Wilderness, located on the Garden Route in South Africa, is a charming little town with a pleasant atmosphere. There are plenty of fun outdoor activities to enjoy here. We found it to be a surprisingly enjoyable destination and ended up staying for 3 days. Read on to find out the things do in Wilderness.
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Hiking in Wilderness: The Half Collared Kingfisher Trail
The Half Collared Kingfisher Trail is the most popular hike and one of the best things to do in Wilderness. It’s an easy-to-follow trail through the forest and along the Touws River, where you can hear the birds singing cheerfully. After walking for about 2 kilometers, you’ll cross the river at a ferry/raft where you’ll pull yourself to the other side using a rope.
From here, continue along the hiking trail to the waterfall. The waterfall isn’t particularly impressive, but it’s a nice spot to take a short break. Even though the water is dark brown, you can still swim in it. It’s a great way to cool off. After that, you’ll hike back along the same route. The Half Collared Kingfisher Trail is 10 kilometers long in total, and it takes about 2.5 hours to complete without any stops.
Wilderness Kayaking on the Touws River
You can also take the same route to the waterfall by water, in a kayak. You can rent a kayak at the SANParks office or at Eden Adventures. Renting from SANParks is a lot cheaper, so it’s a good idea to stop by there first. There are three kayaking routes in Wilderness.
1. The Touw River Waterfall (Kayaking + Hike)
First, you’ll kayak 3 kilometers (+/- 30 minutes). After that, you’ll pull the kayak ashore and hike the final 2.5 kilometers to the waterfall. This is by far the most popular and most beautiful kayaking route in Wilderness.
2. Island Lake
This one-way route is 7 kilometers long and takes about 2 hours to complete. It’s the longest route, but not necessarily the most scenic. After passing the SANParks campground, you’ll turn right and follow the winding river to Island Lake.
3. River Mouth
The route to the sea. This also takes 30–40 minutes, but it’s nowhere near as beautiful as the route to the waterfall. This kayaking route takes you toward Wilderness Beach. The route to the Touw River Waterfall is much more scenic, as you’ll be paddling through a beautiful hilly landscape.
One of South Africa’s most beautiful beaches at Wilderness Beach
If you’re wondering the top thing do in Wilderness, a visit to Wilderness Beach is a must. It’s truly one of the most beautiful beaches in South Africa. It’s an incredibly wide sandy beach where you’ll find very few people—except during the peak season in December and January, when South Africans are on their summer vacation.
A relaxing day at Wilderness Beach is a wonderful change of pace from the many active outings available in this area. That’s exactly what makes it such a great destination to add to your South Africa itinerary.
Paragliding in Wilderness
In addition to Cape Town, Wilderness is also a perfect place for paragliding. As you soar over the mountains and the rough sea, you’ll experience the ultimate sense of freedom and adventure. Click here for more information about paragliding in Wilderness.
Map of Africa
Map of Africa is a lookout point near Wilderness. You’ll see green forests surrounded by a river where you can also go kayaking. From the lookout point, you’ll see the area from above and notice that it looks exactly like the shape of the African continent.
Camping in Wilderness
Are you traveling in your own car with a (roof) tent? Then you can also camp in Wilderness National Park. You can do this at the Wilderness Ebb-and-Flow Rest Camp, operated by SANParks. You’ll be in a beautiful spot by the river under thousands of stars. Keep in mind, however, that if you want to stay here, you’ll have to pay the park fee every day. If you’re planning a longer trip through South Africa, it might be a good idea to purchase the Wildcard so you no longer have to pay national park fees.
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