What to do in and around Knysna

Highly recommended is a drive to the Eastern Head view point for a panoramic view of the town, the estuary and the Indian Ocean.  

The Featherbed Nature Reserve is well worth a visit.  Enjoy a ferry ride across the estuary, then hop on a 4x4 drawn trailer to the top of the Western Head.  Walk back to the mooring point along the Bushbuck trail which is an easy 2.2 km stroll or you may choose to ride the trailer back to the ferry.  Remember your camera for this journey!

Take a cruise on the Knysna estuary.  A number of ferry trips and catamaran cruises are available daily, weather permitting of course.  Most cruises last approximately 1.5 hours.  Tickets are available at the mooring offices at the Knysna Waterfront. 

The Knysna forest may be enjoyed on foot, on horseback, by bicycle or by car.  Maps are available from local tourism offices that show the various hiking routes available.  Some of the more popular walking routes include the following:

• Garden of Eden Nature Walk – situated on the N2 towards Plettenberg Bay and its 1.5 km long.
• Sedgefield Country Walk – situated on the N2 towards George, in Sedgefield, and its 12 km long.

A variety of world class Beaches can be enjoyed in the area, these include:

• Leisure Isle Beach – Bollard Bay is a model family beach with safe swimming in shallow waters.
• Knysna Heads – ideal for snorkeling, but its very dangerous to swim out into the channel between The Heads because of the tidal currents. 
• Coney Glen – a popular fishing and picnic spot on the Eastern Head.  There are BBQ facilities near the parking area.
• Buffalo Bay – a family beach with safe swimming and excellent surfing conditions, also ideal for walking and fishing.  Whales and dolphins are often spotted from shore.

There are abundant wildlife experiences in the Knysna area to be enjoyed.   Highlights include the Birds of Eden – the largest free flight aviary in the world, covering 2.3 hectares and hosting nearly 200 bird species.  Another “must do” is a visit to Monkeyland, situated approximately 50 km east of Knysna.  The free roaming sanctuary is home to Gibbons, Lemours and Brown Howlers to name a few species.  With its winding walkways and dense forest canopy you will experience the primates as you would experience them in the wild.  Lastly, don’t forget a visit to the Elephant Sanctuary.  Operating from the Crags, you can meet the 6 resident elephants in a natural indigenous forest setting.   Enjoy a guided walk or elephant ride on these gentle giants!