Wilderness is the lakes-and-forest heart of the Garden Route National Park — a lush stretch of rivers, estuaries, and indigenous forest around the town of Wilderness. For expats on this coast it's a gentle, family-friendly nature escape that's easy to dip into again and again.
What you're looking at
Part of SANParks' Garden Route National Park (alongside Knysna and Tsitsikamma), the Wilderness section is built around the Touw and Kaaimans rivers and a chain of lakes. The signature outings are the "Kingfisher"-named forest trails (including the walk up the Touw River to a waterfall), canoeing the rivers and estuaries, and birdwatching — prime territory for kingfishers and fish eagles. The nearby "Map of Africa" viewpoint and the ancient Woodville Big Tree are easy add-ons.
Visiting as a resident
The town of Wilderness sits right on the N2 between George and Knysna, so it's very accessible by car. Pay the SANParks conservation fee at the gate, and consider hiring a canoe for the river trails. It's low-key and uncrowded compared with the big game parks — good for a half-day or a lazy weekend.
Good to know
- Bring or hire a canoe — the river-and-waterfall trail is the highlight.
- It's a birder's paradise; mornings are best.
- Easy to combine with George, Knysna, and Sedgefield.
- SANParks day fees apply; a Wild Card pays off if you visit often.
Related
- Living in South Africa — the full expat guide
- Getting around in South Africa — driving the Garden Route
- Plettenberg Bay — further east along the route