Meet local people, learn about township and Rastafarian life in all its vibrant and colourful culture with township tours.

There are a few cultural township tours available in Knysna which include guided village walks, hikes, forest walks and over-night stays. You will hear amazing storytelling, taste authentic African food and learn local crafts and skills.

Join the locals in a dance around the fire, enjoy the drumming rhythm and take a ride on a donkey cart.  There are so many different aspects of this community to experience, like tasting a roosterkoek on the on the upper deck of a modified RDP house or taking a wild ride in a local taxi!

As so well put on the Living local website; “You cannot call a quick drive through the township a cultural experience – you have to participate and not just be a spectator.”

Visit http://www.knysnalivinglocal.co.za for information, contact numbers and pricelists.

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WILD OATS, Scarab and Island Markets

WILD OATS Farmers’ Market, Scarab craft market and Island flea market are located outside of Sedgefield at the turnoff to Sedgefield Island. Although they are 3 independent markets, the trio makes for a vibrant Saturday mornings entertainment.

The Farmers market is its 13th year and is internationally famous. The market continues to attract the enthusiastic attention of both locals and tourists who consistently return for more of its festive fare.

It is a showcase of locally-produced foods, including free-range meats, chicken, lamb, dairy and cheese, the market also specializes in fresh-from-the-field veg, freshly baked and bottled goods, as well as a wide variety of breakfasts from scrambled egg croissants to a full English brekkie.  Need for a picnic basket? – Fresh bread, sausages, samoosas, olives, cheeses, vegetables, desserts – all local produce from talented producers in the area.

The Scarab Craft Market to the far east of Engen Petrol Station is the source of the best authentic, handmade craft on the Garden Route. There are games and a playground for the kids, original clothing and décor items and wood-turning demonstrations. Paper-making,  Woodwork, glass work, beading, jewellery, Caftans, homemade preserves and art, the list is endless

The flea market is bursting with 2^nd hand books, unique gift ideas, yummy foods and interesting people.

These markets are a must-do for visitors to get a feel of the local colour. As Anne From Uk said “A colourful celebration of life” (Tripadvisor)

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Bird Sanctuary Plettenbergbay

RADICAL RAPTORS is a rehabilitation centre in Plettenbergbay, Garden Route that aims at community awareness, and the rescue, rehabilitation and release of birds of prey.
The word raptor is derived from the Latin raptare, meaning ‘to seize’ and used to refer to a group of birds who hunt for meat. They have powerful talons and beaks for tearing flesh as well as amazing eyesight for hunting.

Chemicals, poisons, manmade structures and humans cause harm to these beautiful creatures. Many times, they are shot for killing livestock when in fact they were just eating from the carcass.

Birds that have been hand raised will be kept at bird sanctuary for educational and eco-tourism programmes as they will not breed naturally in the wild. However, many raptors are rehabilitated using falconry techniques and after being weighed and measured released back into nature.
There are numerous birds, some with pet names. Bj is a Cape Vulture, Bella, a Verreaux Eagle, Angie, a peregrine falcon, Milly, a Lanner Falcon and Buzz is a common buzzard – just to name a few.

This is a fun and educational visit for the kids; the facilities are well priced and professionally run and the guides are informative and very passionate.
Flying displays are held every day except Mondays. This is a great opportunity to witness these magnificent birds in natural surroundings. You might even have the chance for a bird to land on you (gloved) hand!

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Start or end your adventure at a quaint tea room called Mother Holly’s. It is in the last original mining house with a museum of photographs, documents, maps and artifacts in quiet garden at the beginning of a 1km uphill walk to the mining area. Enjoy a good pot of tea, the largest scones in the world or a tasty chicken sandwich.

You’ll pass of the hole-in-the-ground diggings before reaching the Bendigo mine. You have to wear helmets and carry a torch, although there is ample lighting in the tunnel. Most of the time you can stand upright and most people do not find it claustrophobic. It is definitely worth a day trip if you are in the area. This ghost mine town leaves you with a feeling of lost, forgotten souls and is endlessly intriguing

The small fees are for the park entry & the mining museum only. Dust off your sense of adventure and go, it’s brilliant.

If you are looking for ideas for a day trip then consider Millwood Goldmine. Interesting piece of history set in spectacular natural beauty.

Nearby is a 9km hike through the Knysna forest as well as Jubillee creek which is well worth a visit with a picnic basket and swimming costume.

For more info contact Sanparks at 044 302 9021 or chat to one of our friendly staff members at Elephant Hide Lodge.

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The Knysna Elephant Park is situated outside of Knysna, on the way to Plettenberg Bay. Visitors don’t need to book, but can just turn up and depending on the season can be on an elephant encounter in no time at all!

Knysna Elephant Park

There is a small museum dedicated to elephants that have passed through Knysna in the past as well as educational displays relating to ivory trading and poaching.

A short documentary on the Knysna Elephant Park as well as safety in dealing with the gentle giants is shown before visitors are driven in a 4×4 out into the veld to meet them.

As soon as the elephants hear the cars, they make their way to the posts anticipating the baskets of fruit and veg which you have the option of buying at the reception area.  Make sure that you get a basket or two as this is your route to a very close encounter with the elephants! There are ample opportunities to get up close and personal. Feed them, touch them and take lots of photos!

Feeding the Knysna Elephants

There is also a resident photographer who will sell you prints and digital images back at base.

The Park is very well managed with all of the staff showing excellent professionalism and pride in their conservation work.

Touching a Knysna Elephant

Visitors can finish off their experience with a visit to the well-stocked curio shop and an excellent meal at the restaurant.

Remember to wear trainers for the walk; there is long grass areas and uneven ground.

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The tour begins with a detailed safety briefing followed by a ‘kitting up’ session where full body harness, pulleys and climbing equipment is issued and checked. Although really high up, we all felt completely safe as the guides handled the equipment so professionally. We were at all times clipped on to at least one safety cable but usually two

Safety First

The guides were very professional, knowledgeable and although focused on safety fun was definitely had by all.

Gliding from tree to tree like Tarzan, looking down from the amazingly high and old indigenous trees onto the forest floor was an experience of a life time. The instructors had excellent knowledge about the fauna & flora and provided interesting facts about the forest ecology during the 2½ to 3 hours. We spotted a Knysna Loerie and managed to admire his beautiful colours before he went hopping through the branches monkey-like.

The Tsitsikamma canapy tour was an amazing experience and I would recommend it to everyone.

A nice touch was that after the experience while we were eating our meal, we could watch on the TV screens footage of us on the zipline

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The Knysna Hiking trail is the best of both worlds with forest, river, sea and boulder beach, The Kranshoek trail is a challenging but beautiful hike.

The path begins in the forest, winding steeping down into the gorge. With the aid of man made steps, this part is not as tricky as it could have been.

Down at the bottom, the river has drinkable cola coloured water and a steady stream that travels over the rock beds. The path crosses over the river quite a few times and we found it quite pleasant to cool ourselves down with a splash of water.

We saw many beautiful birds and heard      both the Knysna Loerie and baboons barking in the close vicinity. Up till this point the biggest challenge was dodging the numerous spiderwebs on the trail. If you are walking first, a big stick or ‘web catcher’ is a must!

The path catches you by surprise and comes out quite suddenly onto a boulder or pebble beach. What a magnificent sight. The cliffs and rock structures are absolutely amazing. The walk across the beach is a little tricky so we took it a little slower and stopped once or twice for a dip in the rock pools.

At this point you can choose to take the longer route to the end of the beach and end the walk through the plantation or to take the short cut with a very strenuous uphill walk. Once at the top again, there is a lovely picnic spot under the trees.

This Knysna Hiking trail will take approximately 3-4 hours and is 9.4km long. The fee is R17 per person which can be paid at the entrance boom.

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The oyster is a mollusc with an irregularly shaped shell. It lives attached to rocks and has no means of self-propelled movement.

Oysters were as popular back in the day of the ancient Greeks and Romans as they are today. Even Abraham Lincoln used to throw “oyster parties’ where nothing else was served.

The word aphrodisiac comes from the legend of Aphrodite the Greek Goddess of Love who rose out of the sea on an oyster shell. Perhaps the old wives tale has some truth to it, as scientist have discovered a rare amino acid which increases sex hormones –  just ask Casanova , the world famous 18 century lover, who ate up to 50 oysters daily.

The Pick n Pay Oyster festival will take place from 28 June to 7 July 2013. The festival was established 28 years ago to encourage people to visit Knysna during the long winter months. Today it has become a well-known event and which attracts people from all over the country.

There is the Forest Marathon, Half Marathon and Rotary Knysna Cycle Tour for the sport lovers and wine and whisky tastings and the oyster eating competitions for the not so sporty. In fact there are more than 100 events from the waitron race to a bowls tournament – catering for everyone!

An added benefit, for those concerned about their waistlines while on holiday, is that oysters are a balanced food with a good source of protein, omega oil!

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Knysna Canoe Trip

Go Vertical‘s Full Day Knysna Adventure Trail is an amazing experience! Part Knysna canoe trip, part beach walk, this full day adventure is a must if you would like to see Knysna from more than one view point.

Buffalobay beach walk

Safety first! The canoes are stable and so easy to paddle and the safety briefing and compulsory life-jackets make it a worry free fun day for the whole family.

Canoeing towards the Knysna Heads

Start out with a gentle paddle towards the Knysna Heads and enjoy the waves as you past by Leisure Isle. The guide is very informative and knowledgeable and points out a wide variety of bird life and sea-life.

At Brenton on sea the canoes are grounded and it’s time for a short but slightly strenuous walk up the hill. Worth it – The spectacular view of the Knysna Lagoon and Buffalo Bay is breath-taking!

A well-deserved lunch of gourmet sandwiches is supplied. Perfect – You wont believe how hungry you can get.

Take a stroll down the Fishermans walk. Well, maybe not a stroll; gather your courage to tackle the 326 steps to explore the coves and rock pools on the hidden beaches. Look out for crabs, shells, anemone, small fish and sea urchins.

End off a perfect day with an easy paced walk along the pristine beach  to Buffalo Bay, where cold beer and cool drinks await.  Stop for a refreshing swim, but stick to the marked swimming areas as there is back wash in some areas.

 Bring extra water, although some is supplied, sun cream, hat, sunglasses, swimming costume and a waterproof camera to capture the memories.

Go Vertical offer many different types of half and full day guided adventures . Find out more at http://www.govertical.co.za

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Drupkelders Hiking Trail which can be translated into Dripping Cellars is one of Knysna’s best kept secrets.

Drupkelders Hiking Trail

At 3.6km, the Drupkelders hiking trails is quite short and will only take around 40 min to walk. Be aware, however, of the very steep descent as you near the Homtini River.  Although there is a rope attached to the rocks to help the climb down, this should not be attempted by elderly or very unfit people.

Once down, it’s worth the tough climb.  A refreshing swim in one of the many rock pools will invigorate you enough to explore the area.  The very adventurous can take a swim upriver to the beautiful waterfall and jump off the overhanging rocks into the pool below. The depth of the pool has not been tested, so do so with caution!

Drupkelders waterfall

Although the water of the Homtini River is cola coloured, it is drinkable. The discolouration is due to the tannins and humic acids from the leaves on the forest floor.

Homtini River, Drupkelders Hiking trail

The Drupkelders hiking trail and surrounds are part of an ecologically sensitive area. A permit must be obtained from the access gate at Bibbies hoek or at the Sanpark office in Thesen Island. The fee is R35 per person. Only 12 people are allowed on the trail at any one time, so book ahead by calling the Sanpark offices at (044) 302 5600 or (044) 302 5606

Bring a couple of sandwiches to picnic at the rock pools, flip flops for the beach, costume, towel, hat, suncream and a waterproof camera. Wear good walking shoes and bring water for the hike and of course, don’t forget to pack your spirit of adventure!

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