Ebb and Flow Rest Camp: Our full report
Knysna National Lake Area, Tsitsikamma National Park and Wilderness National Park have now merged to form ...
... the Garden Route National Park. However for the moment they will be treated separately on this website.Situated among the winding rivers, beautiful beaches, peaceful lakes, dense forests and majestic mountains of the Garden Route, Wilderness National Park is bordered by the Touw River and the Swartvlei Estuary. Spring is a lovely time to visit, when blooming flowers around the lake add a splash of colour and make the park look even prettier.
There are many activities available in Wilderness National Park. Nature trails wind through the forests and can be used to spot the brightly coloured Knysna lourie or one of the five kingfisher species that live in this area. The beautiful Island Lake, connected to the Touw River by The Serpentine, is a great place for watersports such as boating, canoeing, rowing, fishing and waterskiing. You can view whales and dolphins from Dolphin Point, relax on the beach, or, for the more adventurous you can take in an aerial view of the park as you go hang gliding or paragliding. There are hikes to the waterfall above Ebb and Flow Rest Camp, kloofing and abseiling are available and there is a bird hide which allows you to get a closer view of the birdlife in the area. The park's communal area offers DStv, table tennis and volleyball.
Where to stay in Wilderness National Park
There are two rest camps in Wilderness National Park – Ebb and Flow Rest Camp South and Ebb and Flow Rest Camp North. Both of these camps also have the option of camping in a tent or a caravan at campsites by the Touw River.
Ebb and Flow Rest Camp South
This camp consists of family cottages for four guests with two bedrooms, one bathroom with a bath and an open-plan partially-equipped kitchen. Log cottages on wooden stilts for four guests are also available. These have two bedrooms, one bathroom with a bath and a shower, and an open-plan partially-equipped kitchen but with all the essential cutlery and crockery you should need during your stay. Forest cabins with either two beds or four beds also have a partially-equipped kitchen and a communal kitchen. Microwaves are available for hire from reception.Ebb and Flow Rest Camp North
This camp consists of two round African huts with thatched roofs that sleep two. Each of these has their own bathroom with a shower and basic kitchen equipment is provided. One of these also has a communal washing area. This accommodation is low cost and very basic.Our view
The little seaside town of Wilderness is filled with holiday homes, guest houses and a small handful of larger hotels, but we love the quiet and remote setting of Ebb and Flow Rest Camp. We've stayed in the log cottages on stilts and thoroughly enjoyed our stay. The cottages have everything you'll need for a short self-catering stay, they're serviced daily and provided bedding, towels and even soap! It's just a short 5-minute drive to the nearest shop where you can stock up on supplies, then BBQ along the banks of the Touw River.
South Africa expert
Geographics
- Location
- Wilderness | Garden Route National Park, South Africa
- Accessible by
Food & drink
- Usual board basis
- Room Only
Children
- Attitude towards children
Health & safety
- Dangerous animals
- Fire safety
Activities
Boat trip
Canoeing
Fishing
Helicopter
Horse-riding
Mountain biking
Quad-biking
Scuba-diving
Self-guided walking
Snorkelling
Watersports
Extras
- Disabled access
Other lodges in Wilderness | Garden Route National Park
Alternative places to stay in this same area.
Dune Beach House
Dune Beach House is a relaxed guesthouse located in a stunning location on one of South Africa’s best beaches at Wilderness, and is a great spot for nature lovers.
