The quaint little town of Knysna is the precious pearl of South Africa's beautiful Garden Route. Despite the huge number of tourists passing through each year, it has somehow managed to retain its charm and character. Apart from exquisite seafood dishes and the most spectacular sunsets, Knysna has a lot on offer for tourists. The Knysna Lagoon is part of the Knysna National Lake Area which was proclaimed in 1985 to protect the area from development. More than 200 fish species can be found in the lagoon, which is a magical mosaic of unspoilt, sandy beaches; reedbeds and mudflats. The sheltered and calm conditions are ideal for watersports, such as swimming, boardsailing and yachting.
The town itself has many shops and restaurants, but it is also worth taking a drive a few miles out along the George Road. There are literally hundreds of stalls were artists and craftsmen offer their goods for sale. Tourists are, of course, most welcome to stay for a while and watch them at work and bargaining is expected. Due to a perfectly placed look out point nearby, fantastic photos can also be taken of the river, the town and the lagoon.
Standing guard over the narrow entrance to the lagoon are the magnificent Knysna Heads. The best views can be enjoyed from the eastern edge of the lagoon. A sandy path leads from the car park and restaurant area down to the coast. A wooden bridge takes you onto a rocky outcrop which is a perfect spot for taking photos of the many fascinating caves and rock formations around the Heads.
Due to the treacherous opening into the lagoon, there are a number of shipwrecks (the Fairholme near the Western Head and the Paquita and Phantom between the Heads) and these are very popular with divers. There are also hundreds of spectacular caves, gullies and reefs to explore. If tourists aren't fortunate enough to spot a beautiful Knysna sea-horse while diving, they can try the lagoon's underwater world at Thesen's Jetty. While at on Thesen's Island, a visit to Jetty Tapas is highly recommended. It has always been famous for its seafood and jugs of sangria and the quality of the meals and service is just as good as it was 20 years ago.
The best way to experience the wonders of the lagoon is to join one of the many pleasure cruises on offer. The tour around the lagoon lasts approximately 2 hours and lunch or dinner and drinks are usually available throughout. Tourists are also given a lot of very interesting background information on the history of Knysna and the people who live there. During the cruise the guide will point out the Featherbed Nature Reserve to travellers and a separate trip can be arranged to explore this 70 ha private reserve. After being dropped off by a ferry, visitors are transported up the Western Head in a four-wheel-drive vehicle and then have the option of returning by vehicle or taking a guided walk of 1.5 miles along the Bushbuck Trail.
A trip on the Outeniqua Choo-Tjoe (steam train), which travels between George and Knysna every day, is also a wonderful way to appreciate the breathtaking scenery of the area - forests and lakes on the one side and beaches and the lagoon on the other. Visit Knysna once and you'll keep coming back for more.
About the Author
Karriane Lacinder has been a travel writer for the past 16 years. She has written city guides for many publications, including Corbridge tourist information and Leeds city guide.
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