Planning a Trip

Visitor Information -- The Tourism Information Bureau (tel. 044/382-5510; www.visitknysna.com; Mon-Fri 8am-5pm, Sat 8:30am-1pm; hours are extended Dec-Jan) is at 40 Main St. In the same building is the booking service, Knysna Reservations (tel. 044/382-6960; bookings@knysna-info.co.za), which will help you make accommodations and other bookings. You can also visit the independent Central Reservations (tel. 044/382-5878 or 082/558-1661; daily 9am-6pm) for advice and bookings.

Getting There & Around -- The closest airports are at George and Plettenberg Bay; both are about an hour's drive away. Contact Budget (tel. 044/876-9204) or Economic Car Hire (tel. 082/800-4258). For a fun way to get around (not to mention avoid Knysna's seasonal traffic congestion), rent a mountain bike. For a taxi, call Benwill Shuttle (tel. 083/728-5181).

Special Events -- Knysna gets very busy during the annual Knysna Loerie Festival, a gay pride event held for a few days every May, even more so during the Knysna Oyster Festival held every July. Gastronomica, a culinary festival, is a hot new addition to the calendar, held annually in September. For information, contact the Tourism Bureau.