Garden Route National Park - Wilderness Section

Description

The Wilderness Section forms part of the Garden Route National Park; a luscious mosaic of indigenous forests, coastal fynbos, mountains, rivers, lakes, and oceans on South Africa’s South Coast - one of the most scenic coastlines in the world. The park stretches from the Touw River mouth to beyond the Swartvlei estuary, where it links with the Goukamma Nature Reserve. The Wilderness Section protects 5 lakes as well as the Serpentine, a winding strip of water joining Island Lake to the Touw River at the Ebb & Flow Rest Camp.

Venturing along the nature trails through densely wooded forest, you’ll past gentle rivers and have the chance to spot the colourful Knysna loerie and some of the 5 kingfisher species that are found here. Whether you are an adventure seeker, water sport enthusiast, nature lover, or simply after a relaxing break in a beautiful setting, the Wilderness Section is a holiday playground that has everything you are looking for. There are activities for young, old, energetic, and idle; from bird and whale watching, to paragliding and kloofing.

Activities

• Whale and dolphin watching at Dolphin Point
• Mountain biking. Two scenic routes are available.
• Abseiling and kloofing
• Paragliding and hang gliding.
• Canoeing
• Boating
• Fishing. Allowed in the Leentjiesklip, Kleinkrans, Sandhoogte, Swartvlei, Eilandvlei, and Gericke’s Point sections of the park.
• Hiking. There are 5 trails within the park of varying degrees of difficulty.
• Camping
• Swimming, rowing, and fishing at Wilderness beach, the Touw River, and some lakes.
• Water-skiing is restricted to Island Lake and Swartvlei.
• Birding. Birdhides at Langvlei and Rondevlei.

Please note that there is no shop, ATM, or restaurant within the park. Facilities are available in the towns of Wilderness and George.