We are now at Wild Farm backpackers in the hills behind the small town called Wilderness. Wilderness is smack in the middle of the famous "Garden Route". The Garden Route is a narrow 200 km coastal stretch roughly between Mossel Bay and Storms River Mouth. It is a scenic, green and peaceful area with lovely beaches, bays and hills perfect for hiking, camping and enjoying the great outdoors.
Wild Farm is highly recommended. It's position up in the hills makes it more difficult to access but the peace, the quiet and the views make the effort worth it. The staff were great too.
We had 3 nights there so two full days to explore. On the first day we hired bikes and cycled from Wilderness along past the lakes. We locked up the bikes and did a lovely little 3 hour hike called "The Brown Hooded Kingfisher Trail". This was uphill following a small river to a waterfall. The scenery was outstanding and involved stepping stone crossings.
Later we decided to cycle up to The Big Tree but because of time and maybe energy we only got to the Afrikan village of Hoekwill for a late lunch. The Post Office café claimed they made the best cheese cake in SA - so we had to give it a try - ha! Hoekwill and the surrounds were picture postcard manicured perfect. Big houses with big lawns and verandahs and sun loungers and big dogs and big expensive cars. There was something about it that I didn't like. More about my views on Afrikans later.
Anyway we descended back down the long hills we had previously climbed in double quick time. We sat outside in Wilderness having a beer and people watched. Wilderness is an up market white residential area - many second homes apparently. Just about everyone seems to drive big expensive 4 x 4's. I think this is the old SA.
On the second day we did a much longer hike called Half Collared Kingfisher Trail. It was great and highly recommended. It was Easter so quite a few people around but it was rarely obtrusive. The walk objective is again to visit a bit waterfall. It was lovely - with swimming possible. Rob went in. Well done him.
A late lunch and an hours doze on a wide sandy beach - this time my turn for a quick dip in the turbulent and cold Indian Ocean. Later we went to see "the Map of Africa". This is a view point. A beauty spot. The river path outlines the shape of Africa. Slightly along the road there is a launch field for hang gliders. The view here of the Garden Route coast is exceptional.
We really enjoyed Wilderness. It is a gentle calm area. It is not as wild or remote as much of the Wild Coast but it was worth a visit - definitely.
Wild Farm is highly recommended. It's position up in the hills makes it more difficult to access but the peace, the quiet and the views make the effort worth it. The staff were great too.
We had 3 nights there so two full days to explore. On the first day we hired bikes and cycled from Wilderness along past the lakes. We locked up the bikes and did a lovely little 3 hour hike called "The Brown Hooded Kingfisher Trail". This was uphill following a small river to a waterfall. The scenery was outstanding and involved stepping stone crossings.
Later we decided to cycle up to The Big Tree but because of time and maybe energy we only got to the Afrikan village of Hoekwill for a late lunch. The Post Office café claimed they made the best cheese cake in SA - so we had to give it a try - ha! Hoekwill and the surrounds were picture postcard manicured perfect. Big houses with big lawns and verandahs and sun loungers and big dogs and big expensive cars. There was something about it that I didn't like. More about my views on Afrikans later.
Anyway we descended back down the long hills we had previously climbed in double quick time. We sat outside in Wilderness having a beer and people watched. Wilderness is an up market white residential area - many second homes apparently. Just about everyone seems to drive big expensive 4 x 4's. I think this is the old SA.
On the second day we did a much longer hike called Half Collared Kingfisher Trail. It was great and highly recommended. It was Easter so quite a few people around but it was rarely obtrusive. The walk objective is again to visit a bit waterfall. It was lovely - with swimming possible. Rob went in. Well done him.
A late lunch and an hours doze on a wide sandy beach - this time my turn for a quick dip in the turbulent and cold Indian Ocean. Later we went to see "the Map of Africa". This is a view point. A beauty spot. The river path outlines the shape of Africa. Slightly along the road there is a launch field for hang gliders. The view here of the Garden Route coast is exceptional.
We really enjoyed Wilderness. It is a gentle calm area. It is not as wild or remote as much of the Wild Coast but it was worth a visit - definitely.
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| the Three Tenners hire bikes |
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| Deadly spiders - ha! |
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| Walk scenes |
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| South Africa's best cheese cake. Not quite for us - needed a more crunchy base and made a bit firmer (yours gets my vote Rich!) |
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| At the falls |
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| Rob in position with his camera |
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| Bruvs breathing in! |
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| Rob and a great view |
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| Map of Africa |
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| Haul ourselves across the stream |
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| Schoolboys! |
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| They kill non native eucalyptus |
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| Add caption |
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| Lovely walk views |
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