The Knysna Forest

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The Knysna forest, just waiting to be explored.

© South African Tourism

Located along South Africa's famous Garden Route between Cape Town and Port Elizabeth, Knysna is famous for its lush forests, which attract nature and outdoor enthusiasts from across the globe.

While there is debate about the direct translation of the meaning of the name Knysna, a Khoi word, the most popular thinking is that it means 'place of wood', a reference to the dense pine, fern and eucalyptus forests of the region.

Some of the tall yellowwood trees in the area are around 800 years old. Other prominent tree species include stinkwood and the pink-flowered Cape chestnut.

During the 19th century, the Knysna forest was home to hundreds of elephants. These were however poached to near extinction by mine workers who lost revenue due to the failure of the Millwood gold mine.

Knysna offers endless forest walks and hiking trails. Highly recommended are the 9km Woodcutters' Walk and the 5.6km Millwood Mine Walk. Exploring the area on horseback is also an option if you don't fancy doing so on foot.

In the forest of Knysna you'll discover rivers, waterfalls and a mass of flora amid the giant trees. Keep an eye open for various antelope species that roam the forests during the day.

Mountain bikers also have an ample selection of routes and should certainly consider the 24km Petrus-se-brand Route, which ends at the aptly named Garden of Eden.

Bird watchers should keep a lookout for the Knysna loerie with its distinctive white-tipped crest.