Activities and Places of interest in the Garden Route

Knysna is surrounded by a paradise of indigenous forests, mountains, lakes and spectacular beaches, and nestles on the banks of a tranquil estuary. Day trips can be taken to Tsitsikamma National Park, Plettenberg bay, Wilderness, George, Mossel Bay and Oudtshoorn. Azure House is an ideal base from which to explore Knysna and the Garden Route.

Visit our Waterfront, The Knysna Quays, where you can board the Featherbed Paddle boat, and take a trip into the famous Knysna Heads, then experience a nature walk through Featherbed nature reserve and experience standing on the 'Knysna Heads' the grand sandstone cliffs towering above the entrance to the Knysna Lagoon. At the Quays you will also be able to explore the shops, flea market, sample our oysters, taste our local beer or even take a luxury yacht cruise into the Indian Ocean.

The town itself offers a feast or art galleries, shops, banks, flea markets, superb restaurants, coffee shops and pubs. Visitors can safely spend the day or evenings experiencing the town on foot with no need to use your vehicle. For the more energetic, there are the forests to be explored on foot or mountain bikes, in addition to abseiling, canoeing, fishing and horse riding. Knysna is central to at least 10 top class Golf courses, the most famous of which are Fancourt in George, Simola and Pezula in Knysna, located spectacularly on the Eastern Head.

The Featherbed Company

The Featherbed Company gives visitors to the Garden Route an unforgettable experience on the Knysna Lagoon.

Birds of Eden

The unique two hectare dome (the Worlds largest) spans over a gorge of indigenous forest. The sanctuary has its own mysterious ruin, which incorporates a walk-behind waterfall.

Monkeyland

Monkeyland is the worlds first free roaming multi-specie primate sanctuary. Monkeyland has as one of its aims, to create awareness about the plight of primates and to show that with a greater understanding of our primate cousins, that we can all live in harmony.

Tenikwa

Tenikwa is a wildlife centre located in the rural area outside Plettenberg Bay and only 40 minutes from the popular town of Knysna on the pristine Garden Route in the Western Cape, known for its many natural attractions, protected National Parks, and neighbouring animal sanctuaries.

Ocean Safaris

Ocean Safaris has been exploring the bay since 1997, we are an owner run business which lets the wildlife and weather shape your journey. Our location is a natural magnet to visitors from near and far, both human and aquatic. Our bay is protected from most prevailing sea and weather conditions by the spectacular Robberg Peninsula. This means that we can go to sea more frequently than any other operator in the country.

Skydive Plett

Skydive Plett has been operating in South Africa since 2002 and is now one of the busiest drop zones in the country. Depending on the weather, we may jump all day, every day. We are situated on the coastline in the heart of the beautiful Garden Route, at the very bottom of the African continent. Plett is home to hundreds of dolphins and is an active breeding ground for whales between May and October every year.

Ocean Blue

OCEAN BLUE ADVENTURES offer Oceanic Safaris and Activities including Whale Watching, Dolphin Encounters in Plettenberg Bay on the Garden Route. Situated in the coastal town of Plettenberg Bay (20 minutes from Knysna), Ocean Blue Adventure offers a rare and powerful experience through permitted boat based whale watching & dolphin encounters.

The Tsitsikamma Canopy Tour

The Tsitsikamma Canopy Tour® takes place in the magnificent Tsitsikamma indigenous rainforest. Many of the platforms are built around giant Outeniqua Yellowwood trees that are 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 experience of a lifetime. The scenery and birdlife is spectacular and professional guides ensure your safety while keeping you informed about interesting features of the forest ecology.

The Knysna Elephant Park

The Knysna Elephant Park (est. 1994) was the first facility in South Africa to house and care for orphaned African elephants. Over the last twenty years, the park has cared for and raised more than forty elephants. These animals include relocated animals, orphaned calves, elephants rescued from culls and ex-circus animals.