Visit the South African settlement of Wilderness, and you’ll discover a world of vast rivers, lagoons, lakes, beautiful beaches, indigenous forests, and mountains. Enjoy everything from nature, hiking, and birdwatching to paragliding, horse riding, and long scenic drives.
Wilderness South Africa is a part of the Garden Route in the Western Cape, and if you’re planning on staying at each stop on this coastline drive, then check out where to stay in the Garden Route for some of the best places to visit.
If you’re looking to get some guidance on which accommodation in Wilderness would be best suited for you, then look no further. We’ve got you covered.
10 Best Airbnb’s in Wilderness
Sky Light Apt 2 — Best Airbnb for Aesthetics
- Price: ~ $72 per night
- Features: Mountain view, beach access, shared pool, WiFi, portable fan and heater, first aid kit, kitchen
- Room Types: Apartment
- Ratings: Airbnb.com (4.90 out of 5 – 163 reviews)
Nestled behind the stunning and exclusive Wilderness beach sand dunes, Sky Light Apt 2 provides a chic and serene boutique experience. If you find yourself in Cape Town or on the Garden Route, then this space is definitely one you should add to your list.
This skylit haven was created from the ground up with your enjoyment in mind. It has a large room with a kitchenette, king-size bed, bathroom, and a L-shaped couch.
It also has an amazing plunge pool and is a short five-minute walk from the beach. The gorgeous mountain views are the perfect backdrop for your South African vacation. You’ll find that the Sedgfield Market is also close by and that there are a plethora of restaurants in the area.
What we liked: Its modern minimalistic aesthetic is perfect for getting the best photos.
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Magic Garden Glamping — Best for Nature Lovers
- Price: ~ $38 per night
- Features: Garden and mountain view, WiFi, kitchen, dedicated workspace, patio, fire pit, hammock
- Room Types: Camper
- Ratings: Airbnb.com (4.93 out of 5 – 335 reviews)
Encircled by the enchanting Outeniqua mountains and fynbos, you’re sure to enjoy this idyllic accommodation in Wilderness. With numerous hiking trails in the area, it’s a nature lovers paradise.
This glamping experience comes with some magnificent views that you won’t want to miss. Magic Garden Glamping aims to rehabilitate the land, so they built a sustainable home that allows you to live modestly and appreciate nature in its true form.
Magic Garden is one of Wilderness’ self-catering accommodations, so you’ll be making your own food. On a hot day you’ll find that there are a few water sports available on the property, such as kayaking, perfect for taking in the good weather in Western Cape.
What we liked: Waking up to the sun rising over the mountains is an unbelievable way to start the day.
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Laughing Loerie Cottage — Best for Privacy
- Price: ~ $48 per night
- Features: Backyard, WiFi, patio, portable fan and heater, mini fridge, kitchenette, BBQ facilities
- Room Types: Studio
- Ratings: Airbnb.com (4.95 out of 5 – 384 reviews)
This quaint hideout can be found in the middle of Wilderness, beneath the lovely Milkwood trees. It’s another self-catering accommodation in Wilderness, though the kitchenette is not ideal for cooking.
Laughing Loerie Cottage has backup power in case of load shedding. You won’t have to worry about the WiFi, hot water, or the lights when the electricity goes out. It kicks in automatically, so you just sit back and relax.
Enjoy the gorgeous walk through the giant Kingfisher trail, and you’ll reach the town of Touws River. The town offers a slew of activities for you to do, such as horseback riding through the mountains or going on a game drive.
What we liked: The lovely cottage is perfectly tucked away and is in an ideal spot to explore the region.
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Entire Home in Wilderness — Best Airbnb on the River
- Price: ~ $323 per night
- Location: Kaaimans, Wilderness
- Features: WiFi, river and mountain view, kitchen, TV, washer, dryer, indoor fireplace
- Room Types: Private rooms
- Ratings: Airbnb.com (4.88 out of 5 – 42 reviews)
This home is one of only eight on the Kaaimans River. Not far from the Kaaimans River Bridge, which is an old railway bridge, you can go and marvel at the magnificent area. You’ll be able to roll out of bed and into the river at this Wilderness holiday accommodation.
It comfortably sleeps 8 people and has an open plan kitchen, family, and dining room, as well as a covered patio and braai area, making this the ideal site to have fun and bond with family in this lovely Garden Route corner.
The home also offers consistent WiFi, even during load shedding, making it an ideal remote location. Wilderness Beach is only five minutes away, so when you’ve had enough of the river, you can enjoy the sandy beach.
What we liked: The cozy and homey atmosphere is perfect for spending time with people.
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InkFish Loft — Best Airbnb for Fishing
- Price: ~ $57 per night
- Location: Kleinkrantz, Wilderness
- Features: WiFi, sea view, free parking, outdoor dining area, BBQ facilities
- Room Types: Loft
- Ratings: Airbnb.com (4.79 out 5 – 79 reviews)
Inkfish Loft is a cozy, open-plan studio tucked away in the small Kleinkrantz seaside neighborhood not far from the beach. It’s also a self-catering accommodation in Wilderness, so be sure to stock up on groceries.
Along with all the amenities you might want, this freshly constructed loft is snug and offers breathtaking views. Take a break in this stylish area where you can wake up to the sound of waves crashing and the aroma of sea air.
Just outside of the Wilderness community, it has the charm of a fishermen’s community. You’ll find that it’s near the shore, and the area is varied with numerous eclectic homes.
What we liked: It’s perfect for taking a sunset stroll or fishing by the dock.
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Kaaimans Rustic Views — Best for Adventure Lovers
- Price: ~ $143 per night
- Location: Kaaimans, Wilderness
- Features: Bay and mountain view, kitchen, beachfront access, private balcony, fire pit, BBQ facilities
- Room Types: Private rooms
- Ratings: Airbnb.com (4.61 out of 5 – 108 reviews)
This stunning cottage is situated on the Kaaimans River, close to the center of Wilderness. It offers rustic views and is another self-catering accommodation.
This location provides a special and romantic escape with loads of things to do. The breathtakingly beautiful Kaaimans Waterfall is a leisurely 15-minute paddle from the cottage. It’s perfect for a couple or group of people who love the outdoors and want to explore it.
The Garden Route National Park is a short drive away from this mesmerizing cottage and it’s one of Cape Town and the Western Cape’s most sought-after activities.
You’ll likely encounter some wild cats, spiders, and frogs, so if you have a love for nature and wildlife, then this is the place for you.
What we liked: The gorgeous mountain views from the deck are perfect for a lovely afternoon delight.
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The Grey House Main — Best Luxury Stay
- Price: ~ $312 per night
- Location: Wilderness
- Features: WiFi, beach access, lake and ocean view, free parking, kitchen, private outdoor pool, washer, air conditioning
- Room Types: Private rooms
- Ratings: Airbnb.com (5 out of 5 – 6 reviews)
This ultra-modern home is located In the center of Wilderness. It is well situated within walking distance of the restaurants and the town. It also offers stunning views over the Wilderness lagoon and the sea.
The home is on a hillside, and it offers you fabulous scenes of the surrounding vegetation. Behind the house, you’ll see that there’s a family of Rock Hyraxes that reside there.
The Grey House can be rented individually as the Main House or the Apartment and divided into two living areas. With the exception of a shared garage and driveway. It also has an inverter for load shedding, so you won’t need to worry about electricity.
What we liked: This home has some of the most amazing views, and it’s such a spacious home.
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Forest Rise — Best for a Bit of Tranquility
- Price: ~ $169 per night
- Features: Indoor fireplace, free parking, patio, ocean and lake view, WiFi, kitchen
- Room Types: Private rooms
- Ratings: Airbnb.com (4.92 out of 5 – 62 reviews)
Forest Rise is the ideal space for a family or two couples on holiday. There’s plenty of space surrounding the home for kids to run around and play.
If you’re looking for some peace and quiet, then this is the spot for you. During the colder months, snuggle up by the fireplace and keep yourself warm. It has all the room you could possibly need, and you’ll be greeted by the water every morning.
The open-concept kitchen and easy-flow living area create a fantastic social space that makes the apartment ideal for hosting guests or family getaways. Luckily, the balcony is covered, so it may be enjoyed in all weather conditions.
What we liked: The slide on the patio is a fun addition for the kids to enjoy.
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Constantia Views Villa Wilderness — Best for Groups
- Price: ~ $380 per night
- Location: Constantia Drive, Wilderness
- Features: Kitchen, beach view, HDTV with Netflix, WiFi, free parking, security cameras
- Room Types: Private rooms
- Ratings: Airbnb.com (4.67 out of 5 – 15 reviews)
Enjoy unobstructed views of the lake and the sea, as well as the Touw River and Wilderness Village, from your perch high atop the mountainside. Situated on the highly coveted Constantia Drive, you’ll feel like you’re on top of the world at this gorgeous home.
This two-story home is a self-catering holiday home with an open-plan interior surrounded by high glass windows that make it ideal for gazing at the utterly beautiful views. The same expansive views are available indoors thanks to the light-filled interiors.
The additional house has a portable gas BBQ/braai, gas geysers, a Smart flatscreen TV with full package DStv, an interior fireplace, and an entire inverter system for load shedding, as well as a generator.
What we liked: The host is very easy to get a hold of and is very understanding with any booking changes.
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Making Waves Loft — Best Loft by the Beach
- Price: ~ $49 per night
- Features: WiFi, free parking, beach access, mountain view, dedicated workspace, outdoor dining area
- Room Types: Loft
- Ratings: Airbnb.com (4.80 out of 5 – 99 reviews)
Nestled between the sea and the mountains in breathtaking Wilderness is this modern, rustic loft. With the beach a five-minute walk away, you can easily have your fun by the shore.
The kitchen isn’t exactly fully fledged, but luckily, there are a few coffee shops and a cafe down the road that has some amazing food.
This is the ideal space for younger couples, people who are active, or some friends who wish to see Wilderness from the perspective of the residents. The loft has recently created an outdoor space so you can take in the sunsets.
If it’s your first time in the bush, then you should definitely consider staying at the loft for more than one night to get the most out of your trip.
What we liked: The home is clean and the hosts are excellent communicators who’ll ensure you have a great stay.
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Stay at the Best Airbnb’s in Wilderness
You’re probably excited now that you’ve seen some of the absolute best accommodation options in Wilderness. People often visit some of the other surrounding areas in the Garden Route as well. You can go to Plettenberg Bay, Knysna, Mossel Bay, and George, just to name a few.
Whether you’re traveling alone, with family, or on a group trip, you’ll see that there’s a place for you, and soon you’ll be telling everyone to visit Wilderness. From the milkwood trees to the scenic drives by the Indian Ocean, it’s a spectacular destination all year round.
Note: For a jam-packed trip, check out the ultimate things to do in the Garden Route. You’ll find some amazing ways to liven up your vacation.