Overview
#Knysna Knysna (pronounced "Nize-na") on South Africa's popular Garden Route, used to be a remote logging town in the middle of a vast forest. The estuary, which looks like a lake, provided ocean access to sailing ships through a treacherous channel framed by two rocky promontories known as the Knysna Heads. Huge logging operations by 18th century European settlers caused widespread deforestation before a stop was put to the madness. While vast sections of the forests are lost, beautiful indigenous forests are still found in the vicinity of Knysna.
There are a host of activities to engage in, and attractions to explore, in and around Knysna. In our opinion the top ones are exploring the surrounding forests and embarking on an excursion to the Featherbed Nature Reserve.
The Knysna Waterfront is located on the shore of the Knysna Estuary and doubles as a small harbour for ferries, which operate in the Estuary and offer trips. The smallish Waterfront offers restaurants and bars. Other tenants include local tour operators and fashion boutiques.
Golfers have the opportunity to play on some of the most spectacular golf courses you will find anywhere. Of these, the Pezula Championship Golf course is probably the best. .
Tours that visit Knysna
popular
Scheduled tours
13 Day Highlights of South Africa Southbound
On this tour you learn more about Johannesburg, stay at two private game reserves and experience open vehicle game drives, do game viewing in five different regions, interact with ostriches and elephants, engage in whale and dolphin watching on an ocean safari and travel to beautiful Cape Town and Cape Point. An excellent tour for first time visitors to South Africa.
from R31,145
popular
Scheduled tours
16 Day HIghlights of South Africa Northbound
On this tour you journey through the most popular areas of South Africa, following the most-travelled, tried and tested route for first time visitors to the country. The tour provides a mix of cities, countryside, historical sites, scenic drives, nature, wildlife, culture and people.
from R20,910
popular
Scheduled tours
16Day Highlights of South Africa Southbound
On this tour you journey through the most popular areas of South Africa, following the most-travelled, tried and tested route for first time visitors to the country. The tour provides a mix of cities, countryside, historical sites, scenic drives, nature, wildlife, culture and people.
from R20,910
popular
Scheduled tours
3 Days Cape Town to Port Elizabeth Tour
Experience beautiful scenery with constantly changing views of mountains, valleys and gorges as you travel along the popular Route 62 and the lush Garden Route.
from R6,845
popular
Scheduled tours
3 Days Port Elizabeth to Cape Town
Experience constantly changing scenic views of mountain passes, valleys, coastal towns and small villages as you travel along the lush Garden Route and the popular Route 62 .
from R6,845
popular
Scheduled tours
Garden Route and Route 62
On this scheduled tour you travel from Port Elizabeth through the Tsitsikamma Forest, and visit Storm's River Mouth. You travel along the Garden Route, enjoy a sunset oyster cruise and an ocean safari. You visit an ostrich farm in the Klein Karoo, interact with elephants, do a tour of the Cango Caves and travel along the scenic Route 62 to Cape Town.
from R9,980
Scheduled tours
4 Days Route 62 and Garden Route
This 4 day tour takes you through the dramatically changing scenery of the popular Route 62 and the Garden Route. You will experience ostriches up close, spend time with elephants, tour the Cango Caves, do a sunset cruise on the Knysna Lagoon, do an ocean safari on the Plettenberg Bay in search of dolphins, seals and whales, visit the Tsitsikamma Forest and Storm's River Mouth.
from R9,980
Scheduled tours
The Cape Discovery
On this scheduled guided tour you experience the scenic beauty of Route 62, you visit the iconic Cango Caves and interact with ostriches. Your route takes you along the Garden Route. At Knysna you enjoy a Sunset Knysna Oyster Cruise. You visit the museum complex at Mossel Bay, post a postcard at the famous Post Office Tree. Enjoy game viewing in an open safari vehicle on the lookout for the big five. Do cheetah tracking and visit the southernmost point of the African continent. Return to Cape Town via a wonderfully scenic coastal drive.
from R12,065
Things to see
Game or nature reserve
Featherbed Nature Reserve
##Featherbed Nature Reserve The mouth of the Knysna Estuary is 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 Featherbed Nature Reserve is situated on the Western Head.
2 tours visit here
Attraction
Knysna Estuary
##Knysna Estuary The Knysna Estuary is often referred to as the Knysna Lake. It is however an estuary and not a lake - even though it resembles a lake in appearance. Most tourists explore the estuary by ferry. A number of these rides are on offer. The most popular is the outing to the Featherbed Nature Reserve
5 tours visit here
Attraction
Knysna Heads
##Knysna Heads The mouth of the Knysna Estuary is a narrow channel leading to the Indian Ocean. The channel is often dramatically depicted framed by two huge rocky promontories, known as The Knysna Heads. The Eastern Head is covered by residential development and the Western Head belongs to the Featherbed Nature Reserve.
1 tour visit here
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