Summer or winter, you will find tourists in Knysna town. It’s a wonderful place to visit and is a gem of an experience for everyone who comes to South Africa. Aside from being known for its biodiversity and incredible lagoon, Knysna has something for everyone.
If You Want Adventure…
One of the thrills of being in Knysna is the Knysna Oyster Festival. This is a time when you can go on a cruise that touches on the history of the town and the abundance of oyster beds. There are tours of the areas where oysters grow wild and are farmed, ending with a delectable snack of oysters and drinks. This year, the Oyster Festival will be held from July 6 to 15, 2012. It promises to be a bustling time for Knysna with over 100 events planned.
Some of the activities you can participate in are marathons, cycling, theatre shows, wine tasting, gala nights, golf tournaments, angling, soccer games, and of course, oyster shucking and oyster eating contests. Even the South African Navy takes part with their band playing during the event. South Africans come from all over to participate in the Oyster Festivals also because oysters are sold at very low prices.
If You Want To Relax and Enjoy The Vista…
Knysna offers lagoon cruises; river cruises and beaches where one can simply bask in the glorious sun and feel the wind on their faces. The Knysna Lagoon is world-famous not just because of its beauty, but also for its rich aquatic biodiversity. If you’re planning to relocate to this seaside town, you definitely want to check out the boats for sale in the area: having a boat in Knysna is as important as owing a house!
The beaches are safe and sandy as long as you heed warning signs about strong currents. Swimming, fishing, or boating can revitalize you for a night of music and socials. But if you really want to be alone, take a walk. You can even go to Knysna Forest although don’t venture too deep into the forest. You will also need to get a permit to enter Knysna Forest.
If You Want To Challenge Yourself…
Even tourists crave the occasional sport activity and Knysna town offers quite a selection. Aside from world-class golf courses, Knysna also has biking trails, hiking trails, diving in the lagoon to see the diverse marine life or the Paquita wreck, or bird watching. Knysna also has an Elephant Park where it is possible to pet and feed some of the animals. Tourists are forewarned to wear old clothes because the elephants are known to spit randomly on anything and anyone.
If You Just Want To Kick Back…
Why not just enjoy the people of Knysna? They are friendly and have a wonderful sense of humour. Their love of music and good food is legendary, and one can enjoy sitting in one of the cafes with a koeksuster and a cup of coffee.
Knysna also has a new commercial complex called the Waterfront. It’s a marina-type with residences, restaurants, malls, retail outlets, a flea market and specialty shops.
Tourist Tips:
Knysna is a small coastal town. There are no buses so you either travel by taxi or bring a reliable and comfortable pair of walking shoes. If you want a spectacular view, you will need to climb so be ready for a good work-out.
Finally, if you have time, why not drop by the local orphanage or soup kitchen for some voluntary civic activities. You’ll have tons of fun meeting and getting to know the locals. There are also community projects and soccer games happening all the time. Life in Knysna is exciting in a way that’s not rushed. And being able to enjoy a wee bit of what it’s like to live in Knysna will be a memory you’ll never forget.