Knysna was twice voted South Africa's Favourite Town. Surrounded by indigenous forests and sitting between the towering Outeniqua Mountains and the Indian Ocean, the town encircles an enormous estuary with pristine beaches. It’s a natural playground for sports enthusiasts. Mountain biking, hiking, surfing, fishing, sailing, swimming and canoeing are popular activities. Take an adventure through the lush Featherbed Nature Reserve with its coastal forest, unique fynbos and ancient caves. Or take a ferry trip to the famed Knysna Heads framing the lagoon.

‘Knysna’, is possibly a Khoi word thought to refer to the Knysna Heads, two sandstone monoliths guarding the entrance to the Knysna Lagoon from the surging waters and crashing waves of the Indian Ocean. The Khoisan, the original inhabitants of the area, were displaced by Dutch settlers in the 17th century. The town became a port for naval and commercial ships in 1817.  In 1885, a short-lived gold was found in Millwood, 25 kms beyond the town, deep in the indigenous forest.

Knysna has grown enormously since those early frontier days. Its population is over 60,000. It boasts many excellent restaurants from coffee shops and bakeries to fine-dining experiences. The Knysna Waterfront and Thesen Harbour Town provide many specialist shops and restaurants. Dine alfresco while you watch the activities in the small harbour and on the lagoon. There may even be whales as this is a famous whale-watching location.

Knysna's famous oyster industry, which is celebrated every July, draws thousands of visitors to the10-day ‘Pick n Pay Knysna Oyster Festival’. The 'Gastronomica Festival' is also 10 days and is packed with competitions, demonstrations, discussions, and workshops. Cookery enthusiasts, farmers and artisans who produce and process foodie delights, international and national chefs, locals, restaurateurs, and tourists; everyone will be celebrating fresh, fine food.

If history is your thing, then the Old Fort, the Old Gaol, the churches, museums and the Millwood goldmine are must-visits.

At animal sanctuaries, such as the Knysna Elephant Park, Monkeyland and Birds of Eden you can meet rare and endangered species including the Knysna Seahorse, the multi-coloured Knysna Turaco a.k.a. the Knysna Loerie, the rare Knysna Dwarf Chameleon, and the Brenton Blue Butterfly. There are stories that the Knysna Elephant, which once roamed freely in large numbers here, have survived. But you must go deep into the forest before you catch sight of them. And they’re very good at hiding.