Wilderness is a town in the Western Cape, nestled along the picturesque coastal stretch known as the Garden Route, offering a plethora of activities and natural beauty – even for those on a tight budget!

If you’re looking to save money or simply prefer budget-friendly options, check out this list of the best affordable activities to enjoy in Wilderness.

1. Garden Route Botanical Garden 

Website: https://www.sanparks.org/parks/garden_route/camps/wilderness/

Contact: +27448771197

Price: 

• Park admission: R 190 

One of the best budget-friendly activities in Wilderness is to take a scenic walk around the Garden Route. The area boasts a variety of lovely blooms in vibrant colours, along with expansive mountain ranges and rolling hills that offer picturesque views.

Just above Caledon Street, there’s a beautiful dam surrounded by mountains and indigenous trees and plants. It’s one of the area’s highlights and one of the best places to relax while soaking in the beauty of Wilderness.

Pro tip: Keep an eye out for the Medicinal Plant Mound, which is quite captivating with its spiral shape and lush greenery.

2. Kayak at Kaaimans River 

Price: 

• Kayak/SUP rental: R 180

Kaaimans River is a tranquil waterway surrounded by scenic beauty, ideal for exploration and sightseeing. Located within the private reserve, Kaaimans Adventures offers affordable rentals for kayaks or SUP boards, which you can enjoy riding on water.

The area is stunning, featuring a winding estuary for downstream journeys and hidden waterfalls that provide breathtaking views. If desired, you can paddle upstream to capture a spectacular vista of the Kaaimans River Pass.

Pro tip: If you’re travelling with a large group, you can choose a four-seater paddle boat, which is available at some boat rental locations in the area.

3. Wilderness Beach

Address: Marine Dr, Wilderness, 6560, South Africa

Price: 

• Free

If you’re seeking a picturesque beach offering complimentary activities, be sure to explore Wilderness Beach. This enchanting stretch features golden sands and offers captivating views of coastal waters and majestic mountain ranges.

Renowned for its calm waves and refreshing waters, it stands out as an ideal spot for swimming. Additionally, the vibrant atmosphere of the beach invites visitors to engage in activities like beach volleyball or indulge in dolphin watching along its scenic shores.

Pro tip: Make sure to keep an eye on the sky if you want to watch paragliders soaring around, providing a captivating sight. Also, be mindful of landing paragliders, as the beach serves as a popular landing zone for them.

4. Ride the waters of the Touw River 

Price: 

• Local River Tours (varies): R 500 – 800 

The Touw River, protected by Wilderness National Park, showcases some of Wilderness’s finest natural beauty. It’s a popular destination for boat rides and canoe trips which cost less than 800 Rand due to its calm waters and stunning scenery.

As you navigate the river, you’ll encounter picturesque reed-bordered wetlands and verdant forests bustling with plants and wildlife. Additionally, you can often spot animals drinking water by the water’s edge and birds soaring throughout this scenic river area.

Pro tip: While you’re at the river, we recommend visiting the beautiful Touw River Waterfall. There are ample rock pools to cool off in before making your way back.

5. Dolphin Point Lookout

Price: 

• Free

Dolphin Point Lookout provides the perfect vantage point, offering a picturesque view of Wilderness’s coastline and the scenic beauty of the Kaaimans River mouth. It stands as one of the best spots in Wilderness for a panoramic view and sightseeing.

From this viewpoint, you can observe the historic railway bridge that links to the river’s entrance, where the Outeniqua Choo-Tjoe steam train once ran. It’s also an excellent place to capture photos of natural landscapes and historical urban developments.

Pro tip: The wonderful thing about this place is the chance to spot dolphins or even an occasional whale. We recommend bringing a quality pair of binoculars to get a better view of these creatures.

6. Swim at the Kaaimans River Bridge

Address: Old Passes, 7 Knysna Rd, George, 6529, South Africa

Price: 

• Free

Speaking of Dolphin’s View Point, another budget-friendly activity worth trying is swimming at Kaaimans River Bridge, which is close by. This swimming spot is bustling with both locals and tourists on weekends due to its calm, refreshing waters.

You’ll often see families swimming along the river and parents trying to teach their kids to swim with floaties. Likewise, you’ll also come across people relaxing by the bridge, soaking in the serene surroundings and anticipating the sunrise.

Pro tip: After spending a day around the bridge, we suggest stopping by Kaaimans River Tea Garden, which offers excellent lunch options, coffee, tea, and more.

7. Take in the view from The Map of Africa

Address: Hoekwil, Wilderness, South Africa

Price: 

• Free

The Map of Africa stands as Wilderness’s most iconic viewpoint, a must-visit for nature enthusiasts and visitors alike. From this vantage point, you can observe the Kaaimans River winding below, mimicking the shape of the African continent.

This location boasts one of Africa’s most breathtaking vistas, all without costing you a single rand! Adjacent to the viewpoint, you’ll witness paragliders ascending into the sky—a thrilling activity for those unafraid of heights.

Pro tip: We highly recommend bringing a camera to this picturesque viewpoint. It’s one of the best spots to capture the stunning nature of Wilderness, as well as people paragliding with colourful parachutes in the vicinity.

8.  Try a Canyon trip

Price: 

• Local Canyon Tours (varies): R 300 – 500 

A canyon trip ranks among the top activities for budget travellers seeking excitement and thrills. You can find canyon tours throughout Wilderness, typically priced at 500 Rand or less for a full day, making it quite a bargain for what you’re getting.

Kaaimans River Gorge is a prime destination for canyon trips, which boasts numerous trails and river pathways. Here, you’ll embark on challenging forest treks and encounter exhilarating jumps, while being surrounded by the beauty of nature.

Pro tip: For those who’d rather steer clear of water, certain canyon tours provide a “dry canyon” alternative, leading you along a specialised route that stays clear of moist sections.

9. Have some fun at Wilderness National Park

Website: https://www.sanparks.org/parks/garden_route/camps/wilderness/

Address: Wilderness, South Africa

Contact: +27448771197

Price: 

• Park admission: R 190 

The Garden Route National Park is an all-around destination where you can indulge in hiking, bird-watching, and relaxation without any cost. It’s an ideal spot for budget travellers who want to experience a variety of activities without spending big.

The region is enveloped by stunning mountains, verdant forests, and pristine beaches with golden sands. Visitors can explore expansive forests, wander along the meandering trails of the Touw River, or take a refreshing swim in the Wilderness lagoon.

Pro tip: We recommend heading to the waterfall in Jubilee Creek while exploring Wilderness National Park. This location is less crowded and more low-key than other areas, allowing you to enjoy the serene scenery in peace.

10. Enjoy hiking 

Price: 

• Free

Wilderness ranks among the top places for hiking activities in South Africa. With its abundant mountains, rolling hills, and canyons, Wilderness offers numerous scenic routes.

A prime location for serene hikes is the Wilderness National Park, featuring trails suitable for hikers of all skill levels. The park offers five main hiking trails, ranging from 3.5km to 7.2km round-trip, each varying in difficulty.

Pro tip: During your hiking trip to Wilderness National Park, we recommend exploring the Half Collared Kingfisher Trail. Here, you’ll walk along shaded forest paths and have the opportunity to spot birds like the Knysna Loerie, and Giant Kingfisher.

11. Grab a snack at Hoekwil Country Cafe

Address: Cnr, Duiwe Rd, Hoekwil, Wilderness, 6538, South Africa

Contact: +27 44 850 1037

Operating hours: 

• Monday to Sunday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Price: 

Food and Beverages: R 40 – 70 

Hoekwil Country Cafe is one of our favourite spots in Wilderness for affordable yet delicious meals. This restaurant has a strong farm vibe and is known for its cheesecake, which has consistently been voted the best in the country for several years in a row.

The cafe offers a variety of cakes, ranging from Lemon and Blueberry to indulgent flavours like Salted Caramel, and Chocolate. Also, they serve a robust cup of brewed coffee to keep you energised throughout the day, along with hearty breakfast options.

Pro tip: If you’re health-conscious and mindful of your calorie intake, don’t worry, as the cafe also provides a sugar-free option that you can enjoy.

12. Have a beach day at Victoria Bay

Price: 

• Free

Another enjoyable activity for those on a tight budget is to spend a delightful day at Victoria Bay, one of our favourite beach spots in Wilderness. Located between George and Wilderness, this bay offers crystal-clear blue waters ideal for swimming and surfing.

The cove is a popular destination for surfers, thanks to its powerful right-hand reef waves that surge over large boulders, creating a thrilling surfing experience. Also, children can wander the beach and join in beach volleyball games with other people.

Pro tip: While you’re at Victoria Bay, we recommend staying until sunset. The beach provides one of the most stunning sunset views along the Wilderness coastline, allowing you to witness the orange beams gleaming above the water.

13. Go whale-watching

Price: 

• Free

Another budget-friendly activity is whale-watching in Wilderness, a region renowned for its stunning beaches. The area boasts waters abundant with rich marine life, particularly whales that frequently surface throughout the day.

One of our favourite spots for whale watching in Wilderness is Wilderness Beach, which also has a significant dolphin population. Here, you can observe whales swimming close to the shoreline as they come up for air before diving back into the depths.

Pro tip: Another enjoyable activity after whale watching is fishing around the beach. It’s a wonderful way to catch some fresh fish, which you can either release back into the ocean or prepare for a later meal on the grill.

14. Try strawberry picking at Redberry Farm 

Website: https://www.redberryfarm.co.za/

Address: Geelhoutboom Road, Blanco, George, 6530, South Africa

Contact: +27 44 870 7123

Operating hours: 

• Monday to Sunday: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Price: 

• Large bucket: R 50 
• Small bucket: R 30 

The Redberry Farm is a go-to destination for fun adventures that appeal to older people, as well as an excellent spot for kids. The farm features various restaurants, including a gelato shop and a pizza shop, along with wine-tasting experiences.

One of the best activities here is strawberry picking, providing excellent value for your money. You can purchase an affordable and deep container and fill multiple containers with plenty of large, juicy strawberries! 

Pro tip: If you’re done with strawberry picking, we suggest taking your kid for a pony ride around the farm’s grassy fields.

---