Guide to some of South Africa’s best little towns

It’s easy to fall in love with the majesty of Namibia, or the wilderness of Kruger – but there’s more to travel than that. That’s why, in every issue, we write a guide about a little town in South Africa, and try to find out its secrets and its quirks. Here you’ll find every guide we’ve written over the last year (and a bit) – if you’re looking for a new adventure to enjoy in South Africa, you’ll definitely find inspiration here.

Please note: we’ve included the prices, as a guideline – but although they were correct at time of travel, they’re liable to change at each owner’s discretion. Please confirm with individual establishments before booking.

Betty’s Bay

Penguins at Stony Point, Betty’s Bay. Photo by Hougaard Malan.

What makes Betty’s Bay the perfect holiday destination? All you need to find the answer, says Adel Groenewald, is a pair of comfortable shoes.

Guide to Betty’s Bay

Citrusdal

Locally grown oranges are for sale everywhere; the rustic interior of the Lovely Grapevine coffee shop. Photo by Melanie van Zyl.

Citrusdal is a thriving farming district by trade but has been dragged kicking and screaming into tourism. It’s well worth the trip because it has so much to offer: rooibos, natural hot springs, as well as the eponymous oranges.

Guide to Citrusdal

Elands Bay

The Southern end of Elands Bay has only privately owned houses on partially tarred roads that eventually lead down to the beach. Photo by Adriaan Louw.

At first glance, there’s nothing to do in Elands Bay except surf and eat crayfish. Yet the same family caravans return to the beachfront campsite each summer. Clearly, doing very little is part of the appeal in this sleepy coastal town.

Guide to Elands Bay

Glentana

While the sea is invitingly warm, the rip currents are strong and the possibility of sharks rather high, so swim at your own risk. Lifeguards are posted on Glentana’s main beach only in peak season. Photo by Jazz Kuschke.

Glentana is the first choice when George and Oudtshoorn locals go beach-walking. Jazz Kuschke found out why.

Guide to Glentana

Groot Marico

The magic of the Marico. Photo by Teagan Cunniffe.

A hearty dorp 
of more than just dops: Oom Schalk Lourens made it famous, but Vuyi Qubeka finds more than mampoer and tall tales in Groot Marico.

Guide to Groot Marico

Hermanus

The tranquil combination of sea and fynbos is what first drew people to Hermanus’ striking shoreline. Years later, despite development, it still exudes a sense of serenity. Photo by Tyson Jopson.

There’s nothing charming about progress, says Tyson Jopson. What happens when an old fishing village turned holiday hotspot embraces the business of watching whales go by?

Guide to Hermanus

Howick

Howick Falls. Photo by Howick Tourism.

At 120kmph, hurtling down the N3, it’s a case of blink and you’ll miss Howick. Paul Maughan-Brown took exit 103 for a few laid-back days with the locals.

Guide to Howick

Lake Jozini

The local elephant herds spend much of their time feeding, drinking and bathing along the lake’s shoreline.

At the foot of the Lebombo mountains, just south of Swaziland, lies a destination that not only resembles Zimbabwe’s Lake Kariba, but also rivals it in terms of activities and accommodation. Villiers Steyn and Tabby Mittins soaked up the sun on Lake Jozini.

Guide to Lake Jozini

Mossel Bay

Cape Town surfer Jake Elkington is a regular face at Inner Pool. Photo by Jazz Kuschke.

A temperate climate, deep historical roots and a well developed tourist infrastructure make Mossel Bay far more than just the gateway to the Garden Route, says Jazz Kuschke.

Guide to Mossel Bay

Paarl

Paarl features adventure activities in abundance, among them several mountain-biking trails for beginners through experts. Photo by Teagan Cunniffe.

Paarl is frequently overlooked in favour of the refined salons of Franschhoek, and Stellenbosch’s leafy avenues of learning, with its gourmet eateries, sleek art galleries and please-see-me pavement cafés. It’s unfair to a beautiful town that retains its earthy, we-are-actually-here-to-make-good-wine feel, and has excellent restaurants, art galleries and coffee shops that hold their own anywhere. Fred Hatman concludes that Paarl really has it all – without being too pleased with itself.

Guide to Paarl

Prince Albert

Long a thriving farming town and a gem on the Karoo tourist trail, Prince Albert is adding new community voices to its more familiar Victorian history.

Guide to Prince Albert

Southbroom

Southbroom’s long, clean beaches are perfect for early evening walks with the kids. Photo by Tyson Jopson.

Take a trip to Southbroom, a village tucked between two rivers on KZN’s South Coast that has conservation and recreation as its top priorities.

Guide to Southbroom

Stanford

The local fynbos more than holds its own in the Cape Floral Kingdom. Photo by Teagan Cunniffe.

There’s something in the air in Stanford. Amongst the mix of quaint Victorian houses and stooping Strandveld cottages, Fred Hatman discovered that there’s a quite intangible Stanford thing that sucks you in.

Guide to Stanford

Umhlanga

Sunset in Umhlanga. Photo by Adel Groenewald.

A small town with a big heart, Umhlanga, on KwaZulu-Natal’s north coast, is a spot for everyone to enjoy almost year-round sunshine.

Guide to Umhlanga

Uvongo

Uvongo sunrise. Photo by Tyson Jopson.

Every year KZN’s South Coast swells with holidaymakers looking for their fun in the sun. In placid Uvongo, however, it’s not so much about what to do than it is about who’s next door.

Guide to Uvongo

Wakkerstroom

Like most towns the NG Kerk takes centre stage in Wakkerstroom.

Wakkerstroom is a village with no traffic lights for at least 30 kilometres in any direction. And that’s the way the locals like it.

Guide to Wakkerstroom
Got a suggestion for a little town we haven’t visited yet? Leave it in the comments!

Related Posts

12 sensational Western Cape campsites

30 May 2023

Love camping? So do we. These are some of our favourite Western Cape campsites, our... read more

Rewilding Mozambique: Sábiè Game Park

25 May 2023

We went on a recce to Sábiè Game Park, which is setting the pace for... read more

Rewilding Mozambique: Zinave National Park

25 May 2023

We went on a recce to Zinave National Park, Inhambane Province, which is setting the... read more