Top Things to do in Wilderness
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What to do and see in Wilderness, South Africa: The Best Places and Tips
Discover the best top things to do in Wilderness, South Africa including Wilderness Beach, Harkerville Mountain Bike Trails, Outeniqua Transport Museum, Wilderness National Park, Victoria Bay, Wilderness Lagoon, Dolphin Point Lookout, Map of Africa Viewpoint, Acrobranch Wildwoods, Half Collared Kingfisher Trail.
Restaurants in Wilderness
1. Wilderness Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 366 reviews
Reviewed By Karin T - Stellenbosch
One of the cleanest Beaches I have visited. Beautiful for walks as long as you wish, it stretches for miles.
2. Harkerville Mountain Bike Trails
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 32 reviews
Reviewed By BrendonV - Cape Town, South Africa
Info worth knowing:
- The trails are R 40 for a day permit, you pay at Garden of Eden desk.
- Wildcards dont cover the cycling (they are only for walking etc)
- There are four different levels of trail, all of which start and end in the same place.
Yellow is probably the easiest. It contains no single track at all, and is solely on comfortable jeep track and forest roads. Its a good one for a very entry level cyclist, or dad with youngsters etc. Its about 11km total, and will take a fast cyclist about 30-40mins, and a very slow cyclist about 1 to 1.5hours. The climbs are not severe, and you can ride alongside to give assistance on all ascents.
Red is really the highlight of Harkerville. It has ripping Single Track, which is quite gnarly and rooty in many places. The route goes all the way to the sea, with killer views over the cliffs above the waves. I wouldnt tackle this unless you have sufficient water, and are at least an above-average fitness. That being said, there are no unridable sections and all the Single Track is broken up with jeep track sections, so even the unfit can grind out this route. Fit guys will take about 1.5hours for this route, but the unfit could push all the way up to 3+ hours.
The green and blue routes share aspects of Red and Yellow, and hence fall between the two. If you are feeling a bit intimidated by Red, try the green. Its a tamer start, and finished with some of the cool Red Single Track.
3. Outeniqua Transport Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 362 reviews
The Transnet Transport Museum has a unique display featuring the history of Transnet. Enter the world of South African Railway history and admire some of the Iron Ladies that once ruled the railway lines of South Africa. From the small prestigious Emil Kessler(National Monument) to some of the more modern bigger veterans that concurred the scenic Outeniqua railway pass. An excellent selection of privately owned vintage cars are on display and other Exhibitions of interst are silverware, cutlery and crockery from various periods of the transport industry, locomotives number plates, makers plates, fire engines, road transport vehicles, furniture and many other rail related items. Open weekdays from 08:00 AM to 4;30 PM . Saturdays and Public Holidays from 08:00 to 14:00. Closed on Sundays and 25 December. ENJOY A TRIP DOWN MEMORY LANE.
Reviewed By Devan K - Stellenbosch
We visited the transport museum during peak season holidays in South Africa. The venue is easily accessible with good directions and signs. Safe and adequate parking close to the museum. Friendly staff. Entry fee of R20 per adult (R10 for kids older than 6) is extremely good value for money considering the size and quality of the exhibition. Growing up in SA in a railway family (my grand father retired as a station master) it was a beautiful trip down memory lane. On display they have an extensive collection of trains with a detailed history of each train. Largest model train (in the Southern Hemisphere) on display is beautiful to watch in motion. Beautiful cars, local maritime and aviation history also on display. Looking at the old photos and pristine conditions of stations and equipment ack then one experiences a bit of pride of how distinguished the South African railway network and system used to be, but at the same time sadness to see how derelict and run down this once world class infrastructure has become.
4. Wilderness National Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 373 reviews
Reviewed By Fredrik H - Gothenburg, Sweden
This could have been so great! It's beautiful nature, well structured walk with nice views etc.
However you do get the feeling that the parkowners greed is impacting the experience; for the paddling it's tents with cars outside for 50% of the way and when you do the final waterfall walk someone has sold the last 20 meters before the waterfall to a private person. Silly.
5. Victoria Bay
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 184 reviews
Reviewed By CookRE - Harare, Zimbabwe
Parking can be a problem so get there early
Lovely bay with a small beach and lots of rock pools, can get very crowded especially at weekends and parking is limited so worth getting there early. Limited coffee shops but if you walk to the end there is a quaint one worth a visit although when we were there it was closed.
6. Wilderness Lagoon
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 117 reviews
Reviewed By Dovinesque - Salisbury, United Kingdom
We did the eco-cruise run by Mike which was a nice experience with informative commentary that lasted about 90 minutes. You can take a picnic and Mike offers free snacks and water too if required. Nice trip.
7. Dolphin Point Lookout
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 88 reviews
Reviewed By zerwickrenatevictor - Centurion, South Africa
Dolphin point is located just outside Wilderness along the N2 on the left side of the road. It boasts magnificent views of the Outeniqua Mountains, the Indian Ocean and the seemingly endless Wilderness beach. To the right below is the Kaaimans river and Kaaimans river bridge.
The Kaaimans river bridge is the most photographed bridge in the world according to Wikitravel. At the time of our visit we were accompanied by fellow travelers and we felt safe. This attraction is truly spectacular and in our opinion not to be missed when in the area.
8. Map of Africa Viewpoint
Overall Ratings
4 based on 404 reviews
Reviewed By KrissyKrull
I didn't know what to expect. But the view is beautiful. Definitely something to see to tick off the list of things to do in Wilderness. Heleen gave us the low down on everything, from the type of water in either side of the 'continent' to the houses on the embankments to the view on the other side where the paragliders take off. Glad we took the time to see it, and PS if you are coming from George side, take the old Knysna road. It's green, cool and relaxing.
9. Acrobranch Wildwoods
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 77 reviews
Exhilarating, Fun & Safe! WildWoods Tree Adventures consists of 2 Kids courses and 3 Adult courses with 74 aerial platforms connected by zip lines, Bridges, tarzan swings and obstacles.It is a first for the Garden Route with over 3,8km of cabling used to create this unique outdoor adventure park. The different courses and a perfect balance between activity and fun make it suitable for families as well as the adrenaline enthusiast.
Reviewed By E3350BFmattp - Port Elizabeth, South Africa
We did the Swinging Tarzan course, which was loads of fun. Having extreme acrophobia, this was a challenge for me even before we got there. (Usually I cant even get onto a carport's roof).
I got stuck by one of the obstacles, but it was more due to my own poor fitness and a in a lesser degree a prior arm injury, but there are easier options if you feel uncertain on taking on the more difficult ones.
We will definitely be back. My son (aged 11) wanted to go back the next day already. I still have a score to settle with the obstacle mentioned, so in my best Arnie voice: "We'll be back"...
This is an awesome activity if you want to spend some quality time with your kids :)
10. Half Collared Kingfisher Trail
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 53 reviews
Reviewed By huddersfieldranger - Huddersfield
The walk meanders through a tree lined valley following the river to a waterfall which for some reason is private but nobody seems to take any notice of that. There is a place where the river has to be crossed either by pontoon or stepping stones , we chose the pontoon which was fun and safe.Information is provided by markers on the trees as to variety and notice boards giving bird life information.You have to pay to enter the trail but it was worth it.The whole area is very pleasant.
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