This section is dedicated to take away all your "I wish someone had told me that before I went!" experiences. This way, you can spend less time settling in, and more time making new friends in your chosen hostel. We share our insider knowledge of tips, tricks and important things to look out for in Knysna.
Knysna is a charming town located along the Garden Route in the Western Cape section of South Africa. It is located on the Indian Ocean, with sand stone cliffs that brush right up against the ocean and a number of nice beaches nearby. It is easy to drive right through the town, since it is located on one of the country's main highways, the N2. It is definitely worth stopping and visiting the town however, since it is a very walkable town with plenty of affordable Knysna hostels located right in the center of everything.
Since it is situated on the ocean, the town has a good maritime community, with a number of local boat builders in the area. Because of this there is a very well-developed waterfront with a marina and plenty of shops, restaurants, and stores along the way. There are a number of things you can do around town such as sailing in the harbor, visiting the nearby beaches, going on a walk around one of the heads (the heads are two large sandstone cliffs next to the ocean that have a gap between them creating the entrance to the Knysna Harbor), going on a township tour, or arranging any number of things in one of the nearby towns.
If you haven't planned to make a stop in Knysna, it is highly recommended that you spend at least a few days in this beautiful town just wandering around and taking in the beauty. Many of the accommodations have views of the water, since the land from the harbor begins to climb a hill fairly quickly.
Written by local enthusiast for Knysna hostels
Richard Ballentine