5 Top Backpackers to use on Garden Route Tours

The Garden Route offers a magnitude of backpackers and accommodation options to choose from. If you are part of a group or decide to do self-drive Garden Route tours, you are sure to experience top quality backpackers along the way. Below is a list of 5 Top Backpackers to use on Garden Route Tours strategically placed for comfortable driving distances between Cape Town and Port Elizabeth on a 6 Day, 5 Night Garden Route tour.

1. Cape Agulhas Backpackers, Cape Agulhas

Although Cape Agulhas does not officially form part of the Garden Route, it provides a comfortable stop to explore the surrounding areas of Hermanus, Struisbaai, The Southern Tip of Africa and, if you feel like pumping some adrenaline, shark cage diving in Gans Bay. The area of Cape Agulhas is quiet, peaceful and have the opportunity to walk an uninterrupted 14km long white, sandy beach, go for horse rides and a few hiking options. Cape Agulhas is a very popular stop on many group Garden Route tours.

2. Backpacker's Paradise, Oudtshoorn

Leaving Cape Agulhas early morning after night one on your Garden Route tour, the long road is taken to Oudtshoorn bringing us closer into the Garden Route region. Oudtshoorn is known for a number of activities such as The Cango Caves, Ostrich Farms, Cango Wildlife Ranch and Elephant rides. Staying at Backpacker's Paradise puts you very central to all these highlights and you can join tours or rent a bicycle to see the town on a daily basis.

3. Afrovibe Backpackers, Sedgefield

Sedgefield brings you to the heart of the Garden Route. Here you find yourself right on the beach with peaceful surroundings and lots to do! From paragliding, to surfing, hiking, swimming and more. Afrovibe Backpackers will take care of your accommodation and adventure needs while Pili Pili bar and restaurant right next door will take care of your appetite and drinks.

4. Tube 'n Axe, Stormsriver Village, Tsitsikamma

From the beach straight into the bush! Stormsriver Village is found in the heart of Tsitsikamma forest. Here you have more activities to choose from, like Bungy Jumping, Ziplining, hiking in Tsitsikamma Park or canoeing and canyoning. Tube 'n Axe is quality backpackers option bringing you more in touch with the Garden Route forests than you can imagine.

5. Lungile Lodge, Port Elizabeth

Port Elizabeth brings you to the end of The Garden Route and no better place to relax and unwind than Lungile Lodge. A leisurely stroll takes you to nearby restaurants, bars and the beach. From here you have the option to extend your Garden Route tour into Addo National Park for some wildlife viewing options.

So! There you have it! If you're planning on renting a car and doing a 6 Day Garden Route tour, then the above options will greatly assist in budget, location and driving distance on a daily basis. If you feel like joining a group, have a look at our Garden Route Tours from our website and get in contact!

Till later!

The Cape Town Experience Crew

The last Leopard spotted in Cape Town

Ok! So I also fell for it! It's just a statue! A life-size leopard placed on a rock in Hout Bay overlooking the sea waters of The Atlantic on the west side of The Cape Town peninsula. The piece of art is dedicated to the last leopard spotted here in 1937. Not many people know of it or even know it's there sitting all by itself through the last couple of decades.

The bronze leopard was created by Ivan Milford-Barberton in 1963 and placed strategically on a piece of rock in the ocean, visible from land and roads or from boats sailing around Hout Bay. For those who do not intend to look for it, the silhouette of a leopard in the Cape Town sunset can be quite a suprise when discovered and with a certain degree of realism might even have you think that it's a real one!

The statue can be found as one leaves Hout Bay on your way to Chapman's Peak. On your right, in the ocean, you will find a number of huge, upright boulders standing close together. On one of these you will easily find the leopard statue if you are knowingly looking for it. Ask your guide to point it out when joining our Cape Point tours.

Till later!

The Cape Town Experience Crew

Ever wondered where Cape Town's False Bay got it's name from?

False Bay is a massive bay in Cape Town stretching from Hangklip to Cape Point. By car it's about 120 kilometres from one end to the other. A Sunday drive along this route on a clear and sunny day holds plenty of sights and sounds to discover, and during whale season from June to November the drive is a whale spotting hotspot!

But what on earth made this beautiful body of water so untrue that it was given the name 'False' Bay? Well, the seafarers of years ago sailed around the African coastline on their way to and from India forming part of the Spice Route. This journey took them around Cape Point and Hangklip.

Cape Point and Hangklip are very similar in shape and from a distance they can easily be confused with each other. Coming back from India, the seafarers thought they were rounding Cape Point, when in fact they were only rounding Hangklip! They would sail into False Bay, realise it's not where they should be and then continue onwards to find Cape Point still waiting for them! So, the name False Bay was given!

False Bay can be viewed and experienced on our Cape Point tours.

Till later!

The Cape Town Experience crew

The Cape Town Slave Tree

Watch out for this one! You might just miss it if you blink! In the city centre of Cape Town you will find a small little monument remembering the slave trade in Cape Town hundreds of years ago.

During the late 1700's and early 1800's, the slave trade in Cape Town was a booming industry and slave ships used to dock in the Cape Town harbour on a regular basis.

Slaves had no place living among the noblemen, so while church was in session, the unwelcome slaves had to hang around outside and wait for their masters, sitting under a “slave tree”. It was also a well-know spot to sell off any of your slaves. The original tree was removed in 1916, although a commemorative stone has been laid in it's place, along with a artistic tree in recent years.

The spot can be found right next to Church Square in Spin street. Our city tours take you through these streets where we stop at the slave tree spot for a quick photo opportunity.

Slavery was officially abolished in the Cape in 1838.

Feel free to ask if you need some more guidance on finding this little spot! Have a look at our Cape Town City Tours visiting the tree while we explore the city on foot.

The Cape Town Experience Crew

Introducing The Cape Town Experience!

So...! Here we go!

The Cape Town Experience is all about... well... as it says: "Experiencing Cape Town!"

As a tour operator we get to see a lot of cool stuff, hear many stories and see once-in-a-lifetime scenes with our guests. It doesn't matter how many times you've passed a certain turn-off, crossed a certain bridge or walked through a certain town - there's always something new to learn.

This blog is dedicated to anything 'Cape Town'. Old stories and legends, historical figures, myths and more. The Cape Town Experience crew is seriously dedicated to our Mother City, and believe we can grow this incredible piece of land to the hottest spot in Africa!

Our Cape Town and Garden Route tours can be viewed and booked from our website below:

http://thecapetownexperience.com/

Follow us for interesting Cape Town facts, fiction, festivals and fun! There's always something brewing in the city.

Till later!

The Cape Town Experience crew