Knysna: A Must-Visit Destination on South Africa’s Garden Route

Knysna is a picturesque town nestled along South Africa’s renowned Garden Route in the Western Cape Province. Surrounded by lush forests, tranquil lagoons, and rugged coastlines, Knysna offers a perfect blend of natural beauty and small-town charm, making it an ideal getaway for nature lovers and adventurers alike.

At the heart of Knysna lies the stunning Knysna Lagoon, framed by the iconic Knysna Heads—two towering sandstone cliffs that guard the entrance to the Indian Ocean.

WHILE YOU’RE THERE: Visit the Knysna Elephant Park: The park is home to several rescued elephants, and visitors can learn about these magnificent creatures and even feed them.

WHILE YOU’RE THERE: Visit the Featherbed Nature Reserve: This nature reserve is only accessible by ferry, and offers visitors a chance to explore the unique flora and fauna of the region, including ancient milkwood trees, wildflowers, and a variety of bird species.

A popular film location

This scenic town, often featured as the backdrop in films, remains a favorite holiday destination for travelers. In addition to the iconic Knysna Heads, a must-see attraction, the area is renowned for the Garden Route National Park, offering breathtaking natural beauty. While exploring Knysna, make time to visit the Daleen Matthee Big Tree, named after the beloved South African author, or immerse yourself in nature on the enchanting “Circles in the Forest” hiking trail, inspired by her works.

Movies filmed in Knysna:

“Circles in a Forest” (1989): Based on Dalene Matthee’s novel, this film was shot in the Knysna Forest, highlighting its mystical allure.
“Fiela se Kind” (1988): An adaptation of Matthee’s work, filmed in the Knysna area, depicting the region’s rich landscapes.
“Toorbos” (2019): This drama was shot in the Knysna Forest, capturing its enchanting environment.
“Knysna” (2014): A romantic comedy set and filmed in the town, showcasing its scenic beauty.

Something unique

Knysna Seahorses: Found in the lagoon, they are rare and unique to the area. Learn about them at SANParks or during a snorkeling tour.
Fresh Oysters: Knysna is famous for its oysters, celebrated annually during the Knysna Oyster Festival.

Events to Plan Around

Knysna Oyster Festival (July): A 10-day celebration with food, sports, and live entertainment.
Pink Loerie Festival (May): A colorful celebration of LGBTQ+ culture that draws visitors from around the world.

WHILE YOU’RE THERE: Take a sunset cruise on the lagoon: A sunset cruise is a great way to see the lagoon and surrounding areas from a different perspective. Look out for the resident pod of bottlenose dolphins.

Shopping and Souvenirs

Explore Knysna Waterfront and Woodmill Lane Shopping Centre for unique gifts, local crafts, and art.

Whale Watching

Keep an eye out for whales along the coast of nearby Plettenberg Bay—one of the best spots for whale watching in the region. From mid-May to February, the chances of spotting these magnificent creatures are high. Humpback whales, often accompanied by their calves, arrive in early November and linger until late February, with the occasional sighting in May and June adding to the excitement.

Nature’s beauty is all around. Take the time to explore the surroundings while you’re here.

Take a Road Trip

There are quite a few fabulous places nearby to visit. Towns like:

Wildernis,
Plettenberg Bay,
George,
Mosselbay,
Sedgefield,
Groot Brakriver,
Klein Brak River,
Keurboomstrand,
and even towards Oudtshoorn
and Calitzdorp,

and many more (it all depends on how far you would like to drive).

Driving from Mossel Bay to Storms River—or even just up to Plettenberg Bay—is a fascinating journey packed with incredible stops and experiences along the way. If you’re looking for more tips on what to see, where to go, or the best spots to visit, feel free to reach out on our Facebook page. We’re always happy to share suggestions—just mention this article! In the meantime, here are a few ideas to get you started:

WHILE YOU’RE THERE: Go mountain biking: Knysna is known for its mountain biking trails, which offer a variety of terrains, including forest tracks and challenging climbs.

Stay in a castle on the beach – beachfront castles are unique!

Knysna offers stunning views and some of South Africa’s most famous beaches, including the enchanting Noetzie Beach, known for its unique castles. South African beaches are renowned for their soft sands, and Noetzie is no exception. What sets it apart is the chance to stay in one of the iconic beachfront castles, making it an unforgettable experience.

The oldest castle, at Noetzie, was built as a holiday house in 1930 out of the local natural stone. The story is told that the owner had no intention of building a “castle”, but simply used the stone for practical reasons. Then someone remarked: “All you need to do is to add a few turrets and you’ll have a castle”. So that is exactly what he did and it became known as “The Castle”.

While the Noetzie Castles aren’t historical fortresses or sites of epic battles, they’re charming beach homes designed in a castle style. Even so, staying in a beachfront castle is a pretty unique and memorable experience!

Knysna is set just a few minutes from Plettenberg Bay, Sedgefield, and with the famous Brenton-on-Sea, and with Noetzie nearby, there are many accommodation options available.

Map of Knysna - Benton on sea and Knoetzie

A few of our favorite places in Knysna area - The Knoetzie Castles:

Perlekuil Castle

How about breakfast with that view?

Buccara Pezula Castle

WHY WE RECOMMEND: Buccara Pezula Castle in Knysna offers a stunning beachfront stay, with pool and sea views, a private beach area, and free WiFi. The villa includes a fully equipped kitchen, family-friendly amenities, and luxury touches like wine, fruit, and chocolates. Perfectly located near Noetzie Beach and Pezula Golf Club, it’s a unique and relaxing getaway.

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With a view like this from my Castle, I would be happy. 🙂

Set in Knoetzie, a few steps from Noetzie Beach, Craighross Castle offers accommodation with a shared lounge, free WiFi, and a shared kitchen. Featuring a patio, the villa is in an area where guests can engage in activities such as hiking and canoeing.

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The nearest airport to Knysna is the George Airport (GRJ), which is about a one hour drive from Knysna.

If you are looking for a luxury, pet-friendly hotel with a championship golf course, look no further. The Award-winning Pezula Resort offers all this and much more, like a spa for some pampering sessions. Pezula Resort received the ‘Africa’s Leading Sports Resort’ Award in 2020: Pezula Nature Hotel & Spa, South Africa

Forest Valley Self-Catering Cottages with stunning panoramic views of the forests, valley, and mountains surrounding Knysna, also have a swimming pool. The cottages include private decks with BBQ facilities and hammocks. Each comes with a well-equipped kitchen and dining area, a lounge with a fireplace, and a satellite TV. Top location. Highly rated by guests.

Stay in the beachfront Perlekuil Castle just a few steps from Noetzie Beach and 1.4 mi from Sparrebosch Beach.

Visit Addo Elephant Park

Go to the Knysna Heads View Point.
Visit the Waterfront, Curion Shops, and many Restaurants. (Eating fresh oysters while in Knysna, is a must.)
You will find many boat cruise options in Knysna.

Always make sure you book with a reliable vendor. We would recommend booking with the below reliable link.