Visiting Knysna, Garden Route South Africa
KNYSNA is a well-known family holiday and honeymooning town of about 80,000 inhabitants situated around the Knysna Lagoon.
Major attractions include water sports, the indigenous, evergreen Knysna Forests, adventure sports, birding, shopping and cuisine.
WEATHER
Knysna’s weather is generally mild and pleasant throughout the year. Rain falls mostly at night.
Summertime is generally warm to hot (wear light clothing and a hat during the day; a light sweater may be required at night).
During wintertime, expect warm days and cool nights (wear layers of clothing which are easily removed during the day; a warm coat may be useful at night). Frost is rare and light snow falls only on the mountain peaks – and only once or twice a year.
To view Knysna’s Webcam and Weather Conditions please click here.
MAJOR ATTRACTIONS IN THE GARDEN ROUTE IN GENERAL
- Astonishing natural beauty (Indian Ocean, lagoons, mountains & the coastal plateau);
- 3 National Parks – The Wilderness National Park; The Knysna National Lake Area; and The Tsitsikamma National Park;
- Numerous provincial and municipal nature reserves;
- The Cape Floristic Kingdom (known locally as ‘fynbos’);
- Evergreen Afromontane forests
- Guided, portered trails with luxury accommodation;
- Safari-style game viewing;
- Animal sanctuaries;
- Bungy jumping (including the world’s highest);
- Golf (there are at least 12 world-class, 18-hole courses between Mossel Bay and Plettenberg Bay);
- Museums (including the historical Outeniqua Choo-Choo steam train between George & Mossel Bay; the Transnet Heritage Foundation’s Transport Museum in George; and the Diaz Museum Complex in Mossel Bay);
KNYSNA
- House-boating, canoeing, fishing and birding on the Knysna Lagoon;
- Ferry cruises & yacht charters;
- Organised forest tours;
- Beaches;• Year-round whale- and dolphin watching (from the shore or by boat);
- Birding (more than 250 species);
- Marked Hiking & walking trails;
- Golf (Pezula; Simola & Knysna Golf Clubs – all 18 holes, par 72);
- Water sports (sailing, canoeing, surfing, wind surfing, kite boarding, kayaking, etc.Sports clubs (bowls, tennis, squash, soccer, rugby, cricket, yachting, etc);
- Scuba diving;
- Fishing;
- Quad biking, 4×4 trails; cycling & mountain-biking;
- Abseiling (for all) & mountain climbing (for enthusiasts);
- Angling (rock and surf, deep-sea, river, bass & fly fishing);• Shopping (clothing, gifts, arts & crafts, etc);
- Art galleries;
- Cultural tours;
- Conference venues
FURTHER AFIELD
• Day drives to the Klein Karoo (the capital, Oudtshoorn, is 120 km from Knysna) to visit ostrich farms, Cango Caves, the Swartberg Mountains, etc.
ACCESS: ROAD
KNYSNA from CAPE TOWN or PORT ELIZABETH on the N2 (the coastal rote)The national route N2 is the main artery along South Africa’s southern and eastern seaboards. It connects Cape Town, George, Knysna, Port Elizabeth, East London, Umtata and Durban.
KNYSNA from CAPE TOWN on the R62 (Route 62 – the inland route)From Cape Town, take the N1 north; at Worcester turn off onto the R60 to Robertson; 3 km after Ashton turn left to Montagu; from Montagu follow the R62 to Barrydale and Oudtshoorn; from Oudtshoorn take the N12 to George and then the N2 to Knysna.
KNYSNA from PORT ELIZABETH on the R62 (Route 62 – the inland route)From Port Elizabeth take the N2 westwards towards Humansdorp; at Howley turn onto the R62 to Kareedouw; at Potjiesberg turn left onto the N9 (R62) to Oudtshoorn; from Oudtshoorn take the N12 to George and then the N2 to Knysna.
NOTE: ROAD CONDITIONS Roads in the Western Cape Province are generally excellent. Road reports may be obtained from the tourism bureau in Knysna
ACCESS: AIR
• George Airport (60 km from Phantom View River Resort) is serviced by scheduled domestic carriers. Most large car hire companies are represented.• Plettenberg Bay Airport (35 km from Phantom View River Resort) is available for non-scheduled flights.
