This town was only about half an hour away from Knysna but had a completely different feel yet again. It’s quite small and on the ocean with a river running through it so water sports abound. It’s also surrounded by national park, which means great hiking.

Garden in front of our little apartment

We found this amazing B&B that was right on the river with free canoes and paddleboats and the kids could swim off the dock. There weren’t many rooms and we had a little private cottage with it’s own walled terrace. Everything had thatched roof and stone walls and the décor was Egyptian/South African. I loved the claw foot tub with chandelier over it in the bathroom and chandeliers hanging from rafters. The staff members were very friendly and booked our restaurants and helped suggest hikes and places to go. Breakfast on the terrace overlooking the river was lovely with full English including big pot of teach and coffee. I could have stayed there much longer as it was so relaxing.

 

 

 

Moontide Guest Lodge: http://moontide.co.za/

The restaurants in town were excellent as well. We ate one night overlooking the ocean and the next at a more local spot that only did steaks, chips and salad. Those were some of the best chips (French fries) I’ve ever had and the steaks were pretty darn good too! We also had Italian with outstanding wood grilled pizzas. Helps too that the wine to wash all this down is so darn cheap. Seriously cheap at about $1.50 a glass in restaurants and rarely would you find an entire bottle above $10 in a restaurant. Grocery stores they are about $3-$6 for good South African wine.

 

We did need to work some of this food and drink off so had a long hike in the national park. It was pretty hot going but the trails were well marked and maintained and mostly quite easy to maneuver up and down. We had to cross the river in one place and there was a pontoon boat that you stood on and pulled on the ropes to get back and forth. Quite hard work going across until I realized that being in the front, I was the one doing all the pulling! Coming back we put Charlotte up in front.

 

There was a lot to do in Wilderness considering it’s a small town. Very well located to reach other places too and would be a great base for the Garden Route.