Experience The Wilderness Next Vacation

By Lloyd Leach


Attention, holiday planners. It may be time to experience the Wilderness, as in the town on South Africa's Cape. This is the place for seeing nature up close without having to trek into a remote area, sleep in a tent in Grizzly Bear country, or give up activities that make vacations fun as well as memorable.

This small town in South Africa, among the most beautiful of countries, has welcomed visitors since the late 1800s. It lies in the foothills of the Outeniqua Mountains, with the ocean before it and the forest behind. Visitors can enjoy the ocean or the quieter waters of lagoons, rivers, and lakes. The extensive beaches are glorious stretches of white sand.

People also hike into the forest to catch a glimpse of exotic animals or ascend to the heights to watch for whales and dolphins. There are mountain biking trails, and hang and paragliding are popular. A guided walk through the Garden Route Botanical Garden is a good way to learn about the unique flora and fauna of this small and fragile ecosystem. The Pied Kingfisher Trail is designed to maximize opportunities for bird watching. This spot is known as a photographer's paradise.

The area is largely protected today, with managed timbering of its forests and protection for the many birds and animals that make their home here. From Blue duikers to chameleons, the forest teems with life. (It's hoped that some elephants may still be surviving in the forest, although they may be gone.) But whales and dolphins play off-shore, water and land birds can be seen from the boardwalk that makes up part of the Pied Kingfisher Trail, and plants such as many varieties of fynbos make every nook and cranny gorgeous.

A mild climate helps the flora and fauna flourish and makes things pleasant year round. Average temperatures range from 10 degrees to 28 degrees Celsiuis. That's about 50 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit. There's ample rain to keep everything lush but lots of sun, too.

The town exists to give tourists a memorable experience, one which will make them want to return again and again. It also hopes to raise awareness about the value of the ecosystem of the area and the need to preserve it. The sheltered nature of the Southern Cape makes even the ocean peaceful. The natural beauty and diversity of flora and fauna await visitors on every turn.

This resort town has annual events. However, they are not the usual tourist attractions like carnivals or Taste of the Town community-wide festivals. Here, people eagerly await the April plant sale and the fall Wildflower Show. Many species of whale can be seen off the coast from June to November. People go to Dolphin's Point and other high overlooks to spot whales and dolphins.

Go online to learn more about this little bit of paradise at the tip of the African continent. It all started with a stone boardinghouse in the late 1800s. Today the Wilderness is still noted for its hospitality and its unique beauty. For an unforgettable glimpse of Africa's Afromontane area, visit this quiet, beautiful, and important natural treasure.




About the Author:



Popular Posts