Knysna, , pearl of the scenic Garden Route, is situated between George and Plettenberg Bay. Perennially green thanks to a Mediterranean Maritime climate with rain falling throughout the year, Knysna is mantled by indigenous forests extending into the Tsitsikamma National Park area. Nestled between the impressive Outeniqua Mountains and the Indian ocean, the culinary capital of oysters and other delectable seafood is a compulsory stopover on every travelers’ itinerary. At the heart of Knysna is a lagoon protected from the sea by the monolithic sandstone "Heads" – best explored on board a catamaran or from along hiking paths in the Featherbed Nature Reserve. A hotspot for art and craft, as well as adventure activities such as tree canopy gliding, kloofing and abseiling, Knysna offers something to everybody.
The peculiarity of the origin of the place-name Knysna is commonly explained with a light-hearted joke of two German tourists travelling to Knysna, and upon reaching the lookout point on the eastern Knysna Head, the one says to the other: 'Nice, na?'. On a more serious note,
Knysna is believed to be derived from a Khoi word for
place of wood, or
fern leaves, but most probable
straight down or
hard to reach - referring to the steep Knysna Heads.
Get in
By roadLocated in the middle of the Garden Route Knysna is easily accessible from Cape Town (about 500 km) and Port Elizabeth (about 270 km).
By busThe major bus companies serve Knysna on their run from Cape Town to Port Elizabeth. The Baz bus stops here too.
By planeThe nearest airport is in George, while for international flights you have to go to Cape Town.
By trainThe railway station is adjacent to the waterfront shopping and restaurant complex, a couple of blocks from the centre of town. There are two or three trains a day to George via Wilderness and Sedgefield.
Known as the
Outeniqua Choo-Tjoe, this is the last-remaining scheduled steam-hauled train service in South Africa, and is a not-to-be-missed experience. The scenery along the route is stupendous, and includes the Kaaimans River bridge (the most-photographed railway bridge in the world) and the bridge over the Knysna lagoon.
Unfortunately, due to heavy rainfall and flooding in 2006, this train service has been suspended until further notice.
There is a railway heritage museum in George, alongside the train station.
Get around
Walking around is the best option or rent a bicycle for longer distances. Except the minibuses there is no public transport so you have to take a taxi if you want.
There is a
Hertz car rental outlet, ph:
+27 (0)44 876 9999 but traffic jams can be pretty bad during the tourist high season!
See
The lagoon: about 18 sq. km and home to at least 200 species of fish is connected with the Indian Ocean through a turbulent channel between "The Heads", two sandstone cliffs. Tour around on one of several boats or just take a coffee at "the Heads".The Knysna Forest: about 80.000 ha are now under conservation. The ‘King Edward VII’ tree (at Diepwalle forest station) is an estimated 600 years old, 39 m at height, and has a circumference of 6 m. But most famous is the forest for the Kynsna elephants (some of them may still rumble in the jungle but weren´t seen for several years. But keep care!). There are several hiking trails but you need a car to access the forest.Pledge Nature Reserve: offers 3.5 km of pathways through scrub forest and hillside fynbos with fine views over the lagoon and is just 500 meters of the town centre. A nice place for a walk in the afternoon.Millwood Gold Fields: Site of one of the first gold rushes in South Africa, the Millwood Museum and Materoli Tea Room (be sure to try a piece of Jayne's World Famous Chocolate Cake) offers a unique and fascinating view of the greed, entrepreneurship, energy, and ultimate failure of the first gold discovered in South Africa during the late 1800's. Tours through the old gold diggings are available.Do
Walk along the lagoon, take a coffee at one of the many shops at the waterfront and head straight on for The Heads.There are many golf courses around, often with stunning settings or views. You can also book fully organised or self-drive golf tours in and around Knysna with Platinum Golf.Offers the unique opportunity to get up close and personal with African elephants. The elephants here are orphans from various SAN Parks and further afield, and they are so used to humans now that it is possible to feed them and actually touch them! Buy a bucket of fruit at the entrance and the elephants will pick up bits of fruit that you offer to them in your hands, or far more likely, they will take it straight from your bucket when you're not looking! You can also (if you book well in advance) take an evening or morning walk with the elephants. If you have the time, this is an experience not to be missed.Buy
Shops line along the Main St. and the Waterfront.
Eat
Many restaurants line the main street and the waterfront area.
Knysna Oyster Company , Thesens Island. The name says what you are going for. Mains from R30.The Dry Dock Waterfront. Great ambiance and delicious food. There are so many good restuarants in and around Knysna that you will be spoilt for choice!!
Drink
Mitchell's`s Brewery, Arend St. offers tours around the brewery and tastings of their beers.Sleep
Many guesthouses, hotels and B&Bs compete for the visitor in off-season, but in high season prices rise and places fill early so book ahead. There are also several nice options out of town (e.g. in Brenton-on-Sea, Buffalo Bay ...) for those with their own transport.
Lightleys Holiday Houseboats, ph: +27 (0)44 386-0007 (mailto:info@houseboats.co.za), , offers 4 and 6 berth houseboats on the lagoon. A good way to explore the lagoon and have a place to sleep. Inyathi Guest Lodges, ph: +27 (0)44 382 7768 (fax: +27 (0)44 382 7768), is a most unusual guesthouse: although they are situated right in the center of town, once you enter the premises you have the feeling of being in the middle of the African bush. 3 star.Tonquani Lodge Rated best B&B/Guesthouse with Self-Catering in South Africa three times in a row. 5 Star accommodation at an affordable price and with excellent facilities. Prices from R199/pps.Highfield Backpackers, 2 Graham Street ph: +27 (0)44 382 6266, fax: +27 (0)44 382 5799 A nice place with a pool a little bit off main street and offers dorms and private single/ double rooms.The Wayside Inn, Main street, ph: +27 (0)44 382 6011, fax: +27 (0)44 382 6011 A very nice B&B in the centre of the town with charming rooms starting at R240 pps.Protea Landmark Hotel, 51 Main Street, ph: +27 (0)44 382 2127, fax: +27 (0)44 382 3568 Protea Landmark Hotel offers standard rooms without any specials on the pro side.Log-Inn 4 Star Hotel, Built in 1998, the Knysna Log-Inn embodies an "indigenous" concept that combines the character and the spirit of the surrounding indigenous forests with Knysna's romantic history. On entering the lobby of one of the largest log structures in the Southern Hemisphere, exquisitely carved solid Yellowwood trunks tower upwards to the magnificent Scandinavian hammer trusses. Rays of sunshine flooding through the spectacular stained glass windows, illuminate the splendid solid Yellowwood staircase. The autumn hues of the slate flooring and the extensive use of natural river stone combine with the wood to create an atmosphere of tranquil balance. Truly "in tune with nature" Get out
Hike in the Kynsna forest or take a tour in the Outeniqua Choo-Tjoe steam-train to Knysna. Other options are a day tour to Oudtshoorn or the Noetzie castle a few km north east of town.
Noetzie Castle - East of Knysna some Britons lost their castles on the beach. Worth some hours or more if you like the beach.Brenton-on-Sea - Less crowded than Knysna this sea-side village offers endless beaches
Knysna (pronounced
NIZE-nuh or
NACE-nah, probably from a Hottentot word meaning "ferns") is a town in the Western Cape Province of South Africa and is part of the Garden Route. It lies 34 degrees south of the equator, and is 72 kilometres east from the town of George on the N2 highway.
The town is primarily built on the northern shore of a large warm-water estuary, fed by the Knysna River. The estuary opens to the ocean after passing between two large headlands. These are popularly known as the "Knysna Heads," and have become infamous due to the loss of boats and fishermen passing through their treacherous and unpredictable waters. Near them are geological formations, known locally as "The Map Stones." To the north of Knysna, Afro-Montane or temperate rainforest covers the hilly terrain for 20 km until changing to fynbos or macchia high up in the Outeniqua Mountains.
The early development of Knysna as a port was driven by the timber industry, where persons such as George Rex played a significant role. Being a difficult port to enter, a harbour pilot was employed to assist large vessels. One of the better-known pilots was John Benn, originally a shipwright from Mossel Bay, appointed as pilot in 1868 and whose name is borne by a luxury double-deck pleasure cruiser currently operating as a tourist attraction on the Knysna lagoon. The port was officially closed in 1954.
The town, and its surrounding areas, became the site of a massive search after young University of Cape Town student, Rosalind Ballingall, went missing on 12 August, 1969. It is believed she had lost her way in the deep, dense Knysna forests. Over the many following years, rumours surfaced about her background: her involvement with cults and hippies however most proved to be insubstantial. No clues to aid in her search or to uncover her whereabouts were discovered. She was never found and was officially declared dead in 1986.
The town is a popular destination for both tourists and senior citizens entering retirement, especially among the British and former expatriates due to the year-round warm climate. Recently the town has also become a preferred destination among golfers, as the town boasts many world class golf courses. Knysna too is a favourite haunt of artists, restaurateurs and hippies.
Knysna's other claims to fame are as the end point of the Outeniqua Choo Tjoe steam railway, and as home to the fabled Knysna forest elephant. Unfortunately, due to recent heavy flooding in the area, the railway line has been damaged. It has been rescheduled to run between George and Hartenbos until further notice.
See also
Knysna Municipality, Western CapeExternal links
Knysna Oyster Festival 6-15 July 2007Knysna Gastronomica Festival Sat 23 September - Sun 1 October 2007Welcome to KnysnaKnysna Travel Tourism InformationKnysna Tourism InformationGarden Route & Klein Karoo Tourism Information
