The gem of the Garden Route

Wilderness is renowned for its natural beauty, vast stretches of beach, tranquility and calm seas. The village centre lies just 15 kilometres east of George, but the area known as Wilderness stretches from the Kaaimans River to the borders of the Goukamma Nature Reserve. It is the only village in the country that can boast its own national park, for the 2,500 hectare Wilderness National Park lies within its boundaries. With five rivers, five lakes and 19 kilometres of beach, this sensitive eco-system creates a wetland of international importance.

Here you can enjoy mountain biking, whale and dolphin watching, hang-gliding, paragliding, horse riding, scenic drives and day tours, as well as an extensive network of hiking trails, a number of popular picnic spots of which the indigenous forest at the 800 year old Woodville Big Tree is a favourite, as well as watersports such as skiing, sailing, surfing and angling.

Bird watching is a rare and unique experience, for here is a tapestry of interwoven wetlands, forests, mountains, beaches, open fields and fynbos that provide habitat for nearly 200 species. Canoeing on the Touw River Lagoon or the Serpentine is a popular and relaxing pastime.

Excellent viewpoints include the Map of Africa for its breathtaking scenery of lakes, forests, mountains and coast, Dolphins’ Point for its whale and dolphin watching, and the Kaaimans River Bridge, which is so popular with photographers.


Wilderness also provides the perfect location from which to experience the many interesting activities that the Garden Route has to offer. Spend a few days with us at The Dune Guest Lodge and explore Knysna, Oudtshoorn, Plettenberg Bay and the rest of the Garden Route.

Wilderness is undoubtedly the Garden Route's most charming and beautiful village and described by many tourists as "The Gem of the Garden Route”.