The Globe-trotting Smiths: Knysna

Knysna is a small village built on one side of a natural lagoon. It has a compact but beautiful waterfront with some small independent shops selling souvenirs, clothing and art work. It also has some waterfront restaurants.

We took a trip to the Featherbed Nature Reserve, (The left hand side of the picture above). It's a four hour trip with a half hour boat ride across the lagoon then a drive up the hill to a look out point. There is then a 2.2km walk back down through the bush and into some sea caves. You can chose to have a look around and take in the views from her and then take a ride back down if the walk is too much. There are flat boardwalks along the shore for those unable to complete the downhill. The views from the cliff tops were spectacular and we even spotted a couple of pods of dolphin playing in the waves. The walk is a gentle decline with many steps & some areas have hand rails. You finish off by walking along the shoreline to the restaurant where you are served an included buffet lunch. It is not an animal reserve although there is a breeding programme underway for the Blue Duiker which is one of the world's smallest antelope species. We were blessed with a glorious sunny day the day we did this trip which made the views & experience even more spectacular.