Knysna National Lake Area - Knysna, Garden Route
The centre of attraction of Knysna National Lake Area is the 15,000 ha Knysna Lagoon, home to the endangered Knysna seahorse and to a wide variety of wetland birdlife. (Image adapted). © Siyabona AfricaKnysna National Lake Area - Knysna, Garden Route
The Knysna National Lake Area, located in the heart of the Garden Route, is a protected estuarine system famous for its rich biodiversity and scenic beauty. The lake is part of the Knysna Lagoon, which connects to the Indian Ocean through the iconic Knysna Heads, two sandstone cliffs framing the mouth of the estuary. This area is a sanctuary for various marine and bird species, including the rare Knysna seahorse.
The centre of attraction of Knysna National Lake Area is the 15,000 ha Knysna Lagoon, home to the endangered Knysna seahorse and to a wide variety of wetland birdlife, including egrets, spoonbills, gulls, cormorants, ibises, and various waders, such as marsh sandpiper, Greenshank, and Whimbrel.
To the north of Knysna lies the Knysna forest covering over 60 000 ha where massive stinkwoods and yellowwoods tower above the cool moist forest floor below. These forests were once home to the now-extinct Knysna elephant. However numerous smaller mammals can still be found and there is prolific birdlife in the forest and the lagoon.
The surrounding wetlands and salt marshes make the Knysna National Lake Area a hotspot for eco-tourism, offering activities like birdwatching, kayaking, and boat tours. Visitors can also explore the nearby forests and nature reserves, which are home to unique flora and fauna. The lake area plays a vital role in conserving the natural heritage of the Garden Route.
This protected zone is a key part of the region’s environmental efforts, promoting sustainable tourism and conservation. It’s an ideal destination for nature lovers seeking a blend of water-based activities and forest adventures, while enjoying the serene beauty of Knysna's natural landscapes.
Summary of wildlife and flora to be found in the Knysna National Lake Area include:
Marine Life: Knysna seahorse, whales, dolphins, seals, oysters
Mammals: bushpig, bushbuck, blue duiker, honey badger, vervet monkey
Birdlife: Knysna lourie, Narina trogon, Knysna scrub warbler, many other aquatic species
Lagoon Fishing: bass and trout
Marine Fishing: steenbras, grunter and leervis
Verblyf Naby Knysna National Lake Area - Knysna, Garden Route
Villa Leisure
Self Catering House, Cottage, Chalet Accommodation in Knysna
1.7km from Knysna National Lake Area - Knysna, Garden RouteVilla Leisure is 'n bekoorlike tweeverdieping-selfsorgvilla wat tydlose elegansie met moderne gerief kombineer. Die villa beskik oor drie ruim en suite-slaapkamers en drie badkamers, slaapplek vir 6, wat oorgenoeg privaatheid en gerief verseker. …sien meer vir besprekings / navrae en inligting.
Papillon Bleu
Self Catering Apartment, Flatlet Accommodation in Brenton-on-Sea
1.8km from Knysna National Lake Area - Knysna, Garden RouteOns het 4 selfsorg-suites. Almal is oopplan met en suite-badkamers, volledig toegeruste kombuisies, TV met M-Net en sekere DStv-kanale. Hulle is ideaal vir paartjies, maar 2 suites kan tot 4 mense akkommodeer wat deel... …sien meer vir besprekings / navrae en inligting.
Inyathi Guest Lodge Self Catering
Self Catering House, Cottage, Chalet Accommodation in Knysna
2km from Knysna National Lake Area - Knysna, Garden RouteInyathi Guest Lodge bied selfsorgverblyf in Knysna, Tuinroete. Ons volledig toegeruste selfsorg-chalets is in 'n uiters gerieflike sentrale ligging geleë, maar in 'n stil systraat weg van die gewoel... …sien meer vir besprekings / navrae en inligting.
Oniro on Thesen
Self Catering House, Cottage, Chalet Accommodation in Knysna
2km from Knysna National Lake Area - Knysna, Garden RouteOniro On Thesen bied selfsorgverblyf op Thesen-eiland in Knysna, Tuinroete. Geleë in Thesen-eilande en ontwerp vir ontspanne, maklike binne/buite-leefarea met groot stoep met ononderbroke uitsig oor die Knysna-strandmeer en vleilande. …sien meer vir besprekings / navrae en inligting.
Bayview Townhouse
Self Catering House, Cottage, Chalet Accommodation in Brenton-on-Sea
2.1km from Knysna National Lake Area - Knysna, Garden RouteBayview Townhouse bied selfsorgverblyf vir 6 mense, geleë in 'n veilige kompleks in die klein kusdorpie Brenton-On-Sea, naby Knysna in die Wes-Kaap se Tuinroete. …sien meer vir besprekings / navrae en inligting.
Lagoon Breeze Guest House
Bed & Breakfast Accommodation in Knysna
2.4km from Knysna National Lake Area - Knysna, Garden RouteLagoon Breeze is 'n lieflike luukse gastehuis, met manjifieke uitsigte oor die strandmeer en Knysna-koppe en die see daarbuite. Geleë in Knysna op die Wes-Kaap se tuinroete en gerieflik op die N2 langs die Knysna-strandmeer. …sien meer vir besprekings / navrae en inligting.
The Beach House
Self Catering Apartment, Flatlet Accommodation in Knysna
2.4km from Knysna National Lake Area - Knysna, Garden RouteDie Beach House Selfsorgwoonstelle is die oorspronklike terrein van die Beach House Hotel wat in 1974 gesloop is om hierdie huis te bou. Dit is sedertdien in die Krause-familie... …sien meer vir besprekings / navrae en inligting.
Beacon House
Self Catering Apartment, Flatlet Accommodation in Knysna
2.5km from Knysna National Lake Area - Knysna, Garden RouteBeacon House is op die Oostelike Kop in Knysna geleë, waar die Indiese Oseaan die Knysna-strandmeer binnegaan deur die sandsteenkoppe bekend as The Heads. Beacon House is aan die kant van 'n steil helling gebou en spog met uitsigte oor die Knysna... …sien meer vir besprekings / navrae en inligting.
Lagoon Lodge
Self Catering Apartment, Flatlet Accommodation in Knysna
2.7km from Knysna National Lake Area - Knysna, Garden RouteLagoon Lodge bied B&B-verblyf en selfsorgverblyf in Knysna, Tuinroete. As jy 'n wegbreek na 'n elegante en romantiese omgewing nodig het, is ons gereed om jou en jou geliefde te trakteer, in ons splinternuwe lodge! …sien meer vir besprekings / navrae en inligting.
36 Ridge Dr Knysna
Self Catering House, Cottage, Chalet Accommodation in Knysna
2.8km from Knysna National Lake Area - Knysna, Garden Route36 Ridge Dr Knysna is 'n stylvolle selfsorgvakansiehuis met asemrowende uitsigte oor die Knysna-strandmeer en Knysna-koppe. Geleë teen die heuwel van Paradise/Knysna Heights, is dit net 'n paar minute se ry vanaf die middedorp met sy eindelose... …sien meer vir besprekings / navrae en inligting.
- Thesen Island - Knysna (1.23km)
- Leisure Island (1.72km)
- Knysna Central (1.85km)
- Brenton, Knysna (1.92km)
- Knysna (2.33km)
- Westhill (Knysna) (2.36km)
- Brenton-on-Sea (2.50km)
- Paradise (Knysna) (2.51km)
- Costa Sarda, Knysna (2.60km)
- The Heads (Knysna) (2.66km)
- Heuwelkruin, Knysna (2.79km)
- Knysna Heights (3.05km)
- Old Place (Knysna) (3.19km)
- Rexford, Knysna (3.22km)
- Kanonkop (Knysna) (3.26km)
- Knysna Lagoon - Knysna, Garden Route (0.12km)
- The Waterfront Knysna Quays - Knysna, Garden Route (1.66km)
- Millwood House Museum - Knysna, Garden Route (2.10km)
- Pledge Nature Reserve - Knysna, Garden Route (2.49km)
- Featherbed Private Nature Reserve - Knysna, Garden Route (2.68km)
- Knysna Heads - Knysna, Garden Route (2.72km)
- Knysna Golf Club - Knysna, Garden Route (2.87km)
- Simola Hillclimb, Knysna Speed Festival - Knysna, Garden Route (4.35km)
- Pezula Golf Club & Championship Course - Knysna, Garden Route (4.63km)
- Simola Golf & Country Estate - Knysna, Garden Route (5.30km)
- Goukamma Nature Reserve - Buffels Bay, Garden Route (12.15km)
- Prince Alfred's Pass - Garden Route, Western Cape (14.89km)
- Homtini Pass - between George and Knysna, Garden Route (16.69km)
- Harkerville Trail - between Knysna and Plettenberg Bay (18.46km)
- Groenvlei Lake (Lake Pleasant) - Sedgefield, Garden Route (19.35km)
