 In earlier times, this National Park consisted of the Wilderness National Park and Knysna Lakes Area National Park, due to the proximity and similarities they are now managed as one unit. The Knysna National Lake Area is now a home to the endangered Knysna seahorse and a large diversity of marine life. The salt marshes and Sandbanks teem with life and in turn provide food to a number of organisms.
The Lake Area experiences a temperate climate and visitors can revel in the warm summer sun. The Wilderness National Park, which is in the heart of South Africa's Garden Route, a charming world of Lake Rivers, fens, estuaries and beaches that gently unfolds against a backdrop of lush forest and lofty mountains, all elements that characterize the Wilderness National Park. Nature trails wind through densely wooded forest and along tranquil rivers, affording you the opportunity to encounter the brilliantly colored Knysna or one of the five kingfisher species that occur here. Spring is the best season to see the place, a carpet of flowers, enhancing the verdant beauty of this wetland national park.
The exceptionally beautiful Knysna National Lake Area is home to the Endangered Knysna seahorse, which clings on to plants with its tail and changes color to match its surroundings. The sandbanks and salt marshes of the lagoon and river mouth, teem with life and in turn provide food for an immeasurable number of organisms. Whales and dolphins are regular visitors along the entire Garden Route coastline. Elephants are an extinct and at present just one remains, an old grumpy one who roams the forests alone while the other elephants have been re-located to a Wild life reserve.
A growing number of private reserves along the Garden Route that have stocked up with game such as elephants, zebra, wildebeest, giraffe, buffalo - all of which were indigenous to the area once upon a time. Many of the woodland birds are surprisingly colorful birds including red-billed wood-hoopoe, Knysna woodpecker, paradise flycatcher, Knysna Loerie lesser double-collared sunbird and near the lakeside you may see the fish eagles, cormorants, kingfishers, blacksmith plovers and geese.
Some of the Recommended Accommodation options:
Wilderness Lagoon: Nestled between hills of Wilderness and offers old-fashioned hospitality that is found in South Africa. ***
Slanting Acres. Situated above the famous Wilderness Coast it boasts of a magnificent forest mountain views and sea. Delicious farm-styled breakfast and solar heated pool. ***
Fairy Knowe Hotel: Nestled on the scenic Garden Route and only 20 minutes from George Airport a central place to all tourist attractions. An ideal place for families.***
Hildesheim Guest House: With breath taking views this beautiful hotel situated at Hoekwil close to Wilderness offers luxury bed and breakfast and two self catering cottages****
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