10 Activities to do in Wilderness after Paragliding

Wilderness is a small village in the Garden Route that highlights some of the best landscapes in the country, with epic coastlines, rivers and lush forests. It’s known to have “that holiday feeling” all year around.

After experiencing Wilderness and its scenery from the sky make sure to add the following activities to your itinerary.

1. Take a selfie at the Map Of Africa

The river and the forest form what looks like a Map of Africa, or some people say that with a little imagination you could see the head of a crocodile. On your way to the viewpoint stop at Hallo Coffee for a delicious cup of coffee or milkshake and enjoy their view overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.

map of africa

hallo coffee

2. Visit a Local Pub

Visit The Blind Pig for a brilliant selection of craft beers and live music. They also have a great breakfast, lunch and dinner menu.

3. Go Biking.

Rent an e-bike from Side Street Adventures and capture the essence and beauty of Wilderness. Enjoy a gentle ride from Wilderness Village, up White’s Road to the Map of Africa.

4. Paddle the Touw River

Hire a Canoe at Eden Adventures, located at Fairy Knowe Hotel - and choose between three Routes on the Touw River. You can paddle to the Waterfall, this route is by far the most popular and leads to a lovely waterfall which is an ideal spot for a picnic and a swim. If you like birdwatching you can paddle to Island Lake down the Serpentine River, or if you only have time for a short excursion take the river to the River Mouth.

5. Visit the Kaaimans River

Discover the natural beauty of the Kaaimans river. Kayak or SUP to the waterfall or Kaaimans bridge. There is a lovely restaurant next to the river where you can enjoy a pizza and a beer or a coffee. You can rent the SUP or kayak from Kaaimans Adventures. This is a great family-friendly spot.

7. Pop into Timberlake Organic Village for some retail therapy

Timberlake is on the N2 about halfway between Wilderness and Sedgefield The shops, studios, and eateries are all nestled in amongst large trees. Pause Coffee Roastery serves some of the best coffee on the Garden Route, and all the shops and studios are uniquely South African. Acrobranch tree top adventures will make sure the entire family has some serious fun in the trees.

8. Be adventurous and eat some Oysters

Visit the Oyster Shack at Timberlake Village for traditional fresh Oysters, they are also well known for their live music on Sunday afternoons. Oysters R Us across the N2 from Timberlake Village has a unique and exciting way of serving their oysters, with six different toppings and a selection of local bubbly and wines. Make sure to visit one of these spots to experience the best fresh Oysters in the Garden Route.

9. Wilderness has an incredible selection of hiking routes, you have to do at least one of them

Half Collared & Gaint Kingfisher Trail

The entrance of the hike is over the old train bridge at the northern and southern sections of Ebb & Flow Restcamp. You will need to pay for a permit at the entrance before starting the hike. The hiking route is a well-maintained shaded walk through a lush forest. You will spot birds like the Knysna Loerie, Giant Kingfisher and the Fish Eagle. Labels along the route indicate all the indigenous plants and trees - look out for the Yellowwoods, Stinkwoods and Milkwoods.

When you reach the river, you can cross it by a hand-operated pontoon or continue through the forest to the stepping stones. After crossing the river you will start the Giant Kingfisher Trail which is an extension of the Half-Collared Kingfisher Trail. The trail is on elevated boardwalks with forest shade almost the entire route, at the end of the boardwalks, you will reach a waterfall where you can enjoy a picnic and take a dip in the fresh pools below the waterfalls.

Distance: 7.2km

Difficulty: Moderate

Time: 3-4hrs

Location: Half Collared Kingfisher Trail Gate

Bosduif Trail

This is a loop off the Half-Collared Kingfisher Trail and is a steep climb to the top, but the view makes it worth it. You will find yourself at the top of a cliff overlooking the Touw River and campsite. You can have a relaxing picnic here while appreciating nature or carry on to the rest of the Half-Collared Kingfisher Trail and make your way to the waterfall.

Distance: 4.2km

Difficulty: Moderate to hard

Time: 1:30hrs

Location: Half Collared Kingfisher Trail Gate

Pied Kingfisher Trail

This route starts and ends at Ebb & Flow Rest Camp. It's a flat circular route which takes you through the Serpentine floodplains to Wilderness beach and back to the rest camp. This route is great for bird-watching. Remember to get your permit and pay the conservation fee at the Wilderness National Park Ebb and Flow Rest Camp.

Distance: 10km

Difficulty: Easy

Time: 3-4hrs

Location: Ebb-and-Flow Rest Camp

Brown Hooded Kingfisher Trail

This route is a popular choice amongst birders, with the long-crested eagle and peregrine falcon often sighted. Enjoy a stroll along the Duiwe River to a beautiful rock pool and back.

Distance: 5km

Difficulty: Easy

Time: 2-3hrs

Location: Brown Hooded Kingfisher Trail

Cape Dune Mole-rat Trail

Great early morning trail this route takes you on a sandy trail through the Wilderness Lake Area. Take in the beautiful proteas, and fynbos and be on the lookout for the mounds made by the Cape dune mole-rat.

Distance: 6km

Difficulty: Easy

Time: 2-3hrs

Location: Cape Dune Mole-rat Trail

Woodville Big Tree

From the parking area, it’s only 800m to the Big Tree, a giant Outeniqua Yellowwood that towers over the rest of the forest. It’s estimated to be 800 years old. Beyond the tree, you can choose to continue on a short 2km circular path through the forest.

Length: 2km

Difficulty: Easy

Time: 2hrs

Location: SANParks Woodville Big Tree

For more information regarding conservation fees and permits visit the Sanparks website.

10. Paraglide again !!

Contact us for another epic paragliding adventure and to get the chance to paraglide from one of our other launch sites in the Garden Route or Cape Town.