Knysna
Knysna has a spectacular location on a warm-water estuary, flanked by ‘The Heads’, two imposing headlands. Surrounded by rivers and forests, the town offers much in the way of watersports and walking! Its range of accommodation is pretty special too.
When to go to Knysna
Best Time to Go
A popular stop along the Garden Route
Rivers and lagoons for watersports and beach trips
Gorgeous forests for walks, hikes, bikes, and runs
Excellent assortment of accommodation
The Heart of the Garden Route
The town of Knysna, in South Africa’s Western Cape Province, is a popular stop along the Garden Route! Situated 25 kilometres west of Plettenberg Bay and 72 kilometres east of George, Knysna is easy to access via the N2 highway – this is the national route that runs from Cape Town all the way to Port Elizabeth, and beyond.
Activities
Knysna’s hilly landscape is perfect for exploring on foot, and there are also some lovely secluded beaches with a variety of watersports. The town itself has a busy calendar of events, so there’s plenty to keep you busy!
Explore the great outdoors
Discover local wildlife
Beaches and watersports
Visit the town
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The forests surrounding Knysna – temperate rainforests – are just one of this thriving town’s attractions, perfect for walking, hiking, biking, and running.
The terrain around Knysna is hilly, adjoining the Outeniqua Mountains. At this altitude, colourful fynbos thrives, and you can look out for leopard, gray rhebuck, klipspringer, an assortment of rodents, and plenty of birds. There are a few elephants in residence too – if you’re a fan of the gentle giants, you will love Knysna Elephant Park.
Knysna’s waters provide opportunities for swimming, kayaking, and fishing. Visitors are advised to keep away from the dangerous Heads, but the estuary (known as Knysna Lagoon) and river are perfect for boat trips and a very scenic swim! The lagoon boasts a number of lovely secluded beaches and links to Thesen Island along a brick promenade.
The town of Knysna has a busy calendar of events well worth exploring. For example, near the end of April, you can enjoy the Pink Loerie Mardi Gras. In early May, there’s the Knysna Speed Festival, featuring the King of the Hill Challenge! Late June and/or early July sees the Knysna Oyster Festival, which lasts for 10 days. Throughout the year, various sporting events take place, including marathons, rugby matches, cycling tours, and golf tournaments. Keen golfers are spoilt for choice in this region, as there are three world-class courses!
History
Knysna has an interesting history. Its first inhabitants were the Khoikhoi people and its name is thought to mean ‘ferns’. The geography of the area made it less accessible to European travellers than other parts of the region. Nevertheless, over the centuries, many settlers from Europe and Britain arrived and established farms. Knysna’s success in the timber industry was instrumental in the growth of the town. By 1880, Knysna had become home to over a thousand people. It merged with three neighbouring settlements to create a municipality termed ‘The Knysna’. Export of timber continued under George Parkes, with logs from the forests transported overseas. The company Geo Parkes & Sons still operates from 1 St George’s Street today!
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