The charming town of Knysna is a natural paradise of lush, indigenous forests, tranquil lakes and golden beaches. She nestles on the banks of a breathtakingly pretty lagoon, now a protected marine reserve that is home to the extraordinary sea horse and over 200 species of fish. She nestles on the banks of a breathtakingly pretty lagoon, now a protected marine reserve that is home to the extraordinary Knysna seahorse and over 200 species of fish.
Beaches, lakes, mountains and rivers provide endless opportunity for leisure and outdoor adventure. Within the town, craft shops, flea-markets and cosy cafés beckon with small-town charm and hospitality. The area around Knysna is a veritable Garden of Eden. This is home of the only forest elephant in South Africa, the rare Pansy Shell, the brilliantly coloured, and elusive, Knysna Loerie, a plethora of waterfowl and forest birds, dolphins and visiting whales.
Here are some of the best attractions in the Knysna lush paradise.
Nature Reserves
FEATHERBED NATURE RESERVE
A Natural Heritage site, the Featherbed Nature Reserve in Knysna is an utterly unique privately owned reserve that lies on the Western Head of the famous landmarks known as 'The heads' in Knysna, accessible only by ferry. Many people make a day of it, ...
Beaches
GARDEN ROUTE BEACHES
Your Garden Route accommodation will likely be close to some of the gorgeous beaches that dot this stretch of the South African coastline. The Garden Route connects the two provinces of the Eastern Cape and the Western Cape; and its shores are sprinkled ...
Nature Reserves
GOUKAMMA NATURE RESERVE
The glorious Goukamma Nature Reserve is one of those unrivalled hideaways that, despite being on the popular Garden Route, manages to remain relatively obscure and unknown - a treasure trove near the mouth of the Goukamma River. Goukamma Nature and ...
Landmarks / Mountain Passes
HOMTINI PASS
The Homtini Pass is one of several passes on the famous 7 Passes route. Back when it was constructed in the 1880s this route involving seven passes was the only route between George and Knysna. It was to remain so for almost 70 years before the N2 ...
Mountain Passes
KARATARA PASS
Karatara is the fifth of the seven passes on what is known as the 7 Passes Road. Back when it was constructed in the 1880s this route involving seven passes was the only route between George and Knysna. It was to remain so for almost 70 years before the ...
Game Reserves / Nature Reserves
KNYSNA ELEPHANT PARK
Get up-close-and-personal with nature at Knysna Elephant Park. With the help of our resident African elephants and our well-informed guides- you will learn about the sad and mystical story of the Knysna Elephants. The park offers a rare opportunity to ...
Lakes / Dams / Landmarks
KNYSNA ESTUARY
The Knysna Estuary, better known amongst the locals as the lagoon, is one of South Africa’s favourite vacation spots, thanks to the stunning views and many adventures that it offers. More than this, though, it is an important part of ...
Forests / Landmarks
KNYSNA FOREST
Across Africa are only a handful of sheltered, remote pockets of Afromontane forest; all that remains of huge tracts of ancient forest that covered large parts of the continent. On the Garden Route is one such forest. Knysna Forest, in some places so ...
Golf Courses
KNYSNA GOLF CLUB
The Knysna Golf course is probably the only golf course in South Africa which can boast holes that are below sea level. The Knysna Golf Club is situated on the eastern shores of the tranquil Knysna estuary one of the most beautiful regions of South ...
Landmarks / Natural Wonders
KNYSNA HEADS
The Heads are a stunning sight to enjoy from a number of restaurants, and provide the perfect backdrop for those indulging in water sports nearby. The East Head is the more accessible one, and visitors need only head to Leisure Isle and then follow the ...
Beaches / Lakes / Dams / Landmarks
KNYSNA LAGOON
The breath-taking blue of the Knysna Lagoon imbues the coastal town of Knysna with an allure that is quite irresistible. This lagoon opens between two massive cliffs, known as The Heads. These stand tall, acting as ...
Landmarks / Miscellaneous
MAP-OF-AFRICA VIEWPOINT
The Map-of-Africa is situated at Wilderness Heights, which is between the Garden Route towns of Knysna and George. From the N2 motorway (heading from Knysna and towards George), turn left into Wilderness. Then, follow the road to the T-junction before ...
Birdlife or Wildlife Sanctuaries / Nature Reserves
MONKEYLAND PRIMATE SANCTUARY
Monkeyland is the worlds first free roaming multi-specie primate sanctuary. Monkeyland, is unique in that the sanctuary caters for several species of primate, and they are not caged, they are free to move about the forest, and do so in harmony ...
Golf Courses
PEZULA GOLF COURSE
Situated in the very heart of the Garden Route, on sweeping coastal cliffs, east of the charming town of Knysna, Pezula encompasses a world-class Championship Golf Course and Club. The Championship Golf Course lies high above the Indian Ocean and the ...
Mountain Passes
BALLOTS BAY PASS
Ballots Bay Pass is a beautiful drive. If it weren't private, every man with a bike would use this over weekends, at least for the scenery, but also for the continuous descent that makes it rather exciting to drive. For those intent on a visit to Ballots ...
Activities
BLOUKRANS RIVER BRIDGE
Bungi jump the highest commercial bungi jump in the world! The Bloukrans Bungi Jump surpasses the position previously held by the Victoria Falls as the 'highest bungi in the world". The Bloukrans bridge is 216 m high, the jump is approximately 160 ...
Nature Reserves
PLEDGE NATURE RESERVE
This 10 hectare local nature reserve functions as something of a green lung in Knysna, lying as it does just behind Main Road. Made up of forest, wetland and fynbos, Pledge Nature Reserve it is not only beautiful - filled with indigenous plants, cool ...
Nature Reserves
STEENBOK NATURE RESERVE
Just four kilometres from the heart of the historical little town of Knysna, Steenbok Nature Reserve provides a refuge for those wanting to immerse themselves in nature, breathing in the fresh sea air and ...
Nature Reserves
ROBBERG NATURE RESERVE
Just outside Plettenberg Bay on the Garden Route is a beautiful, remote rocky peninsula touted as the most popular walking destination in and around Plettenberg Bay. Robberg Nature Reserve is a charged booster of outdoor living - incredible scenery, ...
