Wilderness, Garden Route
Lying in the foothills of the Outeniqua Mountains in a region of incomparable beauty, Wilderness is an attractive holiday resort with beautiful beaches and numerous vantage points from which to watch the whales and dolphins.
As far back as the late 1800's the reputation of Wilderness with its natural bounty of rivers and lakes and intrinsic peace and tranquillity, ideal for seaside holidays, was established in a little stone farmhouse. A seaside boarding house was established in the old homestead - and so began the tradition of hospitality which has made this small resort town famous all over the world.
The romantic resort of Wilderness lies 15 km east of George, between the Kaaimans River in the West and the Goukamma Nature Reserve in the east, bordered by the Outeniqua Mountains in the north and the Indian Ocean in the south. Wilderness is renowned for its vast stretches of beach, its peace and tranquillity and the absence of windswept headlands and wild, stormy seas. The long stretch of beach embraces the mouths of the Touw and Kaaimans Rivers, and is backed by northward cliffs over which the fringe of the forest reaches down to sea level.
Excellent viewpoints are Map of Africa with breathtaking scenery of forests, lakes, mountains and coastline and Dolphin's Point, an excellent vantage point from which to study whales and dolphins. Kaaimans River Bridge is a much favoured spot for photography and particularly for taking snaps of the Outeniqua Choo-Choo that travels along the coastline between George and Knysna.
Woodville Big Tree, over 800 years old, creates shaded areas with its massive branches, making it a great picnic spot. Take a stroll along the boardwalk (also wheelchair-friendly) which is part of the Pied Kingfisher Trail and home to a wide variety of birds. The winter climate is splendid with sunshine days and temperatures that rarely drop below 8º C. The annual rainfall averages around 700 mm.
Travellers' Reviews
6 Reviews from SA-Venues.com travellers. All reviews are verified.
Verified review
I am in love with the atmosphere of the region. Whenever i drive through from Cape Town to the Eastern Cape, i cannot hesitate stopping whilst driving through Wilderness. Obvious one of the must see and explore areas in the World. I like the scenic views of Wilderness.
Don (Qumbu)
Verified review
Love Wilderness. Quiet and peaceful.
Marianna (Pretoria)
In the vicinity
Hotels & other accommodation options

Kleinkrantz Holiday House
Situated a stones throw away from the beach, in the village of Kleinkrantz, Wilderness. Kleinkrantz Holiday House offers comfortable accommodatio...

Boardwalk Lodge B&B
Situated in Wilderness, Boardwalk Lodge B&B offers accommodation in luxury rooms that face the sea and the village of Wilderness. The B&B rooms s...


Clairewood
Surrounded by nature and tranquility, Clairewood offers exquisite views of the Outeniqua Mountains and surrounding indigenous forest. Located in ...

Wilderness Manor Guest House
Wilderness Manor is an elegant and refined Guest House overlooking the beautiful Wilderness Lagoon. Step out of the front door and onto the board...

Waterside Lodge
Overlooking the Wilderness Lagoon, Waterside Lodge offers accommodation to its visitors in stylish, comfortable and well appointed rooms. The est...

Wayside Inn
Set in the heart of Woodville farmlands and a short drive from the Wilderness beaches, The Wayside Inn offers accommodation for seven guests in H...


Dolphins View Self Catering
Dolphins View offers self-catering accommodation in the popular area of the Wilderness in the Garden Room. Choose from four en-suite units, two h...

The Loerie's View
The Loerie’s View is a 4 star graded, comfortable, self-catering holiday house situated in the beautiful and peaceful town of Wilderness. The Loe...

Lagoon Cottage Wilderness
Lagoon Cottage is positioned right at the lagoon, at the beginning of the Wilderness National Park and the famous Kingfisher Walk. Guests can wal...

The Wilderness Hotel
The Wilderness Hotel has a grand tradition and reputation as a honeymoon spot, a family hotel and a tourist and business destination. The hotel i...

Azure Wilderness
Situated a stones throw away from the beach in Wilderness. Azure Wilderness offers comfortable Garden Route accommodation for up to 10 guests. Th...

Lazur Holiday Apartment
Lazur Holiday Apartment is a beautifully appointed self catering apartment that is situated in the heart of Wilderness village, within easy reach...

Reflections Eco-Reserve
Reflections Eco-Reserve is the perfect get away for anyone wanting a nature holiday. The self catering lodge is on a 29 hectare rehabilitated pin...

Mont Fleur B&B
Mont Fleur, a 4-star Bed & Breakfast and Highly Recommended by AA Travel, is nestled against the Wilderness mountainside with breathtaking views ...

Belle Foret Guest House
Belle Forêt Guest Farm offers three types of accommodation, each offering a unique experience. We offer accommodation in self catering rooms, gue...

Jolie's Beach House
Situated in Wilderness, Jolie's Beach House can accommodate five people. The holiday home is close to the beach (a short walk) and is a short dri...

Wilderness Waters
The modern two bedroom apartment sleeps 2 guests and is located on the ground floor with a garden view and private BBQ facilities. The apartment ...

Xanadu Guest Villa
Xanadu Guest Villa is a luxury boutique hotel styled guest house situated right on the beachfront of the beautiful, unspoilt Wilderness Beach in ...

Beside Still Waters
Beside Still Waters' is located in the heart of South Africa's magnificent Garden Route between Wilderness and Sedgefield, and offers bed and bre...

Kaaimans Holiday Cottage
Kaaimans Holiday cottage offers self catering accommodation for six guests. The accommodation is just five minutes away from beaches and there is...

Star of the Sea Villa
Situated in a well known and secure residential estate, Star of the Sea Villa in Wilderness is a luxury home. The triple storey sea front propert...

Forest Chalet
Situated about 8km from Wilderness village along the Garden Route, this secluded and private chalet lies nestled in and surrounded by forest. The...

Stay at Seodin
Stay at Seodin is a beautiful property situated in the heart of Wilderness. Nestled behind Milkwood trees, this original homestead offers tranqui...

Comfy Holiday Home
Comfy Holiday Home is a lovely eight sleeper self catering holiday home found in the Wilderness, with a full ocean view. You will find a fully eq...

Camphor Tree Cottage
Welcome to Camphor Tree Cottage, a renovated farm house which offers self catering accommodation to a maximum of five guests. The cottage has exq...

Lodge On The Lake
Lodge on the Lake is an exclusive five star guesthouse in Wilderness nestled on the hillside overlooking the spectacular Island Lake and the moun...

Wilderness Lake View
Wilderness Lake View offers self catering accommodation in three lovely apartments each with its own private entrance an balcony or deck. Each ap...

Shangri-La Manor
Shangri-La Manor offers a peaceful getaway in a serene setting in Hoekwil. This is the ideal base from which to explore the Garden Route and all ...

The Ocean View
The Ocean View guest house in Wilderness has the Indian Ocean in all her glory as the true centre piece. Direct access to the beach and signature...


Libertas Guest Farm
Libertas Guest Farm offers self-catering accommodation on a working dairy farm in the idyllic lakes area in the heart of the Garden Route. This i...

Sea Breeze Villa
Situated in a secure estate, Sea Breeze Villa offers luxury accommodation in Wilderness for eight guests. The double storey beachfront holiday ho...

Dune Beach House
Dune Beach House is located on Wilderness Beach, with spectacular views of the Indian Ocean. This is the ideal place for you to relax, unwind and...

Fairy Knowe Backpackers
Fairy Knowe Backpackers offers a variety of accommodation in Wilderness. Choose from double en-suite rooms, twin rooms, family en-suite rooms, fa...

The Tuscany Guesthouse
The Tuscany Guesthouse offers accommodation in a Mediterranean-styled villa, positioned in Wilderness. The villa is an ideal base from which to e...

The Langvlei
The Langvlei offers self catering accommodation by the lakes in the Wilderness National Park, Garden Route. With a stunning view of a bird sanctu...


Dolphin Villa
Only a few steps away from the beach, every bedroom has a sea view has its own full DSTV bouquet. Each room has a private bathroom and selected r...

Froggy Pond
Froggy Pond Country Farmstay is a well-appointed self-catering Holiday Home situated on a private farm in Rondevlei Heights near Hoekwil, Wildern...

AfriCamps at Oakhurst
AfriCamps at Oakhurst eight luxury tents consist of a spacious open plan lounge area with a comfortable couch and a fully equipped kitchen. The t...

Oakhurst Farm Cottages
Sitting high above the Wilderness Lakes in rural Hoekwil, Oakhurst Farm clean country air, and a selection of rustic-luxury self catering accommo...

Boardwalk Lodge Self Catering
Located in Wilderness at the heart of the world-famous Garden Route, on the Outeniqua mountainside, the Boardwalk Lodge is a distinctive self-cat...

Cape Footprints
Situated across the road from popular Kleinkrantz beach, Cape Footprints is a charming self catering holiday home in Wilderness. The house has fo...

400 Waterside Road Villa
400 Waterside Road Villa offers fully enclosed and pet-friendly accommodation with a swimming pool. This is an ideal choice for families, groups ...

Kaaimans Holiday House
Offering great value for money, Kaaimans Holiday House is a four bedroom sea facing holiday home which can accommodate six guests comfortably. Th...

Livingstone Villa
Awake to the sight and sound of the sea at Livingstone Villa. Livingstone is a luxury 5 star, self-catering house, a place of beauty, elegance an...

Hakuna Matata Wilderness
Hakuna Matata offers accommodation in the beautiful Wilderness; a nature-lovers paradise. It is just 20 minutes away from George and 40 minutes f...

Inn2Wilderness Guesthouse
Would you like to stay in Wilderness, close to the beach in a homely, friendly accommodation? Then Inn2Wilderness is your top choice! Enjoy your ...

Ibitshi Guest Lodge
Tranquil elegance meets the need for professionalism and privacy at Ibitshi Guest Lodge in Kleinkrantz, Wilderness. Ibitshi is set in the middle ...

Dolphin Dunes Guest House
Dolphin Dunes is a charming beachfront guest house overlooking the unspoiled beaches of Wilderness. This casually elegant home is wonderfully com...

Wayside Lodge
Set at the foot of the Outeniqua Mountains, Wayside Lodge is a holiday cottage offering comfortable accommodation in Hoekwil. The cottage is surr...

The Wallow Guest House
The Wallow Guest House is set in the Wilderness Nature Reserve on top of the mountain above the village of Wilderness. The self-catering accommod...

Serendipity Guest House
Serendipity Guest House, a luxurious waterfront Guest House, cradled by the Outeniqua Mountain and the evergreen Africa Mountain Forests, is situ...

Infinity Blue
Infinity Blue offers self catering accommodation in Wilderness. Each apartment is equipped with a full kitchen with all the modern conveniences t...

Ouma's Farmhouse
Ouma's Farmhouse is an eight sleeper holiday house found in rural area of Hoekwil. The house sleeps eight guests in four bedrooms. The main bedro...

Cloverleigh Guest House
Cloverleigh is situated on the edge of the Wilderness Lagoon in the heart of the Garden Route . A short walk along the boardwalk takes you to the...

Hildesheim Guest House
Situated in Hoekwil, close to Wilderness with breathtaking views of the Outeniqua Mountains and Forest, Hildesheim Guest House offers luxury acco...

Interlaken Guest House
Interlaken Guest House offers accommodation in the Garden Route town of Wilderness. Your hosts, Kevin and Elsie provide a warm and welcoming stay...

Dolphins Estate
This spacious self-catering holiday home is located in the Wilderness and within walking distance of the beach and the village. Dolphins Estate i...

Haus am Strand
Lovingly and charmingly decorated double-storey holiday guesthouse in Wilderness with an attached bungalow and cottage comprises seven apartments...

The Old Trading Post
Situated in the heart of the lakes district and surrounded by Wilderness National Park, The Old Trading Post offers either Bed &Breakfast, Self-c...

Wilderness Gem
Wilderness Gem offers exclusive use accommodation in a fabulous holiday villa. This elegant, spacious and welcoming three-level holiday villa is ...

Dolphins On Six
Dolphins on Six is located on the 6th Avenue beachfront in Wilderness on the Garden Route. Here you can see hundreds of dolphins that swim past e...

Sea Paradise
In the heart of the Garden Route, Sea Paradise is perfectly situated on the Wilderness Beach front overlooking the sweep of golden sands. The com...


Treedom Villa
Treedom Villa offers accommodation on the stunning coast of the Garden Route and is a magnificent treehouse villa just waiting to welcome you and...

Grant's Place
Grant's Place offers accommodation for ten guests in an eco-friendly holiday home situated in a peaceful area of Wilderness. The property is a 1k...

Garden Route Manor House
Garden Route Manor House is a beautiful, French inspired home offering accommodation in Hoekwil on the Garden Route. The house can accommodate 10...

Fairy Knowe Hotel
Situated on the banks of the scenic Touw River and the Wilderness National Park, the Fairy Knowe Hotel has been a loved and cherished holiday des...

Thomas Ville
Situated in the heart of Wilderness, Thomas Ville is a recently rebuilt home from home that is only 4 minutes walk from Wilderness beach and 6 mi...

Whales Way Ocean Retreat
Whale's Way Ocean Retreat can be found in the Wilderness in the Garden Route. Choose from one of our lovely units on a bed & breakfast basis. We ...

Beach Villa Wilderness
Beach Villa Wilderness Luxury Guesthouse is nestled between George and Sedgefield on the Garden Route. The guesthouse offers six fully serviced e...

Loerie Mountain Cabin
Loerie Mountain Cabin offers Wilderness self catering accommodation in area of Hoekwil, on the Garden Route. The cabin boasts mountain views and ...

Outeniqua Cottage
Outeniqua Cottage is a very quiet secluded two bedroom cottage in Hoekwil near Wilderness. From the large wooden deck one has an amazing view ove...

Wilderness On Sea
Wilderness On Sea offers six en-suite Bed and Breakfast rooms which are serviced daily and a luxury 2 bedroom self-catering apartment. The proper...

Kleinkrantz Beach House
Kleinkrantz Beach House offers accommodation in a charming and beautifully furnished villa situated across the road from Kleinkrantz beach in Wil...

Ebb and Flow Rest Camp
Ebb and Flow Rest Camp offers Wilderness self catering in the heart of South Africa's famous Garden Route. A captivating world of lakes, rivers, ...

Denneberghof
Situated in on a 39 hectare estate in Kraaibosch near George, Denneberghof is a self catering apartment on the same property as Kaaimans Holiday ...

Old Post Office Lodge
Old Post Office Lodge offer bed and breakfast in true Wilderness style, situated in the heart of the majestic Wilderness Village in the famous Ga...

Forest Hill
Forest Hill is located in the seaside town of Wilderness and offers bed and breakfast accommodation within close proximity to the beach, the live...

SeaScape Self Catering
Conveniently situated in the secure Lagoon Beach complex in Wilderness, SeaScape is a unique self catering duplex, with great sea and lagoon view...

Moontide Guest Lodge
A choice of luxurious en-suite apartments all lagoon facing with private entrances leading into the garden with 400 year old Milkwood trees. Bird...

Astral Guest House
Astral Guest House offers self catering accommodation in a garden apartment that sleeps four guests. The unit is situated in the Wilderness at th...

Rinkink Beach House
Rinkink Beach House is situated next to Wilderness’s famous outstretched sandy beach surrounded by lakes, the Outeniqua Mountains, rainforest and...

The Wild Farm Backpackers
Situated close to the quaint village of Wilderness on the picturesque Garden Route, The Wild Farm Backpackers is located on the old farm ‘Uitsig’...


Kleinkrantz Beach Villa
Kleinkrantz Beach Villa is a luxury villa located a stone’s throw from the beach in the quaint seaside village of Kleinkrantz in the popular area...

Tranquil Shores
Tranquil Shores is a charming guest house located on the beachfront of Wilderness, in the Garden Route. Tranquil Shores comprises of five individ...

Cinnamon Boutique Guest House
Situated at the foot of the Outeniqua Mountain valley and only 200m from the gorgeous Wilderness Beach, Cinnamon Boutique Guest House is a 5 star...

Pirate's Creek Chalets
Pirate’s Creek Chalets are located on the Touws River in the Wilderness on the world famous Garden Route. The cabins are only a 1 minute drive (1...
Things to do in the area

Black Horse Trails
Black Horse Trails can be found at the base of the Outeniqua mountain range in Wilderness. Named after the pitch black Friesian horses offered as...

Oysters R Us
There is so much variety when it comes to attractions and accommodation on the Garden Route; and that’s great news because it is a destination th...

Pomodoro Restaurant
Pomodoro is the place where locals and tourists meet and become friends, the place where true Italian hospitality and lively atmosphere makes you...

Milkwood Village
Milkwood Village in Wilderness is conveniently situated in the heart of Wilderness and is close to the Wilderness train station, the beach and la...

Timberlake Farm Stall & Organic Food
At Timberlake we do our best to support the local artisan producer. Most of the goods sold in our Specialist Cabins are crafted by locals who pra...

Blue Olive Restaurant
In its setting amongst beautiful, old Milkwood trees, with an expansive wooden deck, the Blue Olive offers patrons delicious and unpretentious fo...

Zucchini Restaurant
The chic-yet-unpretentious Zucchini can be found in the Timberlake Organic Village, amongst artisan food shops and other uniquely ‘Wilderness’ bo...

Serendipity Restaurant
Upmarket and chic with an emphasis on unforgettable gourmet food, Serendipity stands out as an experience that cannot be missed!Executive chef, L...

Flava Café
Flava Café is a trendy hub that is focussed on good food, reasonable prices and outstanding service. As the winner of the Best Cafe Style Dining ...
Noteworthy attractions

The Links at Fancourt
Gary Player, who has been a part of the design team since the original courses at Fancourt, came on board to add the Links in 2000 and has gone o...

Montagu Golf Course at Fancourt
The course is typical parklands and one of three Gary Player designed courses offered at Fancourt. Montagu is highly acclaimed and has in recent ...

Outeniqua Golf Course at Fancourt
Named after the Mountain that overlooks this magnificent Garden Route golfing gem, the Outeniqua Course at Fancourt is one that barely needs intr...

George Golf Club
Nestled in the foothills of the magnificent Outeniqua mountains, George Golf Club is among the oldest courses in the country. George country club...

Goose Valley Golf Club
Originally a 9 hole course set at the heart of a real estate development, The Gary Player Design Company has created an 18 hole layout of note on...

Knysna Golf Club
The Knysna Golf course is probably the only golf course in South Africa which can boast holes that are below sea level. The Knysna Golf Club is s...

Mossel Bay Golf Club
The 18-hole links course has recently been remodeled and upgraded and is getting rave reviews. The golf club is situated above a peninsula that j...

Oubaai Golf Club
Situated only 8 kilometres from George, in the design of the Oubaai 18-hole Championship Golf Course and Driving Range, Ernie Els and his team ha...

Pezula Golf Course
Situated in the very heart of the Garden Route, on sweeping coastal cliffs, east of the charming town of Knysna, Pezula encompasses a world-class...
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