Planning a Trip

Visitor Information

The Tourism Information Bureau (tel. 044/382-1610; www.visitknysna.com; Mon-Fri 8am-5pm, Sat 8:30am-1pm; hours are extended Dec-Jan) is at 40 Main St. Adjacent is the booking service; contact Knysna Reservations (tel. 044/382-6960; booking@mweb.co.za) for 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

The closest airports are at George and Plettenberg Bay; both are about an hour's drive away. Contact Budget (tel. 044/533-1858) or Economic Car Hire (tel. 082/800-4258).

Getting Around

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.

Boat Tours

With comfortable seating and a restaurant/bar on board, the floating double-decker John Benn Ferry (tel. 044/382-1693) offers a 90-minute trip on the lagoon that costs R90/$13/£6.50 for adults, meals and drinks extra. R160/$22/£11 buys you a ticket on the Heads Explorer -- the only ferry licensed to go through the Heads. Waterfront Ferries (tel. 044/382-5520) runs a number of 90-minute trips as well as a 2 1/2-hour sunset lagoon trip daily; all ferries depart from the Knysna Quays Waterfront. For sailing trips, contact Spring Tide Charters to charter the luxury yacht Outiniqua for an exclusive, very romantic breakfast, all-day, sunset, or dinner cruise (tel. 082/470-6022; www.springtide.co.za; prices on application). Alternatively, hire the services of The Mistress (tel. 082/700-1597; www.knysnalagoon.com).

Special Events

Knysna gets very busy during the annual Knysna Loerie Festival, held for a few days every May and aimed at the predominantly local gay and lesbian market; and 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 October. For information, contact the Tourism Bureau.