Knysna
The Heads – The Knysna Heads are a pair of sandstone cliffs that separate the Knysna Lagoon from the sea beyond; a famous landmark along the renowned Garden Route.
Brenton on Sea & Buffalo Bay Beaches – Buffalo Bay Beach, also called Buffelsbaai, is situated in the Goukamma Nature Reserve, an attractive holiday hideaway on the Garden Route. Extensive dune fields, coastal fynbos and coastal forest flank the long sandy beach. Bottle nosed and common dolphins are frequently seen surfing the waves and whales migrate here between July and October. Buffalo Bay and Brenton-on-Sea feature on the Knysna Art Route – Buffalo Bay features “the Boardwalk” and mosaic barbeque places and Brenton features the Brenton Blue butterfly. Great photograph opportunities.
Luka Vineyard – after spending a morning at the Knysna Elephant Park, stop off for lunch and a wine tasting at Luka Vineyard and overlook the Elephant Park. The food menu at Luka is amazing and ever changing.
Knysna Elephant Park: – Visitors to the park are privileged to have a personal encounter with the gentle giants, and leave having gained a new-found respect for the animals, as well as a better understanding of the African elephant and its plight across the continent.
Whale and Dolphin Watching – Knysna is one of South Africa’s best whale watching destinations, and the ocean adjacent to its sweeping coastline is abounding with whale activity during winter and spring. Many other extraordinary marine species are seen here throughout the year. Ocean Odyssey, Knysna’s only permitted close encounter whale watching operation, skilfully showcases these sentient animals during their whale watching tours. Be sure to visit Ocean Odyssey’s retail outlet on Thesen Island where not only can you enjoy an excellent coffee after your ocean trip, but loads of trinkets to choose from to take home.
Ocean Sailing Charters – Ocean Rhythm and LaraBella built by local world leaders in boutique yacht building, the Knysna Yacht Company, offers the ultimate platform to soak up the sun in style, while sipping on some bubbly and taking in the surrounding beauty. A new addition to the fleet is Bella Vita – a champagne cruiser! Departures from Thesen Island.
Spring Tide Sailing Charters – Spring Tide Charters offers luxury chartered sailing trips aboard a private single hull yacht. Sail from your mooring at the Waterfront through the Knysna Heads into the Indian Ocean. The afternoon sunset cruise is highly recommended!
Knysna Rib Adventures – For the more adventurous take a ride on a Ridged Inflatable Boat – enjoy an exhilarating trip through the Knysna Heads weather permitting!
The Knysna Pirate Ship – enjoy a trip around the Knysna Estuary (lagoon).
Magic Lagoon Charters – cruise on a vintage wooden vessel – Coquette – 101-year old mahogany launch.
The Motorcycle Room – The Motorcycle Room is all about great memories and about bikes you’ve not seen in years and the bikes you miss. This is a great activity when the weather is poor. Spend a few hours browsing around followed by a great cup of coffee at Ile de Pain
Knysna Cycle Works – for all things about bicycles.
Knysna Timber Village: – The sanctuary of Timber Village belies an inner energy which manifests in the proliferation of wooden masterpieces and woodcraft, hand-crafted with the tangible passion for wood. Are you perhaps looking for a beautiful piece of indigenous wood to take home with you – then a visit to the Village is a must.
Scootours – A unique and true forest experience. Enjoy an exhilarating downhill descent on the Monster Mountain Scooter, through an indigenous forest, sweepy bends and single tracks. A scenic minibus ride takes you into the heart of the forest to the best hills to start your descent in the Garden Route National Park.
Knysna Quad Bikes – Experience the Knysna Forests at their natural best. This is a unique and true forest experience. Discover the amazing 1 or 2 hour Quad biking excursion through the Knysna pine and indigenous forests.
eBike Knysna Rentals and Tours – The eBikes are power assisted mountain bikes (MTB’s) enabling you to enjoy the numerous off-the-main-road adventures the Garden Route has to offer.
Featherbed Company for boats and Nature Reserve – with various boating options such as The John Benn and Paddle Cruiser, walks and meal on the Nature Reserve and the Cruise Café landside.
Knysna Ziplines – The Knysna Zipline has especially been designed and installed to enhance the natural beauty of the Kranshoek Sanparks picnic site. The ziplines are some of the longest you will experience and definitely not for someone with a fear of heights. Extremely long cables crisscross the gorge at the picnic site and with heights of +- 200 meters it will certainly be a memorable experience.
Tripout Adventures – TripOut offers surfing, stand up paddle-boarding, snorkelling and adventure kloofing instruction and lessons to locals and visitors of all ages. Being fanatical surfers ourselves means that our passion for surfing reaches all those that we teach and ensures that we put everything into getting you up, riding waves and discovering the joy of harnessing nature’s energy.
Sandboarding, Paddle Tubing and Kayaking with Dune Adventures: – The Knysna dunes are medium sized with plenty of interesting features. Well known among expert sandboarders as one of the best dunes in South Africa for sand quality, ease of riding and fun! Experience an adventurous Kayak tour up the winding Knysna river and discover the secluded source of the Knysna estuary.
Turbine Water Club – The Turbine Water Club offers a variety of water sports and activities both on land and on the Knysna lagoon. The Turbine Water Club have partnered with prominent Knysna adventure companies to offer you the best adventure activities and water sport in Knysna at competitive prices.
Emzini Tours – A Township Tour of Knysna – Cecil & Colleen have sent many guests on tour with Penny & Ella and the guests have all come back having had a super trip, with loads of information and possibly a different outlook on what township life is about here in South Africa. A new product from Emzini is their Knysna Fun Treasure Trail Tour – a fun and exciting way to see Knysna with a self-drive tour using the “treasure” map.
Garden Route Trail Park: – The Garden Route Trail Park is nestled at the very foot of the Outeniqua Mountains and the Karatara River Gorge, midway between George and Knysna, in the heart of the Garden Route. Bring the whole family to experience the magic. The carefully designed routes have been laid out to provide riders of all levels with an over-supply of adrenalin, excitement, scenery and amazing views. Over 20km of hand built singletrack in the infamous farmer tradition, with flowing turns, burms, rollers and river crossings.
Knysna, Pezula and Simola Golf Courses – Enjoy a golfing feast – Knysna has three magnificent courses: Simola, Pezula Championship Course (formerly Sparrebosch) and the Knysna Golf Club. Hide Away Guest House is within easy driving distance of Goose Valley in Plettenberg Bay and the well-known courses of Fancourt in George or Pinnacle Point in Mossel Bay. We will be pleased to assist with reservations at the various courses.
Zensense Day Spa – Zen-Sense Day Spa is a day spa in Knysna offering relaxing spa treatments, a familiar atmosphere and welcoming staff who await your arrival. Whether you live in Knysna, or if you are simply visiting the region, Zen-Sense Day Spa is an affordable, high-quality option for your skincare and body treatments, manicures, pedicure, facials and bridal packages.
Red Bridge Brewing Co – located in the Industrial area of Knysna which is worth a visit.
Knysna Gin Brewery – Also located in the Industrial area of Knysna. Knysna Gin is distilled the traditional way with a flame & copper pot still. It is made with nine natural botanicals, including the Num Num berry which is the Knysna Lourie’s favourite treat.
The Knysna Art Route – Knysna has a number of well known artists in the area. When the weather is not great, this would be an ideal activity. Stop at one of the many coffee shops as you stroll around visiting the various art spots.
Plettenberg Bay
Robberg Peninsula for hiking – The three trails on offer range in time from a 30-minute stroll to a four-hour hike. All offer fantastic views, brisk sea air and sightings of the birds of the peninsula. You may be lucky enough to spot some whales passing by in the whaling season.
Plett Wine Tours – These tours offer an educational tour for the enthusiast with an interest in viticulture and the step-by-step process of creating wine, to the lover of wine who enjoys wine tastings, good friends and unparalleled scenic beauty. The Plett Winelands are a must-visit as another alternative to the tried and tested routes of Franschhoek and Stellenbosch.
Offshore Adventures – Swim with the seals – no experience required. Get up close and personal with South African Fur Seals
Dolphin Adventures Sea Kayaking – offers guided trips and kayak rentals on Central Beach Plettenberg Bay. We are very aware of our environment and are proud of the fact that we are an ecologically friendly operator that strives to have as little impact on the environment in which we operate our tours as possible. Online booking available.
Raptor Rescue Plettenberg Bay is a rehabilitation and awareness centre dedicated to birds of prey. They educate the public through informative guided tours and flying demonstrations through which they promote awareness about raptor species and the conservation risks they face. Their rehabilitation work is predominantly funded through admissions to the centre and support from visitors.
Skydive Plettenberg Bay – Experience free fall over one of the most scenic drop zones in the world, accompanied by a tandem master and reaching a velocity of 200 km/h from 10,000 feet up! What an adrenalin rush!
Archery Adventures – located in Wittedrift, Plettenberg Bay. Online reservations available for this activity. Enjoy Target Archery – Each target is marked with a circle surrounded by several rings. Archers earn a set number of points for hitting the various areas on the target with their arrows. They earn the most points for hitting the circle in the center and the least points for hitting the outer ring.
The Crags
Tenikwa: – Tenikwa grew from humble beginnings in 2002 when the owners started rehabilitating injured birds in a wooded shed behind their house. Today it is one of the largest active wildlife rehabilitation centres in the Western Cape, attending to a diverse variety of animals accepting both terrestrial and marine species.
Birds of Eden: – Birds of Eden’s unique two hectare dome (the world’s largest) spans over a gorge of indigenous forest. Currently it is home to over 3,500 birds from over 220 species, with the main focus being African birds. See the local Knysna Loerie (Turaco) in all its glory!
Monkeyland Primate Sanctuary – Monkeyland is the worlds first free roaming multi-specie primate sanctuary. Eco-tourism child friendly activity, educating visitors on wildlife conservation.
Jukani Wildlife Sanctuary – At Jukani the main focus is on conservation education and specifically the plight of large predators in captivity in SA and all over the world. Siberian and Bengal tigers are some of the big cats you will see as you walk around the Sanctuary.
Africanyon – Explore the river with AfriCanyon, navigate through the river shallows, jump, zip-line, swim through fresh-water mountain pools, slide down natural water slides and abseil in and around waterfalls as you dip down into the river gorge.
Puzzle Park – Interactive fun for the whole family! The two main activities are the first life size 3D Maze in South Africa as well as an exciting and unique Forest Puzzle Walk. Activities are designed for visitors of all ages not only to exercise bodies but also minds in an entertaining, educational and affordable way.
Lawnwood Snake Sanctuary – Experience a one hour guided tour consisting of an indigenous snake pit, various outdoor exhibits, a large dome housing South African and exotic snakes, followed by enormous pythons, monitor lizards and crocodiles.
Kurland Park Horse Trails is situated on the outskirts of the beautiful Plettenberg Bay area. Our trails offer a combination of hidden forest paths, water crossings, long cantering stretches and breathtaking mountain views. All our rides are accompanied by trained, enthusiastic guides who will ensure that you are matched to the right horse, and that the basic commands are explained to you. Beginners will be assisted throughout the ride while more experienced riders will have plenty of opportunity to trot and canter along the route
Tsitsikamma
Tsitsikamma National Park and Storms River – Where the booming breakers of the Indian Ocean relentlessly pound rocky shores, where temperate high forest and fynbos roll down to the sea in an unspoilt verdant carpet, where ancient rivers carve their paths to the ocean down rocky ravines.
Kayak & Lilo Adventures – This award winning adventure combines the best of Tsitsikamma in one activity: Kayak under the suspension bridge and up the glorious Storms River Gorge. End off exploring deeper into the gorge with the unique designed lilo’s as you marvel at the wonders of nature from a new perspective. Can be booked online.
Tsitsikamma Blackwater Tubing: – The unique aqua adventure delivers whole heaps of fund and is the ultimate way to explore the exquisite scenes of the Tsitsikamma and Storms River.
Canopy Tree Tours – Just over an hour’s drive from Knysna to Tsitsikamma, you can enjoy swinging through the trees. Enjoy a walk through the village of Tsitsikamma and stop off at Marilyn’s 60’s Diner for a great hamburger and milkshake or visit the Tsitsikamma Micro Brewery..
Segway Tours – At Tsitsikamma Segway Tours, we are focused on providing a safe and fun Guided Segway Tour with the highest levels of customer satisfaction – we will do everything we can to meet your expectations.
Bloukrans Bridge Bungy – Are you brave enough to do the highest bridge bunjy in the world? Advisable to book online prior to arrival.
Sedgefield
Wild Oats Community Farmers’ Market: – A visit to this market is a must on a Saturday morning. Sample the local fresh produce as well as checking out the arts and crafts from the local crafters. Wonderful atmosphere with local residents and visitors to the Greater Knysna area.
Mozaic Village & Outdoor Market – Mosaic Market offers a wide variety of Food, Craft, Art, Books, Music as well as a play area for the Kids. There is ample parking and space to relax in the food court and catch up with friends.
Goukamma Nature Reserve – Goukamma Nature Reserve and Marine Protected Area, situated on the Garden Route between Sedgefield and Knysna, has a diverse array of fascinating habitats and an abundance of smaller wildlife, birds and fish. It is also a World Heritage Site.
Gericke’s Point – At Gericke’s Point you can also see some of the highest fossil dunes in South Africa and there is a great 4km hike to the point and back. The point itself offers an amazing vantage point to gaze out at the endless horizon; find out when the whales have their new born calves, as this is a playground for new calves. The point is home to a resident school of Humpback dolphins so best keep your eyes open for this treat!
Myoli Beach – This is a perfect beach for a sports-filled day as there is access to activities such as kayaking, stand-up paddling, kite surfing and wake boarding. If you’re not up for much activity, sun bathe, relax and soak up the sounds around you.
Sedgefield Craft Brewery – The Sedgefield Craft Brewery is a boutique style craft brewery in Sedgefield nestled in the heart of the Garden Route. A family owned and run establishment that specialises in high quality handcrafted beer.
Dolphin Paragliding – Paragliding tours run all year round. With over 20 years’ experience, we can guarantee amazing paragliding trips from our sites in Sedgefield, Knysna and Wilderness.
Wilderness
Canyon Adventures – Experience the beauty of the Garden Route canyons. Hiking swimming and optional cliff-jumping in an unspoilt forest environment. You will be provided with all the gear, including wetsuits and river boots.
Eden Adventures – . Abseil down the Swart River waterfall and land in a canoe at the bottom or the Cappuccinoo Canyon kloofing tour through spectacular scenery.
Map of Africa – Abseil down the Swart River waterfall and land in a canoe at the bottom or the Cappuccinoo Canyon kloofing tour through spectacular scenery.
Wilderness Beach – Unspoilt, expansive, beautiful … just a few words used to describe the gorgeous beach in the Wilderness. And you won’t have to fight for space here – Wilderness offers kilometres of white sandy beach ideal for long walks and for playing with your dogs or letting them run free, if leaving your pets behind when you go on holiday is not an option.
Wilderness National Park – Set in the heart of the spectacular Garden Route, Wilderness National Park is a tapestry of stunning landscapes and diverse habitats for wonderful birdlife.
Wild2Fly – Johan Anderson is a National A-grade Instructor with Instructor ratings for Hang gliding, Paragliding and Microlight WCM aircraft (The only pilot to hold Instructor ratings in all three disciplines!). Operational areas: 3 main flying sites – Map of Africa, Wilderness Coastal cliffs and Cloud 9 Sedgefield.
Mossel Bay
Great White Shark Diving: – Great white sharks have always fascinated humans for various reasons. Perhaps it is their imposing size, their graceful beauty perfectly adapted to their environment, patrolling our oceans since the beginning of time… Their powerful predatory behaviour instilling pure fear in our hearts … or perhaps it is the mysteries surrounding this spectacular shark that beckons us to come closer and closer …
Freaking Fast Wave Rider – The fastest you will probably go in your life on water – a high-speed, white knuckle, adrenalin-pumping boat trip you will never forget and will tall all your friends about.
Mossel Bay Zipline: – get a tad wet as you enjoy the longest over-ocean zipline in the world – Spanning approximately 1100 meters in length . Don’t forget to take a towel with you and possibly a change of clothes.
These are just some of the activities on offer in and around Knysna which you can enjoy whilst on your vacation in the area. Cecil & Colleen will be more than happy to make any reservations you might need.