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Wilderness |
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 Wilderness
is a beautiful town nestled between thickly forested hills and cliffs on
the one side and a system of spectacular waterways, lakes, and lagoons
along the coast. In the centre of the Wilderness National Park there
is a rest camp that hires out paddleboats, row-boats, and canoes. At the
camp a shop is available.
The town itself is situated at the mouth of the Touws River, where
hippo's once used to play in the mud-holes. Wilderness is a very popular
holiday resort and caters for every kind of tourist.
Hikers wont be disappointed by the 10-kilometer(6 mile) Pied Kingfisher
trail which covers the river, marshes and lagoon. While hiking you will
be able to see five of the ten kingfisher species of South Africa. For
the bird-watchers there are two hides available in Upper-Langvlei and
Rondevlei, which are located in the wilderness wetland marshes and draws
birds from all over the country.
The wilderness lakes provide excellent opportunities for watersports
like swimming, sailing, and waterskiing.
Canoeists can explore the lagoon and channels. Surfers will enjoy
the excellent waves and fishermen wont be disappointed by the ample
fishing opportunities.
Over the years Wilderness has become a popular honeymoon
destination. According to legend when George Bennet of Cape Town
wanted to get married, his bride said yes on the condition that they
live in Wilderness. He bought the whole area in 1877 for 500 english
pounds and had to struggle to clear away some the forest just so that he
could build a house. A real wilderness. |
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