Explore and Thrive: Activities and Attractions in Enchanting Knysna
Central Knysna Accommodation Close to Everything. Enjoy easy access to Knysna’s top attractions, golf courses, nature trails, restaurants, and entertainment — all from a comfortable, centrally located guesthouse designed for a perfect stay.
Explore and Thrive in Knysna
Knysna is one of the Garden Route’s most captivating destinations — a place where forests, lagoons, beaches, wildlife, and vibrant local culture come together. Whether you’re seeking adventure, relaxation, family fun, or scenic beauty, Knysna offers something for every traveller.
From Knysna Manor House, you’re perfectly positioned to explore it all. Our central location means the town’s top attractions, restaurants, markets, and natural wonders are all within easy reach.
Top Attractions in Knysna
Knysna Waterfront
A lively hub of restaurants, boutique shops, and lagoon views. Perfect for dining, strolling, or joining a cruise.
The Knysna Heads
One of South Africa’s most iconic viewpoints. Enjoy dramatic cliffs, ocean vistas, and photo‑worthy scenery.
Thesen Island
A stylish marina with cafés, galleries, and boardwalks — ideal for a relaxed afternoon.
Nature & Outdoor Adventures
Knysna Forest
Explore ancient indigenous forests, home to towering trees, walking trails, and the legendary Knysna elephants.
Featherbed Nature Reserve
A guided eco‑experience including boat trips, viewpoints, and nature walks.
Beaches
Buffalo Bay and Brenton‑on‑Sea offer pristine sand, safe swimming, and unforgettable sunsets.
Lagoon Activities
Lagoon cruises
Kayaking
Stand‑up paddling
Boat trips to the Heads
Birdwatching along the estuary
The Knysna Lagoon is calm, scenic, and perfect for all ages.
Wildlife & Family Fun
Knysna Elephant Park
Monkeyland
Birds of Eden
Jukani Wildlife Sanctuary
Pledge Nature Reserve
Great for families, nature lovers, and photographers.
Markets, Culture & Local Experiences
Knysna Friday Market
Wild Oats Market (near Sedgefield)
Local craft shops
Art galleries
Coffee shops and bakeries
Knysna’s creative community adds charm and character to every visit.
Garden Route Day Trips
Knysna is the perfect base for exploring:
Plettenberg Bay
Wilderness
Sedgefield
Tsitsikamma
Mossel Bay
Oudtshoorn
Each destination offers its own unique attractions, from beaches to adventure sports to wildlife encounters.
Your Perfect Knysna Adventure Starts Here
Whether you’re seeking relaxation, adventure, or a bit of both, Knysna offers endless opportunities to explore and thrive. Stay at Knysna Manor House and enjoy a central, welcoming base for discovering everything this enchanting town has to offer.
Activities and Attractions
Knysna Heads
The Knysna Heads are one the most iconic sightings in the world, constantly captivating tourists that visit the town of Knysna.
Ferry rides
The cruises include a trip filled with beautiful sightings of the lagoon, good food (inclduing local oysters) and a journey to the Knysna Heads.
Millwood Goldmine Museum
The Millwood Goldmine Museum narrates the tale of the Millwood Goldfield Gold Rush of 1876.
Located near the ghost town of Old Millwood Mining Village, the museum is home to a graveyard where you could learn about the lives and history of people buried there. You could also see Bendigo restored mining equipment, enjoy a cup of coffee at the tea garden or even go on a guided tour of the main Bendigo Mine. The mine has shafts as deep as 30m.
Beaches
Our B&B is located within reach of Knysna top beaches such as Bollard Bay Beach, Brenton Beach and Sparrenbosch Beach. Our guests can go for a beach walk, fishing or simply enjoy enjoy sundowners under the beautiful Knysna sky.
Eating out in Knysna
Our centrally located accommodation provider (guest house / B&B) is within walking distance to all restaurants and the Knysna Waterfront. This is perfect during the peak season, when walking is faster than driving. Knysna Manor House has a wide selection of menus from many local world-class restaurants. The choice is yours - from Italian and Greek to local delicacy – Knysna Oysters. The staff at the guesthouse will gladly make a booking at your restaurant of choice.
Golf Tours
With Knysna being home to the Jack Nicklaus' Simola Golf Estate, Pezula Golf Estate and Knysna Golf Course, The Garden Route area is paradise for golfers. Further afield you will find the Ernie Els designed Oubaai, Course, Pinnacle Point, Goose Valley and of course Fancourt. Our centrally located Knysna guesthouse / B&B accommodation is perfect for golf tours, as we are within an hour and a half of the furthest course. Anthony will gladly assist you with bookings at any of these magnificent courses.
Mountain biking
For even more adventure, a mountain bike tour will test you to the extreme. If you love cycling and have always wanted to come to South Africa - we'll take you for a ride on the wild side! All our tours depart from a little town in the heart of the Garden Route called Knysna (pronounced nize-na). This stunning town has been voted South Africa's "Favourite town of the Year" for two consecutive years and tourists from all over the globe visit Knysna and are always impressed with its beauty.
Bunjee Jumping
Experience every emotion whilst plunging 216m off the world's highest bungee jump. Our B&B is the perfect base for thrill seekers in the Garden Route, Western Cape.
This is the ultimate thrill! This is the highest commercially-operated bungee jump in the world. We secure you in a full body harness and proceed to walk along a specially-designed catwalk (216m long), which is suspended beneath the road surface, which will then lead you to the top of the arch - 216 meters above the Bloukrans River.
Here you will be given final instructions by highly experienced staff, a countdown and off you go! Bloukrans utilizes pendulum bungee technology ensuring you the smoothest, most comfortable bungee jump possible.
Tsitsikamma Canopy Tours
Our Knysna guest house is about an hour's drive from the Tsitsikamma forest, making it the ideal base to tour the picturesque Garden Route. The Tsitsikamma Canopy Tour is the first of its kind in Africa.
The tour takes place in the magnificent Tsitsikamma Forest with most of the platforms built around giant Outeniqua Yellowwoods up to 700 years old. Standing within the crown of these giants and looking down at the lush forest floor thirty metres below is an unforgettable experience. Hold your breath as you slide from tree to tree through the forest, stopping at each new platform while your guides tell you a little more about the surrounding ecology. If you are fortunate you will spot a pair of Knysna Loeries or the brilliant red plumage of the elusive Narina Trogon. Whatever happens, we’re quite sure you’ll want to do it all over again!
Nature and wildlife
We are located in the Garden Route, an area know for its beauty, wildlife and scenery. A stay at our house offers you the opportunity to explore the area's natural beauty and rare sightings.
Goukamma Nature Reserve
Located only 15 kilometres away from Knysna, Goukamma Nature Reserve is one of the most scenic spots along the Garden Route. The 2 500-hectare nature reserve houses animal species such as Grysbok, bushbuck, bushpic, porcupine and vervet monkeys. Common vegetation types in the area are coastal fynbos and coastal forest.
Pledge Nature Reserve
With over 80 bird species and 200 indigenous plant species, the 10-hectare Pledge Nature Reserve is dedicated to nature conservation within the Cape Floral Kingdom. This nature reserve is an excellent spot to get acquainted with Garden Route beauty.
Featherbed Nature Reserve
The journey to Featherbed Nature Reserve begins with a 25-minute ferry cruise towards the Western Head of the Knysna Lagoon. The cruise is followed by a 4x4 ride and 2.2km walk before a buffet lunch at Food Forest Restaurant
Jubilee Creek
Aptly located between two forest clearings, Jubilee Creek boasts beautiful sceney. A popular picnic spot with young families, this area is a must-do for visitors at Knysna Manor House.
Knysna Elephant Park
The Knysna Elephant Park is the southernmost elephant park in the world. Located within the Greater Plettenberg Bay area, the park offers a 10% discount to our guests.
Monkey Land
Located in the Greater Plettenberg Bay, Monkey Land is a sanctuary for 450 primates primate species including baboons and Vervet monkeys. Knysna Manor House guests receive 10% off discount at Monkey Land.
Birds of Eden
The two-hectare Birds of Eden is one of the largest free flight bird sanctuaries. Knysna Manor House guests receive a 10% discount at Birds of Eden.
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