Knysna in the Western Cape Province of South Africa lies along the coast of the Garden Route between Cape Town and Port Elizabeth. It is a beautiful town situated on a picturesque lagoon, entered through a narrow portal of rock known as “the heads”. It is a lovely place to visit any time of the year with a Mediterranean climate, resulting in moderately hot summer temperatures and mild, though sometimes, very cool winters.
In the early days of settlement in South Africa, Knysna was a minor port and was first visited in 1817 by the sloop H.M.S. Podargus. Soon after that, the timber trade from the magnificent lush forests surrounding the bay gradually grew. In 1804 George Rex (rumour had it that he was the illegitimate son of King George III ) and his family, settled close by in Melkhoutskraal and in 1816, helped develop the port and had a ship built there.
Sawmills were later set up by the Thesen and Parkes families and a railway line was built into the forest. In 1818 a pilot station was set up in Knysna but soon the rise of other ports gradually drew traffic away and despite the use of Knysna for the building of naval launches during the first world war, it was given up by South African Railways and Harbour administration a few years later.
The prosperity of Knysna now depends on the timber and tourist trades, both of which are flourishing.and is, today, a very well known destination for holiday makers and offers a variety of activities and attractions including the exciting Knysna Forest where visitors can view the ancient and exotic trees which include Yellowwood, stinkwood, blackwood and others.
Accomodation is wide and varied and includes Hotels, Guest Houses, B and B’s and self catering accommodation.
