Wilderness is one of South Africa’s premier cities, renowned for its natural beauty and outdoor activities, making it an ideal destination for adventurous people. From mountain biking to wine tasting and beyond, the city offers an array of enjoyable experiences.

Whether you’re visiting Wilderness for just a day or planning an extended week-long stay, be sure to explore this curated list highlighting some of the city’s best activities and attractions.

1. Explore some canyons 

Wilderness is home to some of the best canyons in South Africa, such as the Blyde River Canyon.

The Blyde River Canyon is teeming with thousands of flora and fauna, along with stunning scenery, making it an ideal place to explore. What’s great about this location is the variety of ways you can explore the canyon, whether on horseback or by canoe.

Pro tip: If the Blyde River Canyon isn’t sufficient to satisfy your exploration craving, we recommend visiting Wilderness National Park, which is also home to several other canyons worth exploring.

2. Have a fun hiking trip

One of the most fun things to do in Wilderness is to enjoy a fun hike along the city’s lush mountains and rolling hills. With tons of mountain ranges, national parks, and scenic vistas to discover, Wilderness is one of the best places to hike in South Africa. 

We highly recommend taking a stroll along the Bosduif trail, where you’ll hike up a mountain and enjoy magnificent views of the sea, rivers, and valleys. This scenic route will also lead you to some of the most stunning viewpoints by the Touw River.

Pro tip: Another trail we recommend for beginners is the Woodville Big Tree Trail. This trail is easy to navigate and explore, making it ideal for beginners seeking a scenic route surrounded by iconic Outeniqua Yellowwood trees.

3. Try River boating 

Wilderness boasts an expansive river system where you can discover beautiful flora, incredible wildlife, and stunning scenery. One of the best ways to explore these rivers is by boating!

Touws River is one of our favourite boating destinations due to its picturesque waterways filled with challenging twists and turns. Also, the area offers breathtaking views of mountains and lush greens that you can soak in as you glide along the river.

Pro tip: Keep a lookout for wildlife during your boating excursion on Touws River. The river teems with fascinating animals such as hippos, ostriches, and rhinos, allowing you to observe them in their natural habitat.

4. Satisfy your palate with wine tasting 

Much like the Cape Winelands, Wilderness also boasts several pubs, bars, and restaurants offering an impressive array of wines. Here, you’ll discover everything from artisanal wines to international selections, including top-notch local varieties.

A particular place we suggest for your wine and beer-tasting endeavours is Houtbosch Wine & Craft Beer. This delightful restaurant offers an assortment of freshly brewed craft beers and wines, allowing you to enjoy wine alongside excellent pairing options.

Pro tip: If you’re craving delicious snacks to accompany your wine, consider visiting Oysters R Us. This establishment offers a variety of oyster dishes with diverse toppings that pair wonderfully with their extensive wine selection.

5. Enjoy a fun beach day at Wilderness Beach 

If you’re in search of a scenic beach with calm waters and a pristine environment, be sure to visit Wilderness Beach. This beach boasts golden shores, lots of lush mountains, and crystal blue waters, which is a sight to see.

The area features gentle waves, making it one of the best places for swimming, especially given its lovely scenery. Additionally, the beach attracts an upbeat and vibrant crowd of beachgoers, whom you can often see relaxing along the shores or swimming.

Pro tip: Wilderness Beach is pet-friendly! This allows you to enjoy a wonderful day at the beach, creating cherished memories with your furry companions.

6. Check out the view at Dolphin Point 

Dolphin Point Lookout serves as an optimal viewing spot, offering captivating vistas of Wilderness’s coastline and the scenic Kaaimans River mouth. It’s recognized as a premier destination in Wilderness for panoramic views and sightseeing.

Visitors can view the historic railway bridge that was once frequented by the Outeniqua Choo-Tjoe steam train. This location provides an excellent setting for capturing photographs of both the natural landscape and historical urban architecture.

Pro tip: Dolphin Point is an excellent spot for a picnic with a stunning view, as there are several picnic benches in the area available for use.

7. Take a dip in Kaaimans River 

Another must-do activity for anyone visiting Wilderness is to take a dip with friends and family at Kaaimans River Bridge. This famous swimming spot boasts clean, calm, and fresh waters, perfect for a relaxing swim.

Here, you’ll also enjoy an interesting yet picturesque view of the Kaaimans Bridge, which you can swim up to for a closer look. Additionally, its serene environment and scenic beauty make it one of our top spots for watching the sunrise.

Pro tip: Another enjoyable activity in the Kaaimans River is fishing. This river boasts a rich fish population, allowing anglers to catch fish such as Spotted Grunters, Kob, Musselcracker, Bellman, and Wit Steenbras.

8. Visit Wilderness National Park

Contact: +27448771197

Price: 

• Park admission: R 190 

The Wilderness National Park provides a wealth of affordable activities, including hiking, bird-watching, and leisurely relaxation, making it an ideal choice for travellers on a budget seeking diverse experiences.

Surrounded by stunning mountains, verdant forests, and golden-sand beaches, the city offers visitors the chance to delve into expansive woodlands, stroll along the scenic paths of the Touw River, or take a refreshing dip in the Wilderness lagoon.

Pro tip: Be sure to check out the Storm River mouth located within the park. This location is incredibly scenic and one of the best spots to relax and enjoy a stunning sunset.

9. Go mountain biking 

One of the best ways to explore and get around the verdant hills that surround Wilderness is by having a fun mountain bike journey. Thankfully, you’ll find tons of rentals around the area where you can rent out quality mountain bikes for a great price. 

The winding roads and numerous slopes of Wilderness make it one of the best places in South Africa to go biking. Not only that but you’ll also be able to enjoy some of the most picturesque views and sceneries as you bike thanks to the city’s natural beauty. 

Pro tip: If you’re not inclined to explore Wilderness’s bike routes on your own, consider joining Karoo Cycling – Cycle Tours. They offer a scenic adventure, guiding you from the Karoo to the Garden Route in Wilderness.

10. Go restaurant hopping by the beach 

If you’ve ever dreamed of dining by the beachside while listening to the soothing sound of the waves, then you should stop by the long coast of Wilderness Beach. It’s home to great restaurants serving both international and local cuisines by the scenic beachfront. 

Salinas Beach Restaurant is one of our go-to Mediterranean restaurants which offers breathtaking ocean views and great dishes. That said, we recommend the Salinas Calamari, which comes in a crispy spiced batter that pairs well with some wine. 

Pro tip: Another excellent dining option near the beach is Views Restaurant. This establishment offers luxurious desserts and dishes, such as creamy Dukkha-spiced ostrich fillet and savoury herb-crusted lamb loin.

11. Shop at Milkwood Village 

Website: http://www.milkwoodvillage.co.za/

Address: Garden Route, South Africa, Wilderness, 6560, South Africa

Operating Hours: 

• Monday to Sunday: 9:00 AM – 10:00 PM

Milkwood Village is a charming shopping centre located in Wilderness, serving as an excellent destination for those seeking a break from the area’s natural beauty. The shopping centre houses numerous restaurants, craft shops, and art galleries.

What we appreciate about Milkwood is its perfect setting for relaxation, offering a tranquil ambiance and several coffee shops where you can savour a cup of coffee. Additionally, visitors can enjoy a vibrant night market with live music every Friday night.

Pro tip: We recommend enjoying a family gathering around a bonfire at this location, which is lit up every Friday night. The ambiance is enhanced by the live music played, making for a delightful atmosphere that complements the overall experience!

12. Explore the Lake District 

Adventurous nature lovers looking to explore waterways should pay a visit to Wilderness’s Lake District. The area is home to several lakes that are not only picturesque and teeming with life but also offer a variety of enjoyable outdoor activities.

Lake Langvlei and Rondevlei are must-visit lakes for anyone looking to experience Wilderness’s nature up-close, as they’re home to tons of fish and bird species. Also, it’s a fantastic place to go cycling, as you can enjoy riding from one lake to another.

Pro tip: If you’re seeking a more thrilling adventure on the water, we highly recommend wind-surfing on Swartvlei River.

13. Have a fun bird-watching session

Another enjoyable activity we recommend for animal and nature enthusiasts is bird-watching in the Wilderness nature reserves or parks. Wilderness boasts a rich bird population, consisting of common endemic species and occasional migratory birds.

There are numerous places for bird-watching here, and one of our favourites is Wilderness National Park, a renowned bird-watching destination. Here, you can have a delightful time spotting colourful Lilac-breasted Rollers and impressive birds of prey.

Pro tip: For a scenic bird-watching experience, we suggest walking along the Kingfisher Trail. This trail boasts lovely greenery and an abundant bird population, with numerous birds of prey soaring overhead and smaller birds perched in the trees.

14. Paraglide from the Map of Africa

Address: Hoekwil, Wilderness

If you wish to experience the beauty of the Map of Africa viewpoint in an exhilarating manner, we recommend paragliding from this iconic spot. It’s no secret that paragliding is a popular activity here, with paragliders launching from this vibrant viewpoint daily.

Numerous businesses offer paragliding services in the area, but we recommend Cloudbase Paragliding for their top-tier accommodations. From here, you can soar high above the Kaaimans River and the ocean, all while enjoying the breathtaking view.

Pro tip: If you’re not yet confident in your paragliding skills, don’t worry. There are numerous tandem paragliding options available on-site, allowing you to experience the beauty of Wilderness from above without needing to be an expert paraglider.

15. Take in the view at the Map of Africa 

Address: Hoekwil, Wilderness

The viewpoint of the Map of Africa in Wilderness is both a renowned tourist spot and a crucial geographical feature. From here, you can enjoy splendid views of the Kaaimans River’s waterways, which form an outline of Africa on the global map.

It’s one of Africa’s most captivating natural vistas, boasting verdant forests, diverse wildlife, numerous geological features, and meandering rivers. Also, its historically significant geological formations have attracted many scientists over the years.

Pro tip: We recommend visiting the viewpoint in the late afternoon as the sun begins to set. It’s the perfect time and vantage point to capture stunning shots of Wilderness Beach in all its glory.

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