Salty Crax Backpackers and Tours

No visit to South Africa is complete without experiencing the West Coast. It’s off-the-beaten track and an undiscovered destination for the more adventurous.

Highlights: Wine tasting • Cedaberg Conservancy • Ostrich farm • San Cultural Village • Spring flowers • West Coast Fossil Park • Paternoster • Cape Columbine Reserve • San Rock art • Bird Island – Lamberts Bay • Traditional BBQ • Algeria Reserve & Waterfall hike

DAY 1

You will be welcomed to Cape Town by the friendly staff of SaltyCrax Backpacker with a traditional South African BBQ cooked on the wood coals.
You will meet other guests, tour guides and staff for the tour.

DAY 2
After breakfast we head down the R27 West Coast Road and stop at the Groote Post for some wine tasting.
We then visit the !Khwa Ttu San Culture and Education Centre for a three hour tour. San guides provide a fascinating insight into the culture, heritage, knowledge and modern-day life of the San of Southern Africa.
After enjoying lunch (own expense) at the restaurant at !Khwa Ttu, we head to The Beach Camp in the Cape Columbine Nature Reserve. Here you can stroll in the reserve and along the coastline with its hump-shaped rocks and little bays. In spring (August to October) the area is covered in a bright tapestry of wild flowers. Watch an unforgettable sunset over the ocean. We spend the night on the beach in structured tents and have dinner around the campfire.

DAY 3
Early risers can go sea kayaking (optional) or visit the fishing village of Paternoster. Alternativley, stay snuggled in your tent and enjoy the sound of the waves.
After breakfast, we visit the West Coast Fossil Park for a tour. Over the past 40 years, bones of 200 different kinds of animals, many of them new to science have been recovered.
We have lunch on the beach at the famous open-air Strandloper restaurant. There are six courses including mussels, fish, traditional stews and crayfish.
After lunch, we head back to Cape Columbine to see the lighthouse. We then return to The Beach Camp where we freshen up and have some time to contemplate the day.

DAY 4
We leave The Beach Camp after breakfast and head off to Elands Bay to see some unusual San Rock Art.
Next we head out to Lamberts Bay to explore Bird Island where we can view gannets, cormorants, penguins and seals. We will have lunch in Lamberts Bay (own expense).
Our destination for is Gecko Creek, a mountain hideaway bordering the Cedarberg Reserve. Enjoy the solitude and swim and relax in the refreshing saltwater pool.
After dinner we gather around the fire-warmed open-air Boma and watch for shooting stars.

DAY 5
Horse riding is optional for those who want to explore on horseback. Later, we head off to Algeria Reserve to hike and explore. We picnic in the reserve and you will have time to swim in the fresh mountain river. We return to Gecko Creek to watch the sunset and enjoy dinner.

DAY 6
Those that are interested in taking in the Cedarberg’s rugged beauty from the air can enjoy an optional flight.
We start heading back to Table View, first stopping at an ostrich farm for a guided tour. Try out the ostrich burger or steak for lunch (own expense).
We end the tour at SaltyCrax where you can relax in the hammocks or the Jacuzzi and share your adventure with fellow travellers.

Optional activities:
Day 1: Hiking in Cape Columbine
Day 2: Sea Kayaking. Weather permitting. Minimum 2 pax. R110 per person per hour
Day 4: Horse riding. 1.5 hours. R180 per person
Day 5: Cedarberg flights. Ranges in cost depending on numbers and type of aircraft. R350-600 per person