Wilderness is a seaside town on the Garden Route of the southern Cape in South Africa. It is situated a short distance to the east from the city of George, on the N2 down the Kaaiman’s River area.
In 1968, the protection of the lakes in the Wilderness area was started through the identification of 450 hectares around the river mouth, including the two lakes as well as the Duiwerivier Kloof. The Wilderness National Park itself was proclaimed in 1987, after being under the control of the Lake Areas Development Board until 1985, whereafter the National Parks Board took over.
In 2008, the Wilderness National Park joined the Garden Route National Park. Wilderness has yielded significant palaeoclimatological data on the prehistoric climate of South Africa. Sediment core data from the nearby coastal lake Eilandvlei indicate higher aridity relative to the present day during the intervals spanning ~8,900-7,900 years BP and ~6,400-3,000 years BP, whereas the interval from 7,900 to 6,400 years BP was relatively moist and similar to the present.
Wilderness National Park, also called the Wilderness Section, is located around the seaside town of Wilderness between the larger towns of George and Knysna, in the Western Cape. It is a protected area of South Africa forming part of the Garden Route National Park.
This natural area stretches from the Touws River mouth to the Eilandvlei estuary and linking into the Swartvlei lake, where it neighbours with the Goukamma Nature Reserve. The wildlife in this natural area is varied, and includes the Knysna seahorse, pansy shell, pied kingfisher, Knysna lourie, grey heron, and little egret.
This park protects three major zones of indigenous forest, four types of fynbos (wild shrubs), plus various lakes and winding waterways. There are also a number of interesting historical sites include the Woodville Big Tree (believed to be over 800 years old) and Goudveld (an old mining town in the forest).
The Touws River connects a series of three lakes: Eilandvlei, Langvlei and Rondevlei, which host a variety of aquatic species and have been designated as a Ramsar site (wetlands of international importance).
Sports within the park include canoeing or bicycling, abseiling, kloofing, paragliding, boating, fishing and hiking.
Wilderness is a town in South Africa’s Western Cape Province, on a coastal stretch known as the Garden Route. It’s home to wide beaches and trails.
Hoekwil is a town in Garden Route District Municipality in the Western Cape province of South Africa. It is a mountain-top village connected to the coastal village of Wilderness, _South_Africa via the Hoekwil Pass, a well-designed, tarred road that serves both the village of Hoekwil and local forestry areas and farms.
The Map of Africa, a hilltop lookout point, has views of the Indian Ocean, the Outeniqua Mountains and the Kaaimans River. Nearby Wilderness Natural Park, part of the sprawling Garden Route National Park, is a habitat for wildlife including leopards, monkeys and eagles.
Hoekwil is a beautiful village located just inland of Wilderness on the Garden Route of the Western Cape.
This beautiful village surrounded by the local farming community lays in the crook of the Touws River. The village is perched above the coastline offering beautiful scenery of the ocean, lakes and Outeniqua Mountain range. The delightful village offers peace and quiet, a variety of accommodation, great restaurants, general stores, a post office and the local church towers over the village.
One can visit the “Big Tree” at Woodville Hiking Trail, this Outeniqua Yellowwood tree thought to be as old as 850 years in age. ..Travel the Seven Passes, though the Afromantane Forests and Farm Lands leaving one with breathless magnificence.
Other activities around Hoekwil:
- Forest Walks – Woodville Big Tree,
- Guided Forest & Birding Walks
- Paragliding in Season
- Local day tours on offer
- Wilderness Beach
- SANParks Ebb and Flow camp – canoeing and walking
Drive or cycle the Hoekwil Pass which is a short, steep pass connecting the mountain-top village with the coastal village of Wilderness. The road carries a fair amount of traffic and services both the village of Hoekwil, as well as local forestry areas and farms. Views from the pass are quite spectacular. Cyclists need to take care on this route as there is no safety shoulder.
Thanks to @Travelbug Rose for this beautiful photo