The Map of Africa is one of the Garden Route’s most photographed viewpoints, a spot in Wilderness where the Kaaimans River loops around a tongue of forested land shaped almost exactly like the African continent. It is free to visit, it doubles as the region’s premier paragliding launch, and it sits a short drive from Wilderness Beach House Backpackers. This guide covers what the Map of Africa is, how to get to the viewpoint, what it costs to paraglide off it, and how to build it into one unforgettable Wilderness adventure day.
What and where is the Map of Africa in Wilderness?
The Map of Africa is a natural viewpoint in Wilderness, on the Garden Route, where a bend in the Kaaimans River wraps around a hill so that the land forms the unmistakable shape of the African continent. It looks out over the river, the indigenous forest and the Indian Ocean beyond.
You will find it on the hills above Wilderness, on the inland side of the village near the Kaaimans Pass, roughly 10 to 15 minutes by road from the centre of Wilderness and about 20 minutes from George. The viewpoint itself is a free, public roadside lookout, so there is no entrance fee to take in the view, only the short drive up. It is best in clear, calm weather, when the river, forest and coastline all show up sharply, which is also when the paragliders are usually in the air overhead. Wilderness Beach House Backpackers is about 10 minutes away, so the Map of Africa is an easy half-day outing from the lodge.
How do you get to the Map of Africa viewpoint?
To reach the Map of Africa viewpoint, head inland and uphill from Wilderness village towards the Kaaimans and Seven Passes area, following the signposted Map of Africa road to the roadside lookout. It is a short, easy drive on a mix of tar and gravel, suitable for a normal car in dry weather.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Distance from Beach House | About 10 minutes by car |
| Distance from George | About 20 minutes |
| Route | Inland from Wilderness village towards the Kaaimans / Map of Africa road |
| Surface | Tar then gravel; fine for a normal car in dry weather |
| Entrance fee | None, the viewpoint is a free public lookout |
| Best time | Clear, calm mornings or late afternoons for the view and the paragliders |
If you are without a car, ask at the Beach House front desk: the team can point you to local shuttle and tour options that include the Map of Africa.
Paragliding off the Map of Africa
The Map of Africa is the Garden Route’s premier paragliding launch, and a tandem flight from it is one of the great Wilderness experiences. You run off a grassy slope, the ground falls away beneath you, and you float out over the Kaaimans River and the forest before landing on Wilderness Beach below.
Cloudbase Paragliding, which holds the launch permission for the site, describes the Map of Africa as its premier paragliding site in the Garden Route, launching from roughly 153 metres above the waves and landing on the beach. Tandem flights with a qualified pilot start from around R950, and no experience is needed, which makes it one of the most accessible ways to see the Map of Africa from the air. Flights depend on the wind, so they are usually a morning or late-afternoon activity in light, smooth conditions. For a deeper look at flying in the area, including the other operators and what to expect, see our Wilderness paragliding guide.
The ultimate Wilderness adventure day: paraglide the Map of Africa, then kayak the Touw
For the full Wilderness adventure, pair a morning paragliding flight off the Map of Africa with an afternoon kayak up the Touw River. It is the kind of day that sums up why people fall for this stretch of the Garden Route: sky, sea, river and forest, all before sundowners at the bar.
Here is how to put the day together from Wilderness Beach House Backpackers:
- Early morning, breakfast at the Beach House. Start with breakfast at the lodge and check the wind, since paragliding flies in calm, smooth conditions that are most common early.
- Mid-morning, paraglide off the Map of Africa. Drive about 10 minutes to the launch and take a tandem flight with Cloudbase from roughly 153 metres up, floating over the Kaaimans River before landing on Wilderness Beach. Tandems start from around R950.
- Lunch back in the village. Refuel in Wilderness, or head back to the Beach House for a wood-fired pizza on the deck above the beach.
- Afternoon, kayak the Touw River. Hire a kayak or canoe and paddle the Touw River through the Garden Route National Park, roughly 3 kilometres (about 40 minutes each way) up to a waterfall, where you can swim in the cool, tannin-dark water. Eden Adventures and the SANParks rest camp both hire out craft.
- Sundowners at the Beach House bar. End the day back at the lodge with a drink and the sunset over Leentjiesklip Bay, and on a Thursday or Sunday, live music.
This paraglide-and-paddle combination is one of the most complete adventure days on the Garden Route, and it works perfectly as a one-night or two-night stop. Kit, fitness and water levels vary, so book the paragliding the day before around the forecast and confirm kayak hire times in advance.
More things to do near the Map of Africa
The Map of Africa sits in the middle of some of the best walking and adventure country on the Garden Route, so it is easy to add a hike or a forest trail to your visit.
Within a short drive you have the Kingfisher and other indigenous-forest trails of the Garden Route National Park, the beaches of Wilderness, and the wider Seven Passes scenery. For the full list of activities, walks and viewpoints, see our things to do in Wilderness guide and our Wilderness hiking trails guide, which cover the Half-Collared Kingfisher and Brown-Hooded Kingfisher routes (a SANParks conservation fee of around R170 per person applies in the national park).
Where to stay near the Map of Africa: Wilderness Beach House Backpackers
The easiest base for a Map of Africa adventure is Wilderness Beach House Backpackers, a beachfront backpackers about 10 minutes from the launch and 100 metres from Wilderness Beach.
Wilderness Beach House Backpackers Lodge sits on the hillside above Leentjiesklip Bay, with ocean-view dorms, private and en-suite rooms, and garden tents, plus an on-site bar serving wood-fired pizza and live music on Thursday and Sunday nights. It is a short drive from the Map of Africa, the Touw River and the forest trails, so you can paraglide, paddle and hike by day and still be back for sundowners over the sea. See the room options and rates, or book your stay directly with the lodge.
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Frequently asked questions
How do I get to the Map of Africa viewpoint?
Head inland and uphill from Wilderness village towards the Kaaimans and Seven Passes area, following the signposted Map of Africa road to the roadside lookout. It is a short drive of about 10 minutes from central Wilderness on a mix of tar and gravel, suitable for a normal car in dry weather, and the viewpoint itself is a free public lookout with no entrance fee.
How far is Wilderness from George?
Wilderness is about 20 minutes by car from George, roughly 15 kilometres east along the N2. George is the closest town with an airport, so most Garden Route visitors fly into George and drive the short distance to Wilderness, and the Map of Africa viewpoint is on the hills between the two.
What is the average cost for paragliding at the Map of Africa?
Tandem paragliding flights off the Map of Africa start from around R950 per person with a qualified pilot, with no experience needed. The exact price depends on the operator and conditions, and flights only run in calm, smooth wind, so they are usually a morning or late-afternoon activity. Booking the day before around the forecast is the safest way to secure a flight.
Where is the best place to kayak in Wilderness?
The Touw River, which flows through the Garden Route National Park, is the classic Wilderness paddle. You can hire a kayak or canoe and paddle roughly 3 kilometres, about 40 minutes each way, up to a waterfall where you can swim. The Kaaimans River near the Map of Africa is another option. Both are calm, scenic and suitable for beginners.
Is Wilderness South Africa worth visiting?
Yes. Wilderness is one of the most loved stops on the Garden Route, with a long beach, the Touw River and lakes, indigenous forest trails, and the Map of Africa viewpoint and paragliding launch all within a few minutes of the village. It packs a lot of sea, river and forest adventure into a small, laid-back town, which is why so many Garden Route travellers stay longer than they planned.