Ebb-and-Flow Rest Camp (Garden Route National Park - Wilderness Section)) — Hotel in George

Possibly one of the most beautiful reserves in South Africa and at the foot of multiple road-trips to places with beautiful views over the sea, valleys, rivers and the renown Knysna forest. The chalet was very clean and looked out over the river and surrounded by well kept clean lawns and magificent trees. It was quiet and all the staf were very friendly. There are some issues you need to be prepared for, we had a 4-bed chalet (for 2) and the chalet was well stocked with the basics one needs on such a stay. However, there is NOWHERE to store your own groceries, clothes, shoes, and whatever you brought along and no space, so we ended up with crates in the narrow space in the middle and used the 2 spare beds as 'cupboards' - had we been a family of 4 it would have been chaos. The shower is tiny and has no soap dish and a slippery floor so one needs to hold your soap in one hand while trying to wash. There is also nowhere to store shampoo, etc. and toiletries in the shower/toilet/basin area, so all your stuff ends up on the floor. The beds are child-size making sleep a bit of challenge when turning at night. Towels are provided but worth taking you own extra for swimming and washing (they are quite small). A built in Braai place with tongs is provided and cleaned by the staff the next day (thank you for that). The outside seating and table is one those fixed models and due to bad design, very unfriendly to get into and took up all the space - chairs would have been preferred with a small table. Parking is in the shade :). A further warning is that MANY children, some as young as 3 years old, cycleing all over the park on the road and lawn on their bicycles - often unattended by adult and not very safety aware - there does not seem to be a rule about this and the rist to children and motorists does raise a concern.|All this aside, I will go again preferrably outside the school holidays and Chrismas period. Most of the camp is used by people caming in tents and campers and most of the stands face the river which provides quick access for water sport of which canoeing, paddling, and swimming is very popular - one can hire them as well. We did the River cruise which is highly recommendable as their guides shared a lot of information about the forest, the ample birdlife, and other wildlife along the banks of the river. Sunsets are picture perfect. The camp is close to the town of Wilderness where one is spoilt for choice if you wish to go to a restauring - we went to The Girls and all our meals were great. Also paid a visit to a very talented local artist whose gallery is next to the restaurant - Irma de Waal Gallery. Enjoy Ebb & Flow,...

I am quite a bit disapointed with this 3 star rest camp. They work on a first come first serve basis where you can choose your stand location from those that are still available at the time of arival. This allows so many oppertunities for problems and complications to occur. Since we paid more to have a stand next to the river, it was extremely disapointing when we found out that someone who did not pay for it just took the spot, while no other sports were available next to the river anymore. We almost had to stay on a spot that was further away from the river. However, after all the fuss, we ended up at the north side with a beautiful spot due to the lengthy help the staff provided us with.

If you are an arachnophobist, this place is not recomended for you as the bathrooms are filled with lots of little cuty spiders. Here the bathrooms could be a bit cleaner in that sense as I have been at other 3 star camps that enforces better systems to their bookings and cleanliness with similar nature relaxations. Furthermore, the power outlets in the park for caravans are not designed to have 4 waterproof plugs inserted into it due to the lack of space. It is only able to accomodate 2 waterproof plugs at the bottom and 2 normal caravan plugs at the top. This makes for a fair danger to the top plugs that is not waterproofed during rainy times. It is most likely that some form of music will be heard during the night and rules and regulations following it is not placed properly. However, music can be fun to have during the day, but there should be strict action placed on music after a certain time to ensure that people can enjoy the silence the park provides as well.

As far as the location is concerned, they really hit a gold mine. The reaching mountains on the sides of the camp gives some privacy and calmness that is needed on a holiday. I had the opportunity to wake up with the creeping river outside my sleeping hole and to see people rowing up and down the river, which is one of the activities I recomend you to go do. The camp spots are covered in soft grass and nature surrounds you with fresh air and genuine calming sounds.

Overall Ebb-and-Flow Rest Camp can do so much better to improve the camp experience for everyone, as they already have the means to great adventure, but a 1 star camp ground system. Otherwise, the area is absolutely breathtaking and enjoyment...

One of South African National Parks (SANPARK) lovely special parks. In the heart of South Africa's famous Garden Route, a captivating world of lakes, rivers, estuaries and beaches gently unfolds against a backdrop of lush forest and lofty mountains – all elements that characterise the Wilderness Section of the Garden Route National Park.

Nature trails wind through densely wooded forest and along tranquil rivers, affording you the opportunity to encounter the brilliantly coloured Knysna lourie, or one of the five kingfisher species that occur here. During spring, a carpet of flowers, further enhance the verdant beauty of this national park.

Looking for an action packed holiday adventure? Then, Wilderness Section is your playground. Experience whales & dolphins from Dolphin Point. Hire a canoe or bicycle, go abseiling, kloofing, paragliding or hang-gliding. Go boating, fishing at Island Lake or hike to the waterfall above Ebb & Flow Rest Camp. You do not have to be super fit to enjoy the natural beauty of the area. There are activities for young, old, energetic or idle: take a stroll along a forest path or visit the bird hide and discover the wealth of bird life. Lie back in a canoe on a quiet backwater and watch the world float by. Camp under the stars alongside the river or stay in log cabins on stilts.

The Wilderness Section of the Garden Route National Park stretches from the Touw River mouth to the Swartvlei estuary and beyond, where it links with the Goukamma Nature Reserve, giving welcome protection to five lakes and the Serpentine, which is the winding strip of water joining Island Lake to the Touw River at the Ebb &...