Featherbed Nature Reserve

#Featherbed Nature Reserve The mouth of the Knysna Estuary is in fact a narrow channel, which is difficult to navigate for those not familiar with it. The channel is often dramatically depicted framed by two huge rocky promontories, known as The Knysna Heads. The Western Head falls within the privately owned Featherbed Nature Reserve. It is covered with indigenous vegetation and is conserved by the proprietors. The Nature Reserve gets its name from the safe anchorage it provided to 18th century wooden sailing ships. The ships had to navigate the treacherous channel to enter the Estuary. The small sheltered cove, featuring a sandy bottom, just past the channel and on the inland side of the Western Head, was viewed as a 'feather bed' on which the battered ships could come to rest.

Today a wooden jetty welcomes a twice-daily scheduled ferry delivering visitors to the reserve. Beyond the jetty is a partially open-air restaurant and visitors centre to welcome you. On arriving at the visitors centre you are taken on a tractor / 4x4 truck (Unimorg) ride to the top of the Western Head. You make your way back on foot via a scenic path through a Milkwood forest. Enjoy amazing views going up, at the top and going down. On your return you may have a meal at the restaurant before enjoying the pleasant ferry ride back to town.