Most of us love traveling to discover new places, spaces, cultures, and cuisines. Yet many forget that our own back-yards offer some of the most exciting and rewarding experiences.

With this in mind, Carmen Lerm, founder of West Coast Way, developed a new initiative called the #WestCoastWay-cation to invite all “Mzansians” to become tourists in their own country by enjoying the best that this stunning coastal playground has to offer.

Explore Cederberg on the West Coast Way Wild Route – by day

“It’s not a vacation or a stay-cation, it’s a way-cation because it’s ‘way’ different. The reason being is that the area, which stretches from the city of Cape Town up to the Northern Cape and Namibia’s border, has its own unique way of life – which is peaceful, laid-back, friendly and always inviting. This holds true for its unique ways of doing things as well, such as cooking, cuisine, and comfy accommodation.

Explore Cederberg on the West Coast Way Wild Route – by night

“A #WestCoastWay-cation also offers you the opportunity to explore a unique collection of 101 road trip stops along themed routes by planning a self-drive trip or guided tour for nature and adventure-filled Cape West Coast Way-cation. The new West Coast Way “basket” of free routes on offer includes the West Coast Way Tractor Route, the West Coast Way Berg Route, the West Coast Way Foodie Route, the West Coast Way Cultural Route, the West Coast Way Wild Route – as well as the newly launched Cape Way Route – all of which are designed to showcase the many attractions and activities that are already on offer on the Cape West Coast and inland areas – but may be unknown to many. That’s why it’s called South Africa’s Road-Trip with the most twists!” explains Carmen.

Paternoster on the West Coast Way Foodie Route at Sunset

Adding to the way-cation mix are the West Coast’s quaint little postcard-perfect towns, pristine azure-watered white sandy beaches and its natural abundance of biodiversity.

Kite surfing at Langebaan, South Africa – along the West Coast Way Tractor Route

Whether you want to go your way solo, with friends or with family, a #WestCoastWay-cation is guaranteed to make you feel on top of the world by experiencing some of the best down-to-earth experiences in a single destination.

Melkbosstrand kicks off the West Coast Way Culture Route

“There’s space for everyone, so everyone’s invited!” concludes Carmen.

West Coast Way Is South Africa’s Road Trip With The Most Twists

Explore the Cape West Coast by planning a self-drive trip or book a guided tour for a nature and adventure-filled Cape West Coast holiday.

Find a 101+ things to see and do on the West Coast Way: Enjoy wine, craft beer, olives and Rooibos tea tastings, Weskus cuisine and braaivleis (barbecue), swing into Citrusdal with a zipline, go Cederberg bouldering, jump into natural (warm) pools, step onto cruises of lagoons and rivers, trek through nature reserves and a National Park, hop onto game drives, try the skill of archery and angling, get your adrenaline pumping with sand-boarding and quad-biking, go horse riding, learn about the San culture and Riel-dancing, do kite- and windsurfing, chill in your flip flops and do surfing, book a kayaking trip, go beach hopping, learn about bees, whales and listen to our birds in a twitcher’s paradise – all in South Africa’s wildflower reserve. For more information on the West Coast’s top places to go, road tripping, hikes, tours and trails, explore westcoastway.co.za or call West Coast Way on 0861 321 777.  Follow us on @WestCoastWaySA on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.