Location: Knysna
Top Things to do in Knysna
Top 10 Things to do Good for Big Groups in Knysna, Western Cape
Knysna stands out on South Africa's famed Garden Route thanks to the sandstone cliffs that dramatically separate its tranquil lagoon from the pounding surf of the Indian Ocean. It's also home to the country's largest indigenous forest. Hop aboard a ferry for a ride through the scenic highlights. The Millwood Mines at Jubilee Creek, site of a major gold rush in 1885, provide a picturesque spot for a picnic. Be sure to try some local oysters during the renowned annual festival.
Restaurants in Knysna
1. Knysna Hike & Bike
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 49 reviews
Our aim is to introduce visitors and locals to a different side of Knysna and its surroundings through guided walking and cycling tours at a leisurely pace.
2. Kontours - Day Tours
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 16 reviews
Kontours is a tour operator based in Knysna. We operate between CapeTown and Grahamstown. Including full day and half day tours in Cape Town and the Garden Route. We also offer airport transfers to all the major towns in the Garden Route, golf tours and cycling transfers.
3. Knysna Ziplines SA Forest Adventures
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 98 reviews
Our Knysna Ziplines have 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 certainly not for someone with a fear of heights. Extremely long cables crisscross the gorge at the picnic site and with heights of over 200 meters, ensuring it will be a memorable experience
4. Knysna RIB Adventures
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 306 reviews
Knysna RIB Adventures is an Eco Adventure Company offering a combination of a high speed adventure & an eco adventure sea safari. Our typical trip includes a fun and informative cruise before exiting out to sea via the infamous Knysna Heads then slowing down to a comfortable speed and enjoy the scenery, pelagic & marine life covering 18-20 miles giving our customers the best chance to see our fantastic scenery & marine life. En route back we will show you the famous Featherbed Reserve as well as several interesting places along the estuarine.
5. Terblans Nature Walk
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 12 reviews
Reviewed By mimip670 - Benoni, South Africa
We did the walk this morning with our 2 sons aged 13 and 8. We are fit but our kids are not and they successfully did the walk in over just 2 hours. The forest is just spectacular and the people we met on the walk were kind and friendly. There is only one part that is quite steep but for the rest any able bodied person in good health can do it. Will defenitely be back on a regular basis!
6. FlyTime Paragliding South Africa
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 211 reviews
The FlyTime Paragliding team offers you the chance to experience the Garden Route from above. Our Tandem Paragliding Adventures are available daily, from R 850.00, in-flight footage to capture each moment is an optional addition. If flying yourself is more your style - Our team of qualified instructors offer both introduction courses (2-3 days) of solo paragliding and Full basic license courses. Tours, pilot guidance and equipment sales are also available from our website. Based in Sedgefield, the heart of the Garden Route, you can find us paragliding daily from locations between Wilderness, Sedgefield and Knysna. Come fly with us!
7. Rock the Route
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 14 reviews
Welcome! We specialise in making memories and taking care of the planet at the same time. We Rock the Route! Join us on a road trip, day trip or Wine Tour, band tour and experience the Garden Route the way the locals do... We believe that to truly experience any country, you need to get off the beaten track. Immerse yourself in the local cultures, old and new. Listen to LIVE local music, be adventurous. And that is exactly what we do! You’ll only find those authentic moments if you stop being a tourist. So leave the guide book in your backpack, join us on a road trip and let's talk to local people. Follow them on a hike to that hidden-spot, jump in the car and go to that secret beach for a breathtaking sunset and listen to their stories of what the Garden Route is all about…
8. Garden Route Trail Park
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 16 reviews
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. Our 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 35km of hand built singletrack in the infamous farmer tradition, with flowing turns, burms, rollers and river crossings. For the runners there is flowing forest trail and the chance to get up close and personal with the upper reaches of the Karatara River. Massive rock pools, waterfalls and boulders. Bring the whole family to experience the magic. If you would like to stay, we have Trail House which sleeps eight; and a Backpackers which sleeps 20.
Reviewed By CraigRhodesHarrison
The Garden Route Trail Park (GRTP) is a very special place for so many reasons! Set in the beautiful green hills of the Garden Route with an abundance of land to explore, GRTP provides MTB riders and trail runners with wide open spaces and all the good things that go with it! Not only are the trails some of the best you'll ride in Southern Africa but the views, accommodation, people and general vibe make it a bucket list item for any avid outdoor adventurer both local and foreign! There is plenty of gradient, an abundance of trail features and something for every rider, from beginner to international pro! It's the perfect day tripping bike park however if there's one thing I can recommend, it's staying more than one day! You won't regret a single second of your time spent there and I'm already ecstatic for my next return trip!
9. Ocean Sailing Charters
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 38 reviews
Enjoy an exhilarating cruise aboard one of our exquisite yachts LaraBella 55ft and Ocean Rhythm 44ft, or aboard our spacious lagoon cruiser Serendipity. Our 55ft Catamaran Yacht LaraBella is the most luxurious and largest catamaran charter in the area. Laze in the sun while we treat you to delicious snacks and a complimentary glass of ice-cold bubbles. Swim,snorkel, sup or we can even have a braai onboard. PRIVATE CHARTERS Speak to our crew to customise a cruise to your liking. We offer variety of charter options to suit the particular preferences of each unique guest. On our private charters we can create an exciting journey - Hire a musician, a DJ, a private chef, a mixologist for those exquisite cocktails, or photographer, we can make it all happen. The value, luxury, comfort, space and fun which we offer is unmatched by any operator in the area. Our two Catamarans and lagoon lounger can take up to 12 guests per boat exclusively.
10. Featherbed Nature Reserve
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,075 reviews
Featherbed is a privately-owned, registered Nature Reserve and a South African Heritage Site, No.59. It is a pristine piece of paradise situated on the Western Head of Knysna and is accessible by ferry only.In order to protect the splendour of the natural beauty, access to the Reserve is controlled. Numbers are limited and visits are only permitted in the company of the Reserve's specialist guides.
Reviewed By pierrek100 - Stellenbosch, South Africa
This is a highly recommended tour. After receiving a friendly welcome at the Featherbed Co ticket office and with our ticket and boarding pass issued, we made our way onto the ferry and a scenic cruise over the Knysna Estuary. We learned quite a bit about the history of the area from the tour guide as we cruised under a beautiful blue sky, with the Knysna Yacht Club, Waterfront and Thesen's Island on the north bank and the Featherbed Nature Reserve on the south bank. Interesting craft, from sailboats to houseboats, floating on the glassy surface of the estuary, added to kick off a day with many photo opportunities. When we landed at Featherbed there was a quick rest opportunity. Then we headed to the brand new 30 seater viewing vehicle that would transport us to the top of the reserve. The reserve had endured a devastating fire in 2017, but soon it was clear how nature and the owners responded as all about us it was green and beautiful and we could already begin to experience the great views over the estuary. Once we reached the top we disembarked for our 2,2km scenic walk through the beauty of the reserve with its indigenous plants and trees down towards the southern rocky edge of the port entry. One of the most dangerous port entries in Africa due to all the sharp rocks on both the northern and southern side. From the outset, it was clear that we would have many views of the spectacular meeting of the Knysna River and the Indian Ocean. We made our way down all the way to the sea caves where ages of pounding waves bored huge openings in the rock creating 10m high caves. Spectacular pictures were taken. We walked to the Featherbeds Milkwood restaurant along the side of the water on a wooden path. The view across the estuary showed off the beautiful waterscapes and the mansions built among the trees on the northern head. The water in the estuary lay calm beside the path, here and there making small white beaches. The sailors who slept there in their seagoing vessels in times gone by used to say that the calm waters in the estuary made it feel like they slept in a featherbed. It became known as Featherbed Bay. When we reached the Milkwood restaurant a wonderful buffet-style meal of traditional South African fare was waiting for us. We could sit down in a beautiful setting under indigenous Milkwood trees at a beautiful indigenous Yellowwood tabletop and enjoy a sumptuous meal. Walking through the various areas of the large newly rebuilt restaurant I was impressed by its understated style and how such a large structure melts into the hillside in such an environmentally sensitive way. On the way back to the dock at the Cruise Cafe, I reflected that this tour should e a must on any visitors itinerary whether local or international. Don't miss this.
