Wilderness is a truly unique place. This garden of Eden is blessed with ocean, mountains, forests and rivers that converge to create a natural paradise just waiting to be explored.
There are hiking trails and biking tracks, forest walks and riverside meanders, fishing spots, mountains to climb, rock pools to explore, world famous paragliding conditions and the endless rolling of the ocean, which beckons you to kick off your shoes and set off along the pristine beaches that stretch as far as the eye can see…
Just a short distance away in George explore the mountain peaks, botanical gardens and the glorious Garden Route dam. Hop on board the quaint Outeniqua Power Van or tee off on the world famous golf courses at Fancourt and Oubaii…
Things To Do:
Please click on this link to see the full list of Things To Do, compiled by George and Wilderness Tourism
http://visitgeorge.co.za/ThingsToDo?search=&subtype=0
Places to eat:
Visitors to the area are spoilt for choice with an abundance of cafes, coffee shops, restaurants and bars. Please click on the following link to see what’s on the menu in Wilderness and George
http://visitgeorge.co.za/Restaurant?search=&subtype=0
If you’re looking for personal recommendations then maybe consider this very special list, which was written many years ago by John Pfaff, who built the Wilderness Bushcamp and Milkwood Village
My Favourite Things – by John Pfaff
In 1972 John and Ann Pfaff arrived in George looking for somewhere to settle and make a home.
John was an enthusiastic surfer and the break at Vic Bay played a big part in their decision to stay in the area.
For two years they lived in the Vic Bay caravan park then, in 1980, they moved to Wilderness.
They lived and worked in the village when it was little more than a handful of buildings and a few small businesses. The old Wilderness Hotel was the focal point of village life and Milkwood Village didn’t exist.
In the early 80s John and Ann bought Aloe Heights; the hill where the Bushcamp is now located. They made a road to the top and built a home for their family.
It was John’s dream to create Milkwood Village, an area that he hoped would become the heart of Wilderness and act as a meeting place for locals and visitors alike. However, he faced a major challenge in protecting the old Milkwood trees that were at the centre of his proposed development.
Thankfully not one tree was harmed and those beautiful old Milkwood trees are now the focal point of Milkwood Village. They’re also testament to John’s desire to see Wilderness go from strength to strength while retaining its natural beauty and charm.
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Up at the Bushcamp, John built the first log cabin in 1994, and the first guests visited soon after. Loerie Cabin was soon followed by Hideaway Cottage, Lagoon View, Sunrise Ridge and, most recently, Forest Rise and Bird Haven.
John passed away in 2010 but he will always be part of Wilderness, partly because he helped to shape the landscape of the village that you see today.
Wilderness was his favourite place on earth and he wanted everyone to recognise the same magical beauty that he discovered all those years ago.
It made him happy when people shared his love of the area; the sea, the beaches, the bush and the forest, so he drew up this ‘Must-Do’ list for visitors to the Bushcamp.
We hope that it inspires you …
- Be loving to your partner
- Have a braai
- Visit the Wild Oats market in Sedgefield on a Saturday morning (or you can now visit the Outeniqua Family Market in George, also on a Saturday morning)
- Visit Knysna, take the John Benn for a cruise and lunch on board, or eat oysters at the waterfront
- Drive to Oudtshoorn and visit the crocodile farm and ostrich farm. Eat ostrich steak and visit the Cango Caves
- Do the walk from Swartvlei to Gericke’s Point at low tide. Have a swim and a picnic and snorkel in the rock pools
- Take a canoe ride at Ebb and Flow, or do the Serpentine in canoes
- Go for a walk on Wilderness beach before sunset
- Go surfing at Vic Bay
- Milkwood Village market (now on a Sunday from 10am - 3pm)
- Lunch at the Point in Mossel Bay, where you can enjoy delicious fresh fish
- Drive from George to Prince Albert along the Swartberg Pass
- Walk to Vic Bay (not for those scared of heights!)
- Visit Millwood Gold mine
- Go see the Big Tree in Hoekwol
- Have a steak at Montecello
- Walk to the Waterfall and have a swim (Giant Kingfisher Trail)
- Go abseiling or tandem hang-gliding
- Visit Botlierskop for a game drive
- Go horse riding or mountain back riding on one of Eden Adventures tours
We hope you have a very happy stay in Wilderness, wherever you choose to rest your head…