Knysna

Knysna Oyster Festival

By car

By bus

• The major bus companies serve Knysna on their run from Cape Town to Port Elizabeth.
• Dmj Transport has the lowest fare from Knysna to Cape Town at R210. And from Knysna to Port Elizabeth Dmj transport has a fare of only R150.
• Intercape has a sleepliner bus from Knysna to Johannesburg/Pretoria every day 3PM with a fare from R569.
• The Baz Bus stops in Knysna.
• There are minibus taxis from Knysna to George and from Knysna to Plettenberg Bay. The minibus station is outside the Shoprite supermarket Nelson street.

By plane

By train

• The lagoon: about 18 km² and home to at least 200 species of fish is connected with the Indian Ocean through a turbulent channel between "The Heads", two sandstone cliffs. Tour around on one of several boats or just take a coffee at "the Heads". Take a boat across to the Featherbed Nature Reserve on the Heads (this is an organised tour because it's a private reserve, but it's a good way to spend some time on the lagoon then take a walk in the reserve).
• The Knysna Forest: about 80,000 ha are now under conservation. The 'King Edward VII' tree (at Diepwalle forest station) is an estimated 600 years old, 39 m at height, and has a circumference of 6 m. The most famous animals are the Knysna elephants. Research involving DNA testing of dung is being done to see how many of them may still rumble in the jungle, please report any "dung" sightings! Remember to always take care. There are several hiking trails but you need a car to access the forest. Don't forget the conservation motto "Take only photographs, leave only footprints!".
• Pledge Nature Reserve: offers 3½ km of pathways through scrub forest and hillside fynbos with fine views over the lagoon and is 500 m from the town centre. A nice place for a walk in the afternoon.
• Millwood Gold Fields: Site of one of the first gold rushes in South Africa, the Millwood Museum and Materoli Tea Room (be sure to try a piece of Jayne's World Famous Chocolate Cake) offers a unique and fascinating view of the greed, entrepreneurship, energy, and ultimate failure of the first gold discovered in South Africa during the late 1800s. Tours through the old gold diggings are available.

• Jubilee Creek

  phone: +27 44 302 5600
  Picnic site in forest.

• Knysna Houseboats

  phone: +27 44 382-2802
  Hire a fully equipped self-drive Knysna houseboat and spend your holiday gently floating along on Knysna's tidal lagoon. No experience or skipper's licence is required.
• Walk along the lagoon, take a coffee at one of the many shops at the waterfront and head straight on for The Heads.
• There are many golf courses around, often with stunning settings or views. Pezula Championship Course and Golf Club Simola Golf and Country Estate, and Knysna Golf Club.

• Knysna Elephant Park

  phone: +27 44 532-7732
  Offers the unique opportunity to get up close and personal with African elephants. The elephants here are orphans from various SAN Parks and further afield, and they are so used to humans now that it is possible to feed them and actually touch them! Buy a bucket of fruit at the entrance and the elephants will pick up bits of fruit that you offer to them in your hands, or far more likely, they will take it straight from your bucket when you're not looking! You can also (if you book well in advance) take an evening or morning walk with the elephants. If you have the time, this is an experience not to be missed.

• Orbit Day Trips

  phone: +27 44 382-1546
  4 Safaris in the Knysna and Plettenberg bay area. Safari 1: Monkey, Bird & Elephant Safari. Safari 2: Game, Whale & Dolphin Safari. Safari 3: Site-seeing Day Tour (ideal for rainy or drizzly weather days). Or a customised tour (minimum 6 people).

• GoVertical Mountaineering Adventures

  phone: +27 82 731-4696
  address: Waterfront Knysna
  Abseiling, rock climbing, kloofing, trekking, hiking and slackpacking adventures in the Garden Route Knysna.

• Millwood Mine walk

• Forest Walks

• Mountain bike in one of the beautiful forests.

Events

• Knysna Oyster Festival

• Gastronomica Festival KnysnaFood, wine festival

• Pink Loerie Mardi Gras and Arts Festival

• Pep Store

  address: St Georges Street
  Low-cost clothing, shoes & cell phones.

Supermarkets

• Spar

  address: Main Road

• Checkers

  address: Rawson Street

• Shoprite

  address: Crn Grey & Nelson Streets

• Savers Lane

  address: 1 Nelson Street
  Low cost supermarket.

• Pick N Pay

  address: Woodmill Lane

• Game

  address: Main street
  Part of Wal-mart USA.

Banks & ATMs

• First National Bank

  address: 41 Main Street
  Has a Mastercard/Visa Card ATM.

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• The Dry Dock

  address: Waterfront
  Great ambiance and delicious food.

• Ile de Pain

  address: Thesens Island
  Delicious dishes with various kinds of home-made bread.

• Zachary's Restaurant'The highly acclaimed Zachary's is a sophisticated world-class gourmet restaurant under the helm of Executive Chef Geoffrey Murray, who delights in serving up local ingredients inspired by global influences.

• Persello's Pizzeria

  phone: +27 44 382-2665
  address: Memorial Square
  Italian pizzeria with wood-fired ovens, home-made pasta, lasagne, cannelloni, crostoli, crisini and other gourmet treats all under a charming atmosphere.

• Freshline Fisheries

  phone: +27 44 382 3131
  Probably the best value for money seafood in Knysna.

• Tapas and Oysters Knysna

  phone: +27 44 382 7196
  address: TH 29, Thesen Island, Knysna

• 34 South

  phone: +27 44 382 7331
  address: Shop 19, Knysna Quays

• Mitchell's Brewery

  phone: +27 44 382-4685
  address: Arend St
  Offers tours around the brewery and tastings of their beer.

Budget

• Monks Caravan Park and Camping

  phone: +27 44 382-2609
  Monks Caravan Park is on the edge of the lagoon.

• Island Vibe

  phone: +27 44-3821728
  address: 67 Main street
  Dorm beds, free internet, has a swimming pool.

• Knysna Backpackers

  phone: +27 44-3822554
  address: 42 Queen street

• Jembjo"s Knysna Lodge & Backpackers

  phone: +27-44-3822658
  address: 4 Queen Street
  Single/double rooms and dorm beds, free breakfast, free Wifi & DSTV. Book 3 nights get 10% off the price.

• Knysna Glampackers at 52 on Main

  phone: +27 443 824 141
  address: 52 Main Rd
  11 Cosy wooden chalets set within a forest garden each with either bathroom or shower in single, double or family options. Breakfast is not included.

Mid-range

• Under Milkwood Chalets

  phone: +27 44 384-0745
  Has 16 log chalets nestled amongst the Milkwood trees on the shore of the Knysna Lagoon. Rate from R825 per person per night.

• Amber Guest Lodge

  phone: +27 44 384-1478
  address: 11 Duthie Street, Rexford
  Four-star bed and breakfast or self-catering accommodation.

• Bamboo Guest House Knysna

  phone: +27 44 384-0937
  address: 9 Bolton Street, Hunters Home
  Accommodation on a bed and breakfast basis, 14 en suite rooms are individually styled and decorated with a distinct African touch.

• Big Tree House self-catering

  phone: +27 44 382-5604
  address: 56 Milkwood Drive, Upper Old Place
  Timber-frame double-storey home.

• Forest Valley Cottages

  phone: +27 84 606-0813
  address: Rheenendal
  Cottages sleep 4 to 8, with valley views.

• Inyathi Guest Lodges

  phone: +27 44 382-7768
  address: 52 Main Road, Westhill
  A most unusual guesthouse: although it is right in the centre of town, once you enter the premises you have the feeling of being in the middle of the African bush. 3-star.

• Knysna Houseboats

  phone: +27 44 382-2802
  address: TH 34 Long street, Thesen Islands
  Offers 4- to 5-berth luxury self-drive houseboats on the lagoon.

• Knysna Manor House

  phone: +27 44 382-5440
  address: 19 Fichat Street, Central
  3-star guesthouse offering B & B accommodation on the Garden Route. The old Victorian mansion was built in the 1890s as a residence for Knysna's mayor, and overlooks the beautiful lagoon.

• Knysna River Club

  phone: +27 44 382-6483
  address: Sun Valley Drive, Costa Sarda
  On the edge of the lagoon, the multi-award-winning Knysna River Club is a private enclave of self-catering log chalets. Surrounded by shady trees and well-tended gardens, the resort offers security, privacy and comfort.

• Knysna Terrace

  phone: +27 44 382-6460
  4-star guest house.

• Lagoona Inn

  phone: +27 44 382-4656
  address: 22a Dikkop St

• Lazy Leopard

  phone: +27 82 965-5765
  address: Rheenendal
  Especially the 2 smaller cottages (just 2 persons) are very nice, both have bathrooms with lots of glass, as if you are outside.

• Log-Inn

  phone: +27 44 382-5835
  address: 16 Gray Street, Central
  "Indigenous" concept.

• Sandybanks

  phone: +27 44 382-4904
  address: Thesen Island
  Sandybanks is a self-catering holiday home built in the style of a contemporary boathouse on the edge of the Knysna Lagoon. Views and bird watching. Swimming pool. Kayaks and bicycles available.

• Saffron Self-catering Holiday House

  phone: +27 44 382-0089
  address: Thesen Islands
  The house has 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, lounge, dining room, kitchen, scullery, single garage and patio directly over the lagoon.

• Wayside Inn

  phone: +27 44 382-6011
  address: 48 Main St
  A very nice B&B in the centre of the town.

• Zauberberg Cottage

  phone: +27 44 382-5357
  address: 28 Ridge Drive, Paradise
  In a quiet suburb above town and offers self-catering and B&B in two traditional timber cottages surrounded by a lush indigenous garden and with a view onto the Lagoon.

• Under Milkwood Chalets

  phone: +27 44 384-0745
  Has 16 log chalets, nestled amongst the Milkwood trees on the shore of the Knysna Lagoon.

Splurge

• Elephant Hide of Knysna Accommodation

  phone: +27 44 382-0427
  address: Cherry Lane, Welbedacht
  On top of the Welbedacht Cliff Tops 3 km from Knysna Town, the Lodge overlooks the Knysna Lagoon and the Outeniqua mountains. The theme of the Lodge is one based on natural beauty with stone and wood architecture combining to give that comfortable earth feel. The surroundings attracting numerous bird species. All the suites have double showers with views and are private. The lodge is a family run business that prides itself on personal service.

• The GrayWood Hotel

  phone: +27 44 382-5850
  address: Cnr Gray & Trotter Streets, Central
  The three-star Graywood Hotel has 49 en-suite timber log rooms with a licensed bar, secure parking and a full breakfast available.

• Hide-Away Guest House

  phone: +27 44 382-3317
  address: 114 Keerom, Paradise
  4-star guest house. Two Executive Rooms on the ground floor and three Superior Rooms on the first floor offer views of the lagoon and Heads.

• House Hammond

  phone: +27 44 384-1524
  address: 47 Howard Street, Hunters Home
  4-star guest house. Each custom built individual unit, with feature en suite bathroom, is equipped with luxury bedding and stylish décor.

• The Lofts Boutique Hotel at the Boatshed

  phone: +27 44 302-5710
  address: Thesen Islands

• Parkes Manor Knysna

  phone: +27 44 382-5100
  address: 1 Azalia Street, Paradise
  A four-star rated guesthouse.

• Pezula Resort Hotel and Spa

  phone: +27 44 302-3333
  address: Lagoon View Drive, Sparrebosch

• Tonquani Lodge

  address: Welbedacht Lane, Kanonkop
  Rated best B&B/Guesthouse with Self-Catering in South Africa three times in a row. 5-star accommodation.

• Villa Afrikana Guest Suites

  phone: +27 44 382-4989
  address: 13 Watsonia Drive, Paradise
  Spacious suites with combined sleeping and seating area averaging 32 square meters of living space.

• Milkwood Bay Guest House

  phone: +27 44 384-0092
  A Mediterranean villa situated on the shores of the Knysna Lagoon. Rate from R799 pppns.

• Noetzie Castle - East of Knysna some Britons lost their castles on the beach. Worth some hours or more if you like the beach.
• Brenton-on-Sea - Less crowded than Knysna this sea-side village offers endless beaches
• Continue up the Garden Route to Plettenberg Bay or down towards Wilderness