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Wilderness National Park

All-in-One

This page displays all information relevant to this park/camp, except the following:

...gateway to the Garden Route

In the heart of South Africa's famous Garden Route, a captivating world of lakes, rivers, estuaries and beaches gently unfolds against a backdrop of lush forest and lofty mountains – all elements that characterise the Wilderness National Park. Nature trails wind through densely wooded forest and along tranquil rivers, affording you the opportunity to encounter the brilliantly coloured Knysna lourie, or one of the five kingfisher species that occur here. During spring, a carpet of flowers, further enhance the verdant beauty of this national park.

Looking for an action packed holiday adventure? Then, Wilderness is your playground. Experience whales & dolphins from Dolphin Point. Hire a canoe or bicycle, go abseiling, kloofing, paragliding or hang-gliding. Go boating, fishing at Island Lake or hike to the waterfall above Ebb & Flow Restcamp. You do not have to be super fit to enjoy the natural beauty of the area. There are activities for young, old, energetic or idle: take a stroll along a forest path or visit the bird hide and discover the wealth of bird life. Lie back in a canoe on a quiet backwater and watch the world float by. Camp under the stars alongside the river or stay in log cabins on stilts.

Wilderness National Park stretches from the Touw River mouth to the Swartvlei estuary and beyond, where it links with the Goukamma Nature Reserve, giving welcome protection to five lakes and the Serpentine, which is the winding strip of water joining Island Lake to the Touw River at the Ebb-and-flow Restcamp.

Areas of Special Interest

5 Things to Seek

  • Knysna Seahorse
  • Pansy Shell
  • Pied Kingfisher
  • Grey Heron
  • Little Egret

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Accommodation

Ebb & Flow Restcamp (South)

  • All accommodation is serviced daily and provided with bedding, towels and soap.
  • 4-bed family cottages, each with two bedrooms, one bathroom (bath), open plan, partially equipped kitchen. Please indicate whether you would prefer a double bed and 2 single beds or single beds only, subject to availability.
  • 4-bed log cottages on wooden stilts, each with two bedrooms, one bathroom (bath & shower), open plan, partially equipped kitchen. Please indicate whether you would prefer a double bed and 2 single beds or single beds only, subject to availability.
  • Forest Cabins – 4 beds and 2 beds – ablutions and partially equipped kitchens. A communal kitchen for cooking.

NB: Microwave ovens are available for hire from Reception.

Ebb & Flow Restcamp (North)

  • 2-bed Rondavel, each with bathroom (shower) and basic kitchen equipment.
  • 2-bed Rondavel, communal ablution facilities and basic kitchen equipment.

NB: The rondavels are basic and are classified as budget accommodation.

Caravan\Camping

  • Both restcamps have caravan and campsites on the banks of the Touw River, communal ablution and scullery facilities.
  • Some sites at Ebb & Flow Restcamp (South) are equipped with 220V power points.
  • The power points are for caravan plugs only; to be able to use a normal three-point plug you need the applicable adapter.
  • Portable braais are supplied - please inquire at Reception.
  • A maximum of six persons, one caravan with a side tent and one vehicle, or one tent and one vehicle, or one autovilla or one motorised caravan will be permitted per site.

To view the accommodation prices, refer to Tariffs

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Activities

Recreational activities and adventures

  • Bathing, rowing, fishing, at Wilderness beach, the Touw River and some of the lakes
  • Water-skiing is restricted to Island Lake and Swartvlei
  • Canoes are hired from Eden Adventures (or 044 877 0179)
  • DSTV in a communal area
  • Table tennis in a communal area
  • Volley ball and basket ball
  • Bird hides at Langvlei and Rondevlei

Hiking

There are five trails all located in the National Park, all with varying distances and degrees of difficulty.

Canoeing

  • Start at the Ebb & Flow Restcamp and canoe the winding Touw River, which leads to Wilderness beach or gently canoe on the Wilderness Lagoon. Canoes available for hire from Eden Adventures (or 044 877 0179)

Mountain Biking

There are two scenic routes for mountain biking. Bikes equipped with child seats are also available. Mountain bikes available for hire from Eden Adventures in the park (or 044 877 0179)

Abseiling\Kloofing

Whether on a short 10 m abseil or a 45m drop next to a roaring waterfall, reach your goals you perceived to be unobtainable. (Eden Adventures, or 044 8770179)

Fishing

Fishing is allowed in the following sections of Wilderness National Park - Leentjiesklip, Kleinkrans, Sandhoogte, Swartvlei, Eilandvlei, and Gericke’s Point

Birding

Due to the many different ecosystems within the park ranging from the indigenous forest to the rocky shore, Wilderness National Park has become a bird paradise.

Paragliding

Experience the freedom of paragliding with experienced operators. Please contact Wilderness Eco Tourism for more information or 044 877 0045.

Facilities

  • Many facilities are available in the towns of Wilderness and George.
  • There is no shop in the Restcamp, however vending machines are available at Reception.
  • The closest restaurants are in the town of Wilderness – a list is available at Reception.
  • Laundromat and dryer.
  • Medical doctors, a dentist a pharmacy and the postal agency are available in the town of Wilderness.

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Natural and Cultural History

Wilderness

“...the beauty and serenity of this corner of the world is in such conflict with its unsuitable name …” “in the Wilderness build me a nest and remain there forever at rest …” (a line from Hayden’s Creation ) was sung by a lady Theresa, to her fiancée, to escape the memory of being orphaned when her parents farm was destroyed in the frontier war.

Shelters

The Ebb and Flow shelter in the northern rest camp was excavated for guano in the 1800’s. The cave was used as a shelter and living place of Khoi and San. Two skeletons were discovered and various implements. One of the implements was described as a core scraper.

Oakhurst shelter – Stone Age People

This is one of the oldest caves excavated in the country. 40 skeletons of Khoisan (adults and infants) buried in different layers and depths were found.

Other implements found: pottery shards, hippo bones, buffalo, duiker and steenbok bones yielded information about their cultural development and diet

Historical sites

St. Aidan’s church is one of the oldest buildings in Wilderness, which was named after an Irish saint, who was part of the missionary drive to Scotland and England. The church bell was salvaged from the SS Thorne, which was wrecked in a fog off Robben Island on 18th May 1831 and presented to St. Aidan’s by the Piggott family in 1951.

The Oakhurst church was consecrated on All Saints Day in 1876 and called All Saints.

1952 Settler's Monument was erected by the Lakes Committee in Wilderness to commemorate the founding of the European settlement in South Africa on 6 April 1652.

Gericke’s Point was named by Bartholomew Diaz as “Ponta de Pescaria” meaning "place or point of fish". Today this is still a famous fishing spot as well as rocky-shore and snorkelling site.

The scenic “passes road” was completed in 1893 by Thomas Bain. This was the first substantial link between George and Knysna.

The Outeniqua Choo-Tjoe runs 67 kilometres between Knysna and George thus passing through Wilderness National Park. It is one of the remaining scheduled steam trains and reputably the second most beautiful line in the world.

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How to get there

Wilderness is situated close to the N2 highway, 15 km from George, 2 km from Wilderness village, 410 km from Port Elizabeth and 450 km from Cape Town. The closest airport is at George, where car hire facilities are available.

Guests visiting Wilderness Ebb & Flow camp, please note the road sign on the N2 to the Park reads Wilderness National Park and not Ebb & Flow. Guests can also use the western access through the town of Wilderness across the rail road bridge and turn right for the reception.

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Park Map brochure

Click on the image to view enlarged.

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Tariffs

Members of SANParks’ loyalty programme WILD do not pay conservation fees provided that proof of Identity and their WILD card are shown on arrival.

Daily Conservation Fee for 1 November 2008 to 31 August 2009

South African Citizens and Residents (with ID):

R16 per person, per day

SADC Nationals (with passport):

R32 per adult, per day
R16 per child, per day

Standard Conservation Fee (Foreign Visitors):

R64 per adult, per day
R32 per child, per day

 

Tariffs for 1 November 2008 to 31 August 2009
Ebb & Flow Camp (South)
20% discount on campsites, rondavels, family and log cottages and forest cabins from 3 May to 30 November
Unit type
No. of units
Rate
Base
Max. beds
Add. adult
Add. child

35

R175

1-2

6 people per site

R42

R21

35

R195

1-2

6 people per site

R42

R21

9 (-Z:1)

R405

1-2

2 single beds

n/a

n/a

10

R405

1-2

4 single beds

R124

R62

4

R800

1-4

1 double and 2 single beds

n/a

n/a

Family Cottage FA4DZS (accessible to the mobility challenged)

1

R800

1-4

1 double and 2 single beds

n/a

n/a

2

R750

1-4

4 single beds

n/a

n/a

4

R750

1-4

1 double and 2 single beds

n/a

n/a

Log Cottage FT4DSS & FT4DTS

3

R800

1-4

1 double and 2 single beds

n/a

n/a

Ebb & Flow Camp (North)

17

R125

1-2

6 people per site

R42

R21

5

R175

1-2

6 people per site

R42

R21

29

R195

1-2

6 people per site

R42

R21

2

R215

1-2

2 single beds

n/a

n/a

Rondavel HK2N (self contained)

10

R245

1-2

2 single beds

n/a

n/a

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Vital Information

Climate

Nature has blessed Wilderness with a pleasant, temperate climate; it is unique in Africa as the only area in which rainfall occurs throughout the year. And, to cap it all, most of our rain falls at night! It's the ideal climate for a visit - at any time of the year!

Day visitors

The park is ideal for day visitors with various picnic sites at the Restcamp and at the lagoon.

Contact Information

For enquiries e-mail Wilderness National Park or phone us on the following numbers:

  • Tel +27 (0)44 877 1197
  • Fax +27 (0)44 877 0366.

Firearms

No firearms allowed

Official hours

  • No official office hours
  • Check-in - 12:00
  • Check-out - 09:00

Internal Road Network

The access road from the N2 is paved however the access from the northern camp is gravelled.

Tips & Hints

  • Pets are not allowed in a national park.
  • Remember to bring along a bathing suit, angling equipment, hat, sun block, walking shoes, binoculars, bird and mammal reference books. Hikers must always carry sufficient water.
  • Please note it is preferable to swim at Wilderness beach when a lifeguard is on duty.

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Birding in Wilderness National Park

The tidal nature of the Touw River adjacent the Ebb and Flow Rest Camp exposes mudbanks that host White-fronted Plover.

The series of lakes connected by the Touw River (Eilandvlei, Langvlei and Rondevlei) host a variety of aquatic species and is an internationally proclaimed Ramsar site.

Major concentrations of Great Crested and Black-necked Grebe are present on Rondevlei and Bo Langvlei.

Reed Cormorant,Grey and Purple Heron, Little Egret, African Spoonbill, Little Bittern and Red-knobbed Coot are prominent.

Wildfowl is prolific including Yellow-billed, Maccoa and White-backed Duck, Cape Shoveler , Southern Pochard and Cape , Red-billed and Hottentot Teal.

There is a hide at Rondevlei, from where careful scanning of the reeds could produce Purple Gallinule, African Rail, Black and Baillon’s Crake.

The Swartvlei Estuary immediately east of the Touw River lakes hosts many of the species listed above.

It is also a better venue for viewing waders. Caspian Tern and Kelp Gull are prominent.

The forested hillsides that surround the area are home to several raptors, including:
Cuckoo Hawk, Crowned Eagle, Forest Buz za rd, Black and Rufous-chested (Red-breasted) Sparrowhawk and African Goshawk.

Look for Red-necked Spurfowl along quiet roads with overgrown verges.

The park has several walking trails, several of which are named after kingfisher species and not without reason, as Brown-hooded, Malachite, Giant, Pied and Half-collared can all easily be seen.

(Compiled by Chris Patton)

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Mammals

Black rat Rattus rattus
Bushbuck Tragelaphus scriptus
Bushpig Potamochoerus porcus
Cape dune molerat Bathyergus suillus
Cape fur seal Arctocephalus pusillus
Cape grey mongoose Herpestes pulverulentus
Cape horseshoe bat Rhinolophus capensis
Cape porcupine Hystrix africaeaustralis
Cape serotine Eptesicus capensis
Caracal Felis caracal
Chestnut climbing mouse Dendromus mesomelas
Clawless otter Aonyx capensis
Common molerat Cryptomys hottentotus
Duthie's golden mole Chlorotalpa duthiae
Dwarf shrew Suncus etruscus
Forest shrew Mysorex variatus
Grysbok Raphicerus melanotis
Honey badger Mellivora capensis
Large grey mongoose Herpestes ichneumon
Large-spotted genet Genetta tigrina
Leopard Panthera paradus
Pygmy mouse Mus minutoides
Red musk shrew Crocidura flavescens
Rock dassie Procavia capensis
Scrub hare Lepus saxatilis
Southern elephant seal Mirounga leonina
Striped mouse Rhabdomys pumilio
Striped polecat Ictonyx striatus
Sub-Antarctic fur seal Arctocephalus tropicalis
Vervet monkey Cercopithecus pygerythrus
Vlei rat Otomys irroratus
Water mongoose Atilax paludinosus
White-naped weasel Poecilogale albinucha

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Vegetation

The vegetation of Wilderness National Park can be divided into three major components:
Terrestrial vegetation, which includes indigenous forests, plantations and coastal fynbos.

Three major zones of indigenous forest are:

  • Wet mountain forest – occurring in steep kloofs consisting of typical Afro-montain species plateau forest and - occurs on the coastal plateau and includes typical Afro-montain species dry forest – occurs predominantly in steeply insized plateau valleys and along the coast.
  • Large sections of indigenous forests remain particularly in the Karatara River, Duiwe River and Touw River. A small catchment of indigenous forest lies within the boundaries of the Wilderness National Park.
  • Large portions of the river catchments are under pine and eucalypt plantations, or are utilized as agricultural land.

Four types of fynbos found in the area include:

  • Short Asteraceae fynbos, occurring mainly on the seaward slopes of primary dunes and other slopes adjacent to the sea.
  • Tall fynbos – occurs primarily on more inland dunes and north facing slopes, consisting of fynbos shrubs and small patches of forest trees of the Kaffrarian ticket.
  • Passerina/annual herbs are restricted to land adjacent to the lakes and Serpentine channel. Passerina spp. Are dominant, with a large number of fynbos annual herbs recorded.
  • Restoid/grassy dunes are largely restricted to the Rondevlei area and consist mostly of true fynbos elements.

The latter is well represented in the Wilderness National Park, with the area between Rondevlei and Swartvlei Lake supporting this vegetation type.

Semi-aquatic flora

Semi-aquatic flora of low- lying areas adjacent to the lakes and channels, which is normally inundated at high water levels.

The most widespread semi-aquatic species include reeds (phragmites australis), sedges (Scirpus littoralis, scirpus nodosus and Cyperaceae generally) and bulrushes (Typha latifolia) with the rush juncus kraussii occupying a transitional zone between the semi-aquatic and terrestrial environments, which is inundated only during very high water levels.

Other semi-aquatic species on floodplain area include the grasses paspalum vaginatum and pennisetum clandestinum with the intertidal saltmarsh areas in Swartvlei being colonized predominantly by Sarcocornia natalensis, Salicornia meyerana, Triglochin striata, Cotula coronopifolia and Stenotphrum secundatum.

Aquatic plants of channels and lakes

One of the most striking features of the waterbodies of the Wilderness National Park is the presence of extensive tracts of submerged aquatic plants. These plants occur in monospecific and mixed stands, of which the most abundant and widespread include members of the family Characeae (Chara globuaris, Lamprothamnium papulosum), the “pondweed” (Potamogeton pectinatus), seagrass (Ruppia cirrhosa), and epiphytic algae.

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People with disabilities

Wheelchair Access

Ebb and Flow Restcamp (South) has one accessible chalet and one accessible forest hut. Most of the boardwalk along the Touw River can be accessed, although the access ramps are a bit perilous in parts. This allows a person to witness the tidal nature of the river at close quarters. A bird hide at Rondevlei can be accessed with difficulty (the pathway is a combination of sandy soil and thick grass).

(Please see additional information on Wheelchair Accessibility)

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