The beautiful Garden Route town of Knysna is by far one of South Africa’s most scenic and wonderful towns to explore, with so much on offer.
Found along South Africa’s favourite coastal stretch, the Garden Route – Knysna is a popular town for holidaying, adventures and seaside escapes.
If you want to visit Knysna, book with Afristay – see our excellent range of Knysna accommodation.
Here are some fun and different activities to enjoy in Knysna:
#1 Visit the Knysna Elephant Park
Experience an unforgettable up-close and personal experience with these famous gentle, giants, on their terms at the wonderful Knysna Elephant Park, which was first established in 1994, as SA’s first facility to house and look after orphaned African elephants.
Visitors can enjoy viewing the creatures in their natural habitat, free from inhibiting fencing, with well-trained staff on-hand to ensure safety for all.
Contact: (044) 532 7732
Website: http://knysnaelephantpark.co.za
Address: Off the N2 between Knysna and Plettenberg Bay
Photo credit: Fernanda Machado via Instagram
#2 Enjoy Brenton Beach
At Brenton-on-Sea, lying near the Knysna Western Head, you can visit the pristine, beautiful Brenton Beach. It is surrounded by indigenous forests and of course, edged by the stunning, warm Indian Ocean.
Enjoy long walks along the breath-taking shoreline, gathering sea shells and exploring little pools and rocks.
Contact: (044) 382 5510
Website: http://www.visitknysna.co.za
Address: Brenton Beach, Brenton-on-Sea, Knysna
#3 Picnic and hike at Jubilee Creek
Enjoy a beautiful forest picnic alongside a cool, forest stream. There are lots of picnic sites (with facilities). You can also do the Jubilee Creek walk to a waterfall and swimming hole.
There is a minimal entry fee for adults and children older than 13.
Contact: (044) 302 5600
Website: http://www.gardenrouteadventureguide.com
Address: Jubilee Creek Nature Reserve, Knysna
#4 Take a ferry trip across the Lagoon
Enjoy a ferry ride across the Lagoon with Knysna Charters to the iconic Knysna Heads. Cruises depart daily from in front of Sirocco Restaurant, Thesen Island.
Trips last approximately 75 minutes.
For pricing and other trip details, please contact the tour provider directly.
Contact: (082) 892 0469
Website: http://www.knysnacharters.com
Address: Thesen Island, Knysna
#5 Visit the Wild Oats Community Farmers’ Market
For many years now, this diverse and internationally famous farmers’ market, situated on the outskirts of nearby coastal town Sedgefield, has been attracting locals and travellers alike.
Experience the award-winning market first-hand every Saturday, come rain or shine, throughout the year to buy fresh, locally produced foods, bottled goods and so much more.
Times (summer) 7:30am – 12pm and 8:00 am – 12pm (winter).
Contact: (082) 376 5020
Website: http://www.wildoatsmarket.co.za
Address: N2, Sedgefield
Photo credit: Ingrid Botha via Instagram
#6 Head to Buffalo Bay Beach
Lying some 25 minutes from Forest Edge is one of the cleanest, safest and loveliest of the Garden Route’s beaches. Famous for whale watching and surfing, it’s popular among families and outdoor adventurers both.
There’s a restaurant/shop and life guards during the busy season.
Contact: (044) 383 0038
Website: http://www.forestedge.co.za
Address: Buffalo Bay Beach, Knysna
#7 Experience Featherbed Nature Reserve
This South African Natural Heritage Site is home to two of the Garden Route’s biggest icons, the Knsyna Loerie and Blue Duiker, one of the smallest antelope species in Africa, and other wildlife!
Join the daily 3.5-4-hour excursion to Featherbed Nature Reserve – a 150 hectare private nature reserve – which encompasses the whole Western Knysna Head.
It includes a ferry ride, 4×4 drive up Western Knysna Head, optional guided 2.2 km trail walk and buffet lunch at a world-renowned forest restaurant.
Note: COVID may affect the availability and opening of this offering.
Contact: (044) 382 1693
Website: http://www.knysnafeatherbed.com
Address: Featherbed Nature Reserve, Knysna Quays, Knysna
#8 Swim in the Drupkelders Rock Pools
Drupkelders – meaning Dripping Cellars – are wonderful rock pools within Knysna forest; do the 3.5km forest walk and visit these amazing rock pools.
Pack in a picnic and swimming clothes and don comfortable, good walking shoes. Only 12 people are allowed in per day, with a SANPARKS permit a must.
Contact: (044) 389 0126 or (044) 302 5606
Website: http://www.forestedge.co.za
Address: N2, between Knysna and Sedgefield
Photo credit: Jake Aikman via Instagram
#9 Explore the Knysna Heads
Go scuba diving and explore the depths of Knysna Heads. One of the most popular shore dives is to the wreck of Paquita, a German vessel, which sank in 1903.
However, the site experiences strong currents so may only be dived to on the turn of the tide. Here, you will also encounter a variety of underwater life in this vibrant lagoon.
Contact: none
Website: http://www.diveadvisor.co.za
Address: 25 George Rex, The Heads, Knysna
#10 Pop by Millwood House Museum
Visit the intriguing Materolli Museum, which depicts the Millwood Goldfield Gold Rush of 1876, and Tea Garden, and learn about the birth of the former Millwood Mining Village.
Contact: (044) 302 6320
Website: http://www.gardenrouteadventureguide.com
Address: Queen Street, Knysna
#11 Winetasting and cheese at Packwood Wine Estate
Visit this award-winning vineyard-and-country estate, found between Plettenberg Bay and Knysna. It is surrounded by indigenous forest and offers amazing nature and views alike.
Enjoy wines and homemade cheese tastings, produced from the estate’s gardens and dairy.
Contact: (044) 532 7614
Website: http://www.packwood.co.za
Address: Off N2, between Plettenberg Bay and Knysna, Garden Route
#12 Do the Blombos Trail
Undertake the longest of six trails found within Goukamma Nature Reserve: Blombos Trail. It’s aimed primarily at bird spotters and has three different route option to choose from at 6.5, 13 and 15km respectively.
Contact: none
Website: http://www. gardenrouteadventureguide.com
Address: Goukamma National Reserve, Knsyna
#13 Cycle Harkeville MTB Trails
The Harkeville Trails offer a variety of mountain biking routes to suit all fitness levels and riders.
They are colour coded and include: Yellow (14km), Blue (12km), Green Route (15km) and Red Route (24km).
Contact: (044) 532 7793
Website: http://www.knysnacycles.co.za
Address: Harkeville, Garden Route
#14 Experience deep sea fishing
Operating out of the famous Knysna Heads, with Eco Afrika Tours you can experience the thrill of hooking, fighting and eventually holding your own fish proudly.
Their vessel is a registered charter with a fully qualified skipper on board. The trip includes a fully equipped 7-hour fishing adventure.
Cost is R900 per person, kids under 14 are not permitted and groups must include a minimum of 4, a maximum of 11 passengers.
Contact: (082) 558 6570
Website: http://www.eco-afrika-tours.co.za
Address: Eco Afrika Tours, Knysna, Garden Route
Photo credit: Mary Santore via Instagram
#15 Enjoy the Garden of Eden Forest Walk
Located nearby in Plettenberg Bay, this amazing forest walk site, first opened in 1926, is set along boardwalks, is designed to be wheel-chair friendly (along the 800m trail) and is intended to give you the feeling of total seclusion.
Pack along a picnic lunch and enjoy this wonderful forest experience.
Contact: (012) 428 9111
Website: http://www.sanparks.org
Address: Harkeville, Plettenberg Bay, Garden Route
#16 Visit Grootdraai Picnic Site
Located outside Gouna Forest and near the Terblans Trail (though you will need a permit if you wish to hike this) is Grootdraai Picnic Site, equipped with braai and ablution facilities, a lawn picnic area, picnic benches and fresh water.
Consider doing the Terblans Trail first or simply head there straight away and settle down for a relaxed, tasty picnic at Grootdraai.
Contact: none
Website: http://www.gardenrouteguide.com
Address: Gouna Forest Station, Knysna
#17 Kayak with Knysna Kayak tours
Enjoy kayaking in lovely Knysna with Knysna SUP and Kayak Hire. They are affordable and allow you to explore to Lagoon in your own time, meaning you can even stop over at the beach if you like too.
Contact: (082) 892 0469
Website: http://www.visitknysna.co.za
Address: Thesen Island, Knysna
Although there is always so much more in the lush, beautiful Garden Route to explore, these are certainly some of the top activities and experiences to enjoy in lovely Knysna.
Book your Knysna getaway now!
Knysna is a 30 min drive from Plettenberg Bay, so you can always book Plettenberg Bay accommodation – and also our entire collection of Garden Route accommodation.