Wilderness is a town in the Western Cape that cuts across the picturesque coastal stretch of the Garden Route, offering plenty of exciting & thrilling activities as well as natural beauty to both nature and outdoor enthusiasts.
So should you be visiting the area well equipped with cash or a pocket-friendly budget, rest assured of the fact that the wilderness has got you covered.
In that regard, below have been outlined and highlighted some of the best and most affordable activities to enjoy in Wilderness.
Fun Things To Do In Wilderness, South Africa
1. Pay a visit to the Garden Route Botanical Garden
Paying a visit to the Garden Route Botanical Garden is one experience that should not get you bothered in terms of incurring expenses. There are budget-friendly activities in the Wilderness that get you to enjoy a scenic walk around the Garden Route.
It is a destination worth visiting as well, should you happen to be one of the few nature enthusiasts, since it allows you to set your sights on a variety of lovely flower species blooming in vibrant colors, along with expansive mountain ranges and rolling hills that offer picturesque views.
Why should I visit?
It is one of few places to visit in the area should you be in search of a place to relax while soaking in the beauty of the Wilderness.
Address: Wilderness, 6560, South Africa
2. Enjoy Kayaking at Kaaimans River
Kayaking experiences generally are considered most enjoyable in a tranquil waterway surrounded by scenic beauty, ideal for exploration and sightseeing, all of which best define the Kaaimans River.
To be part of this very experience, all that is expected of visitors is to patronize the services of Kaaimans Adventures, which is one of the top rental agencies in the area offering affordable rentals for kayaks or SUP boards, to fully enjoy this experience on water.
What should I expect?
This experience is designed for both visitors and tourists alike to paddle upstream while also enjoying the breathtaking views that come with the Kaaimans River Pass.
Address: Wilderness, 6560, South Africa
3. Enjoy the exciting activities at Wilderness Beach
Have you ever visited a picturesque beach at any point in your life before? Well, if you haven’t, then it is about time you consider visiting and exploring Wilderness Beach. A beach famous for its golden sands and blessed with captivating views of coastal waters and majestic mountain ranges.
Naturally endowed with the calmest of waves and refreshing waters, there is no other ideal spot to come enjoy swimming in the area than at the wilderness beach.
What activities are held here?
The wilderness beach is the perfect spot to engage in different exciting and thrilling activities, especially beach volleyball or dolphin watching along its scenic shores.
Address: Marine Dr. Wilderness, 6560, South Africa
4. Enjoy a beautiful ride on the waters of the Touw River
Enjoying a beautiful ride on the waters of the Touw River happens to be one of the few Local River Tours happening in the area that is concerned with showcasing some of Wilderness’s finest natural beauty on a boat ride.
For all manners of boat rides and canoe trips at a pocket-friendly price, this should be your preferred pick of adventures to choose to be part of, bringing as well the experience of enjoying its calm waters and stunning scenery.
What should I expect?
Here, you get to enjoy a boat ride or canoe trip amidst the most picturesque surroundings of plants and wildlife.
Address: Wilderness, 6560, South Africa
5. See the whole of the wilderness at the Dolphin Point Lookout
Have you ever wondered what it is like to catch the view of a whole area just from a standpoint, Such an experience is exactly what the Dolphin Point Lookout tourist destination has got to offer guests, especially with the picturesque view of Wilderness’s coastline and the scenic beauty of the Kaaimans River mouth
Showing up here is primarily to place yourself in the best of positions to see the whole of the wilderness at a glance—an amazing panoramic view and sightseeing experience indeed.
What other things happen here?
The Dolphin Point Lookout has also proven to be a perfect spot to capture photos of natural landscapes and historical urban developments.
Address: Wilderness, 6560, South Africa
6. Swim at the Kaaimans River Bridge
Sharing similar characteristics as well with the tourist attraction of Dolphin’s View Point in terms of charges to be incurred, enjoying swimming at the Kaaimans River bridge is another budget-friendly activity worth trying out in the area.
Considered one of the favorite locations in the area worth visiting by both its residents and visitors, this is the perfect spot to come enjoy swimming deep down and underneath its calm and refreshing waters.
What other things happen here?
Though this location is primarily designed for both residents and visitors to come to relax by the bridge and soak in the beauty of its serene surroundings, it has also a tea garden offering excellent lunch options of coffee, tea, and more.
Address: Old Passes, 7 Knysna Rd., George, 6529, Wilderness, South Africa
7. Take in the view from The Map of Africa
Paying a visit to The Map of Africa, which happens to be one of the most iconic viewpoints in the whole of South Africa, is a must for outdoor and nature enthusiasts and visitors since it allows them to explore and observe the Kaaimans River.
Blessed with one of Africa’s most breathtaking vistas, this is the perfect spot to come behold paragliders ascending into the sky and enjoy some other thrilling activities happening around.
What should I expect?
It is advisable on the part of both visitors and tourists alike to come along with their camera lenses to enjoy capturing the stunning nature of the Wilderness, as well as people paragliding with colorful parachutes in the vicinity.
Address: Hoekwil, Wilderness, South Africa
8. Go on a Canyon trip
Next on our list of fun things to do in the area is going on a canyon to enjoy every single one of the excitements and thrills that come with doing so, all at a pocket-friendly fee to take note of as well.
To be fully part of this tour experience and trip, both visitors and tourists alike must find their way to the Kaaimans River Gorge, which is a prime destination for canyon trips with an already established specialized route that boasts numerous trails and river pathways that stay clear of moist sections.
What other things happen here?
Guests showing up here can also choose to be part of any one of its challenging forest treks and exhilarating jump activities, which are waiting for them over there as well.
Address: Wilderness, South Africa.
9. Hangout at the Wilderness National Park
The tourist destination of Garden Route National Park is a go-to area for a variety of fun and exciting activities, mostly as it relates to hiking, bird-watching, and relaxation. An ideal location to be at is indeed to experience a variety of activities without actually having to incur much of an expense.
Naturally endowed and blessed with the presence of stunning mountains, verdant forests, and pristine beaches with golden sands, visitors showing up here can just never run out of options for activities to engage themselves with.
What should I expect?
Guests showing up here are presented with the options of either exploring the expansive forests, wandering along the meandering trails, or enjoying a refreshing swim in the Wilderness lagoon.
Address: Wilderness, South Africa
10. Enjoy hiking at the Half-Collared Kingfisher Trail
The Half Collared Kingfisher Trail, just like the aforementioned wilderness national park, is also another substitute of ideal locations to come enjoy hiking, one which ranks as one of the top places for hiking activities in the whole of South Africa generally.
Famous and popular as well with the presence of abundant mountains, rolling hills, and canyons occupying its surroundings, there are plenty of scenic routes available as well, making it a favorite spot and preferable location among hikers.
What should I expect?
This hiking experience should see visitors journey through shaded forest paths and be presented with the opportunity to spot birds like the Knysna Loerie and Giant Kingfisher.
Address: Wilderness, South Africa
11. Grab a snack at Hoekwil Country Cafe
The Hoekwil Country Cafe is a fast food restaurant in the wilderness that is considered tourists’ favorites since it allows them to quickly grab a bite of some of the delicious meals it has to offer on its menu
Known for the variety of cheesecakes it has on its menu, there are also a whole lot of fast food items waiting to be consumed and enjoyed over here as well, such as a variety of cakes, salted caramel, chocolate, and a robust cup of brewed coffee.
Why do you want to eat over here?
This fast food restaurant is very conscious of its customer’s health as well, which is evident in every single one of its sugar-free option dishes.
Address: Cnr. Duiwe Rd., Hoekwil, Wilderness, 6538, South Africa.
12. Have a beach day at Victoria Bay
If you love to be close to waters generally, then visiting Victoria Bay should be something you find enjoyable, since it happens to be one of the favorite beach spots in Wilderness.
Famous for its crystal-clear blue waters, which makes it ideal for swimming and surfing specifically, showing up here is primarily to come be part of its thrilling surfing experience as well as take part in its beach volleyball games with fellow visitors or Tourists
What other things happen here?
Guests also show up here to appreciate the beauty of nature that comes with its stunning sunset views of orange beams gleaming above the water.
Address: Wilderness, South Africa.
13. Go whale-watching at the water body of wilderness beach
Another nice option for exciting activities to spend your leisure hours within the area is enjoying whale watching on its stunning beaches of abundant and rich marine life, as the case might be
Blessed with a significant dolphin and whale population, enjoying watching whales swim close to the shoreline as they come up for air before diving back into the depths is made possible at this very tourist destination.
What other things happen here?
Visitors here can also choose to go fishing, which they are at liberty to release back into the ocean or take with them to prepare for a later meal on the grill.
Address: Wilderness, South Africa.
14. Try strawberry picking at Redberry Farm
This experience is designed to suit the taste and preference of guests looking to try out something different while having fun at the same time. An experience appealing specifically to kids and the older ones as well.
For those still interested in showing up here, you are either left with the options of enjoying strawberry picking or taking a pony ride around the farm’s grassy fields.
What other things happen here?
This particular tourist destination is also surrounded by various restaurants, a gelato shop, and a pizza shop, all making it possible for guests to enjoy the sweet combo of shopping and dining experiences.
Address: Geelhoutboom Road, Blanco, George, 6530, Wilderness, South Africa.
15. Go on a shopping spree at the Timberlake Organic Village
Though the primary aim of visiting the Timberlake Organic Village is to explore the beauty of nature as a nature enthusiast, there is also the opportunity to go on a shopping spree, which is interesting enough in an environment surrounded by so much nature.
Nestled about halfway between Wilderness and Sedgefield, the Timberlake Organic Village is dominated by the presence of a collection of independent businesses mostly operated by the residents in the area.
What should I expect?
Guests showing up at this village get to come across a coffee roastery and restaurant; as well as enjoy shopping for clothing leather and metal crafts.
Address: N2 halfway btw Wilderness and Sedgefield, Wilderness, 6560, South Africa.
16. Enjoy shopping as well at the Wild Oats Community
Just like the aforementioned Timberlake Organic Village, another option of an amazing location to come enjoy shopping as well around the neighborhood of wilderness is the Wild Oats community.
It has plenty of retail outlets offering local farm and homemade food products for sale to both its residents and those visiting as well. There is also the option of being part of its special treat of settling down for breakfast under the tree
What do they offer?
The Wild Oats Community does offer for sale fresh organic fruit and vegetables, cheeses, breads, cakes, and more for consumption by its residents and individuals visiting the area as well.
Address: N2, Sedgefield, 6573, Wilderness, South Africa
Also, Read 20 Best & Fun Things To Do In Clarens, South Africa
17. Shop for food products at the Outeniqua Farmers market
The Outeniqua Farmers Market comes in next on our list of places to visit in the area, one which is just a few kilometers away from wilderness and has gotten the doors to its premises open only on Saturdays out of all other days of the week
Considered everyone’s favorite, with the presence of over 150 stalls and counting, guests showing up here get to enjoy the rare privilege of picking and making a choice out of its options of a wide range of goods, mostly food items such as fruit & vegetables, honey, cheese, pies, cakes, and crafts.
What other things happen here?
There are also provisions made for rides to keep the kids entertained and thrilled, as well as for those visiting in the company of their kids.
Address: N2, George, 6530, Wilderness, South Africa.
18. Stop for lunch at the Totties Farm Kitchen
In between going about exploring amazing places in the wilderness, it is ideal and advisable to take an hour to get refreshed with the area’s best sumptuous meals. One of the ideal locations to stop for lunch in the area is Totties Farm Kitchen on Rheenendal road.
It is considered an ideal location to show up for lunch, as it is only at this location that you are presented with the choice of burgers, boboties, and cakes on the menu.
What other things happen here?
The Tottied Farm Kitchen has also gotten a peaceful garden for guests to come hang out in and enjoy the peaceful evening.
Address: Rheenendal Road, 12km along Rheenendal Rd., Knysna, 6570, South Africa.
19. See the Woodville Big Tree
Beholding the sights of the Woodville big tree comes in next on our list of fun things to do in the area: an 800-year-old Outeniqua yellowwood that measures at a staggering height of 3m and has a 12m circumference
Showing up here is basically for the self-fulfillment purpose of being among a few individuals who have set their sights on one of the biggest monuments in South Africa.
What other things happen here?
Aside from enjoying sightseeing, there is also the option for guests to just relax on any of the benches along the boardwalk, take a picnic or braai, or go for a walk along a forest trail.
Address: Wilderness, South Africa
20. Stop for a quick meal at the Hoekwil Country Café
The Hoekwil Country Café is one of few locations in Wilderness that should get you excited, should you choose to visit, with its offer of the best cheesecake ever, alongside blueberry and salted caramel, in a nice garden setting surrounded by nice people.
So should you be craving a taste of its famous cheesecake that should get your taste buds pleased, then this is obviously where you should be, one which should still leave your taste buds salivating even after exiting the venue.
What do they offer?
The Hoekwill Country Cafe has a menu mostly made up of a cup of coffee and snacks, along with some other dishes.
Address: Cnr. Duiwe Rd., Hoekwil, Wilderness, 6538, South Africa.
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, the regional axis of the wilderness is one that inspires people to get out and explore the beautiful country of South Africa; there are enough reasons why you should plan your holiday trip to this venue.
