A Travel Guide: Wilderness, South Africa - My favourite places

Wilderness is a magical coastal town on the Garden Route in the Western Cape of South Africa. Dale and I travelled there for the first time in December 2012 and again in December 2014 because we loved it that much (and it certainly won't be the last time we visit). 

Wilderness, South Africa

If you hate pristine beaches, beautiful hikes, friendly locals and waking up to a breathtaking ocean view everyday, then stop. reading. now. 

This is my list of 5 things to do in Wilderness, South Africa: 

1. Stay at the Dolphin Dunes Guesthouse. 

I actually can't believe I am sharing this secret with anyone. This is probably my favourite place in the world. Dolphin Dunes Guesthouse is a beautiful wooden guesthouse right on the beach, owned by the sweetest couple who will make you feel right at home. I am incredibly accident prone: the second time we stayed at Dolphin Dunes, I dropped an entire bottle of red wine as I walked in the door. I was mortified, but the owners were so kind about it and insisted I didn't worry about it. They remembered us from our first stay, and as always were so willing to offer advice about where to eat and visit.
 Everyday Dale and I would wake up and see dolphins playing on the waves in the distance. 

View from our room at Dolphin Dunes 

2. Take a hike on the old train tracks. 

Dale and I heard from some friends who are lucky enough to have a place down in Wilderness that there is a lesser known hike along disused train tracks. It was something we did not  know about the first time we visited Wilderness! 

The second time we went we made sure we didn't miss out and it ended up being one of my highlights of the trip. You can hike from Wilderness to Victoria Bay. I really felt like an adventurer as we walked over bridges and through tunnels.

A photo of Dale in a tunnel on the train track in Wilderness

There is also a secret cave that you will pass on this hike. A man lives there and he has decorated it with shells and created furniture out of driftwood. It is quite extraordinary. I did some research (because I was just too shy to ask the man who lives there for a tour) and apparently the cave is a temporary shelter for the homeless. You can read all about it here. 

The shells that decorate the cave

3. Go on a picnic

Dale and I ordered a picnic basket from The Wilderness Picnic Company. It was packed with yummy treats like little quiches, cheeses, fresh ciabatta, asian coleslaw, potato salad, seed bread, hummus and to-die-for chocolate brownies. We washed it down with a bottle of dark red wine. There are plenty of amazing picnic spots in and around Wilderness, but Dale and I decided to head up the hill near the look out point called The Map of Africa. The views of Wilderness are stunning, and it is the perfect romantic picnic spot. 

Our picnic basket and the stunning view from our picnic spot

4. Have dinner at Salina's Beach Restaurant

Salina's Beach Restaurant, is as it's name implies right on the beach. Dale and I booked a table on the upper deck so that we could order cocktails and watch the sun go down. After dinner (and a few more cocktails later), we took a night time stroll along the beach back to the guesthouse. 


5.  Have drinks at Cocomo

Cocomo has hands down the best jam jars and best drink specials by far! I love the vibey atmostphere especially the live music. 

This is certainly not an exhaustive list as there are so many things to do in Wilderness and along the beautiful Garden Route . 

Have you been to Wilderness? 
xxx