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Knysna, due to its location, oyster cultivation, and its wealth in different kinds of woods, is a very pleasant and charming coastal town in South Africa. It is no surprise that Knysna is known as the “Pearl of the Garden Route”. The city itself is relatively small and contains numerous restaurants, Old-timer shops and many small ornament shops.
Sir George Rex founded Knysna in 1804. The main attraction is the picturesque lagoon with its especially beautiful entrance. Hire a canoe at the Knysna Heads and enjoy the lagoon from a different perspective. The luscious forest belt is about 160 km long. In the past, the forests used to be cut down at an alarming rate due to the active shipyards in the area. Nowadays, deforestation is strictly controlled by the state.
At the beginning of the 19th century there were many elephants in the Knysna area which were unfortunately killed by 1980. They were used for the deforestation, which was laborious work for both man and animal. Legend has it that one elephant still survives in the Knysna forests and is apparently sighted now and again. This elephant has never been caught on camera, and many people think that this is just a mythical story.
Our tip: Visit the Knysna Forest, switch off the engine and radio, and just listen to the forest. If you listen hard enough, you will hear baboons screaming, cold water running in small streams, and the whispering of the leaves in the wind.
If you are not prone to seasickness hire a houseboat and stay on the lagoon a few nights. This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. You can fish for your own lunch or dinner if you are an experienced angler.
Attractions around Knysna:
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King Edward Tree – 800 year old Yellowwood tree
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The old steam train, which travels from Knysna to George
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Knysna Elephant Park (only about four elephants)
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21 km Elephant hike (about six hours)
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Outeniqua hike
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Millwood House Museum – The history of Knysna
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Plettenberg Bay
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Bird experts - availible for hire
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Artwork
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Golf courses
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Mountain biking
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Knysna Forest
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Beaches
Please visit:
Knysna - Plettenberg Bay - Mossel Bay - Port Elizabeth - George - Tsitsikamma Park - Wilderness - Oudtshoorn - Otter Trail - Cango Caves
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