Knysna

The picturesque town of Knysna nestles on the shores of the Knysna Lagoon. It is only 5 hours drive from Cape Town and two and a half hours from Port Elizabeth, the ideal spot from which to explore the splendours of the Garden Route.

The 18 square kilometre Knysna lagoon is home to the unique Knysna seahorse, delicate pansy shell and at least 200 species of fish. The lagoon is actually an estuary, since the Knysna river meets the Indian Ocean here between two sandstone cliffs known as the Knysna Heads. On the Western Head is the Featherbed Nature Reserve, a World Heritage site. Here visitors can join a 2,5 km guided nature walk, the Bushbuck Trail.

The lagoon itself is surrounded by beautiful landscape and forest, making it particularly attractive for recreational, tourist and commercial activities. These include angling, diving, camping, canoeing, swimming, boating and commercial oyster cultivation. South Africa's largest commercial oyster farming centre is based here.

The indigenous forests of Knysna are the largest close-canopy forests in southern Africa and home to the elusive Cape Bush elephant. Sheltered within this green canopy are majestic Outeniqua Yellowwood trees, Stinkwood, Blackwood, White alder, Ironwood and Hard pear tree species. Birdwatching enthusiasts can enjoy the colourful Knysna Loerie and Narina Trogon that grace the wooded ecosystem.

The town of Knysna boasts a variety of eating establishments and shops specialising incrafts and wooden furniture made from indigenous timbers. An architectural mix of Cape Dutch, 19th Century English and contemporary styles create an atmosphere unique to the town. This is brought to life by the community of artists and craftspeople that have settled here, providing a kaleidoscope of colour and a feast for the senses.

Knysna plays host to various annual festivals and sporting events. These include the Knysna Oyster festival, Nederburg Arts Festival, Sparrebosch Triathlon, Rotary Mountainbike Tour and 21 km Knysna Forest Marathon. Golfing enthusiasts have a choice of two 18-hole golf courses in Knysna or further afield in Plettenberg Bay and George.

The Outeniqua area around Knysna has numerous day trails and longer overnight hikes. TheOuteniqua Choo Choo is one of the last operational narrow gauge steam trains in the world and travels between Knysna and George.