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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Knysna Lagoon Cruise and The Featherbed Nature Reserve

The Featherbed Nature Reserve in Knysna is one of South Africa’s most beautiful natural heritage sites.The best way to explore this area is to book a tour on the Knysna Lagoon Cruise and The Featherbed Nature Reserve guided walk.

Steps have been taken to preserve the sites indigenous plant and endangered animal life. This means that visits to the reserve are strictly controlled and only accessible by ferry with a trained guide.

Featherbed Nature Reserve In Knysna

Back in the day sailors enjoyed spending a few nights in the sheltered bay. Having become accustomed to rough nights on the ocean, they likened their unfamiliar nocturnal comfort to sleeping on a feather bed. The rest is history!

Majestic views of The Knysna Heads

The Featherbed Company ferry carries visitors from the Knysna Waterfront to the reserve on a daily basis. The Knysna lagoon cruise takes about half an hour and is a wonderful way to see the heads.

Once on dry land, the group is driven to the top of the Western Head. From there it’s an easy 2 km walk through Milkwood forests, Khoi khoi sea caves and along the coastal path. The views are breath taking!

It is possible to spot the the Knysna Loerie with its beautiful red-tipped wings, the cape mountain tortoise, the South African national bird, the blue crane, the very rare African Oyster catcher, white breasted cormorant and bushbuck.

Knysna Loerie

The Blue Duiker is the smallest endangered antelope in Africa.  A breeding programme was started on the reserve in 1985. Unfortunately the public are not permitted to visit the main breeding encampments. There is however a small camp where the public can observe the duiker at close quarters. Having become accustomed to people, some are quite tame and come right up to the fence – as curious of us as we are of them.

Blue Duikers

The guides are knowledgeable and informative and bring a sense of fun to the day.

The forest restaurant is magical! – Essentially a wooden platform under a canopy of Milkwood trees. The delicious buffet style lunch has a huge selection and even caters for vegetarians.

Lunch under the Milkwoods

As a visitor to Knysna, you will not regret doing The Featherbed cruise and guided walk. It is well organised, fun and informative. Remember to bring your camera to capture those awesome views, walking shoes for the guided walk, water, sun cream, a hat and something warm for the ferry ride back.

Contact The Featherbed +27 (0)44 382-1693

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1)  The Garden of Eden, is an enchanting wet forest, near Knysna on the Garden Route. This is one of the most lush and beautiful parts of the Knysna forest and definitely a must-see when visiting this gorgeous region. This part of the Garden Route is characterized by fairytale forests, serene lakes, breathtaking golden beaches and marvelous rivers – making this the perfect place for a variety of outdoor activities. The Garden of Eden is situated in the middle of all it all, so take this opportunity to a break from your action packed holiday to experience a bit of paradise.

The entrance to the Garden of Eden is well marked from the road, so just follow the signs from Knysna and you will easily locate it. A small entrance fee is required at the entrance. This is used towards the conservation of the area and to regulate the thousands of visitors that flock to this natural heaven every year. The “garden” is only open during certain hours and this is dependant on seasonal factors, so be sure to check with the local tourism office before setting off. There are various walking trails in the “garden”, so it is up to you whether you just want to take a leisurely short stroll, or spend a few hours exploring the garden’s surroundings. The various information boards are very helpful in identifying the various plant, bird and small animal life in the “garden”. There are also some wooden paths to make the walk easier, making this is the perfect activity for elderly visitors and families with small children.

Except for the entrance gate and the walking trails, this “garden” is virtually untouched so you can imagine how it used to be like when wild animals lived there. So come experience this little bit of paradise in the heart of the Garden Route.

 2)Golf in the Garden Route The Garden Route has often been described as heaven on earth – a visual gem, this piece of exquisite African scenery and untamed coastline is home to one of South Africa’s top golf courses – The Fancourt Hotel and Country Club Estate, offering four courses to the avid golfer.

Courses include a little something for everyone, for very experienced players to the excited novice and facilities at the hotel for those who enjoy simply sitting back and soaking up the scenery.

 3) Catameran the Knysna Lagoon .The Knysna Waterfront is alive with water activity, including a host of boats, catamarans, paddle-cruisers, yachts and even a floating restaurant, which make up the famous Knysna Ferries. These vessels are the only boats able to navigate upstream and some of which are allowed to enter the Knysna Heads. These beautiful natural geographic outcrops that separate sea from lagoon provide breathtaking scenery – as a backdrop to blazing sunsets and buffers to foam-topped waves, an onboard excursion to the Heads is a must for any Knysna visitor. The ultimate experience however, is to visit them aboard a catamaran such as the Zakat, which cruises through the Heads and offers oysters and champagne – what a way to end the day.

 4) Birds Of Eden is one the most magical bird sanctuaries around, it is located on 2.3 hectares and is the largest single, free-fight aviary in the world-according to the Guinness World Records. It is truly a magnificent place to go and enjoy mother nature at its best.

Birds Of Eden is can be found right next to Monkeyland, you could have a two in one adventure on the same day. The only difference between Monkeyland and the Birds Of Eden is that you are able to stroll around freely, it is the freedom that is the key theme to the stay and is worth remembering when you are wondering around the large unique Avery.

 5)Whale and Dolphin watching Over in Plett, a huge draw card for visitors is the frequent occurrence of inquisitive dolphins who seek out bathers whilst swimming. While keeping some distance, these curious mammals delight swimmers with tricks and squeals – a memory of a lifetime just off the Plett’s waters. Humpback whales are often spotted on their way to warmer waters and the odd Southern Right whale can be spotted too. In one sighting trip, boats often spot both dolphins and whales – while the more adventurous can try motorized glider flights for an incredible birds-eye view.

 6) Hike Robberg Nature Reserve A nice scenic walk is always enjoyable, especially when it’s not too steep, you know…just enjoying a easy-going stroll. Not too much pressure to be fit, but getting fitter with every step you take, yet it is enjoyable as you don’t feel too much strain, a little but not too much. So there you go you lazy sods, rise and shine, the Robberg Nature Reserve is open from 7 in morning to 5 in the afternoon. Except in season when the gates will close at eight at night. Luckily for those of us that are varying in fitness levels there are three circular routes with difficulty increasing as the distance progresses.

7)The Elephant Sanctuary

The Elephant Sanctuary is situated in a beautiful part of The Crags near Plettenberg Bay, in the scenic and famous Garden Route of South Africa. We are directly adjacent to Monkeyland and the Birds of Eden sanctuary, giving you three world-class experiences in one stop.

The Elephant Sanctuary group has three operations – Hartbeespoort Dam near Pretoria and just outside Gauteng, Plettenberg Bay in the Garden Route and Hazyview in the Lowveld.The Elephant Sanctuary provides a “halfway house” for young African elephants in need of a temporary home. It is the only operation in South Africa that provides for elephants in this way. It is our vision to release all the elephants into an environment where they can be more independent once they are older.

 8)Oyster Tasting Knysna has always been famous for its wonderful selection of good quality and affordable seafood. There is nothing better than eating deliciously prepared fresh seafood and overlooking the ocean from where it came from. In Knysna, there are many great seafood restaurants to choose from, with delectable oysters always a popular item on the menu.

 9)Blackwater Tubing It’s the middle of Summer, it’s a lovely hot day. Some might say a little too hot. When the heat kicks in, the need to escape it, or ‘cool down’ kicks in even more so. The beach is great, but you’ve had enough of lying seaside catching a tan followed by a little dip in the water. You have decided you want to do something exciting, an adventure of sorts, but in the water. It seems you have decided the only the only way to please the endorphins and need for excitement is to go cruising down a river at high speed.

10)Spa’s in the Garden Route We have scoured the Garden Route for new luxury indulgences and unique experiences, proximity to a SPA has become a huge if not the major consideration when choosing a lavish escape. With this in mind we have gathered the TOP 10 SPAS in the Garden route. Whether Resort Spa, Day Spa or Destination Spa, South Africa enjoys a collection of some of the finest the world has to offer, providing sophisticated spa seekers with a wealth of choice.

Africa boasts a rich SPA culture with some of the most innovative cutting edge spas in the world. Impeccably trained therapists offer a enviable rage of treatments and rituals using the worlds favourite SPA products alongside traditional African treatments.

 11) Monkey Land Get close to nature during your visit to Plettenberg Bay by visiting the interesting primates at Monkeyland. This world-class multi-primate sanctuary is the world’s first free-roaming sanctuary, and aims to promote awareness of the plight of primates the world over. The animals are fortunate to have a natural high canopy forest as their habitat. The sanctuary’s experienced guides will also be able to give you more information about the sanctuary’s rich birdlife and indigenous forest.

12)Canopy Tree Top Tours The Western Cape of South Africa is undoubtedly the country’s most spectacular natural paradise boasting a scintillating and resplendent canvas of undulating fertility, wild and indigenous flora, and incomparable scenery. It is a nature lover’s dream come true and emphasises the unbelievably raw aesthetic beauty South Africa has become renowned for. If you’re a great fan of the Great Outdoors and are looking for a new way to discover the many pleasures and thrills of this part of the world, then a Treetop Canopy Tour is ideal for you.

13) Paraglide the Garden Route .South Africa’s iconic Garden Route is world-famous for its intense aesthetic beauty and spellbinding natural diversity. This route runs parallel to the shoreline and offers some of the best beaches, bays, lagoons, and other water channels found anywhere in South Africa. The Garden Route also connects a myriad of towns in the Western and Eastern Capes all boasting stunning natural beauty and intriguing cultural diversity; a journey through any part of the Garden Route is a must for any enthusiastic traveller – whether local or international.

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