Wilderness, in the heart of the Garden Route, is a lovely little town in the most fabulous setting. With forested hills at its back, the town jigsaws itself around a number of pretty wetlands and flows over the high coastal dunes to overlook a magnificent, long, snow white beach where dolphins and whales come to play. Just to the west of the town, the pitch-black, mysterious, forest-clad Kaaimans River wends its way to the sea flowing under a series of bridges that support the N2 and a narrow gauge railway line that carries the historical Outeniqua Choo-Tjoe steam train that runs between George and Knysna.
Although there are lots of lovely places where you can just kick back, have a drink or a meal gazing at a fabulous view, or just read a book under a tree, Wilderness is primarily an active destination. With some fabulous paragliding launch sites, it’s a great place to learn to fly or just to do a tandem flight.
The Wilderness National Park conserves an extensive wetland that winds between lovely flood-plains and indigenous forest. You can rent canoes to explore the meandering waterways or just go for a lovely walk.
Keen birders will appreciate the laid out day trails to and between some very well placed bird hides. You could abseil down a waterfall, do a scenic kloofing (canyoning) trip or join a mountain biking expedition, and the surfing is great.
On Saturday mornings, the nearby Wild Oats Farmers Market is a feast of fabulous food and other delights. Wilderness is on the N2 and close to the airport at George.