Nature
The area offers SA's largest and most diverse network of hiking routes, trail running and MTB. See detailed info on Georgetrails. In Wilderness, there are five mapped out walks with distances between 3,5 and 7,2 km, info is available in the room and on the SANparks website. You can choose for a long walk on pristine beaches or in indigenous forest of the famous Wilderness National Park. The most popular trail is the 'Giant Kingfisher Trail' which can be combined with a canoe trip on the Touwsriver. Canoes are available at Eden Adventures. Count on 45 minutes for the canoe trip and another 45 minutes to walk to the waterfall, where you can swim and have a picnic. You can order a picnic at Wilderness Picnic which will be delivered to your room or at the start of your canoe trip.
The Map of Africa is an extraordinary viewpoint at Wilderness Heights. It offers a scene of mountains and forests and you get a clear view of the Kaaimans River Valley. Across the road is a popular paragliding launch spot overlooking wilderness beach. Just walk in the grassland to get the splendid view.
Birdlife
Five picturesque surrounding lakes team with bird life like the Fish Eagle, the Knysna Lourie and the Malachite Kingfisher. In our area you can tick off almost 300 birds of your check list. Bird and nature photographers will enjoy the boattrip on the Serpentine river. Wilderness River Safaris.
Local markets and shopping
At Milkwood Village in the centre of Wilderness there is a cozy market on Friday night and on Sunday morning. On Saturday, there is the Wild Oats Farmers’ Market in Sedgefield, which is one of the most famous markets of the country (open till 12pm) or there is the Outeniqua Farmers' market in George (open till 2pm). Both markets are good places for a hearty breakfast and coffee or to buy local fresh farm products.
There is a Spar and a liquor shop in Wilderness village. For all other shopping, or also going to the movies, we recommend to drive to the Garden Route mall in George, this is at 15 km from us.
Sports & Adventure
There are many opportunities for hiking, canoeing, surfing, horse riding, etc.
On any good weather you can enjoy the thrill of a paragliding flight as a passenger. Contact Cloudbase Paragliding.
Adventurous visitors can also try canyoning/kloofing and abseiling. Contact Eden Adventures.
Fine dining
Wilderness offers a good choice of nice restaurants. In the rooms you will find a file with an overview and a short description of what they offer.
Walks on kilometers long pristine beaches
Malachite Kingfisher
Canoe trip on the Touws river
Wilderness village with the lakes and the Indian ocean
Aerial view of Lake Road and Island Lake
View from the cottages
Knysna (35km - East)
be charmed by the fantastic views at The Heads, take a boat trip on the lagoon and go for a walk into Featherbed reserve, do some shopping at the waterfront or visit the indigenous forests.
Alternatively you can drive to Knysna by taking the old 7-passes road through the forests and make a stop in Rheenendal. Totties Farm kitchen is a unique and great place for lunch. Nearby you can visit the Millwood Mining Village or have a walk or picnic in the forest at Jubilee creek.
www.visitknysna.co.za
Plettenberg Bay (70km - East)
offers a unique walking trail on the peninsula of Robberg Nature Reserve and this can be combined with a dolphin and whale watching ocean safari.
Nearby there are several animal parks: Monkeyland with its free-roaming multi-specie primates, Birds of Eden (world's largest free-flight bird aviary) and Jukani with its big cats.
www.plett-tourism.co.za
Oudtshoorn (75km - North)
experience the Cango caves, ostrich farms, enjoy some port and wine tastings.
A daytour starting from the village of De Rust, through the Meiringspoort, a lunch stop in the village of Prince Albert and back over the spectacular Swartberg pass is a great adventure.
www.oudtshoorn.com
Mossel Bay (60km - West)
is at 50 minutes drive and is worth a day visit. They have several interesting archeological sites and the historical Diaz museum. Nice is to enjoy lunch on the beach with your feet in the sand.
There are two game reserves in the neighbourhood that also offer activities for day visitors: Botlierskop (north of Mosselbay) and Garden Route Game Lodge (further West in Albertina).
www.visitmosselbay.co.za
George (12km - West)
is widely regarded as the hub of the Southern Cape Region and well known for its shopping facilities. The Garden Route shopping Mall is the largest Mall in the area.
In town you will find a very interesting railway museum and from there you can take The Outeniqua Power Van that will bring you up to a unique rail pass in the mountains.
George has two small beaches, Herolds Bay and Victoria Bay, the latter is very popular by surfers.
Also not to forget the famous golf course of Fancourt and some smaller courts in and around the town.
www.georgetourism.org.za
On the hill in front of our accommodation you will find the small village of Hoekwil with in the centre the Hoekwil Country Cafe, known for the best cheesecake of the Garden Route.
Further down on the 7-passes road - linking George with Knysna - you can experience a short forest walk at the Woodville Big Tree. The main yellowwood tree is about 850 years old.
Several brochures about activities in the area are provided in the rooms