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Situated as it is on the shores of one of the countries largest permanent estuaries and close to the largest area of indigenous forest, Knysna has about it an atmosphere of sea and forest that is unique
Knysna is part old world village with all the charm of the Cape, part bustling tourist town. It cannot be explored in a day, nor can the grandour of its setting on the lagoon's edge be appreciated without a drive up to the top of the horseshoe of green hills that surround it.
Perhaps the best introductory view is from the summit of the eastern heads, a drive of ten minutes from the centre of the town. here the cliffs fall away sheer to the sea where it thunders white against red walls far below. This narrow rocky gorge is the famous Knysna Bar with all its evocative history of sailing ships seeking the calm waters of the lagoon beyond.
From this deep channel between the cliffs with its great flood of salt water that clenses the whole lagoon basin with a refreshing tide each day, the colour of the estuarine water changes drematically and in an unending combination of green and turquoise, denoting sand bars, mud flats or deep gulleys.
Leisure Island is the flat land mass immediately below as you stand looking towards the north. This popular residential area is bordered by a beach of white sand, creatingunbeatable bathing and boating conditionsstretching across to the Knysna Heads township.
Across the channel, the Brenton Hills sweep majestically westwards to Belvidere with its historic Norman Church and on up along the Knysna River to where it emerges from its forested canyon nearly ten kilometres from the Knysna Heads. The lagoon is Knysna's playground and it is undoubtedly on of finest sailing, swimming and fishing centres in the South Africa.
Knysna is justly famous for its indigenous forests and of course the Stinkwood and Yellowwood trees which have flourished in these forest regions for thousands of years. Within twenty minutes drive by car one can be deep in an atmosphere of unspoilt wildernes.
Within easy motoring distance from Knysna are the magnificent beaches of Buffalo Bay, Noetzie, Sedgefield and Plettenberg Baya nd on the way to these popular surf bathing resorts, a wide choice of scenic drives through the forest and up to the foothills of the Outeniqua Mountains.
Ther is another splendid view of Knysna from the top of the Brenton Hills, easily reached by car along a good road and part of a worthwile round trip expidetion of about 30 kilometres past Belvidere Village and the church and on to Brenton-on-Sea.
From the crest of Brenton Hills the view is magnificent; a panorama of lagoon and mountains to the north, and to the south, the long, unspoilt golden curve of Buffalo Bay Beach with the ocean beyond.
Buffalo Bay via Goukamma is a round trip of about 40 Kilometres and the journey takes one past the mouth of the Goukamma River and the Goukamma Nature Reserver.
Turning from the sea to the forewst region north of Knysna, a good overall impression of the forest and mountain foothills can be had by doing the round trip of about 100 Kilometres to the Big Tree, on to Spitzkop, Kruisvalley, over Paardekop and down to Plettenberg Bay, then back along the National Road to Knysna.
Another scenic area which deserves special mention, falling as it does between Sedgefirld and Knysna, is Lake Pleasant and its excellent Black Bass and Blue Gill Sunfish angling. The lake forms part of the Goukamma Nature Reserve, which preserves the specific fauna and flora of the Dune and Milkwood Forest Country.
Some of the interesting sporting events that can be enjoyed in and around Knysna are listed as below:
Abseilling: the Knysna Heads on the Featherbed Nature Reserve. Proberly the hightest site in the world at 121 metres. Qualified guides ensure the days adventure is safe and exhilarating with a range fo abseil sites to jump from. Floodlights enable night abseiling. Another unique 50 mitre site is available at the Robberg Peninsula, a rock climb, exhilerating and strenuous to test the most experienced abseiler.
Boating and Sailing: Boat / yacht cruises and boat hire are available. A great way for the family to spend a day in Knysna. There are various style of boats for hire, alternatively enjoy a guided trip around the estuary.
Boat trips through the Heads: View the Knysna coastline from licenced ski-boats or leisure skippered yachts. See Noetzie, Buffalo bay, Brenton-on-Sea from out in the Indian Ocean. Whales and dolphins are regular visitors to Knysna shores from between May to November.
Bridge Jumping: Experience the thrill of plummeting from a bridge and breaking into an exhilarating pendulum swing. This is made possible by being strapped into a harness secured to ropes which are attached to the oppositre bridge, all you have to do is step off the platform.
Bungy Jumping: Enjoy and experience the worlds hightst Bungy Jump at 216 metres at Bloukrans Bridge, ratified by the Guinness Book of records, not for the faint hearted. 1000% safety record.
Caoneing: Many waterways in the Knysna area are restricted to non-motorized craft, giving ample opportunity for peaceful paddling. there are a number of canoeing trips to choose from.
Canopy Tours: The first of its kind in Arrica, the canopy tour involves traversing form one platform to another along a steel cable suspended up to 30 meters above the forest floor.
Cycling: Knysna plays host to a wide range of cylcing activities throughout the year and posses some spectacular routes fro both young and old alike to enjoy. Cycle hire is readily available with full workshop facilities and skilled staff are on hand to deal with both performance and recreational reider.
Fishing: Deep sea fishing trips with equipment and refreshments provided. Great estuary, river, rock and surf fishing on an area of 30km of coastline. Plentiful freshwater dam and river angling from bass to trout. Something for everyone.
Golf: Knysna boasts three magnificient courses, Pezula Championship Course (formally Sparrebosch). Simola and Knysna Golf Club.
Horse Riding: Knysna offers breathtaking trails and a number of riding schools in the area, each offering its own unique riding trail. Choose from forest, coastal, fynbos and mountain trails, catering for novice and experienced riders.
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