The Garden Coast

Our first favourite coastal village you pass on the way from Cape Town is Wilderness. From the car, you can see a rugged coastline stretching endlessly. The sea is wild, and the beaches are almost empty, a scene you can often encounter in South Africa if you know where to go—amazing! On the right side of the road, you’ll find a rugged beach, and on the left side, there’s a green, untouched nature reserve: Wilderness National Park. The village is nestled between mountains, dunes, and lakes.

From Wilderness, a 28-kilometre stretch of dunes runs along the coast. The dunes can reach up to 100 metres high—impressive! Some grand, modern houses have been built on these dunes, a few of which also function as bed and breakfasts. Want to wake up with an ocean view? Ask our team about the options.

Wilderness is the perfect stop for adventurous travellers. Wilderness National Park is a protected and beautiful area with rich flora and fauna. It is also known as a wetlands area with lakes and lagoons. Several walking routes have been laid out to explore the park. Keep your eyes peeled as this area is home to the remarkable kingfisher, along with 80 other species of waterfowl. The Touws River flows through this area, and the ideal way to explore the park is by canoe. Drift along the lagoons and take the occasional refreshing dip.