Lovely Knysna & Surroundings

So having travelled the world what made us fall in love with Knysna? We hope we can convince you to visit and choose a spot to relax at Maradadi House.

I like this place and could willingly waste my time in it. ~William Shakespeare

Could it be the forest where secret elephants, so well adapted that there are only clues to their existence, roam in disputed numbers? Hunted almost to extinction Gareth Patterson has now raised questions as to whether the official story of there being one sole remaining elephant is correct and instead he claims there may be a viable population.

You can hike in the SAN Parks Gouna/Diepwalle forest and you might be one of the few to spot an Elephant. Far easier to get a view of rescued Elephants at the Knysna Elephant Park.

Then there are the beautiful beaches suitable for families and dog walkers. Leisure Island (http://www.leisureisleknysna.co.za/) is one of our favourite places in Knysna. The beaches are sheltered by the heads which makes them ideally suited for families and Bollard Bay is a favourite of the locals with young children. Do be careful though if you visit the Green Hole which has a lovely shallow paddling area at low tide but as the tides get higher going in or out you do get a very strong rip tide which can be very dangerous. The island is also a dog walkers heaven with Steenbok Nature Reserve (http://www.steenboknaturereserve.org.za/) offering a safe off lead walk and at low tide a favourite walk is to head out of the park on to the beach and walk round the island.

There are many wonderful places to eat in Knysna whatever your pocket or desires.The few mentioned here are places we particularly enjoy. Check out the blog for updates. The East Heads Cafe for breakfasts and seafood lunches with views of the water by the heads that cannot be beaten. The gorgeous breads and pastries of Ile de Pain (http://www.iledepain.co.za/iledepain.html) on Thesen Island are the stuff of legend locally and it’s great spot for breakfast or lunch but they are inclined to get very busy in the summer months. If you don’t get a space try Mon Petit Pain (https://www.facebook.com/Mon-petit-pain-245208842175899/) which has the same breads but a different menu. For a luxury dinner Phantom Forest (http://phantomforest.com/diningboma.php) cannot be beaten with multiple courses and chef taster plates set in the beautiful forest surroundings. Firefly (http://www.fireflyeatinghouse.com/) offers a Tapas dinner menu ideal for vegetarian and non-vegetarian dinners alike.

Sedgefield Market is one of the must sees if you are in the area on a Saturday morning. Based right off the N2, west of Sedgefield, the market offers the best in local foods and crafts from the area in a vibrant market attended by locals and tourists alike. Open until lunch you can eat breakfast or lunch at the Wild Oats Farmers Market (http://www.wildoatsmarket.co.za/) or buy food to take with you but you can guarantee it has all been made locally. The craft market is open until a little later and provides a brilliant showcase for the work of the many artisans who have settled in the area.