Tanielle’s Guide to THE GARDEN ROUTE
City/town information
Welcome to Knysna!
There are loads of fun things to do in Knysna – either as a holiday in itself or as part of a longer trip along the famous Garden Route.
105 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Knysna
Welcome to Knysna!
There are loads of fun things to do in Knysna – either as a holiday in itself or as part of a longer trip along the famous Garden Route.
George is a city in South Africa’s Western Cape, on a coastal stretch known as the Garden Route. It’s known for its golf courses and the George Museum, which has exhibits on the local timber industry. The Outeniqua Transport Museum has steam trains and vintage cars. The Garden Route Botanical Garden features trails and local fynbos plants. The Seven Passes road to Knysna town winds through the Outeniqua Mountains.
40 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
George
George is a city in South Africa’s Western Cape, on a coastal stretch known as the Garden Route. It’s known for its golf courses and the George Museum, which has exhibits on the local timber industry. The Outeniqua Transport Museum has steam trains and vintage cars. The Garden Route Botanical Garden features trails and local fynbos plants. The Seven Passes road to Knysna town winds through the Outeniqua Mountains.
Mossel Bay is a harbour town on the Garden Route in South Africa’s Western Cape Province. It’s known for the wide Santos Beach and the 19th-century Cape St. Blaize Lighthouse, which offers bay views. The Bartolomeu Dias Museum Complex includes the Maritime Museum, the Shell Museum and botanical gardens. The Post Office Tree, a milkwood tree in the complex, has been used as a mail collection point since the 1500s.
58 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Mossel Bay
Mossel Bay is a harbour town on the Garden Route in South Africa’s Western Cape Province. It’s known for the wide Santos Beach and the 19th-century Cape St. Blaize Lighthouse, which offers bay views. The Bartolomeu Dias Museum Complex includes the Maritime Museum, the Shell Museum and botanical gardens. The Post Office Tree, a milkwood tree in the complex, has been used as a mail collection point since the 1500s.
Plettenberg Bay is a seaside town on the Garden Route in South Africa’s Western Cape Province. The sandy Central Beach and Lookout Beach both have surf breaks. To the south, Robberg Nature Reserve is a rocky peninsula with trails and the Stone Age Nelson Bay Caves. Northeast are Birds of Eden, a free-flight bird sanctuary in indigenous forest, and an elephant sanctuary. Whales come near the coast in migration season.
107 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Plettenberg Bay
1 Crescent StreetPlettenberg Bay is a seaside town on the Garden Route in South Africa’s Western Cape Province. The sandy Central Beach and Lookout Beach both have surf breaks. To the south, Robberg Nature Reserve is a rocky peninsula with trails and the Stone Age Nelson Bay Caves. Northeast are Birds of Eden, a free-flight bird sanctuary in indigenous forest, and an elephant sanctuary. Whales come near the coast in migration season.
It is a coastal reserve well known for its indigenous forests, dramatic coastline, and the Otter Trail. Great adventure activities can be enjoyed here.
7 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Tsitsikamma
It is a coastal reserve well known for its indigenous forests, dramatic coastline, and the Otter Trail. Great adventure activities can be enjoyed here.
Oudtshoorn is a town in the Klein Karoo area of South Africa’s Western Cape. It’s known for its ostrich farms and rests along the Route 62 wine route. The central C.P. Nel Museum traces the ostrich-feather boom era and houses a working synagogue. The nearby Cango Wildlife Ranch is a conservation park offering animal petting. To the north, the Cango Caves are a 20-million-year-old network of limestone chambers.
35 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Oudtshoorn
Oudtshoorn is a town in the Klein Karoo area of South Africa’s Western Cape. It’s known for its ostrich farms and rests along the Route 62 wine route. The central C.P. Nel Museum traces the ostrich-feather boom era and houses a working synagogue. The nearby Cango Wildlife Ranch is a conservation park offering animal petting. To the north, the Cango Caves are a 20-million-year-old network of limestone chambers.
Sightseeing
Thesen Islands is a secure marina estate in the picturesque vacation town of Knysna. Great for shopping, dining, and boarding boat cruises.
55 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Thesen Island
Thesen Islands is a secure marina estate in the picturesque vacation town of Knysna. Great for shopping, dining, and boarding boat cruises.
A private secluded beach. Book a scenic trip with the Pezula Beach Shuttle or drive down yourself. The beach is beautiful and unspoiled, with amazing castles in the backdrop.
18 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Noetzie
A private secluded beach. Book a scenic trip with the Pezula Beach Shuttle or drive down yourself. The beach is beautiful and unspoiled, with amazing castles in the backdrop.
The iconic heads are rich in history. You can drive up to a viewing point on the Eastern Head. The Western Head is accessed by boat.
143 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
The Heads
1 View PointThe iconic heads are rich in history. You can drive up to a viewing point on the Eastern Head. The Western Head is accessed by boat.
For the best lagoon and Western Head eco experience.
22 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
MV John Benn Cruise
For the best lagoon and Western Head eco experience.
Adventure
This highest bungee in the Southern hemisphere.
77 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Bungee Bloukrans Face Adrenalin
This highest bungee in the Southern hemisphere.
Animal Sanctuaries
The Knysna Elephant Park (est. 1994) was the first facility in South Africa to house and care for orphaned African elephants. Get up close and personal with one of the Big 5.
184 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Parque de Elefantes de Knysna
The Knysna Elephant Park (est. 1994) was the first facility in South Africa to house and care for orphaned African elephants. Get up close and personal with one of the Big 5.
Birds of Eden is the world's largest free-flight aviary and bird sanctuary, located in Kurland village near Plettenberg Bay. The mesh dome of the sanctuary was built over 2.3 hectares of indigenous forest and is up to 55 meters above ground level.
131 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Aves del Edén
Birds of Eden is the world's largest free-flight aviary and bird sanctuary, located in Kurland village near Plettenberg Bay. The mesh dome of the sanctuary was built over 2.3 hectares of indigenous forest and is up to 55 meters above ground level.
Shelter for leopards, jaguars, Bengal tigers & other big cats, with a no-touch, no-breed policy.
72 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Santuario de Vida Silvestre Jukani
N2Shelter for leopards, jaguars, Bengal tigers & other big cats, with a no-touch, no-breed policy.
Beautifully situated Garden Route Wolf Sanctuary, between Knysna and Plettenberg Bay – offers an unparalleled experience with wolves. With easy access and plenty of parking, it is a destination not to be missed. The sanctuary is home to two packs of Timber Wolves, namely the Sparrowhawk and the Rambo Packs.
42 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Santuario de lobos de Garden Route
Beautifully situated Garden Route Wolf Sanctuary, between Knysna and Plettenberg Bay – offers an unparalleled experience with wolves. With easy access and plenty of parking, it is a destination not to be missed. The sanctuary is home to two packs of Timber Wolves, namely the Sparrowhawk and the Rambo Packs.
Raptor Rescue Plettenberg Bay is a rehabilitation and awareness centre dedicated to birds of prey.
41 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Raptor Rescue Plett
Raptor Rescue Plettenberg Bay is a rehabilitation and awareness centre dedicated to birds of prey.
A unique nature experience offering wildlife tours and accommodation whilst supporting our wildlife rehabilitation work.
73 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Tenikwa Wildlife Rehabilitation & Awareness Centre
A unique nature experience offering wildlife tours and accommodation whilst supporting our wildlife rehabilitation work.
Hiking, Running and Cycling
The Otter Trail is a hiking trail along the Garden Route coast of South Africa and is named for the Cape clawless otter which occurs in this region. This trail is widely regarded as one of the finest in the world and stretches from Storms River Mouth in the east to Nature's Valley in the west, is 26 km long as the crow flies and 44 km as the hiker walks. Walking the trail takes 5 days and 4 nights. The trail is split into various stages which are completed over a few days.
Otter Trail
Otter TrailThe Otter Trail is a hiking trail along the Garden Route coast of South Africa and is named for the Cape clawless otter which occurs in this region. This trail is widely regarded as one of the finest in the world and stretches from Storms River Mouth in the east to Nature's Valley in the west, is 26 km long as the crow flies and 44 km as the hiker walks. Walking the trail takes 5 days and 4 nights. The trail is split into various stages which are completed over a few days.
Food scene
Zachary's Restaurant
For the best steak in town! Located at Pezula Nature Hotel & Spa.
For the best confectionery items. Just tell yourself that calories do not exist!
151 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
île de païn - lunch & breakfast restaurant & artisan bakery
Long StreetFor the best confectionery items. Just tell yourself that calories do not exist!
The most romantic restaurant on the Garden Route.
17 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Emily Moon Restaurant @ Emily Moon River Lodge
The most romantic restaurant on the Garden Route.
Consejos para la ciudad
Facilidad para moverse por la casa
Uber
Uber has recently started to operate in Knysna. They are still few and you might have to wait long. It remains the most flexible option to travel.
Qué debes empacar
Layered clothing
The temperatures are moderate, and while the mornings and evenings might be cool (and even chilly), the days can warm up quite a bit. The weather can also change quite quickly.