Two nights in Wilderness is enough to feel like you've been away for a week. It's about 15 km from George airport, with forest, lakes and a long, quiet beach all within minutes. The trick is to plan just a little and leave the rest open. Here's a relaxed weekend for two.
Friday: arrive and slow down
- Afternoon: Fly into George or drive in. Stop at the shops for anything you want for the braai, then head straight to your suite.
- Evening: Light the fire, open a bottle and get in the hot tub as the sun goes down. Don't plan anything else.
Saturday: market, viewpoint and the beach
- Morning: Drive about 15 minutes to the Wild Oats Community Farmers Market in Sedgefield, open on Saturdays from 8:00 to 12:00. Go early for coffee, fresh bread and local produce for later.
- Late morning: On the way back, stop at Dolphin Point on the N2, a roadside lookout where you can often spot dolphins, and sometimes whales.
- Afternoon: Walk the length of Wilderness Beach. It's wide, long and rarely crowded, even in season.
- Sunset: Drive up to the Map of Africa viewpoint, where the Kaaimans River bends into the shape of the continent. The last stretch is gravel but fine in a normal car. If you're feeling brave, tandem paragliders launch from here and glide down towards the ocean.
- Evening: Back to the suite. Cook outside with what you bought at the market.
Sunday: forest and water
- Morning: Walk one of the Kingfisher trails in the Wilderness section of the Garden Route National Park. The Half-Collared Kingfisher and Giant Kingfisher trails are popular and relatively easy, with forest, river and a waterfall. You can also canoe on the river.
- Alternative: If you'd rather swim, Victoria Bay is a small, sheltered cove about ten minutes away.
- Afternoon: One last soak before you leave, or stay another night. Most couples wish they had.
If you have a third day
- See the Woodville Big Tree, an Outeniqua yellowwood estimated at over 800 years old, on an easy 2 km loop.
- Browse the galleries and cafés at Timberlake Village, about 10 km away on the N2 towards Knysna.
Where to stay
Naughty by Nature is our private, adults-only suite in Wilderness, with its own hot tub, outdoor kitchen, boma and fire deck, and a guided couples' experience through your stay. It's made for exactly this kind of weekend: a little exploring, and a lot of not leaving.
Part of every stay: the guided couples’ experience.
Book your weekend at Naughty by Nature.
Book your weekend at Naughty by NatureFrequently asked questions
What is there to do in Wilderness for couples?
Walk the Kingfisher trails in the Garden Route National Park, watch the sunset at the Map of Africa viewpoint, spend a morning on Wilderness Beach, and visit the Saturday Wild Oats market in Sedgefield. Then let the evenings be about your suite.
How far is Wilderness from George airport?
Wilderness is about 15 km from George, so most couples are in their suite within half an hour of landing.
How many nights do we need in Wilderness?
Two nights is the minimum for a proper break. Three gives you a full day with nothing planned at all.
Opening times and access can change, so check before you go.
Source: 22places Wilderness travel guide