Wilderness National Park

Wilderness National Park
IUCN category II (national park)
Rest camp situated within the Wilderness National Park
Location of the park
Location	Western Cape, South Africa
Nearest city	George
Coordinates	34°0′S 23°15′E / 34.000°S 23.250°E / -34.000; 23.250Coordinates: 34°0′S 23°15′E / 34.000°S 23.250°E / -34.000; 23.250
Area	1,210 km2 (470 sq mi)
Established	6 March 2009
Governing body	South African National Parks
http://www.sanparks.org/parks/garden_route/

Wilderness National Park, also called the Wilderness Section, is located around the seaside town of Wilderness between the larger towns of George and Knysna, in the Western Cape. It is a protected area of South Africa forming part of the Garden Route National Park.

This natural area stretches from the Touw River mouth to the Swartvlei estuary and beyond, where it links with the Goukamma Nature Reserve, giving protection to five lakes and the Serpentine, which is the winding strip of water joining Island Lake to the Touw River at the Ebb & Flow Rest Camp. The wildlife in this natural area is varied, and includes the Knysna seahorse, pansy shell, pied kingfisher, Knysna lourie, grey heron, and little egret.

This park protects three major zones of indigenous forest, four types of fynbos (wild shrubs), plus various lakes and winding waterways. There are also a number of archaeologically significant sites.

The Touw River connects a series of three lakes: Eilandvlei, Langvlei and Rondevlei, which host a variety of aquatic species and have been designated as a Ramsar site (wetlands of international importance). Dolphins and whales can be seen from Dolphin Point. Sports within the park include canoeing or bicycling, abseiling, kloofing, paragliding, boating, fishing and hiking.

The part of the Wilderness National Park that contains the Serpentine, the Ebb & Flow Camp, and much of Langvlei originally was part of the Kleinkranz farm, which was granted to JJ Viviers in 1818. Not much is known of that era, but in 1845 the land was transferred to Paul Gerber who moved there with his wife, two daughters, and four sons.