In the heart of South Africa’s beautiful Garden Route, there is a town Knysna. The city lies nestled in between the Indian Ocean and the Outeniqua Mountains. With good reason; it’s a welcoming and friendly with lots of activities and attractions, Knysna has twice been voted South Africa’s favorite town. There’s a that’s perfect surrounding forests that are great for walking and large lagoon water sports.
Because of Knysna is such a popular destination for South Africans, avoid it during the summer school holidays in mid-December to early January when it gets very crowded and prices double.
Top 10 Attractions in Knysna
1. The Beach
There?s very safe swimming if the tide is in, at Bollard Beach towards the ?top? end of Leisure Island. It?s also got a sandy beach ideal for sand castles. There?s a grassy at the ?bottom? end of the island, shady picnic site with BBQ facilities and toilets. You can walk all the way from Brenton-on-Sea to Buffalo Bay if you want a very long romantic walk along the beach. Don?t ignore any warning signs on the beaches as very strong currents do occur.
2. Solace in a Forest
Surrounded by patches of state forest, Knysna paths of varying lengths. Pick up a permit at the forest entrance and a map at Knysna Tourism (phone 044-382-5510). There are various routes to explore in the state forests if you?re a mountain-biker. At Millwood, there?s the 19km Homtini Cycle Route which starts at the Krisjan-se-nek picnic site. In Diepwalle, there?s the 24km Petrus-se-brand Cycle Route which ends at the Garden-of-Eden.
3. Township Tour
Besides Soweto in outside Johannesburg that?s known internationally as the township, Knysna also has a township which has realized that tours are one way to generate some income. You can take a township tour and visit one of the largest Rastafarian communities in South Africa.
4. Bird and Tree Watch
Tree spotting has a distinct advantage over birding, what you?re trying to identify stays put. Start by stopping at any ?Big Tree? sign you see, then progress to a walk in the woods, tree guide in hand. The variety of habitats at Knysna makes for good birding year round. Look out for waders and sea birds at Woodbourne Marsh (alongside George Rex Drive) and alongside the causeway to Leisure Island, and for fish eagles upriver of the N2 bridge over the lagoon.
5. Dive the Lagoon
Knysna Lagoon is home to the world?s only estuarine seahorse species, but they?re so tiny you?re unlikely to spot one diving. Rather concentrate on the wreck of the wreck of the Paquita, in the Knysna Heads.
6. Stare Into the Eyes of an Elephant
Once your kids hand feed an elephant at the Knysna Elephant Park, they?ll all want to ?work with animals? when they grow up. Remember to wear old clothes as you?ll get covered in elephant spit.
7. The Western Head
If you?d wondered why the both heads of the Knysna Lagoon aren?t covered with houses, it?s because the Western head is a private nature reserve, called Featherbed. The tour starts with a 25-minute boat trip across the lagoon, then you?re driven up to the scenic lookout point where you choose between driving down again or do the 2,2 kilometer walk through the milkwood forest and along the lagoon?s edge back for a multi-course buffet lunch.
8. Secluded Cove
The road over Knysna?s Eastern Head and down the other side is extremely steep in places, but it?s the only way to get to a beautiful sheltered cove called Coney Glen. There?s a shady, grassed picnic site where you can BBQ, rock pools to snorkel in, and a sandy beach to sit with your camera to try to get that ultimate wave photo when the tide?s coming in.
9. Catch a Steam Train
A return trip on the Outeniqua Choo-Tjoe between Knysna and George will be on top of your list, if you?ve a passion for steam trains,. If you?re not, it?s still worth considering the trip (though perhaps only one way) as the views are spectacular. Book online.
10. Go Fishing
The fishing is excellent in Knysna but first you need to buy yourself a fishing permit at the at the Knysna Post Office (corner Main and Montagu streets). Try fishing from the jetty in the Knysna Lagoon or in the surf off the rocks at Brenton-on-Sea or Buffalo Bay.
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