Wilderness
Jewel of the Garden Route
This charming village is situated on the Garden Route between George and Knysna. Surrounded by sea, lakes and indigenous forest it makes for a truly picturesque place.
Not as busy as it’s more visited neighbours, Knysna and Plettenberg Bay, Wilderness offers wonderful excursions into nature and beautiful beaches to discover. This area is a great place from which to explore the rest of the Garden Route without having to substitute tranquility for crowds. The village also offers good restaurants and bars for downtime between sightseeing, beach or hiking activities.
Hedonist Hippy Recommends
To eat:
Pomodoro – lovely Italian trattoria serving great food. Sit on the stoep and watch the coming and goings of the village while enjoying a fabulous pizza and drinking a glass or two of your choice. Open daily 7am-11pm.
The Green Shed Coffee Roastery – Cute wooden-built coffee roastery located just off the main road. Great coffee and oh-so sinful cakes which are all homemade. Coffee for sale along with an interesting variety of related gifts.
The Girls on the Square an institution in Wilderness, The Girls Restaurant has been around a while (in different locations) serving up great food. There is a lovely al fresco dining area for the warmer days or a beautifully decorated inside area.
The Blue Olive is a lovely tapas restaurant situated in the heart of the village. Spacious indoor restaurant and outdoor terraces for you to take your pick from!
To stay:
Reflections – 4 self-catering timber built cabins situated on a 28-hectare eco reserve between Wilderness and Sedgefield. Beautifully decorated and very private with own braai area. A recent addition are their “glamping” facilities – ready erected tents with wooden verandahs. Surrounded by the Garden Route National Park it’s a great place for walking and also for spotting fantastic bird life on the Rondevlei.
Wilderness on Sea – b&b or self-catering accommodation offering spacious rooms within walking distance of restaurants and village.
Sea Paradise – guesthouse overlooking the beach with direct access for those early morning or evening strolls. Within walking distance of restaurants and village.
To visit:
Map of Africa – follow the road through the village and then turn left, following the signs. This is an outstanding view spot that takes in mountains, lakes and forest. It overlooks the Kaaimans River Valley where you can make out the “map of Africa” gouged out by the Kaaimans River course.
Milkwood Evening Market – this local, vibey market happens every Friday under the milkwood trees in the heart of the village. Artisanal bread, food and handmade craft stalls are perfect for browsing (and buying) accompanied by the beat of local musicians. Open 4pm – 9pm.
Wild Oats Community Farmers Market – a short drive to Sedgefield, this Saturday morning market has been going for over 15 years and supports local and small scale producers. Over 60 stalls selling fine food, produce and craft, as well as showcasing local musicians, it is definitely worth making the short trip to soak up the atmosphere. Open 8am – midday.
To do:
There are a myriad of activities to be found at Wilderness National Park from hiking to paragliding or simply take time out to walk on one of the endless stretches of beach. Other activities around Wilderness include horse-riding, cycling and quad biking, so whatever your mood there will be something to match it!
Pretty as a picture
Wilderness is a lovely getaway, set along a truly pretty coastline. Enjoy one of the many activities on offer or just hang with the locals enjoying fine food and drink.
Check out their tourism website for further info.
Where to find it
