Location: Knysna
Top Things to do in Knysna
What to do and see in Knysna, Western Cape: The Best Multi-day Tours
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. 4-Day Private Luxury Garden Route Tour from Cape Town
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 2 reviews
Immerse yourself in the Garden Route with a perfect mix of farmland, bush, and beach experiences - with an added dash of luxury! The beauty and charm of this unique region of South Africa is brought to life by the culturally colourful towns of Oudtshoorn, Wilderness, Knysna and Mossel Bay. Revel in a glamping and safari experience to get close to wildlife at Botlierskop Private Game Reserve; overnight on the beachfront in Wilderness and delight in a unique farm-stay in the semi-desert Klein Karoo. Along the way taste some of the country’s finest port; see the magnificence of the Cango Caves and the indigenous flora and fauna of the Wilderness National Park.
Inclusions: Breakfast, Breakfast, Breakfast, Hotel pickup and drop-off, Led by a English-speaking professional tour guide, Round-trip private transfer by air-conditioned, private vehicle, Unique beach, bush and farmland luxury stays, 3 nights of accommodation in 4-star graded guesthouses, 4x4 Open-vehicle Game Drive on Private Game Reserve, Panoramic Knysna Lagoon cruise with Oyster tasting experience, Ostrich Farm tour, Cango Caves tour, Wilderness canoe hire, Stargazing in the Karoo, Port Tasting, Glass bottled water
Exclusions: Lunch, Dinner and drinks, unless specified
Reviewed By AlbertoVanzetto
Great trip! TK was so helpful and always available to help. The hostels we stayed in were amazing and the activities even better, I strongly suggest the elephant walk, bungee jumping and sandboarding.
2. Four Day Garden Route (escorted tour)
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 6 reviews
The 4-day Garden Route tour includes all accommodation, meals, transport, sightseeing excursions and entrance fees. Pick up at about 08:15 on Tuesdays from central areas in air-conditioned small vehicle with professional accredited driver guide to escort the tour. • Ask about ending your tour in Port Elizabeth. You will be picked up after breakfast at your hotel and you will miss the game drive at Botlierskop and lunch. • Ask about ending your tour at Cape Town International Airport +/- 18:30 on Fridays. • For groups of four or more, enquire about alternative departure days (subject to availability). BAGGAGE ALLOWED: One suitcase and one shoulder bag. The Garden Route Tour departs from Cape Town Tuesdays +/- 08h15 to Fridays +/- 18h30
Inclusions: Air-conditioned vehicle, Lunch, Lunch, Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Dinner, Breakfast, 3 nights accommodation, All meals included, Wine tasting, Boat cruise, All activities as per itinerary, Professional accredited driver guide
Exclusions: Drinks are available for purchase.
Reviewed By 85hannesk
Michael was polite, considerate, very knowledgeable and showed us cool things off the beaten track. Even looked for a pharmacy when we needed. His relationships made every stop more than just the normal tourist stop with friendly, happy to help people. Nothing felt forced or over played making the overall day great.
3. Garden Route 4 Day 3 Nights Tour
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1 reviews
You’ll be thrilled by the spectacular views of the Knysna Heads from the placid waters of the Knysna Lagoon. The sandstone cliffs rise out of the water revealing sea caves along the forested banks of the lagoon. You’ll find out all about the magnificent flora and fauna from your specialist guide before enjoying a delicious buffet lunch at the outdoor restaurant under a canopy of Milkwood trees.
Inclusions: Lunch, Lunch, All Fees and Taxes
Exclusions: Dinner
Reviewed By connellw2016
Amazing tour!! Lele and the Langa tour guide were awesome! Very informative, helpful, insightful, and willing to go over and beyond to ensure their clients experience the ultimate tour. We were very fortunate and blessed to travel to Robben Island and get a once in a lifetime experience, and get the opportunity first hand to listen to inspiring and informative insights from the tour guides on the conditions and unfortunate circumstances political prisoners endured while incarcerated there. It is a most tour if you are in Cape Town, but understand the weather conditions dictate whether or not the boat leaves the docking area in order to travel to Robben Island, and not fault of the travel company. Even though it is understanding the customers may feel disappointed in not being able to visit Robben Island. Nevertheless, it blessing to be able to experience the Robben Island and Township tour and learned about apartheid history and the effects it had on the people in South Africa, and the continue social, psychological, and financial economic problems they continue to deal with this very moment. True story of South Africa from the people who live there, but still seeing the inspiring stories of fighting for freedom and social equality and economic prosperity.
4. Explore the Garden Route from Port Elizabeth - 4 Days
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1 reviews
Explore The Garden Route. Join our awesome private / small group tour with overnight stays in Knysna and Oudtshoorn. Experience the spectacular Cango Caves and the comical Ostrich. View seals, whales and marine bird-life in Mossel Bay. Stroll along pristine beaches with no other footprints – only the endangered Oystercatcher. Visit ancient forests where elusive wild elephants and leopards lurk in the shadows. See Giant Yellowwood trees at Natures Valley. Take a boat cruise to the stunning Knysna Heads and delight in the shopping and fine culinary foods at the Knysna Waterfront. Taste oysters and some of the regions finest wine, craft beers and fresh juices. The tour is conducted by an experienced chauffeur driver/ guide / host who will remain with you throughout the tour. Luxury accommodation is in four star Guest Houses or Apartments and includes daily breakfasts. Included are some dinners, lunches & entry fees to a attractions as per itinerary. The Tour ends at George Airport.
Inclusions: Lunch, Breakfast, Dinner, Breakfast, Breakfast, Bottled water, Coffee and/or Tea, Entry To: Cango Caves, Ostrich Ranch, Seal Island Boat Cruise and Diaz Museum are included., Accommodation with breakfasts for 3 nights, Air-conditioned vehicle, Entry fees to Monkeyland or Birds of Eden or Tenikwa Wildlife Center.
Exclusions: Lunches and dinners not specified in the itinerary., Optional Activities such as Knysna boat cruises., Alcoholic drinks,tips and personal items, Flights and transfers from George Airport.
Reviewed By zeimm
My family visited South Africa with Paul Coetzee from Explore South Africa twice, once in January 2017 and more recently in November 2019. We were a group of 12 people with elders above 60 and children from 13 to 2 years old.In both cases, Paul patiently helped customise our tour over several months via email and Whatsapp so that it could accommodate all our requirements for Muslim ( Halal ) food, accessibility and safety for the children. We did the Garden Route in 2017, driving from Cape Town to Port Elisabeth for 1 week with stops for safaris and garden route views along the way. In 2019, we drove from Durban via Swaziland on to a safari in Kruger Park and then to Johannesburg. The road trips were well planned with comfort stops and lunch breaks. Each overnight stop was a real pleasure in excellent accommodation and great facilities. They were facilities I did not find on internet booking sites and that seemed to be used by the South Africans for internal tourism. So it made using a local guide very much worth it. Paul is an extremely kind, helpful, patient and resourceful person who has dealt with our shopping sprees and large number of luggage bags with a lot resilience. He showed us the best of South Africa and relentlessly searched for the animals until we managed to see the big 4. The only one we didn't see was leopard. But he extended our last day driving down to the leopard trees areas to try and find one. He is very knowledgeable and is happy to explain and share information. I would highly recommend his services to anyone going to South Africa and wish him continued success.
5. 3 Day Garden Route Private Tour From Cape Town
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1 reviews
Come and experience one of the most beautiful parts of the world on the Garden Route. Our tour offers a great way to explore the Western Cape, Little Karoo, Whale Route, and Route 62. This tour has a good mix of nature, culture and adventure, so you can experience the best the area has to offer. This tour starts & ends in Cape Town, and can depart any day of the week (minimum 2 people booking)
Inclusions: Breakfast, Breakfast, Pick up and drop off at hotels, ports and airport, Bottled water, Airconditioned transport
Exclusions:
Reviewed By danesdora
We have enjoyed tours to Hluhluwe, Isimangaliso Wetland Park and Garden Route. Very nicely organised. Good guides too
6. 2 Day Garden Route Private Tour From Cape Town
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1 reviews
Come and experience one of the most beautiful parts of the world on the Garden Route. Our tour offers a great way to explore the Western Cape, Little Karoo, Whale Route, and Route 62. This tour has a good mix of nature, culture and adventure, so you can experience the best the area has to offer. This tour starts & ends in Cape Town, and can depart any day of the week (minimum 2 people booking)
Inclusions: Breakfast, Airconditioned transport, Bottled water, Pick up and drop off at hotels, ports and airport
Exclusions:
Reviewed By danesdora
We have enjoyed tours to Hluhluwe, Isimangaliso Wetland Park and Garden Route. Very nicely organised. Good guides too
7. 4 Day Garden Route Private Tour from Cape Town
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1 reviews
Come and experience one of the most beautiful parts of the world on the Garden Route. Our tour offers a great way to explore the Western Cape, Little Karoo, Whale Route, and Route 62. This tour has a good mix of nature, culture and adventure, so you can experience the best the area has to offer. This tour starts & ends in Cape Town, and can depart any day of the week (minimum 2 people booking)
Inclusions: Breakfast, Breakfast, Breakfast, Bottled water, Airconditioned transport, Pick up and drop off from hotels, airport and port, Wine tasting, Tsitsikama National Park
Exclusions:
Reviewed By danesdora
We have enjoyed tours to Hluhluwe, Isimangaliso Wetland Park and Garden Route. Very nicely organised. Good guides too
8. 6 Day Cape to Addo Safari
Overall Ratings
4.9 based on 24 reviews
Join the original and still the best scheduled tour to the malaria free Addo National Park. Along the way you will visit the Southern tip of Africa at Cape Aguhlas, explore the in depth the adventure paradise of the Garden Route and marvel at the raw nature of the Addo National Park while searching for the Big 5!
Inclusions: Accommodation as per itinerary, Breakfast, Dinner, Breakfast, Dinner, Breakfast, Dinner, Dinner, Breakfast, Breakfast, Transport by air-conditioned minivan, Beer/ wine tasting, National Park fees
Exclusions: Gratuities, Souvenir photos (available to purchase), Optional activities, as listed in itinerary - to be booked during tour
Reviewed By 141hebam
I was put on a bus with teenagers aging 15-19. They were shouting and screaming the entire way n throwing water at each other. Me and my sister got soaked wet. And when I asked them to stop they called me “LOCA” and almost got physical with me with the bus driver watching. At the hostel, I couldn’t sleep for 3 consecutive nights because of how noisy they were. I spoke to the bus driver and he just dismissed me. His excuse was it’s communal living and I had to put up with the drunk screams till 3 am every night. The tour at the safari was meant to be one hour and ended as a 45 min tour of seeing nothing. The bus driver kept on pushing and embarrassing us to buy food and drinks that we didn’t need from the restaurants and cafes to get his commission which made us extremely uncomfortable. The hostel was dirty. The entire experience unpleasant if u r anything above 30, it’s not the right place for u. When we came back, we complained to the office on long street. Again, they were dismissive and didn’t even bother to apologize.
9. 3-Day Garden Route Highlights with 4x4 Safari Small Group Tour from Cape Town
Overall Ratings
4.9 based on 74 reviews
Spend three days exploring South Africa’s famed Garden Route from Cape Town, , stopping at all the best highlights the area has to offer. Wander along the Garden Route - a piece of paradise on the southeastern coast of South Africa. Adventure awaits you over the next three days. Choose to join an elephant bush walk where you’ll get to meet three orphaned elephants, walk along forest footpaths and hop in a canoe to float a river in the Wilderness area, keeping an eye out for the abundant birdlife. Face your fears as you hurtle off the world’s highest bridge bungy, or visit a 100-year old tree in the thick of the Tsitsikamma forest. Enjoy a 4x4 safari with a game ranger as you set out to spot some members of Africa’s Big Five, and connect with nature on a tranquil bush walk amongst the animals in a private game reserve. An action-packed itinerary with some scheduled free time for you to partake in optional activities scheduled or explore the nearby area.
Inclusions: Breakfast, Breakfast, Hotel pickup and drop-off, Transport by air-conditioned mini coach & English speaking guide , 4x4 game drive safari & mini walking safari, Wilderness canoe session
Exclusions: Lunch, dinner and drinks, Optional Bungy jump + Zipline (about R1400), Optional Elephant Bush Walk (about R565)
Reviewed By AlbertoVanzetto
Great trip! TK was so helpful and always available to help. The hostels we stayed in were amazing and the activities even better, I strongly suggest the elephant walk, bungee jumping and sandboarding.
10. Explore the Garden Route from Cape Town - 4 Days
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2 reviews
Join our awesome private / small group tour with overnight stays in Knysna and Oudtshoorn. Drive the famous Route 62. Experience the spectacular Cango Caves and the comical Ostrich. View seals, whales and Marine bird-life in Mossel Bay. Stroll along pristine beaches with no other footprints – only the endangered Oystercatcher. Visit ancient forests where elusive wild elephants and leopards lurk in the shadows. See Giant Yellowwood trees at Natures Valley. Take a boat cruise to the stunning Knysna Heads and delight in the shopping and fine culinary foods at the Knysna Waterfront. Taste oysters and some of the regions finest wines, craft beers, gin and fresh juices. The tour is conducted by an experienced chauffeur driver/ guide / host who will remain with you throughout the tour. Luxury accommodation is in four star Guest Houses, Lodges or Villas and includes daily breakfasts. Also included are some Dinners, Lunches and entry fees to Activities and Attractions as per itinerary.
Inclusions: Breakfast, Lunch, Breakfast, Dinner, Breakfast, Cape Town Hotel pickup and drop-off at George Airport or Luxury Coach Station, 3 nights luxury accommodation in 4 star Guest Houses, Lodges or Villas, Bottled water, Chauffeur/Driver, Transport by air-conditioned vehicle, Entry fees to the Ostrich Ranch, Cango Caves and Seal Island Boat Trip., Wine/Juice tasting with lunch platter, South African Style Barbeque (braai) at the Knysna Yacht Club, Entry fees to Monkeyland or Birds of Eden or Tenikwa Wildlife Center
Exclusions: Alcoholic drinks (available to purchase), Food and drinks, unless specified, Gratuities, Optional activities such as Knysna Boat Cruise, Airfare, Private Road Transfer or Luxury Coach from George Airport to your next destination.
Reviewed By zeimm
My family visited South Africa with Paul Coetzee from Explore South Africa twice, once in January 2017 and more recently in November 2019. We were a group of 12 people with elders above 60 and children from 13 to 2 years old.In both cases, Paul patiently helped customise our tour over several months via email and Whatsapp so that it could accommodate all our requirements for Muslim ( Halal ) food, accessibility and safety for the children. We did the Garden Route in 2017, driving from Cape Town to Port Elisabeth for 1 week with stops for safaris and garden route views along the way. In 2019, we drove from Durban via Swaziland on to a safari in Kruger Park and then to Johannesburg. The road trips were well planned with comfort stops and lunch breaks. Each overnight stop was a real pleasure in excellent accommodation and great facilities. They were facilities I did not find on internet booking sites and that seemed to be used by the South Africans for internal tourism. So it made using a local guide very much worth it. Paul is an extremely kind, helpful, patient and resourceful person who has dealt with our shopping sprees and large number of luggage bags with a lot resilience. He showed us the best of South Africa and relentlessly searched for the animals until we managed to see the big 4. The only one we didn't see was leopard. But he extended our last day driving down to the leopard trees areas to try and find one. He is very knowledgeable and is happy to explain and share information. I would highly recommend his services to anyone going to South Africa and wish him continued success.
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