• Birdwatching
• Game Farms
• Scenic Drives
• Scenic Flights
• Whale Watching

Birdwatching

Knysna is a bird-watcher’s paradise, with over 200 species that have been recorded:

• Woodbourne Pan, opposite the Leisure Isle causeway on George Rex Drive, is host to a multitude of different species, depending on the tides and on the time of year:
  Ducks (Cape and Hottentot Teal), Egyptian Geese, Herons, Sacred Ibis, Hadeda, Spoonbills, Rails, Ruffs and Curlews flock to this sheltered and idyllic pond.  Waterfowl and waders occur in abundance at several locations.

• Upper Langvlei and Rondevlei are wildlife reserves; of 95 species of waterfowl recorded in South Africa, 75 can be seen in this small locality.   Birdhides and trails around the lakes provide an opportunity to observe, amongst others, Spurwing Geese, Coots, Ospreys, Fish Eagles and the rarer Nerina Trogon.

• The Goukamma Nature Reserve beaches offer many of the endangered Oyster Catcher. 

• Knysna and Goukamma Rivers host many Kingfishers and Fish Eagles.

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Game Farms

Several game farms in the Knysna area offer an opportunity to observe game at close quarters.

• The Buffalo Valley Game Farm features a unique collection of animals easily visible from a gentle 3 km drive through grassland and fynbos, as well as a bush walk, bird hide and Bush Lodge accommodation.
  Entrance is R20 per car.  Tel. (044) 382 2481 International +27 44 382 2481.

• The Elephant Park provides a safe encounter with these gentle giants who used to roam the Knysna forests in days gone by.  The reserve offers picnic facilities and nature walks through the forest.  The park is open from 8h30 to 16h30 every day.  Tel. (0445) 327732 International +27 445 327732.

• The well-stocked Mountain Pastures Game Farm offers game drives, bush walks, rock art, night game drives, and accommodation.  Eco-adventures include abseiling, rock-climbing, paintball war games, archery and snorkelling, as well as birding and Black Bass fishing.  Tel. (04475) 23510 International +27 4475 23510 or 083 251 5293 International +27 83 251 5293.

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Scenic Drives

Explore the beauty of the Garden Route by setting out on any of the below scenic drives.

Full-day drives include a journey through the historic Prince Alfred Pass, the Seven Passes Road or the lush, green Tsitsikamma forests.

• The Prince Alfred Pass : On the road between Knysna and Uniondale, a gravel pass winds its way steeply through scenic splendour and ever-drier vegetation as it descends into the fruit-growing are of the Langkloof.  The return journey can be made through the Langkloof, over the Outeniqua Pass and via George.

• The Garden of Eden : A boardwalk leads through an unspoilt glen of indigenous forest.

• The Seven Passes Road: The Seven Passes Road is the original road which connected Knysna and George before the modern, coastal road was built.  A spectacular ramble along the Outeniqua mountains, through forest and farmland, over old stone bridges and dark, mountain rivers.

Shorter routes meander through the elephant forests, the ‘Gold Rush’ route, or along tranquil, picturesque lakelands.

• The Lakes: A meandering gravel road runs along a set of tranquil lakes which form part of the Wilderness National Lake area.

• The Diepwalle Road : Enjoy the ‘Elephant Walks’ at Diepwalle forest station; the imposing 600-year-old ‘King Edward VII’ Yellowwood tree; the Valley of Ferns, and panoramic views from Spitskop viewsite.  At Kruisvallei, you may choose to turn off to Plettenberg Bay via Wittedrif.

• Gold Rush Route: The gold-rush town of 1876, Millwood, is now aghost town, with remains of old buildings, street signs,a graveyard and mine shafts to be seen.  Only one building remains intact, housing a museum and a coffee shop.   The Millwood hiking trail covers 5,6 km in this area.

Scenic Flights (African Ramble )

Enjoy a flip along the coast, spot some whales from the air, or pop over the mountains to Oudtshoorn in an African Rambles charter aircraft, departing from Plettenberg Bay airport. Tel. (044) 382 1789 International +27 44 382 1789 or Cell 083 375 6514 International +27 83 375 6514.

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Whale Watching

Humpback and Southern Right whales frolick in the Garden Route's coastal waters from May to December, whilst dolphins are year-round residents.  Whale-watching has become a popular pastime for visitors and locals, and a Whale Hotline offers information and up-to-date reports of sightings (Tel. 0800 228 222)

• Southern Right Whales are the most numerous visitors.  They migrate to these coastal waters from June to November to calve.  Their length varies from 14 to 18m.   Weight averages at 41 000kg.
• Humpback Whales, an endangered species, can be found in the area between May and December.
• Bryde's whales and Killer whales are found slightly further offshore all year round, but sightings are rare.

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