Explore

Take a 45m (148-ft.) abseil next to a waterfall in the Kaaimans River Gorge, then canoe your way out, or swim and clamber through the gorge. This and other great experiences can be found by exploring the area with Eden Adventures.

The beach stretches for miles on your doorstep, but a guided walk with the fascinating naturalist Mark Dixon will make the forest or coast with tidal pools truly come alive (https://gardenroutetrail.co.za/). Or opt for any number of forest or lakeside trials in the Wilderness National Park.

Wilderness falls within the 2600ha Wilderness National Park, which is host to over 230 different bird species. An absolute must-visit, particularly if you are traveling with children, is the World of Birds – with over 3000 birds, one of the largest in the world. It is located just beyond Plett, about 90 minutes east. Opposite is Monkeyland www.monkeyland.co.za, the world’s first free-roaming multi-species primate sanctuary. This is a full day experience.

Golfers are spoiled for choice on the Garden Route, often referred to as South Africa’s ‘Golf Coast’. Our recommendations, all within easy striking distance, are: the George Golf Club course (tel: 044/873-6116), still one of the most scenic, and offering excellent value. Pezula (tel: 044/384-1222), designed by Ronald Fream and David Dale, enjoys a glorious location perched atop the Knysna East Head cliffs. Deeper inland, on undulating hills that overlook the Knysna river and lagoon, is the perfectly groomed Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course at Simola (tel: 044/302-9677); this course has an interesting configuration: 5 par-threes and 5 par-fives.

The best outrides lead you through the forests, with horses to suit riders of various abilities. Wilderness Horse Trails is the closest outfit.

Every Saturday morning there is a large market in George (Outeniqua Market, 10 minutes drive west) and Sedgefield (Wild Oats Market, 15 minute drive east). Both offer plenty of interesting things to buy and wonderful food, from ready-made dishes to deli items and groceries.

Wilderness is considered South Africa’s best site for coastal flying. A basic license paragliding course lasts 7-10 days, weather depending-or you can do a 1-day introductory course, or take a one-off tandem flight with a qualified instructor. There are a number of outfits, including Cloudbase Paragliding.

Walk along the beach to dine at Salina’s, a beachfront restaurant that offers a wide variety of meals from fish and chips to butter chicken curry.

Guests are welcome to come for a sumptuous breakfast at Moontide Guest Lodge. Weather allowing, guests are seated on the terrace overlooking the wilderness lagoon, shaded by milkwood trees, with an abundance of bird life. Booking is essential: 044 8770361

For dine dining we recommend Serendipity.

The Girls Bistro is also one of the Top 10 Restaurants in the Garden Route. Informal and unpretentious, their food is delicious and good value. This too is walking distance away.

Best steak house on the Garden Route, Joplins Pub & Steak Grill is a laid-back timber shack-pub that specializes in servicing perfectly prepared steak (fillet/rump/sirloin/T-bone), topped with an egg and served with chips.

For pastas and pizza try Pomodoro in the heart of the village, good value and good fare; laid back vibe.

White Shark Africa is the only shark-cage operator in Mossel Bay, so your close-up encounter with a great white is likely to be less crowded experience than in the better known Gansbaai waters, near Hermanus. The four-hour trip includes the shark-cage dive, breakfast and a light lunch.

There are a number of spa and beauty therapy options, the best of which – with four treatment rooms and hydrotherapies that include a Moroccan Rasul steam room – is at Views Boutique Hotel & Spa.

Swimming in the Wilderness sea can be treacherous as riptides are strong, so please be careful and stay in the shallows unless a lifeguard is on duty, or swim in the Touw river. If you feel like a deep ocean plunge we’d recommend you go to Victoria bay (signposted off the N2 between Wilderness and George). One of the most beautiful beaches in South Africa lies just beyond Knysna: Noetzie is not only pretty but it has a number of castles overlooking the beach.

Between August and November you will often spot whales from Dolphin’s Point, clearly signposted at the top of the Kaaiman’s Pass.