Knysna Holidays - Accommodation and Information on Knysna

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Game Encounters

The flora and fauna of Africa are of course famous the world over, and visiting the area and not seeing them in their natural surroundings would be a shame.

There are several Game Reserves close to Knysna which are suitable for either day visits or over night 'safari' style trips. In any of these malaria free parks you will be transported safely to the optimal places to see the animals - make sure to bring your cameras!

You should try and make the effort to see the 'Big 5' (Lion, Elephant, Rhino, Buffalo and Leopard) when visiting the large Reserves to witness them happily living in a completely natural environment - it truely is a memory that will stay with you for a long time to come.

Knysna Holidays Team Recommendations

Close to Knysna (Day Trip)

Buffelsdrift Game Lodge www.buffelsdrift.com
About 1.5 hours drive from Knysna going via George. This excellent location about 7 km outside Oudtshoorn has a 5 ha waterhole as it's main feature complete with a pod of 7 hippos.

Their accommodation offers the traveller luxury en-suite tents situated on the edge of a natural waterhole with breathtaking views. From your deck overlooking the water you can spot hippo, buffalo, rhino, giraffe, elephants, Cape Mountain Zebra to name but a few of the Big 5. Bird watchers will have a great time viewing the bird life in the area.

Other facilities include a fine dining restaurant, modern conference centre and Karoo wedding chapel.

Take a game drive (bush safari) in an open game viewing vehicle, escorted by a trained guide to get a closer view of the 20 different species of wildlife roaming the vast open plains.

You can play football with the three young elephants, sit on their knee or go swimming with them in a safe part of the watering hole.

Botlierskop www.botlierskop.co.za
About 1 hours drive from Knysna towards Mosselbaai. This is good value with excellent game viewing opportunities and you can even go see the Game by quad bike for that different experience. Good food, great atmosphere and an excellent boma to sit out and let the world go by. This is another good chance for getting close to nature without really leaving the coast. They now offer deluxe 5 star accommodation under canvas.

Elephant back riding has now been introduced - Advanced booking is advised as this is very popular.

Buffalo Hills
www.buffalohills.co.za

Closer to Knysna than Botlierskop (its just outside of Plett 25 minutes drive). This is another good chance for getting close to nature without really leaving the coast. They now have deluxe accommodation under canvas.

Sanbona
www.mantiscollection.com

Visit the Sanbona Wildlife Reserve. They have the Big 5 there and the drive is stunning. This is currently being upgraded.

Knysna Elephant Park
www.knysnaelephantpark.co.za

Come see the worlds most Southerly Elephants. This is located between Knysna and Plett (about 15/20 minutes drive from Knysna). This is a must for adults and kids of all ages. Feed them, touch them. It's a must.

Monkeyland
www.monkeyland.co.za

Come walk through a large area of indigenous forest. Here you will get up and personal with many different species of monkeys. This is about 1 hours drive from Knysna towards Port Elizabeth. They have a saying "cheeky as a monkey" By the time you leave the part you'll understand why.

You can also walk across a large rope bridge as a part of your trip. This bit is not for the faint hearted.

The Knysna Holidays team recommend that you do the Elephant Park and Monkey land both in the one day.

Rhino Base Camp
www.rhinobasecamp.co.za & www.game-reserve.com

Rhino Base Camp Exclusive Game Reserve offers 1300 hectares of indigenous beauty just minutes from Plettenberg Bay on the Garden Route in the Western Cape, South Africa. Take a 2 hour game drive and see the large variety of wildlife up close from an open landrover.

Other Information available on the following web sites:

www.capenature.org
www.capeinfosa.co.za
www.go-cape.co.za
www.viewoverberg.com

Cango Wildlife Ranch
www.cango.co.za

This is a great day out and allows you to get up and personal with Cheetah's and see lots of interesting animals. They have a crocodile area which has provided Disney with the crocs for their Animal Kingdom in The USA. This is a really good day out.
Check out some of the really unusual curio's in their shop!

Ostrich Farm Trips
We have chosen what we believe to be the best of them and the links are shown below. A trip to an Ostrich Farm at Oudtshoorn could be done at the same time as you visit the Cango Ranch. Oudtshoorn is about 1.5 hours drive from Knysna and requires a beautiful drive through the mountains to get there.

High Gate Ostrich Show Farm - www.highgate.co.za
Safari Ostrich Show Farm - www.safariostrich.co.za
Cango Ostrich Farm - www.cangoostrich.co.za

Featherbeds
www.featherbeds.co.za

Sail out from Knysna and go to Featherbeds. Here you can see the little Duiker's, Mountain Tortoises and the Green Lorie Birds. They also have sea horses. The views and guided walk are excellent.

It takes a minimum of four hours but is well worth the trip.

Tsitsikamma National Park
www.places.co.za or www.wildnetafrica.co.za

About 40 minutes drive from Knysna this area has the little Duiker Antelope and the Clawless Cape Otters. The views are excellent and you can usually see lots of dolphins and bats if you take the boat up the river

Pumba Game Reserve
www.pumbagamereserve.co.za

In the heart of the Eastern Cape malaria free region set against the area's beautiful landscape. Pumba Game Reserve is a 5 star luxury Game Lodge offering visitors the opportunity to experience the essence of African luxury and style.


Overnight Stay Required for the following
Some serious Big Game Adventures www.parks-sa.co.za Shamwari Game Reserve www.shamwari.com Excellent, but expensive. About 3 hours drive from Knysna Lalibela www.lalibela.co.za Excellent Schotia www.schotia.com 5000 hectares - Small Kariga www.kariga.co.za 5000 Hectares - Small Amakhala www.amakhala.co.za 5000 Hectares - Small There are fly in solutions from Plett for some of these private Game reserves Check out these further sites www.places.co.za www.wildnetafrica.com www.indula.co.za www.inverdoorn.com www.camelthorn.co.za - Hunting & Game Viewing www.zulunet.co.za


Shark Cage Diving
Feeling a bit brave? Experience the pure adrenalin of seeing a Great White shark inches away. A heart stopping experience at your first encounter, but we think after the trip, you will respect these much misunderstood creatures. Shark Africa in Mossel Bay is a must do trip, especially for those of you with an interest in sub aqua sport - though no scuba experience is needed - full training is provided on shore before you leave. Those of you who prefer not to actually dive can still enjoy a close encounter with the Sharks, as they work close to the water surface and it's great photo opportunity Visit Shark Africa's web site [www.sharkafrica.co.za] and just go for it!