Activities in and around Knysna
In and around Knysna you will find many attractions for outdoor enthusiasts: abseiling, golfing, canoe trips, mountain biking, sailing, whale- and dolphin tours, horse riding, para gliding, surfing, diving, water
skiing, angling, hiking trips between 30 minutes and 12 days - the choice is yours!
Not only does Knysna boast the highest per capita ratio of artists in the country - it also offers a great variety of galleries. If you are interested in landscapes or would like to do a painting course
yourself then a visit to the Dale Elliot Gallery is a must.
Velaphi Mzimba Xhosa Woman II
Knysna’s name probably originates from the Khoi-(= Hottentott) word ”Xthuys Xna”, meaning ”the place where the wood is”: a description of the Knysna River which winds its way
through thick indigenous forests and deep - and in places inaccessible - gorges before it finally reaches the Knysna Lagoon.
Hikers can explore this paradise on many trails the most spectacular being the 12 day Outeniqua Hiking Trail. Settlers were attracted by the natural beauty of the lagoon in the 18.th century already. The
most splendid farm was acquired in 1770 by Stephanus Terblans. His property named ”Melkhoutkraal” was spread around the entire lagoon. After his death it changed hands a number of times until, in
1804, it was eventually purchased by the man commonly considered the founder of Knysna’s settlement and harbour: George Rex.
The official founding date for Knysna is 1825. In 1851 it was declared a magistrate, and in 1881 a town. Knysna’s harbour was deproclaimed in 1954; by this time the transport of goods no longer took place via
the ocean, but on the railroad which took up service in 1928. To this day the Knysna – George - route is served mainly by steam engines. The famous ”Outeniqua Choe Choe” is a big
attraction for steam train enthusiasts. Its tracks run through forests, along the lakes and also follows some breathtaking sections of the coast line: an ideal day trip.
Two inhabitants of the Knysna forests deserve a chapter to themselves: the famous forest elephants, and the woodcutters who worked under incredibly hard conditions, felling many of the Yellowwood giants some of which
reached a thousand years. Today the indigenous forests are protected. The fate of the Knysna elephants, however, seems to be sealed. At the beginning of the 20th century big herds roamed the forests; at
its end, the elephants were almost extinct.
In the 80s an attempt was made to introduce new elephants from the Kruger Park - it failed, for the animals could not adapt to the harsh living conditions in the wet and cool forests. Up until recently it was
believed that only a single female of some 50 years of age had survived. However, in early 2000 a forest worker was attacked by a young elephant bull - and today one reckons that at least three of the animals must
be hidden deep in the forests.
You can learn more about Knysna’s history in two small museums in the town. The most famous book on Knysna is a novel about the life of the woodcutters and forest elephants: Daleen Mathee’s ”Circles
in the Forest” tells the story of a young boy who grows up in the forest and comes to know and respect an old elephant bull, ”Old Bigfoot”..
Today Knysna is one of the most attractive and fastest growing towns in South Africa. Its natural beauty, moderate climate, low level of crime and laid back life style attract more and more people. Despite the
considerable difference in income and life style the coexistence of population groups functions remarkably well. The biggest population group are the Arikaans speaking coloured people. The second biggest group
are the black South Africans, many of whom are from the Xhosa tribe. White people continue to dominate the entrepreneurial activity for the time being; some of them commute regularly between Knysna and
Johannesburg. All in all Knysna’s current population stands at around 38 000 inhabitants. - If you want to take a glimpse at Knysna’s day to day life then visit our dynamic indepent school, Oakhill School!
Knysna’s marina and harbour
Pezula - Knysna’s world class golf course
Knysna has a moderate climate. Summer temperatures soar above 30 degrees on a few days only; during the winter season the coldest nights are around 5 degrees - but during the usually sunny days 18 to 20 degrees
are quite common, even in July and August. This is the perfect season for hiking and biking!
In and around Knysna you will find many nature reserves - ranging from the Pledge Park right in town to the Goukamma Nature Reserve which extends along the coastline for some 10 kilometers. And then of
course there are the forests and the cliffs to the east which both offer excellent hiking opportunities.
In winter the main attraction is the biggest reserve of them all: during this time the whales visit the shores of the Indan Ocean around Knysna and give birth to their calves.
Beach front at the Goukamma Nature Reserve
Knysna offers a great variety in restaurants - from the fish restaurant right at the Waterfront to the exotic hide away in the depths of the Phantom Forest. Most restaurants also serve Knysna’s
speciality: the Knysna Oyster which is bred and harvested in the lagoon and to which the town has even dedicated an annual festival in July.
If you want to explore the night life then you have a choice of pubs, bars, music venues and a discotheque to discover. Another attraction: Mitchell’s Brewery, one of the few indepent breweries in South Africa.
We will gladly recommend the restaurant suiting your own taste - all of them lie in close proximity to our Zauberberg Cottage!
Knysna’s favourite bathing and surfing beaches are about 10-15 km to the west of the town and stretch along the bay between Brenton on Sea and Buffalo Bay, the surfing paradise on this part of the Indian Ocean.
Our beaches are clean and vast - this is where you can relax like nowhere else ...
The beach between Brenton and Buffalo Bay
Knysna offers many shopping opportunities. Apart form the textile industry and handi craft the furniture industry is of particular interest. High quality furniture made from Yellowwood and Kerri Gum
can be purchased at very good prices and even be shipped overseas at competitive rates. Another ‘best kept secret’: if you’re an oldtimer fan then a visit to the showrooms of Frost Brothers is a definite must. He’re you’ll find exquiste old vehicles like nowhere else!
Knysna - Pearl of the Garden Route
Knysna is known as the Pearl of the Garden Route. Lying on the shores of one of the biggest lagoons in the country the town is surrounded by vast indigenous forests, quiet lakes, and magnificent beaches - a
natural paradise without comparison! Knysna is also one of the safest towns in South Africa.
can be reached within 1-2 hours. We’ll be glad to help you with tips for your itinerary!
Centrally located Knysna is the ideal basis from where to explore the entire Garden Route, as well as the Little Karoo and the interior lying beyond the
Outeniqua Mountains. Storms River, Tsitsikamma, Nature’s Valley, Oudtshoorn and the Little Karoo, George and Mossel Bay - all these destinations
One tip of many: explore the lagoon and the Knysna Heads aboard the Outeniqua. The 50’ yacht offers tours and sunset cruises - with champagne and sushi or fresh oysters from the Knysna lagoon!
“The Wild Side” at Buffalo Bay
.... click here for a satellite view onto Knysna with Google Earth
