So I’ve booked a Garden Route group tour…where will I be staying?
Many people are curious or even a bit nervous to see what the accommodation options are when going on an Earthstompers 5 or 6-day Garden Route group tour. If you’d like to leave those to surprise, then stop reading here! If you are curious, read on…
Backpackers vs. Guest House – which is right for me?
Guests have an option of booking backpackers or guest house accommodation on our group Garden Route group tours. Backpackers have more of a social vibe, and are better for clients looking for a more social atmosphere. Backpackers usually have a bar or bonfire area. Although backpackers offer a budget price, the standard of backpackers in South Africa is generally very high and they all offer private rooms with their own bathrooms. Guest houses are a more private, quieter, luxurious experience. About 80% of our group Garden Route tour guests choose to stay in the backpackers and 20% in the guest houses. Backpackers and guest house clients travel together in the same tour vehicle and dinners in the evenings take place at the backpackers.
If you are staying in the guest houses, your guide will collect you for dinner in the evenings (properties are usually less than 5 minutes’ drive from each other).
Lets have a look into the rooms.
Backpacker dorm:
This is a mixed-gender shared bedroom with between 2-12 guests, depending on the property. Beds are typically bunk beds or single beds. The bathroom may be en suite, or may be down the hallway, and is shared with other guests.
Backpacker single/twin/double en suite:
A private bedroom at the backpackers, with a private bathroom en suite. A single room is for one person, a twin room is for two people (two separate beds), and a double is for two people, in one bed.
Guest house single/twin/double:
This is a private bedroom at a guest house, with a private bathroom en suite. A single room is for one person, a twin room is for two people (two separate beds), and a double is for two people, in one bed.
All bedding and towels will be provided for both backpackers and guest houses.
Specific accommodation
Below is a table of the backpacker and guest house accommodation we typically use on our group Garden Route tours. Although we frequently utilize the same accommodation every week, we cannot guarantee that we will stay at a specific location each week, due to availability and group size.
We have selected these locations over the years because of their cleanliness, unique setting, and great hospitality. We prefer to support smaller, locally owned places rather than larger hotel chains, when possible.
Destination | Backpackers | Guest Houses |
Cape Agulhas/ Struisbaai | Cape Agulhas Backpackers | Chateau de Marine Hotel
or |
Oudtshoorn | Chandelier Game Lodge
Both backpackers and guesthouse clients stay in the same location – a working game & ostrich farm. This is a unique location, which isn’t really a backpacker or guesthouse but we feel is a special experience. Backpackers stay in the log cabins, whilst guest house clients stay in the luxury tents. |
|
Sedgefield | Afrovibe Beach Villa
or |
In Toto Retreat |
Addo area | Avoca River Cabins
Both backpackers and guesthouse clients stay in the same location – a working citrus farm. This is a unique location, which isn’t really a backpacker or guesthouse but we feel is a special experience. |
|
Wilderness | Fairy Knowe Hotel
or |
Moontide Guest Lodge
or |