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AfricaSouth AfricaWestern Cape

Wilderness

Western Cape, South Africa · Africa

About Wilderness

Wilderness is worth a stop: 20 minutes from George, 11km from Garden Route.

Wilderness is a town located in Western Cape, South Africa. With a population of 7,385, it is an important destination in Africa.

On a road trip, Wilderness sits in South Africa, where you drive on the left. It's in the Africa/Johannesburg time zone. Below you'll find where to stay, things to do nearby, and everything you need to add Wilderness to your route.

About Wilderness

Wilderness is a seaside town on the Garden Route of the southern Cape in South Africa. It is situated a short distance to the east from the city of George, on the N2 down the Kaaiman's River Pass. The area around Wilderness has yielded significant palaeoclimatological data on the prehistoric climate of South Africa.

Read more Sediment core data from the nearby coastal lake Eilandvlei indicate higher aridity relative to the present day during the intervals spanning ~8,900-7,900 years BP and ~6,400-3,000 years BP, whereas the interval from 7,900 to 6,400 years BP was relatively moist and similar to the present day. The town is also known for having been both the retirement and death place of P. W. Botha, who served as Prime Minister of South Africa from 1978 to 1984 and as the first executive State President of South Africa from 1984 until his resignation in 1989.

Read more on Wikipedia

Where to Stay in Wilderness

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best things to do in Wilderness?

Wilderness offers many attractions including tourist sites, museums, parks, and local restaurants. Explore famous landmarks, scenic roads, and natural wonders on our interactive map and plan your visit.

How do I plan a road trip to Wilderness?

Plan your road trip to Wilderness with Plan Your Road Trips! Add Wilderness as a destination, and we'll help you find the best route and discover more amazing places along the way.

Where is Wilderness located?

Wilderness is located in Western Cape, South Africa, Africa. The coordinates are -33.9939 latitude, 22.5757 longitude.

What is the population of Wilderness?

Wilderness has a population of approximately 7,385 people, making it a town in South Africa.

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Quick Information

Population
7,385
Continent
Africa
Country
South Africa
Region
Western Cape
Timezone
Africa/Johannesburg
Coordinates
-33.9939, 22.5757

Emergency & Services

Essential numbers in South Africa

Police
10111
Ambulance
10177
Fire
10177
All emergencies
112
Driving side
left

112 works from mobiles. Avoid driving at night in rural areas; keep doors locked in cities.

Full driving guide for South Africa

Tags

AfricaSouth AfricaWestern CapeTown

Worth the detour from Wilderness

4 notable places within an hour's drive.

coastal drive

Garden Route

A 300-kilometer stretch along South Africa's southeastern coast through forests, lagoons, and charming seaside towns.

11 km · about 20 min drive

historic highway

Montagu Pass

An 1848 gravel pass over the Outeniqua Mountains, hand-built with dry-stone retaining walls that still stand, running parallel to the modern N9. Declared a national monument, it is drivable in a normal car in dry weather.

18 km · about 20 min drive

mountain pass

Outeniqua Pass

The modern N9 climb from George to the Little Karoo, opened in 1951, with wide sweeping curves and a summit lay-by looking back over the Garden Route coast to the Indian Ocean. Often shrouded in fast-moving cloud.

20 km · about 25 min drive

historic highway

Prince Alfred's Pass

South Africa's longest historic pass, 68 km of largely gravel road built by Thomas Bain through indigenous Knysna forest and the Langkloof mountains. A slow, wild alternative to the N2, with a remote bar roughly halfway along.

57 km · about 65 min drive

Driving roads near Wilderness

  • Right hereGarden RouteA 300-kilometer stretch along South Africa's southeastern coast through forests, lagoons, and charming seaside towns.
  • 18 kmMontagu PassAn 1848 gravel pass over the Outeniqua Mountains, hand-built with dry-stone retaining walls that still stand, running parallel to the modern N9. Declared a national monument, it is drivable in a normal car in dry weather.
  • 20 kmOuteniqua PassThe modern N9 climb from George to the Little Karoo, opened in 1951, with wide sweeping curves and a summit lay-by looking back over the Garden Route coast to the Indian Ocean. Often shrouded in fast-moving cloud.
  • 57 kmPrince Alfred's PassSouth Africa's longest historic pass, 68 km of largely gravel road built by Thomas Bain through indigenous Knysna forest and the Langkloof mountains. A slow, wild alternative to the N2, with a remote bar roughly halfway along.

Nearby Destinations

Other places to explore near Wilderness.

George

🇿🇦 South Africa

11 km awayPop. 188,580

Herolds Bay

🇿🇦 South Africa

18 km awayPop. 1,268

Sedgefield

🇿🇦 South Africa

21 km awayPop. 10,069

Groot-Brakrivier

🇿🇦 South Africa

33 km awayPop. 18,008

Rheenendal

🇿🇦 South Africa

35 km awayPop. 4,715

Friemersheim

🇿🇦 South Africa

40 km awayPop. 1,479

Knysna

🇿🇦 South Africa

44 km awayPop. 68,659

Mossel Bay

🇿🇦 South Africa

45 km awayPop. 78,940

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Data sources:GeoNames (CC BY 4.0)•Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA)•Mapbox•Photography: George Lawrence