Wilderness | Garden Route National Park
Wilderness on the Garden Route
Wonderful Wilderness: hike gentle trails on forested hills, quietly canoe the peaceful linked lakes and laze by the ocean.
As this small town’s name suggests, Wilderness is all about the outdoors. Sitting on a flat coastal terrace typical of South Africa’s Garden Route, the landscape here is a pretty mosaic made up of steep Outeniqua Mountains, freshwater lagoons, native forests, plantations and a spectacularly long, golden beach.
Thrill-seekers can hang-glide, abseil and water-ski, whilst calmer adventures offer food for the soul in an idyllic national park setting. Hire canoes by the hour to paddle peacefully along the meandering Touw River; cool off with a dip in freshwater lakes; stroll through Rondevlei’s scented fynbos, wander the seemingly endless beach or simply sit back with a first-class picnic from one of the area’s excellent farmers’ market outlets.
Bounded by water on both sides, watersport enthusiasts and ornithologists love Wilderness in equal measure. The estuaries, lakes and RAMSAR wetlands are home to hundreds of bird species, and some excellent bird hides significantly improve the spotting of shy waders and water birds.
By the ocean, the 10 miles of sandy beach make fishing, swimming and surfing all popular, though strong currents do prevail. The sea vistas alone are stunning though, so beachcombing, shoreline walking and wildlife spotting really are just as rewarding. Pan the horizon for Bryde’s whales, bottlenose dolphins and humpback dolphins throughout the year, or time your visit between July and November to look for migrating Southern Right Whales. And for a dramatic overview, head up to ‘Dolphin Point’ for expansive views along the coastline and ocean.
Away from the sea, walkers can follow evocatively named riverside trails into beautiful, indigenous forest, rest under giant Yellowwood trees, spot duiker tracks and watch for the local Knysna turaco. Or drive higher still on the scenic Seven Passes Road - past some excellent cafés - to see the stunning the ‘Map of Africa’ viewpoint, where the Kaaimans River loops around the forested hills to carve an outline of continental Africa.
South Africa trips focusing on the Cape
Here are 9 great South Africa trips to inspire you
Cape Genet Self-drive Safari
20 days • 8 locations
CAPE TOWN AIRPORT TO CAPE TOWN AIRPORT
Enjoy fine-dining in Cape Town, whale-watching in Hermanus, and a range of walking and water-based activities throughout De Hoop’s Nature Reserve, the Klein Karoo and Plettenberg. This relaxed self-driven safari concludes with stays in The Winelands and Namaqualand.
US$3,760 - US$4,500 per person
Cape Grysbok Self-drive Safari
20 days • 8 locations
CAPE TOWN AIRPORT TO CAPE TOWN AIRPORT
Explore Cape Town, Hermanus, Franschhoek and Namaqualand, amongst other memorable destinations, during this leisurely self-driven safari. Fine dining, varied activities and impressively comfortable lodges, estates and country houses await.
US$4,950 - US$7,450 per person
Bontebok Self-drive Safari
12 days • 5 locations
CAPE TOWN AIRPORT TO PORT ELIZABETH AIRPORT
This varied and great-value self-drive trip visits Cape Town, the Winelands and diverse sections of the Garden Route, staying at great places with real local character. It’s ideal for active couples and families who want to explore the Cape’s stunning locations.
US$1,850 - US$2,000 per person
Waterbuck self-drive
12 days • 6 locations
CAPE TOWN AIRPORT TO PORT ELIZABETH AIRPORT
A classic Cape and Garden Route self-drive taken at a leisurely pace and staying in charming boutique hotels. Great food and wine paired with spectacular scenery and an exciting array of activities.
US$3,070 - US$3,470 per person
Cape Mountain Zebra Self-drive Safari
12 days • 4 locations
CAPE TOWN AIRPORT TO CAPE TOWN AIRPORT
Fine dining, luxurious accommodation and a wide of range of leisurely activities make this a superbly comfortable self-driven safari. Visit the cosmopolitan Cape Town, tranquil coastal retreats, stylish wine farms and spectacularly peaceful nature reserves.
US$4,660 - US$7,850 per person
Black Wildebeest Self-drive Safari
19 days • 10 locations
CAPE TOWN AIRPORT TO WINDHOEK AIRPORT
Journey from South Africa’s cosmopolitan Cape Town to central Namibia’s Okonjima Nature Reserve during this self-driven safari. The route passes through a stunning variety of landscapes, offering access to this beautiful continent’s rich diversity.
US$4,260 - US$4,370 per person
The Highlights of Africa
17 days • 7 locations
CAPE TOWN AIRPORT TO KIGALI AIRPORT
An epic adventure taking in some of Africa’s most incredible sights and wildlife experiences, from Cape Town to the Okavango Delta, Victoria Falls, the Maasai Mara and an encounter with mountain gorillas.
US$15,320 - US$19,710 per person
Leopard Safari
13 days • 4 locations
VICTORIA FALLS AIRPORT TO CAPE TOWN AIRPORT
Victoria Falls, Botswana and Cape Town – a classic southern African itinerary combining luxury, wilderness, safari and culture. We can't think of a better way to spend two weeks.
US$13,540 - US$18,100 per person
Kwandwe Self-drive Safari
3 days • 1 locations
PORT ELIZABETH AIRPORT TO PORT ELIZABETH AIRPORT
An elegantly stylish lodge that is well suited to families, Kwandwe offers a range of safari activities and the chance to sight all of the "Big 5" during exploration of the Eastern Cape.
US$3,220 - US$4,550 per person
Most recent reviews of our trips to Wilderness - on the Garden Route
Click below to browse all 5 reviews from Wilderness on the Garden Route. All from our travellers; all are in full & unedited.
Arrived 26 Jan 2016, 21 nights
"Our Jan 2016 SA Adventure"
Overall rating: Excellent
Arrived 26 Jan 2016, 21 nights
"Wonderful holiday"
Overall rating: Excellent
Arrived 16 Jan 2016, 17 nights
"Great trip taking in some exceptional places"
Overall rating: Excellent
Arrived 14 Oct 2014, 42 nights
"A great six week trip to South Africa"
Overall rating: Excellent
Where to stay in Garden Route | Wilderness
Our suggestions for places to stay in Wilderness | Garden Route National Park
Dune Beach House
Dune Beach House is a relaxed guesthouse located in a stunning location on one of South Africa’s best beaches at Wilderness, and is a great spot for nature lovers.
Ebb and Flow Rest Camp
Wilderness National Park's forests, lakes and rivers offer plenty of opportunity to participate in outdoor activities such as abseiling and waterskiing. Whale and dolphin watching is also possible.
When to go to Wilderness & the Garden Route
Our month by month guide: What it's like to visit Garden Route National Park
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
South Africa in January
January is considered one of the best months to travel. In Cape Town the weather is hot and generally dry. The Garden Route is also excellent at this time of the year but has a more temperate climate, with slightly lower temperatures and rain can fall at any time of the year. In the Kgalagadi temperatures often top 40°C and short, sharp thunderstorms are also fairly frequent. Wildlife tends to disperse, although birding is excellent.
As this is the high season in the Cape there are numerous events, festivals and outdoor activities to attract visitors. Accommodation books up quickly and it may be necessary to book at least a year in advance. Reservations will often be needed for restaurants and visitor attractions too.
- Hot, largely dry days with clear skies – except on Garden Route
- Wildlife disperses in the Kalahari but birding excellent
- Events, festivals and outdoor activities staged for the high season
- The high season in the Cape, accommodation can cost up to 50% more
- Pre-booking of activities & attractions is essential
Our view
Fantastic: the very best time to visit
Weather in January
South Africa in February
In February conditions are largely the same as in January, although temperatures can be slightly higher, especially in the interior. The wind in Cape Town starts to ease off. Although the Garden Route can experience some rain, the days are pleasantly warm and largely dry.
The Kgalagadi remains very hot, but the birding is still excellent. Wildlife viewing can be tricky especially if there has been some rain, as the resulting long grass can obscure the animals.
For visitors it’s still the high season, but with the local school holidays over and residents back at work, it is less busy than December and January. Accommodation costs remain high and it’s still advisable to pre-book certain activities and restaurants.
- Hot, largely dry days with little cloud
- Wind starts easing in Cape Town
- Slightly less busy than December & January
- Accommodation costs remain high, activities still best pre-booked
Our view
Fantastic: the very best time to visit
Weather in February
South Africa in March
March is still a very good time to visit. Conditions remain dry and very warm in Cape Town, although temperatures start dropping off towards the end of the month. The wind has usually died right down.
The Kalahari remains very hot and in years of good rains vegetation is at its most lush – making wildlife viewing tricky.
Typically, the crowds dwindle, but it can get very busy if Easter falls in March. It is also worth bearing in mind that during major events in March, including the Cape Town Cycle Tour, Cape Epic Mountain Bike Tour, The Cape Town Carnival and the International Jazz Festival, accommodation can get very full.
Attractions remain busy but booking is less essential.
- Temperatures start falling towards the end of the month
- Cape Town hosts a number of world class sport and cultural events
- Wildlife in the Kgalagadi disperses, game viewing more challenging
- Crowds diminish as the high season comes to an end
- Accommodation can get busy during major events
Our view
Fantastic: the very best time to visit
Weather in March
South Africa in April
April is South Africa’s “shoulder” season and is often the most pleasant. Not too hot, not too cold, some rain but not masses. In Cape Town and along the Garden Route days are usually sunny, warm, windless and largely dry, although in Cape Town the chance of rain increases from the end of the month.
In the Kgalagadi the rainy season is typically over and migratory birds are starting to make their journey back up North. Vegetation remains lush but wildlife viewing starts picking up towards the end of the month.
The region is still relatively busy (especially of its still Easter) but it gets quieter towards the end of the month thus availability improves. Accommodation rates start to decrease, and it becomes less important to book restaurants and attractions in advance.
- Temperatures still warm and very pleasant, with little wind.
- Rain starts easing in the Kalahari and migratory birds start to depart
- Less busy, especially towards the end of the month - busy over Easter
- Accommodation frees up and prices start to come down
Our view
A very good time to visit
Weather in April
South Africa in May
May marks the start of the dry season in the Kgalagadi. Days are warm and dry with almost zero rainfall. Night-time/early-morning temperatures can drop towards 0°C. Wildlife viewing is at its peak as animals concentrate around the few remaining water sources.
Days can still be warm and sunny in Cape Town and on the Garden Route, but the weather becomes a lot more variable. May heralds the start of the rainy season in Cape Town and the winelands. Night-time temperatures rarely drop below 10 degrees in the coastal areas.
With far fewer tourists, accommodation prices are at their lowest. There is rarely any need to pre-book activities, but reservations are still advisable at some of the top restaurants.
- Higher chance of rain in Cape Town & the Winelands
- Day time temperatures drop significantly
- Wildlife viewing peaks in the Kgalagadi
- Low season so rarely busy & very few crowds
- Low season rates at the hotels & lodges
Our view
A good time to visit, with pros & cons
Weather in May
South Africa in June
Winter is now in full swing. Maximum temperatures in Cape Town rarely reach 20°C and the rainy season is well under way. Outdoor activities therefore become limited, but a number of high-quality indoor events are organised.
The Garden Route has, in general milder weather and less rain than Cape Town.
June sees the arrival of the first whales which migrate to the South African coastline to give birth.
In the Kgalagadi, daytime temperatures are warm but nights and early mornings are bitterly cold. Wildlife viewing is excellent as animals are drawn to the few remaining permanent water points.
Overall tourist numbers are at their lowest, as are the costs of flights and accommodation.
- Cold & wet weather in Cape Town, Kgalagadi warm days but cold at night
- One of the best months for wildlife viewing in the Kgalagadi
- Whales start arriving to have their calves
- Low visitor numbers & no crowds
- Accommodation & flight prices remain low
Our view
A good time to visit, with pros & cons
Weather in June
South Africa in July
The winter weather continues with very cold nights and early mornings in the Kgalagadi and virtually no rainfall. Vegetation here is really thinning out now and water even more scarce – so wildlife is easy to spot.
Despite the winter and local school holidays, Cape Town remains a great place to visit. On a wet and cold day, the Two Oceans Aquarium, Zeitz Mocca (art museum) and the Cape Town Comedy Club all make for great days out, as does a trip to the wine country or the annual Oyster Festival at Knysna.
By mid-July most of the whales have arrived to give birth. Hermanus is the best place to see them.
At the height of the low season, so accommodation and flight prices remain low.
- Generally cold & wet in the Cape, but good quality indoor events
- Very good wildlife viewing in the Kgalagadi
- Oyster festival in Knysna
- Local school holidays can make places a little busier than usual
- Accommodation and flight prices remain low
Our view
A good time to visit, with pros & cons
Weather in July
South Africa in August
While August experiences mostly wintry weather it does mark the very beginning of spring with temperatures starting to rise. Visitors are drawn to the West Coast and Namaqualand to see the wildflowers, which start blooming in late August and can be seen until mid-September. Whales are still in abundance now too.
The Kgalagadi is now very dry and wildlife vieiwng is still good. Temperatures start climbing towards the end of the month.
Despite the weather , visitor numbers can be high as the northern hemisphere schools close for their summer holidays. It may be a good idea to book certain attractions and restaurants in advance.
Simlarly, although accommodation prices are still low, flight prices can be a little higher than in previous months.
- Temperatures start rising – but still potential for cold & wet weather
- Wildflowers on the West Coast & in Namaqualand
- Good wildlife viewing in the Kgalagadi
- Whales continue to attract visitors
- Can get busy due to northern hemisphere school summer holidays
Our view
A good time to visit, with pros & cons
Weather in August
South Africa in September
Good wildlife viewing in the Kgalagadi continues and daytime temperatures increase quite dramatically. Mornings and evenings are still on the chilly side, but not as cold as they are in June, July and August.
The 1st of September is officially the start of spring in Cape Town. Days become warmer but not quite warm enough to enjoy the city’s beautiful beaches. Venues all over Cape Town play host to various artists during the Cape Town Fringe Festival.
Rainy days are fewer, but night times can still get chilly. Many hotels are still charging low season rates making September great value for money.
Elsewhere, Hermanus hosts the popular annual Whale Festival, and in the West of the Cape, wildflowers continue to bloom until the middle of the month.
- The start of spring; temperatures start rising
- Whale festival in Hermanus
- Cape Town Fringe Ferstival attracts a wide range of artists
- Wildflowers blooming well until the middle of the month
- Good wildlife viewing continues in the Kgalagadi
Our view
A very good time to visit
Weather in September
South Africa in October
The weather starts warming up nicely, Cape Town experiences pleasant days, with much less rain, nights can still be quite cool, but not cold. Some days are now warm enough to enjoy the beach. This is one of the best months to visit the Cape Region.
October is one of the hottest months in the Kalahari. Water remains very scarce, so the wildlife viewing is still very good. Towards the end of the month the odd spectacular thunderstorm is possible with much lightning and thunder. Migratory birds start to arrive, and resident species gear up for the breeding season.
The whales are still present with Hermanus and False Bay the best places to see them.
- Days start warming up; fewer rainy days in Cape Town
- Very hot in the Kalahari – thunderstorms season starts
- Migratory birds start arriving & resident birds start breeding
- Whale watching still excellent in Hermanus and False Bay areas
- Start of the high season, getting busy and accommodation prices rise
Our view
A very good time to visit
Weather in October
South Africa in November
By November Cape Town is experiencing summer conditions with hot, clear days and warm, pleasant evenings. It’s a great month to enjoy the beaches before the peak holiday season in December. There are no real downsides to visiting in November and you may even get a few accommodation specials before prices go up for the festive season. Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens begins their summer outdoor concerts with local and international artists performing.
The Kgalagadi remains hot but thunderstorms are a bit more regular. With the rains, water sources become more plentiful and wildlife disperses but this is when herbivores such as Springbok start lambing. Photography improves as conditions become less hazy.
This is the last month for regular whale sightings – they tend to migrate back down south by early December.
- Summer now in full swing, with temperatures often reaching 30°C
- Rainy days scarce; evenings warm & very pleasant
- Antelope start lambing in the Kgalagadi; wildlife generally dispersed
- Last month for regular whale sightings
- Good time to visit Cape Town before the peak holiday season
Our view
Fantastic: the very best time to visit
Weather in November
South Africa in December
December is usually Cape Town’s hottest month when temperatures frequently breach 30°C. You can expect hot and cloudless days, and almost no rain but December does see the occasional very windy day.
The Kalahari is still hot, but temperatures are not quite as high as previous months. With the rainfall the bush transforms into various shades of green. Wildlife disperses as water become more widely available.
The Garden Route enjoys warm to hot days with rain at any time but usually not over an extended period.
Mid to late December becomes incredibly busy with concerts, festivals and various outdoor activities in Cape Town. Hotel prices rise, tourist attractions and beaches are crowded and most popular sites and restaurants need to be booked in advance.
- Long, hot sunny days
- Kgalagadi bursts into life as rainy season kicks in
- Wildlife viewing a bit trickier as wildlife disperses
- Cape Town buzzing with concerts, events, festivals etc
- Peak season: attractions get very busy & accommodation costs rise
Our view
Fantastic: the very best time to visit
Weather in December
Wilderness: In detail
Wilderness
Situated on one of the flat coastal terraces which typify South Africa’s Garden Route, the Wilderness section of the Garden Route National Park encompasses meandering rivers, beautiful beaches and peaceful strings of lakes.
For the visitor this is an area to hike or canoe in the forested areas, or perhaps to relax on what feels like an endless, long beach beside the ocean.
This section of the current national park once formed a separate national park in its own right: Wilderness National Park. This still exists in all but name: the two halves of its rest camp beside the Touw River (the North and South parts of its ‘Ebb and Flow Rest Camp’) are still fully working and the trails starting from around are still great attractions.
History of the Garden Route National Park’s Wilderness section
Most recently, in February 2009, this was amalgamated into the new Garden Route National Park - together with Tsitsikamma National Park and various other sections of government-owned land. In total the new park covers about 1,210km2 and forms a patchwork of protected areas along the whole Garden Route.
The flora and fauna of Wilderness
The Wilderness section: vegetation
Simply put, the vegetation of the Wilderness area can be divided in three different types:
- Indigenous forests: Patches of the native forests remain here, especially along the Karatara, Duiwe and Touw rivers. Also in steep kloofs in the mountains you’ll find Afro-montain species.
- Plantations: Many areas of indigenous forest here have been logged, exploited and turned into plantations over the centuries, and now there are large areas of pine and eucalypt plantations.
- Coastal fynbos: The fynbos, depending of which type it is, you will find some occurring form seaward slopes and others primarily on more inland dunes. However the mostly true fynbos elements you will find in the Rondevlei.
The dense forests, fynbos and the underwater world provide living space for a variety of diverse fauna. Although you are unlikely to see much more than tracks and spoor on a casual visit, in these forests you will find baboon, vervet monkey, bushbuck, grysbok, porcupine, bushpig, honey badger, various mongooses, plenty of rodents, and even caracal and the occasional leopard.
The Wilderness area is an important place for birds, as well as an excellent place for bird-watching. These interconnected coastal lakes, linked to the ocean, are listed by the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands as being “of international importance" for birds.
Rondevlei, for example, an old basin inundated with seawater, is an important habitat to many bird species – and notable for a well-positioned bird hide, accessed via a boardwalk through dense reedbeds. Birds of particular interest here include African rails, red-chested flufftails, great crested grebes, yellow-billed egrets, purple herons and even Baillon’s crakes – plus more easily seen species like fish eagles, marsh harriers and sometimes, in summer, ospreys.
Activities in the Wilderness area
Nearby are two worthwhile viewpoints: the ‘Map of Africa’ viewpoint looks down upon the river valley which has a similar outline to the coastline of Africa; and Dolphin Point that gives a unique view of the coastline and ocean for miles. Running parallel to the main N2 road, the long, wide beach at Wilderness is a major attraction for many, at least during the warmest months here (Nov-Feb).
The more adventurous will find companies locally who offer all manner of activity sports, from hang-gliding and paragliding to kloofing and abseiling. Boating, fishing and water-skiing are also options – and there’s a particularly good operation based in the national park, which hires canoes out by the hour or the day – perfect for exploring the Touws River as it winds up into the national park.
This Wilderness area of the Garden Route National park has some very good bird hides, which afford ornithologists good chances for spotting some of the shyer water birds in the area.
Hiking trails in the national park at Wilderness
A key attraction for many are the nature trails which wind through the forests here; five have been named after the kingfisher species that live in this area:
- Half-collared kingfisher trail: This 7.2km trail takes 3-4 hours and follows the west bank of the Touw River, starting near the Ebb and Flow North Restcamp. The walking is easy, partly on wooden boardwalks. Plaques label a handful of trees in the thick, shady woodlands. This trail leads to a waterfall and rock pool, and then retraces its steps.
- Brown-hooded kingfisher trail: Starting near the Duweriver Station, this 5km least demanding walk follows the course of the Duiwe River. Soon the path branches off and follows the Keurbooms River to the touring point, which is a lovely place for a picnic or a jump into the cool water. On this 2-3 hours trail you will see the Knysna turacos, fish eagles, Cape battis, Cape robin and of course the brown-hooded kingfisher.
- Cape Dune Molerat Trail: You can choose from tow options while both of them are easy to walk on a sandy route lined by beautiful fynbos and some proteas. Route A is a circular trail with a total length of 6km. Alternatively you can go for the shorter route B with 3km. On your way you will see countless burrows and mounds made by thousands of little Cape dune Molerats.
- Pied kingfisher trail: This 10km trail starts at the Ebb and Flow South restcamp following the Serpentine or in reverse, depending on the weather, you can start in the early morning with a walk along the sandy beach section, followed by the boardwalk section, that goes along the lagoon ending up in the Touws River. A species that you most likely will see and especially hear, is the perky black and white kingfisher with his distinctive loud and noisy call, after which the trail is named.
- Woodville Big Tree Forest Trail: Based approximately 16km from Wilderness, it is a great place especially for hikers. This 2km walk can be done in approximately one hour. The paths are clearly marked and are also wheelchair-friendly for disabled visitors. On the trail you will come along to a designated picnic area that is also a nice place for children to play in the streams. The main attraction in Hoekwil is the ‘Big Tree’, a yellowwood tree, which is estimated to be 850-years old.
Map of Wilderness in Garden Route National Park
Garden Route National Park: where to stay in Wilderness
Best 2 hotels and places to stay in Wilderness
Listed below are our recommendations for nice places to stay in this region. Ask us for more details of what's likely to suit you best!
Dune Beach House
Dune Beach House is a relaxed guesthouse located in a stunning location on one of South Africa’s best beaches at Wilderness, and is a great spot for nature lovers.
Ebb and Flow Rest Camp
Wilderness National Park's forests, lakes and rivers offer plenty of opportunity to participate in outdoor activities such as abseiling and waterskiing. Whale and dolphin watching is also possible.