The Garden Route

There is not another place in the world like the Garden Route. A temperate Mediterranean climate, small coastal villages, fashionable seaside resorts, untamed nature reserves, mountains, lakes, lagoons, rivers, forests and miles of pristine beaches all combine to make the Garden Route one of the most popular areas in South Africa.

The Wilderness – Jewel of the Garden Route
Washed by the warm waves of the Indian Ocean, set against the glory of the Outeniqua Mountains and surrounded by the evergreen forests and lakes, lagoons and beaches of The Wilderness National Park, a tiny village called The Wilderness lies at the heart of the Garden Route. Small and unspoiled, The Wilderness is a haven of tranquillity. People come here on holiday year after year, while those who are lucky enough to live here have the joy of waking up in God’s Garden every day. The Wilderness community is hospitable and welcoming, a place where old and young alike live in a safe and friendly environment. Properties in this area are highly sought after and often difficult to come by and The Wilderness offers brilliant investment opportunities for the discerning buyer.

One of the great appeals of the Garden Route is its climate, which ensures year-round enjoyment of all that this magnificent area has to offer. Indeed, a study conducted at Stellenbosch University found the Garden Route to have the most temperate climate in Africa.

Situated halfway along the Garden Route, The Wilderness is perfectly positioned to allow easy access to the myriad attractions and activities that make the Garden Route such an exceptional place.

Deep sea fishing, line fishing from the beach, canoeing, boating, leisure cruises and skiing - the Garden Route is a paradise for water sports. The small coastal villages of Victoria Bay, Jeffreys Bay and Herolds Bay are renowned as being among the world’s best surf spots.

For those who wish to unwind away from the stresses of city life, there are gentler pursuits. The secluded beaches and invitingly warm waters of the Indian Ocean make swimming at the beaches along the Garden Route a delight. The ocean is home to Bryde's whales, Southern Right and Humpback Whales and even the occasional Orca. Pods of Bottlenose Dolphins flash through the sparkling blue waters, and the rare Indo-Pacific Humpback Dolphin has been known to make an appearance too.

The untamed beauty of the Wilderness Nature Reserve begs to be explored on long rambling walks or invigorating hikes. Many people choose to explore the reserve on horseback, or to take a gentle bike ride along the trails in the forest.

This ecologically unique landscape is a haven for bird watchers seeking a glimpse of the brilliantly coloured Knysna Loerie, or the Kingfishers indigenous to the area. The peaceful dark waters of the Swartvlei lake system form a large meandering S-bend feeding into the Sedgefield Lagoon as they wend their way to the sea. The lagoon provides a rich feeding ground for countless species of birds, a high number of which belong to the list of endangered species.

While driving along the Garden Route is pure motoring pleasure, there is a more relaxing way to soak in the beauty of the scenery. The famous steam train, the Outeniqua Choo Tjoe, chugs daily between George and Knysna, over the Kaaiman's River viaduct, offering panoramic views of Victoria Bay, Wilderness, Sedgefield and Knysna. The only daily steam train in operation in South Africa, the narrow gauge Outeniqua Choo-Tjoe is one of the five remaining steam services left in the world.

There are wonderful restaurants in Wilderness and further along the Garden Route, offering superb seafood, steak and vegetarian food. The taste experience ranges from the traditional to the exotic, and Knysna oysters, traditional Cape Malay curries or ostrich steaks are among the local delicacies on the menus.

Golfing enthusiasts from around the world rate the Garden Route as a top international golfing destination. Many of South Africa's best and most beautiful courses are situated on the Garden Route. Fancourt, home to the President's Cup 2003, is one of the many golf courses that make the Garden Route a golfer's dream come true.

Situated halfway between Cape Town and Port Elizabeth on the N2 national road, the Garden Route has a well-developed infrastructure, a flourishing business sector, first-rate health care, excellent schools and top class sports and entertainment facilities.

The Wilderness is a mere 15km drive from George, the economic heart of the Garden Route. The sixth oldest town in South Africa, George is home to banks, businesses, major shopping chains, schools, conference centres, transport, medical and sporting facilities. The George airport connects business people to all main centres in South Africa and the superb South African road and rail system link to the Karoo hinterland and beyond. The Lamprecht Medi-Clinic and the Geneva Medi-Clinic in George offer a wide range of specialised medical services and there is no need to travel further afield to receive medical attention. There are excellent government and private schools throughout the Garden Route, catering to the needs of the pre-primary, primary and secondary school child.

There are few places in the world which offer as much as The Wilderness does. It is a magical place to visit, and, simply put, an even more magical place to live.