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Knysna Town Information - South Africa's favourite, safest and cleanest town!

The scenic town of Knysna is situated in the heart of the Garden Route, along the southern Cape coast of South Africa. Knysna is a short 40 minute domestic flight from Cape Town to George Airport and from there, less than an hours drive along the attractive coastline to Knysna. From here you drive past the famous lagoon, into the town of Knysna.

The Knysna Lagoon is sheltered from the sea by two dramatic sandstone headlands called the Knysna Heads. From this elevation, panoramic views unfold to the Outeniqua Mountains, where you can observe the tides both in the Lagoon and the wild and rugged coastline. The Knysna Forest is the largest remaining indigenous forest in South Africa, with ancient trees and somewhere in the thickets, a herd of the world’s largest elephants roam.

Knysna has time and again been voted as South Africa’s favourite and cleanest town. It offers a variety of good restaurants, shops, art galleries, museums and a theatre. It is also within close proximity to clean and safe swimming beaches, in particular, Buffalo Bay and also many hiking and cycling trails in the indigenous forests. Many outdoor activities are offered and the town enjoys hosting events such as the famous Knysna Oyster Mardi Gras Festival with the forest cycle and running Marathons which are experiences not to be missed. Knysna’s Oysters are reputed to be the most succulent in the world!

Knysna has many more attractions for the outdoor enthusiast such as golfing on 3 scenic and highly rated golf courses, canoeing, sailing, abseiling, kite-boarding, water skiing, swimming and many more.

Although Knysna is primarily a tourist destination, the infrastructure is sound and includes good hospital and medical facilities and is suitable for all year living. The schools are diverse and in particular the highly reputable Oakhill School where their final results are always exemplary and their motto “the Joy of Learning” is highly apt.

Knysna Population and Climate

Although the local population of Knysna is only 52,000 people; for those people intending to look at this area as a permanent or semi permanent residence, Knysna is the perfect place. Not only is it a cosmopolitan town without the usual ‘small town syndrome', it is also very safe and serves as an ideal base from where you can explore the Garden Route and Little Karoo. The traffic is minimal and you will instantly appreciate the fresh air and bright clean sunlight in its year round greenery. The beauty never ceases to amaze even the oldest residents and everyone can’t help loving this little town.

Knysna enjoys a temperate climate with summer temperatures averaging around 27 degrees Celsius, with low relative humidity and temperatures seldom rising above 30 degrees. Most of Knysna’s rain falls at night. The windy seasons are around August to September, with strong winds occurring sporadically, but for a coastal town, this wind is minimal. In winter, the coldest nights can plummet to 5 degrees Celsius, and the days usually average around 18 degrees Celsius and for this reason, May to September make perfect hiking and biking times.