Situated in the heart of the Garden Route, Knysna is an idyllic town of sheer beauty blessed with awesome scenery. Nestled between the lovely Outeniqua Mountains and the Indian Ocean, the town lies about 260km from Port Elizabeth along the N2 Garden Route.

Knysna – the town with the unusual name that foreigners battle so much to pronounce, has the fastest growing municipality in South Africa over the past ten years and is clean, dignified, and sparkles like a jewel in the Garden Route.

Knysna is a place of incredible natural phenomena, the two famous sandstone cliffs guarding the entrance to the lagoon, known as the Heads, being the most interesting. At the lagoon is one of the few places along the coast (and in the world) that supports an oyster hatchery, and the oysters are reputedly the tastiest in the world! Timber is the principal industry, and furniture and splendid woodwork of the highest quality can be bought at galleries, workshops and factories along the Timber Route.

Knysna is a vibrant town, buzzing with creativity and energy. Where there were only a couple of blocks ten years ago now you have at least 2km of built up area. But towards the sea you have a new Knysna.  The Waterfront is a natural highlight – a busy harbour, shops, restaurants. Most visitors stay a couple of nights in Knysna, but the truth is that in six weeks you still won’t see or do it all.

Then you head north to Thesen Islands. A bold development which must be paying off very handsomely to those who had the vision. This is a whole new village together with a stylish boutique hotel – the Lofts - shops and restaurants: Ile de Pain, the French bakery and tea Room open from 8 to 3pm only serving breads, light meals and patisserie to die for. Sirocco – cool sophisticated, stylish, Lush – as in luscious. Both restaurants are owned by the same owner as Thirty Four Degrees South As located at the Waterfront. Food at all three is delectable and splendid views of the lagoon at sunset add another element to the visit.

The Outeniqua Choo-Tjoe steam train does a 100km daily run between George and Knysna through forests and several of the Wilderness lakes and provides great entertainment for the whole family. Annual events include the Oyster Festival in **** and the famous Forest Marathon, which both take place in July. The Waterfront is a development that encompasses marinas, shopping malls and residential complexes.

The Heads – is one of South Africa’s most striking natural attractions. You can sail through them but only on calm days when the swell is minimal. A drive up to the residential area yields views that feed your soul, with a drive down again on the other side taking you to a little beach, currently packed with driftwood and debris left from last year’s floods. On the opposite side of the Heads is the Featherbed Nature Reserve.

Options to explore the Featherbed Nature Reserve range form being driven to the top and hiking down to quad biking your way through to kayaking and canoeing across the water and hiking.

One fine way to experience the lagoon is to take the John Benn paddle steamer at sunset and enjoy their seafood buffet on board.

For those more adventurous rent a speedboat and the lagoon is your oyster so to speak. But you do have to stay clear of the Oyster beds which nestle in one corner of the lagoon. If you are a golfer then there Sparrebosch and Simola are words which are hot on your lips.

Remember that Knysna is on sale and much more affordable during the winter months!