stretches from Herold, a small village north of George, to Humansdorp near Port Elizabeth. The valley is an important, fertile, fruit growing region nestled between the Kammanassie and Kouga mountains on the north and the Outeniqua mountain range in the south.

Shepherds Tree Backpackers

Garden Route Backpacker

Shepherds Tree Backpackers is nestled in a beautiful heritage building between the Knysna Lagoon and the N2, above the already popular Shepherds Tree Curio & Coffee Shop. The establishment offers a cottage-meets-quirky upmarket backpackers-style accommodation to traveller’s exploring the magical Eden District of Knysna.

Accommodation is available in the dorm room which is able to accommodate 6 guests on bunk beds. The establishment facilities include a spacious garden, free Wi-Fi access, secure parking, communal kitchen and braai facilities, and kids play area. Complimentary tea- and coffee-making facilities are also provided.

Shepherds Tree welcomes local and international travellers, families, school touring groups, international volunteers, and couples looking for an affordable, clean, comfortable and creative place to rest their heads.

Avilla Nova Accommodation

Garden Route Backpacker

Avilla Nova Accommodation is a historical stone villa situated in Mossel Bay CBD, next to the town park, offering comfortable backpackers accommodation in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. The property is a 4 minute drive to Santos Beach, and the central location offers access to restaurants and shops.

The backpackers offers accommodation in 5 rooms, some with a balcony and some with views of the garden park. Some of the rooms are equipped with a bar fridge, and guests have access to a communal kitchen for self-catering. Laundry and braai facilities are also available. The backpackers offers Wi-Fi and secure parking.

Attractions in Mossel Bay include Botlierskop Private Game Reserve, Gondwana Private Game Reserve, Post office Tree Shoe, and Bartholomeu Diaz Museum Complex.

Yellow Woods Camps & Conferences

Garden Route Backpacker

Yellow Woods Camps & Conferences is located 28 km outside the town of Great Brak River and 28 km from Mossel Bay.

Each room is equipped with 4 bunk beds, a shower, toilet, and basin. The rooms have each limited Wi-Fi connection.

There is ample parking space behind a secure gate and the premises is surrounded with electric fencing. Braai facilities are also available. An English breakfast is available every morning at an additional cost. Other facilities include a conference hall, dining hall and a coffee shop on the premises.

A 3-hour game drive can be arranged at the neighbouring farm Botlierskop Private Game Reserve.

De Rust Boutique Backpackers

Garden Route Backpacker

Nestled in a Klein Karoo valley between the Kammanassie and the Swartberg is the picturesque Victorian village of De Rust. Guarded by majestic mountain ranges, De Rust is a beautiful little town where idyllic days are spent swimming in waterfalls and lunching in the village eateries.

Tsitsikamma Backpackers

Garden Route Backpacker

Tsitsikamma Backpackers offers a unique eco-friendly, tranquil environment situated in Stormsriver Village, surrounded by the magnificent Tsitsikamma forest and mountains. Easily accessible, just off the N2 highway and a mere 65 kilometers from Plettenberg Bay

Jumper’s Place

Garden Route Backpacker

Jumper’s Place is known for it’s hospitality, and close proximity to adventure routes for the motorcycle and 4×4 enthusiasts, and offers comfortable backpackers look alike (we have 11 rooms sleeping 28 people) accommodation in the town of Willowmore in the Eastern Cape.

Shark Shack Backpackers

Garden Route Backpacker

Shark Shack Backpackers offers guest rooms and is situated in Mossel Bay. Ideal for guests looking for a stopover, close to various attractions and facilities in and around the town, and the Garden Route.