Guidebook for Wilderness
Food Scene
Great sushi and authentic Thai cuisine at very reasonable prices.
8 locals recommend
Royal Siam Thai Restaurant
Beacon RoadGreat sushi and authentic Thai cuisine at very reasonable prices.
Unbeatable sea views and a very varied menu for something for everyone. Take a stroll on the beach after lunch or dinner.
88 locals recommend
Salinas Beach Restaurant
458 Zundorf LnUnbeatable sea views and a very varied menu for something for everyone. Take a stroll on the beach after lunch or dinner.
This is a real "everything" place. Awesome kids' playground, gift shops, crafts, and art, lovely wine boutique, and wild oysters and live music at the Oyster Shack
38 locals recommend
Timberlake Organic Village
This is a real "everything" place. Awesome kids' playground, gift shops, crafts, and art, lovely wine boutique, and wild oysters and live music at the Oyster Shack
Pomodoro Restaurant
197 George RdThe best pizza in Wilderness.
Don't miss out on the old station in Wilderness. It's a gorgeous old building and easily accessible from the village or the beach. Down-to-earth cuisine in a very pleasant settting.
8 locals recommend
BeeJuice Cafe
Sands RoadDon't miss out on the old station in Wilderness. It's a gorgeous old building and easily accessible from the village or the beach. Down-to-earth cuisine in a very pleasant settting.
Robertsons is a local craft brewery that produces an excellent range of very tasty beers. Pop in for lunch and grab ginormous gourmet burgers - and don't forget to buy some brews to stock your fridge.
16 locals recommend
Robertson Brewing Co.
1 Memorium StRobertsons is a local craft brewery that produces an excellent range of very tasty beers. Pop in for lunch and grab ginormous gourmet burgers - and don't forget to buy some brews to stock your fridge.
Drinks & Nightlife
You can't beat the selection of craft beers available at the Blind Pig. The setting is also very nice. Choose a table under the trees and relax.
23 locals recommend
The Blind Pig
202 George RdYou can't beat the selection of craft beers available at the Blind Pig. The setting is also very nice. Choose a table under the trees and relax.
If you want to rub shoulders with the locals in a rustic atmosphere, there's no beating the Oyster Shack. Settle down at the bar for open conversation with friendly people, or choose a table to yourself outdoors. Live music every Sunday afternoon.
The Oyster Shack
If you want to rub shoulders with the locals in a rustic atmosphere, there's no beating the Oyster Shack. Settle down at the bar for open conversation with friendly people, or choose a table to yourself outdoors. Live music every Sunday afternoon.
The Milkwood village offers some interesting shops in a wonderful setting with ancient trees. Locals is known for its cold beer and piping hot spare ribs.
12 locals recommend
Locals
The Milkwood village offers some interesting shops in a wonderful setting with ancient trees. Locals is known for its cold beer and piping hot spare ribs.
Arts & Culture
Until a decade or so ago, the steam train did daily runs between George and Knysna. Unfortunately, the floods destroyed the railway, but you can still see fabulous old steam engines, passenger coaches, and more at this museum. Other forms of transport are also featured, and you can stop for tea in an old-fashioned dining-car.
55 locals recommend
Outeniqua Transport Museum
2 Mission RdUntil a decade or so ago, the steam train did daily runs between George and Knysna. Unfortunately, the floods destroyed the railway, but you can still see fabulous old steam engines, passenger coaches, and more at this museum. Other forms of transport are also featured, and you can stop for tea in an old-fashioned dining-car.
Parks & Nature
A very pretty spot in George with a little dam that reflects the mountains. Great for photography, picnics, and relaxing strolls and there are occasional events hosted here.
29 locals recommend
Garden Route Botanical Gardens
49 Caledon StA very pretty spot in George with a little dam that reflects the mountains. Great for photography, picnics, and relaxing strolls and there are occasional events hosted here.
This is an awesome little hiking trail through the forest that a lot of tourists miss. It's a relatively easy walk, but there are some slippery spots. Still, it's worth going all the way to the end to see the little waterfall. Walking distance from my place.
Duiwe River
This is an awesome little hiking trail through the forest that a lot of tourists miss. It's a relatively easy walk, but there are some slippery spots. Still, it's worth going all the way to the end to see the little waterfall. Walking distance from my place.
This is one of the best swimming beaches in the area, but be careful of the undertow. Wonderful if you like long walks along sandy beaches.
17 locals recommend
Wilderness Beach Front
Sands RoadThis is one of the best swimming beaches in the area, but be careful of the undertow. Wonderful if you like long walks along sandy beaches.
I do not recommend this beach for swimming because of dangerous currents, but it's a very popular hiking and fishing spot and the high vantage from the top of the dunes lets you see the whales migrating in season.
Kleinkrantz Beach
Unnamed RoadI do not recommend this beach for swimming because of dangerous currents, but it's a very popular hiking and fishing spot and the high vantage from the top of the dunes lets you see the whales migrating in season.
Absolutely one of the best swimming and surfing spots in the area. The bay allows for safe swimming and there's a very civilized promenade with a pier for fishing. The waves are world-famous and a huge hit with surfers. The beach is small, but there's also a grassy picnic area. Warning: very busy in summer!
82 locals recommend
Victoria Bay
Absolutely one of the best swimming and surfing spots in the area. The bay allows for safe swimming and there's a very civilized promenade with a pier for fishing. The waves are world-famous and a huge hit with surfers. The beach is small, but there's also a grassy picnic area. Warning: very busy in summer!
Although the currents aren't quite as strong as at Kleinkranz, swimming here can be dangerous. However, it's wonderful for wild beach walks with lots of wave-sculpted rocks and local fishermen love this beach. It's often missed by tourists and you could feel as if you have the place to yourself. Fabulous for watching sunset over the sea.
Flat Rock, Wilderness
6th AvenueAlthough the currents aren't quite as strong as at Kleinkranz, swimming here can be dangerous. However, it's wonderful for wild beach walks with lots of wave-sculpted rocks and local fishermen love this beach. It's often missed by tourists and you could feel as if you have the place to yourself. Fabulous for watching sunset over the sea.
If you want to take the hiking trail along the Kaaimans River to a very nice waterfall, you will get your permit here. The trail is almost entirely boardwalk - no need for hiking boots - but it takes quite long to do and there are lots of steps up and down. I find it a little too civilized, but it's very popular with tourists.
26 locals recommend
Ebb and Flow Rest Camp South
Dumbelton RoadIf you want to take the hiking trail along the Kaaimans River to a very nice waterfall, you will get your permit here. The trail is almost entirely boardwalk - no need for hiking boots - but it takes quite long to do and there are lots of steps up and down. I find it a little too civilized, but it's very popular with tourists.
I can't pin this walk because it's a path only known to locals. It passes through nature reserve, but you don't need a permit to walk here. I often climb the dune to enjoy the view over the lake from this vantage point. Just stroll further down the road from Marigold cottage till you see the pathway on the left.
Langvlei Dunes Rd
Langvlei Dunes RdI can't pin this walk because it's a path only known to locals. It passes through nature reserve, but you don't need a permit to walk here. I often climb the dune to enjoy the view over the lake from this vantage point. Just stroll further down the road from Marigold cottage till you see the pathway on the left.
This very popular bird hide is just over the marsh from Marigold Cottage, but if you want to get up close and personal with the local birdlife, it will offer you a close-up view of the lake and its birds. Otherwise, just chill on the deck and wait for the birds to come to you :)
11 locals recommend
Rondevlei Bird Hide
This very popular bird hide is just over the marsh from Marigold Cottage, but if you want to get up close and personal with the local birdlife, it will offer you a close-up view of the lake and its birds. Otherwise, just chill on the deck and wait for the birds to come to you :)
Sightseeing
Use the lookout point to get picture postcard photographs in every direction. However, do be security conscious if you stray off the main drag.
Kaaimans River Bridge
7 Knysna RdUse the lookout point to get picture postcard photographs in every direction. However, do be security conscious if you stray off the main drag.
Make this part of a day drive that includes the old George Road and Hoekwil. The viewpoint overlooks a forested bend in the river that looks just like a map of Africa.
90 locals recommend
Map of Africa Viewpoint
Make this part of a day drive that includes the old George Road and Hoekwil. The viewpoint overlooks a forested bend in the river that looks just like a map of Africa.
You will want to visit Knysna while you are in the area - but you may find you're pleased to be away from the hustle and bustle of this holiday town - it gets super-busy during festivals and in tourist season. Nevertheless, a walk to Knysna Heads is a must, and you might enjoy the rather touristy Knysna Waterfront shopping center overlooking the marina. Thesen Island is popular, but also touristy.
105 locals recommend
Knysna
You will want to visit Knysna while you are in the area - but you may find you're pleased to be away from the hustle and bustle of this holiday town - it gets super-busy during festivals and in tourist season. Nevertheless, a walk to Knysna Heads is a must, and you might enjoy the rather touristy Knysna Waterfront shopping center overlooking the marina. Thesen Island is popular, but also touristy.
Buffelsbaai (Buffalo Bay) is one of the area's best-kept secrets. Get away from the village and the swimming beach to enjoy one of the prettiest beaches I have ever seen: tons of rock pools and private spaces among the rock formations. The pin isn't quite right, but it's the closest one I could find.
8 locals recommend
Buffalo Bay /BuffelsBaai Waterfront Restaurant
Buffelsbaai (Buffalo Bay) is one of the area's best-kept secrets. Get away from the village and the swimming beach to enjoy one of the prettiest beaches I have ever seen: tons of rock pools and private spaces among the rock formations. The pin isn't quite right, but it's the closest one I could find.
Take a day drive along the seven passes road - but do expect the road to be very rough in places. It will take you through some incredible tracts of forest, past rich farmlands and sleepy villages with mountain views, and finally to Knysna. Hit the N2, and you'll be back at Marigold Cottage in under an hour.
Seven Passes Road
Seven Passes RoadTake a day drive along the seven passes road - but do expect the road to be very rough in places. It will take you through some incredible tracts of forest, past rich farmlands and sleepy villages with mountain views, and finally to Knysna. Hit the N2, and you'll be back at Marigold Cottage in under an hour.
On rainy days, a trip to Oudtshoorn could take you into better weather - but even if it doesn't, you can escape the weather in the amazing Cango Caves. See some of the best limestone formations in the world, or if you're feeling ready for excitement, choose the adventure trail option for a guided trip with lots of wiggling, crawling and climbing in one of the world's most incredible cave systems.
127 locals recommend
Cango Caves
On rainy days, a trip to Oudtshoorn could take you into better weather - but even if it doesn't, you can escape the weather in the amazing Cango Caves. See some of the best limestone formations in the world, or if you're feeling ready for excitement, choose the adventure trail option for a guided trip with lots of wiggling, crawling and climbing in one of the world's most incredible cave systems.
Entertainment & Activities
Go to Fairy Knowe to hire a canoe, pedal boat or board. Canoe up the river into the forest and feel free to walk further along the boardwalk when the stream becomes too shallow to go further. Connect with Eden Adventures to find out about other adventure activities they can offer.
Fairy Knowe station
Go to Fairy Knowe to hire a canoe, pedal boat or board. Canoe up the river into the forest and feel free to walk further along the boardwalk when the stream becomes too shallow to go further. Connect with Eden Adventures to find out about other adventure activities they can offer.
Tired of your tech detox at Marigold Cottage? Rainy day? Take in a movie at this theater situated in the Garden Route Mall.
10 locals recommend
Ster-Kinekor Theatres: Garden Route
Knysna RoadTired of your tech detox at Marigold Cottage? Rainy day? Take in a movie at this theater situated in the Garden Route Mall.
Shopping
There are some interesting shops in this center, but the Friday night markets are popular with locals and tourists alike. There are some beautiful handcrafts and plenty of food stalls. Great for picking up souvenirs.
27 locals recommend
Milkwood Village
There are some interesting shops in this center, but the Friday night markets are popular with locals and tourists alike. There are some beautiful handcrafts and plenty of food stalls. Great for picking up souvenirs.
Supermarkets, clothing stores, bookstores, banks: whatever you need, you'll find it here.
148 locals recommend
Garden Route Mall
Supermarkets, clothing stores, bookstores, banks: whatever you need, you'll find it here.