Activities

Zungeza represents a group of backpackers that promises quality and can help you, the traveler, explore the best of South Africa in comfort. These backpackers are situated in some of the country’s most popular destinations. Use this site to plan your travel itinerary to book your bed at a Zungeza backpack.

Addo

Addo Elephant National Park is situated in the dense valley of the Sundays River region.  At this Eastern Cape game park you will experience an unrivaled natural diversity, boasting 5 of South Africa’s seven major vegetation biomes. Addo is also home to the ‘Big 7′, namely Elephant, Rhino, Lion, Buffalo, Leopard, Whale and the Great White Shark.

The park has several archaeological sites on the coast and in the Zuurberg – also the area where bushman rock art can be seen.

Accommodation – Avoca River Cabins

Cape Town

Cape Town is one of the most beautiful and diverse cities in the world. Found at the very tip of the African continent, it is home to some of the most breath taking views from land and sea. A wide range of activities are available for tourists from the anywhere such as surfing, wine tasting, hiking up Table Mountain, visiting Kirstenbosch gardens or watching a game of cricket or rugby at the grounds in Newlands.

Accommodation – Ashanti Lodge, Greenpoint

Drakensberg

And there are lots of adventure activities in the Drakensberg to choose from. You could for example meet Horrible Horace, the Whiplash and the Four-Man-Hole – legendary rapids and cascades that form part of the roller coaster ride of white water adventuring in the region. Mix in abseiling, mountaineering and quad biking and you can understand why so many adrenalin enthusiasts regard our Drakensberg rivers, mountains and tracks as the ultimate adventure destination in the World.

The mighty rivers that form high in the Drakensberg offer endless opportunities to the adventure seeker. Rivers that flow and cascade through mountain, grassland and bush, then meander through straight, quiet stretches before bursting back to frenetic life in a series of plunging waterfalls and churning rapids. These are powerful waterways, begging to be tamed by raft, canoe or tube.

There are mountains to be conquered – and they don’t come more challenging than the towering peaks of the Drakensberg. The legendary abode of dragons, the Zulu calls it the uKhahlamba – the barrier of spears – and with good reason.

Accommodation – Inkosana Lodge

Durban

KwaZulu Natal is a world in one province. Situated along the warm East Coast, its diversity and contrast are staggering. There is something for everybody – from the idyllic beauty of cool southern forests, through myriad golden beaches along the coastline, to game reserves in the far north, and westwards from the port city of Durban through the green expanse of the Midlands to the majestic, craggy peaks of the Drakensberg Mountains.

KwaZulu Natal is best known for its extensive Indian Ocean coastline – a playground of sun, sea and surf, and paradise for swimmers, fishermen and surfers alike. World class resorts and beaches are sought after throughout the year. Just pick and choose from the exclusive to the affordable, from the long expanse of Durban’s Golden Mile, to the remote lagoons and coral reefs in the north. If you are on holiday and want to relax you have got it made!

Accommodation – Gibela

Hluhluwe

Elephant Coast, KwaZulu-Natal, is an eco-tourism destination in every sense of the word. It’s renowned for its wetland and wildlife conservation efforts, both of which are major Elephant Coast tourism drawcards.

It offers a host of eco-oriented pursuits, of which Big 5 game viewing, hikes and walks, scuba diving, and sea turtle tracking are the most popular Elephant Coast activities.

The Elephant Coast, KwaZulu-Natal houses 2 of South Africa’s greatest natural institutions, the iSimangaliso Wetland Park and the Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park.

iSimangaliso stretches 220km from Cape St Lucia to the Mozambique border and is a World Heritage Site. It is dominated by Lake St Lucia and the St Lucia Estuary with its network of coastal lakes, dunes, subtropical forests, swamps and wetland systems that are a haven for indigenous fauna and flora.

The park features several reserves, including the St Lucia Game Reserve, St Lucia Marine Reserve, the Sodwana Bay National Park, Maputaland Marine Reserve, False Bay Park and Mkuze Game Reserve, all of which offer exciting game experiences.

Accomodation – Isinkwe Safaris Bushcamp

Lesotho

Surreal rock formations, lakes, grasslands and mountains characterise varied landscapes of this mountain kingdom, which make any activity much more about the scenery along the way.

Head for the hills and enjoy a horseback trek through some of Lesotho’s most beautiful natural areas. The guides are experienced and knowledgeable, and will offer assistance to both expert riders and novices.

Pony trekking is one of the ways to experience the varied landscapes of Lesotho without the limitations of a car, as you spend much time in the heart of the mountains in complete peace and solitude.

Some wonderful trails can be found in the various Lesotho national parks and nature reserves. Sehlabathebe National Park is rough, rugged, yet incredibly scenic, and perfect for bird watching and hiking.

A number of rare birds can be found in Lesotho, including the endemic bald ibis.

Accommodation – Malealea Lodge Lesotho

Nieu Bethesda

Nestled below the Compassberg, Nieu Bethesda is an oasis in the arid Karoo.  This village, left behind in time attracts those seeking peace and tranquility…. An eternal spring bubbles on the plateau just above Nieu Bethesda. Its water rises up from the earth to flow downhill and through the village’s network of furrows, one of the last working furrow systems still operating daily. The babble of moving water is a fitting soundtrack to the serene pace of life in this small town, where the streets remain untarred and locals greet visitors like friends.

Nieu Bethesda is home to a growing number of artists, crafters and other creatives seeking a more conducive way of life.  Decades ago writer Athol Fugard chose Nieu Bethesda as his inspirational home where many of his world-famous plays were written.

Nieu Bethesda is overlooked by Compassberg, the highest mountain in the Eastern Cape, and is lined on either side by hills.  In this fertile valley lies a village waiting to enchant and beguile.  Night skies are clear, velvety and unforgettable and the air is crisp and enlivening.  Ancient pear trees and quince hedges edge the roads and fields.  And even though the village has no streetlights, it is safe to walk at any time of the day or night.

Accommodation – Owl House Backpackers

Oudtshoorn

The towns of Oudtshoorn and De Rust are in the Klein Karoo between the Swartberg and Outeniqua mountains.

Oudtshoorn is the ostrich capital of the world.

Ostriches are found in great numbers and the region produces the best feathers, leather products and ostrich meat in the world. But the world’s biggest bird is just one of the many attractions in this area of exceptional contrasts and natural beauty.

It is also:

home to the spectacular Cango Caves, Africa’s largest show cave system.

in the vicinity of an ecological hotspot where three distinct plant biomes (succulent karoo, cape thicket and fynbos) converge.

nestled next to the Swartberg mountain range, which is part of the Cape Floral World Heritage Site.

Accommodation – Backpackers Paradise

Southbroom

Deep-sea fishing — offered at Shelly Beach & Port Edward (close to Southbroom)

Dolphin / whale watching — southern right whales and humpback whales appear around the South African coastline from May to December and can be seen interacting in sheltered bays and coves close inshore and near river mouths.

Golfing / golf courses — The KwaZulu-Natal South Coast is also commonly referred to as the “Golf Coast”, blessed with nine superb 18-hole Golf Courses.

Beaches — Swimming & Surfing — Southbroom boasts two recognised swimming beaches and the coastal walk between them is truly spectacular thanks to the pristine condition of the primary dunes. Its two tidal pools further ensure that the needs of every beachcomber are satisfied.

Bird watching — Southbroom is a bird lover’s paradise with a myriad of habitats to explore.

Diving / shark diving — Launching from Shelley Beach, the Protea Banks reef is rated as one of the world’s best shark diving spots.

Horse riding — A number of operators offer horse trails through the coastal bush or along the beaches, including the Oribi Gorge and overnight trips along the Eastern Cape Wild Coast.

Nature reserves — There are a number of nature reserves in the area offering hiking trails, picnic sites and bird watching — Oribi Gorge Nature Reserve and the Umtamvuna Nature Reserve are the most well known.

Chartered flights & microlighting — trips on microlight aircraft allow guests to view and photograph the magnificent scenery of the South Coast from the air.

Hiking trails — Oribi Gorge, just inland from Port Shepstone, has some excellent hiking trails.

Mountain biking / MTB trails — Mountain bike trails are offered around Port Edward, and adjacent to the Umtamvuna Nature Reserve. Exciting overnight trails are offered into the Wild Coast, just across the Umtamvuna River.

The sardine run — (June / July) — When the sardine run gets going in June / July, Southbroom is the place to be. Schools of up to 500 dolphins make a spectacular sight and can often be seen at play during the sardine run. The guest house is a perfect vantage point!

River bend Crocodile Farm — One of the South Coast’s most popular attractions and home to some of South Africa’s the largest crocodiles. The farm also has an enlightening information centre, art gallery and restaurant.

Wild Coast Sun Casino — A popular entertainment destination located just south of Southbroom.

Accommodation – Southbroom Travellers Lodge

Storms River Village

Storms River is a small village in the Eastern Cape of South Africa. It is located in the Garden Route, TSITSIKAMMA and is the ideal base to enjoy to the Tsitsikamma National Park, Bloukrans Bungy Jump, Tree Top Canopy Tours, Zipline Waterfall Tours, the Elephant Sanctuary, Birds of Eden.

Only a short drive east of Plettenberg Bay and Knysna, Storms River has plenty to offer visitors – it is synonymous with everything adventurous and daring, from mild or wild, Stormsriver has an adventure in store for all. Stormsriver Village is on the doorstep of the beautiful conservation area of Tsitsikamma National Park, home to Storms River Tubing, hiking, mountain biking and nature trails which will satisfy any nature lover’s passion for the outdoors. A wide variety of fauna and flora flourish in this fertile area, a bird-watchers paradise.S

Accommodation – Tsitsikamma Backpackers