National park · South Africa
Wilderness National Park
Enter Wilderness National Park: pay the entry fee (R check), drive 10 km (6.2 mi) from Wilderness village, hike the River Trail (2 h) in spring or early autumn to avoid crowds.Enter Wilderness National Park: pay the entry fee (R check), drive 6.2 mi (10 km) from Wilderness village, hike the River Trail (2 h) in spring or early autumn to avoid crowds.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
100 km² (39 sq mi)39 sq mi (100 km²)
approximate
Established
2000
Best months
Mar–May, Oct–Nov
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 8Nine African countries on this site have no trip line bec…Across the subregion, plan every road leg to arrive befor…
- Africa ↗When a route touches a yellow-fever country — even a transit of 12 hours or more — keep the original yellow card (ICVP) in your hand luggage; health desks and airlines can refuse boarding or entry without it.
- Africa ↗Nine African countries on this site have no trip line because governments advise against travel; several others have no-go regions. Read your government's advice for every country on the route before paying deposits.
- Southern Africa ↗A rental car may leave its home country only with the rental company's cross-border letter, the registration papers and paid road taxes at each post; driving into Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique or Angola without them ends at the border.
- Southern Africa ↗Across the subregion, plan every road leg to arrive before sunset: livestock, wildlife, pedestrians and unlit trucks make night driving the main cause of serious visitor accidents.
- South Africa ↗Check visa and entry rules for your passport with the Department of Home Affairs or a South African mission before booking; exemptions depend on nationality, and the new Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) is optional for most visa-exempt visitors in 2026.
- South Africa ↗Travelling with children: accompanied foreign children no longer need a birth certificate, but unaccompanied minors, South African children and some passports that omit parents' names still do; check with Home Affairs and your airline before you fly.
- South Africa ↗Driving is on the left. If your licence is not in English or has no photo, get an International Driving Permit before you travel; rental companies also check it.
- South Africa ↗National park gates open and close at fixed times; you must be inside your camp before the gate closes, and speed limits in parks are enforced.
At a glance
- Country
- South Africa
- Area
- 100 km² (39 sq mi)39 sq mi (100 km²)
- Approximate area 100 km²; official DOC source needed for exact figure (check).
- Established
- 2000
- Best months
- Mar–May, Oct–Nov
- Permits
- For some areas
Wilderness National Park protects a coastal forest and river valley on the Garden Route, offering river‑side walks, forest cabins and adventure activities such as canoeing and kloofing.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 2000.
Size and age
100 km² (39 sq mi)39 sq mi (100 km²) · national park since 2000
Approximate area 100 km²; official DOC source needed for exact figure (check).
Why go
- Coastal forest and river scenery.
- Varied hikes from easy walks to moderate climbs.
- Opportunities for canoeing and kloofing.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarBest
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunGo
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepGo
- OctBest
- NovBest
- DecGo
- JanMild, low crowd
- FebMild, low crowd
- MarSpring flowers, good weather
- AprDry, warm, ideal for hikes
- MayDry, warm, low rain
- JunWarm, occasional rain
- JulCooler, more rain
- AugCool, rain possible
- SepSpring, improving weather
- OctDry, warm, ideal for hiking
- NovDry, warm, low crowd
- DecMild, low crowd
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Birds of the fynbos forestOct–Mar · Check local birding lists for species. | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From George (Garden Route)
Drive south on N2, turn left at Wilderness village signs to park gate.
30–45 min
From Knysna
Drive north on N2, exit at Wilderness, follow signs to gate.
1–1.5 h
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Main gate & visitor centre | Entry point, information desk, map and basic facilities. | Open daily, ticket required. |
| River Trail area | Scenic trail along the Touws River, suitable for easy walks. | Open with entry ticket. |
| Canoe & kloofing base (Eden Adventures) | Adventure operators offering water activities. | Pay per activity. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates from park centre; approximate for orientation.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry fee | Free | person | Check official DOC site for current rate |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Park rules
- Pets
- Dogs not allowed on trails without leash; check at gate.
- Camping
- Only in designated camps; no wild camping.
- Fire
- Open fires prohibited; use provided braais where available.
Where to stay
Near the park
Ebb & Flow South Camp
Camping sites with power points (R195–R220) and forest cabins (R460–R905).
Near the park
Ebb & Flow North Camp
Camping with power (R140–R220) and rondavels (R240–R280).
Safety
River currents medium
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Main gate reachable by car; short, level paths to river trail.
Visiting lightly
- Stay in park‑run camps to support conservation.
- Use refillable water bottles; no single‑use plastics.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Wilderness National Park?
Entry fee is set by the Department of Environment; check the latest rate on the official DOC website (usually around R50–R100 per adult).
What are the best hikes in Wilderness National Park?
River Trail (easy, 2 h) and the moderate Kloofing route via Eden Adventures are popular; both start from the main gate.
When is the best time to visit Wilderness National Park?
Spring (Sep–Nov) and autumn (Apr–May) offer mild weather and fewer crowds; October–April are generally dry and ideal for hiking.
Can I camp anywhere in the park?
Camping is only allowed in designated camps such as Ebb & Flow; wild camping is prohibited.
Is there accommodation inside the park?
Yes – forest cabins and cottages are available at Ebb & Flow camps, with rates from R460 to R905 per night.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Wilderness National Park
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