Wilderness is where the Garden Route earns its name — a stretch of coast where forest meets beach and a chain of lakes and rivers runs behind the dunes. The SANParks Ebb & Flow rest camps have caravan stands right on the Touw River, and you can canoe from your campsite to a waterfall. The beach is a long, wide curve of sand. The town has good restaurants and shops. It's about 4.5 hours from Cape Town on the N2, and it's the kind of place where you plan to stay 3 nights and end up staying a week.
The Wilderness area is defined by water — the Touw River, Island Lake, Langvlei, Rondevlei, and Swartvlei connected by channels you can paddle. The Ebb & Flow North camp is on the river and has canoe rentals. The Half-collared Kingfisher Trail (8km, 3-4 hours) follows the river through indigenous forest to a waterfall. The beach is gorgeous and usually quiet. The Map of Africa viewpoint above town gives you a perspective on the whole area. Dolphins Hill has paragliding. Wilderness is also a birding hotspot — the Knysna Loerie is the icon, but African Fish Eagle, kingfishers, and herons are everywhere.

Cape Town
R150/day

Wellington
R650/day

Ceres
R775/day

Brackenfell
R1050/day

Robertson
R1150/day

Cape Town
R2013/day

Brackenfell
R360/day

Paarl
R1850/day

Strand
R700/day

Cape Town
R950/day

Cape Winelands District Municipality
R945/day

Cape Town
R1100/day
Yes. Ebb & Flow North and South rest camps have caravan stands with power. North is on the river (more scenic). South is closer to the village. Book through SANParks.
Yes — it's one of the best things about Wilderness. Paddle up the Touw River from Ebb & Flow camp through forest to a waterfall. Canoes can be rented at the camp.
About 430km — roughly 4.5 hours on the N2. From George (the nearest airport) it's only 15 minutes.
Excellent. Safe beach, river activities, easy hikes, and the caravan parks are well-maintained. Kids love the canoeing and the rockpools. It's one of the most family-friendly stops on the Garden Route.