Your friendly tour and transfer expert in the Garden Route!
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Diepwalle Forest Legends Museum
At the museum, discover the story and the secret life of the Knysna forest elephants and their interaction with the woodcutters during the exploitation of the forests for the timber trade. Explore the past life of the woodcutters who faced a constant challenge and the dangers of living and working in a damp and dark forest.
Just outside the museum, the Elephant Trails commence from here. We recommend the "black route" which is relatively easy to walk, 9km in length and takes approximately 3-4 hours to complete. However, since the trail takes time to complete, it would not be recommended if you wish to also partake in other activities in Knysna in one day.
SANParks Gate times*:
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Open daily 07:30-16:00
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Visitors will be required to provide ID/Passport number to SANParks official on entry. * times are *Times subject to change without notice.
IMPORTANT:
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No wheelchair access.
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Relative degree of fitness required to do the trails.
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Suitable for families with children.
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Wear proper hiking boots/shoes, especially if you want to do the hiking trail.
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Bring water for hydration.
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Wear repellent for the ticks and mosquitoes.
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Wear sunblock.
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Rain coat in case of rain forecast.
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Credit cards accepted at entrance but bring cash in case the card charging facilities are offline.
Featherbed Eco Experience
* reservations required
Take a ferry ride across the azure Knysna Lagoon to the famous Featherbed Nature Reserve. The story of Featherbed all started with the discovery of a prehistoric fish found off the coast of South Africa in 1938. The ichthyologist, Professor J.L.B. Smith identified it as a Coelacanth and his most famous publications about the fish titled "The Old Four Legs" was publicized worldwide. In 1956 he purchased the land at the spectacular cliffs on the western head of Knysna using the proceeds from the sale of his book. The reserve was put into a family trust until it was sold to new owners in 2009 and then later again in 2021.
At the reserve take a 4x4 vehicle and trailer up the headland onto the reserve, which offers spectacular viewpoints of the lagoon and ocean along the way. At the end of the ride, take an optional 2.2km hike down the headland through the coastal forest into ancient sea caves. The trail leads you back to the restaurant area where a sumptuous buffet is prepared for you under the shade of some milkwood trees and with views of the turquoise Featherbed Bay.
Eco-experience with lunch (4 hour duration)*:
Departs daily: 10:00, 11:30 or 12:30*
* 12:30 departures available in high season only
Eco-experience without lunch (3 hour duration)*:
Departs daily: 08:30 or 14:30
*Times subject to change without notice.
IMPORTANT:
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Prepaid reservations are required and cancellation penalty fees apply.
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Refundable if cancelled due to severe weather conditions.
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Suitable for families with children.
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Relative degree of fitness required to do the trails.
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Trails are optional and guests can return to restaurant with 4x4 and trailer.
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Wear proper hiking boots/shoes, especially if you want to do the hiking trail.
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Wear sunblock.
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Bring a windbreaker as temperatures can be cool over the water. Rain coat in case of rain forecast.
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Guests need to arrive 30 minutes prior to departure time to check-in and collect boarding passes for the ferry.
Paddle Cruiser Lagoon Cruise
* reservations required
Cruise in style to the famous Knysna Heads aboard the Paddle Cruiser. Enjoy 360° views of the lagoon while sipping refreshments at one of the two bars on board. The Paddle Cruiser is unique as South Africa's only paddle driven vessel. She was acquired by Two Oceans Marine manufacturers in Cape Town in 2002 and brought to Knysna where she is now at home.
There is a day cruise or a sunset cruise which makes for a wonderful dinner venue. You leave at sunset arriving at the Heads at twilight and return to Knysna under the stars.
PADDLE CRUISER SCHEDULE*:
13:00 departure (cruise only)
17:45 (sunset cruise with buffet dinner - winter)
18:15 (sunset cruise with buffet dinner - summer)
*Times subject to change without notice.
IMPORTANT:
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Prepaid reservations are required and cancellation penalty fees apply.
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Refundable if cancelled due to severe weather conditions.
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Wear sunblock.
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Suitable for families with children.
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Bring a windbreaker as temperatures can be cool over the water. Rain coast in case of rain forecast.
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Guests need to arrive 30 minutes prior to departure time to check-in and collect boarding passes
John Benn Lagoon Cruise
* reservations required
Named after the legendary pilot who guided ships through the notorious Knysna heads back in the day, the John Benn offers an affordable and relaxing cruise on the Knysna Lagoon. You have the choice of an optional a la carte and tapas menu with fresh oysters and local beers or sparkling wines. There are two full bars on the upper and lower decks. As it is fully enclosed it is not so weather dependent.
JOHN BENN CRUISE SCHEDULE:
12:30 departures daily
17:00 departures (winter)
18:00 departures (summer)
*Times subject to change without notice.
IMPORTANT:
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Prepaid reservations are required and cancellation penalty fees apply.
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Refundable if cancelled due to severe weather conditions.
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Wear sunblock.
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Suitable for families with children.
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Bring a windbreaker as temperatures can be cool over the water. Rain coast in case of rain forecast.
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Guests need to arrive 30 minutes prior to departure time to check-in and collect boarding passes.
Pirate Ship Lagoon Cruise
Ahoy Matey! Take sail across the Knysna Lagoon on this beautiful Ketch Sailboat originally built at Praslin Island in the Seychelles. Built from indigenous Takamaka wood that grows on the beaches of the Seychelles Islands, this authentic pirate ship is a unique sailing experience for both adults and children.
Or how about an unforgettable sailing experience with a 44ft catamaran across the lagoon and through the Knysna Heads into the Indian Ocean (weather permitting)? You may be even lucky enough to spot some dolphins, the seasonal whales or other marine life that frequent the Garden Route coastal waters.
PIRATE SHIP SCHEDULE*:
Departures: 10:30, 12:30, 14:30
sunset cruise at 16:30
HEADS EXPLORER CATAMARAN SCHEDULE*:
Departures: 10:30, 12:30, 14:30
sunset cruise at 16:30
*Times subject to change without notice.
IMPORTANT:
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Cruises through the Knysna Heads and out to sea dependent on weather conditions.
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Wear sunblock.
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Suitable for families with children.
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Bring a windbreaker as temperatures can be cool over the water. Rain coast in case of rain forecast
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Advisable to arrive at least 30 minutes to departure to check-in and collect boarding passes.
Knysna Elephant Park
Have you ever felt the texture of an elephants trunk that is sniffing you? How close have you ever interacted with the largest land mammal on the planet? Well here is an opportunity right here at the Knysna Elephant Park. But make no mistake, this is no petting zoo. The Knysna Elephant Park is a sanctuary for orphaned elephants who were rescued and relocated here from circuses or calves that were rescued from herds in the wild that were sadly culled.
For the past 25 years this sanctuary has worked diligently in not only providing a safe haven for the elephants but as a vital role in formulating regulations and guidelines for captive elephants in South Africa. The park also initiated a research unit aimed at improving the welfare for captive elephants worldwide. The park has strict guidelines to ensure that the tourism activities that help fund their objectives, do not compromise the well being of the resident elephants in the park.
The park offers visitors two touring options. The first is a guided tour to meet the elephant herds. Optional elephant snack baskets can be purchased at reception to give to the elephants during the guided tour. The other tour option is the elephant walk, where you walk out into the field with your guide and an elephant.
MEET OUR HERD TOUR*:
Departs daily every 30 mins on the hour
Duration 45-60 minutes
ELEPHANT WALK TOUR*:
Departs 08:00 & 16:30 daily
Duration 45-60 minutes
Not recommended for young children
*Times subject to change without notice.
IMPORTANT:
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Prepaid reservations are required and cancellation penalty fees apply.
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Suitable with families with children, except the Elephant Walk tour.
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Children will be asked to behave in a calm manner around the elephants, not to cause them stress.
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Wear proper hiking boots/shoes.
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Wear sunblock