| Town: | Knysna |
| Location: | Africa > South Africa > Western Cape |
What’s Plugged?
Reviews & Amenities
Top Descriptions
| The Garden Route is famous for its outstanding beauty, and Knysna is no exception. This low-key yet popular town may in fact be the Western Cape’s signature dish. Situated between the mountains and a wide and invitingly blue lagoon, it’s no secret that Knysna has lots to offer for domestic tourists and backpackers alike. Whether it’s hiking or kayaking that interests you, relaxing on one of the many nearby beaches, or simply indulging in some quality cuisine, Knysna and its surroundings are unlikely to disappoint. The town is also particularly well supplied with supermarkets, boutiques and international restaurants for those considering longer stays, and the sizeable Rastafarian community adds a unique flavour to the pot. The only aspect really letting Knysna down (in an international context at least) is in the obvious inequality of its citizens. Some locals speak of a lack of a middle class, and the friendly township tours on offer into the surrounding hillsides may very well grant you insight into whether and why that belief holds true. – Daniel |
| Knysna is a slice of the hip and affluent South African pie. There are properties in the surrounding area which suggest the mega rich live (or simply holiday) here. However, the immediate vicinity of downtown Knysna is not only incredibly pleasant but, coupled with the hustle and bustle of the taxi station and market, feels more in keeping with the diverse national identity. Despite its size, Knysna is well facilitated with a mall, several supermarkets and some excellent eats, all within walking distance of the waterfront. Farther afield, there are wonderful beaches, accessible by foot for those who don’t mind a trek, and a choice of national parks and other seaside/historical towns. Indeed, this low-key, bay-side spot has pretty much everything you need for a relaxing short break, or even an extended stay. – Sarah |
| If you’ve written a description for Knysna you’d like to share with the community, send it to [email protected] and we’ll post it right here in the directory. |
Top Tips
| Don’t count on there being much public transport in Kysna. The Minibus Station has taxis to some of the suburbs, but you may have to rely on special taxis, walking or hiring bicycles to get anywhere more difficult than Plettenberg Bay. |
| If you don’t have your own wheels, don’t let that stop you from exploring. Knysna Walk 1 and Knysna Walk 2 make for excellent days out. |
| For beaches, consider visiting Bollard Beach, Brenton Beach and Buffalo Bay Beach. |
| If you have a tip about Knysna and would like to share that information with the community, contact [email protected] and we’ll post it right here in the directory. |
The Town
What should we know?
| Name in local script: | Add Data |
| Also known as: | ferns |
| Tour operator(s): | Add Data |
| Rental operator(s): | Add Data |
| Station(s): | Minibus Station (Knysna) |
| Stop(s): | Intercape Bus Stop (Knysna) |
| Environment type: | beach, forest, hill, lagoon, mountain |
| Location type: | rural, town |
| Religion type: | Christianity, Islam, Hinduism |
What can we see or do there?
| Events: | Add Data | |||
| Services: | Add Data | |||
| Shops: | Checkers Supermarket | Pick n Pay | Shoprite Supermarket | Super Spar Supermarket |
| Animals: | Add Data | |||
| Birds: | Add Data |
How much will it cost us?
| Currency: | South African Rand (ZAR) |
| Average daily budget: | ZAR448 |
How long should it take us?
| Average time taken: | 19 nights |
| High season: | December, January, July |
| Low season: | Add Data |
How can we get in contact?
| Language(s): | Afrikaans, English, Xhosa, Zulu |
| Timezone: | UTC+02:00 |
| Country calling code: | 27 |
How can we get there?
| Coordinates: | -34.03786, 23.04519 |
| Geographical feature: | Knysna Lagoon, The Heads |
What are the numbers and averages?
| Number of attractions visited: | 14 |
| Travel time to attractions: | 25 minutes |
| Travel time to next location: | 5 hours |
| Altitude: | 17m |
| Population: | 51078 |
| Size: | 109km2 |
What else would be good to know?
| Wikipedia: | Knysna |
| Wikitravel: | Knysna |
| Tripadvisor: | Knysna |
| Local tourism: | Visit Knysna |
| Emergency service(s): | Add Data |
| Travel advisories: | UK Government |
| Healthcare: | Add Data |
| Weather: | AccuWeather |
| News: | Add Data |
| Public holidays: | Public Holiday |
Local Availability
| Item | Size | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Beer (multinational) | 500ml | ZAR18 |
| Beer (national) | 500ml | ZAR15 |
| Fizzy drink | 1 litre | ZAR8 |
| Fruit juice | 1 litre | ZAR15 |
| Gin (multinational) | 1 litre | ZAR175 |
| Gin (national) | 1 litre | ZAR145 |
| Milk | 1 litre | ZAR11 |
| Oil | 1 litre | ZAR24 |
| Rum (multinational) | 1 litre | ZAR200 |
| Rum (national) | 1 litre | ZAR180 |
| Vodka (multinational) | 1 litre | ZAR160 |
| Vodka (national) | 1 litre | ZAR135 |
| Water | 1 litre | ZAR8 |
| Whisky (multinational) | 1 litre | ZAR200 |
| Whisky (national) | 1 litre | ZAR160 |
| Wine | 1 bottle | ZAR30 |
| Item | Size | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Almonds | 100g | ZAR40 |
| Apples | 1kg | ZAR20 |
| Bananas | 1kg | ZAR15 |
| Bell pepper | 1kg | ZAR36 |
| Bread | 1 loaf | ZAR14.50 |
| Carrots | 1kg | ZAR10 |
| Chillies | 1kg | Add Data |
| Chocolate (multinational) | 1 bar | ZAR26 |
| Chocolate (national) | 1 bar | ZAR8 |
| Coconut milk | 1 can | ZAR22 |
| Cucumber | 1kg | ZAR30 |
| Eggs | 1 dozen | ZAR20 |
| Garlic | 1kg | ZAR140 |
| Ginger | 1kg | ZAR80 |
| Honey | 1 jar | ZAR35 |
| Ice cream | 1 unit | ZAR12 |
| Jam | 1 jar | ZAR25 |
| Onions | 1kg | ZAR9 |
| Oranges | 1kg | Add Data |
| Pasta | 1kg | ZAR34 |
| Peanut butter | 1 jar | ZAR24 |
| Peanuts | 100g | Add Data |
| Potatoes | 1kg | ZAR16 |
| Raisins | 100g | ZAR10 |
| Rice | 1kg | ZAR13 |
| Sandwich | 1 unit | Add Data |
| Tomatoes | 1kg | ZAR17 |
| Item | Size | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Antifungal shampoo | 1 bottle | Add Data |
| Conditioner | 1 bottle | ZAR27 |
| Condoms | 1 pack | Add Data |
| Deodorant | 1 can | ZAR19 |
| Floss | 1 pack | ZAR24 |
| Hand sanitizer | 1 bottle | Add Data |
| Laundry soap | 1 bar | ZAR5 |
| Razors | 1 pack | ZAR23 |
| Sanitary towels | 1 pack | ZAR18 |
| Shampoo | 1 bottle | ZAR27 |
| Soap | 1 bar | ZAR9 |
| Tampons | 1 box | ZAR23 |
| Toilet roll | 1 unit | ZAR5.50 |
| Toothpaste | 1 tube | ZAR16 |
| Washing powder | 1 box | ZAR18 |
| Item | Size | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Antiseptic cream | 1 tube | ZAR33 |
| Bandages | 1 pack | Add Data |
| Chapstick | 1 unit | ZAR22 |
| Contact lens solution | 1 bottle | Add Data |
| Headache tablets | 1 pack | ZAR17 |
| Ibuprofen | 1 pack | Add Data |
| Mosquito repellent | 1 bottle | Add Data |
| Nail clippers | 1 set | Add Data |
| Plasters | 1 pack | ZAR13 |
| Sun cream | 1 bottle | Add Data |
| Sunglasses | 1 pair | Add Data |
| Item | Size | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Batteries | 4-pack | ZAR65 |
| Chilli powder | 100g | ZAR25 |
| Cigarettes (multinational) | 20-pack | ZAR40 |
| Cigarettes (national) | 20-pack | ZAR18 |
| Coriander | 100g | ZAR25 |
| Cumin | 100g | ZAR30 |
| Fuel | 1 litre | Add Data |
| Internet | 1 hour | Add Data |
| Lighter | 1 unit | Add Data |
| Matches | 1 pack | Add Data |
| Paprika | 100g | ZAR25 |
| Travel multiadapter | 1 unit | ZAR100 |
| Travel plug | 1 unit | ZAR27 |
| Turmeric | 100g | ZAR25 |
| Stock | 1 pack | ZAR8 |
Local Cuisine
| Dish | Cost | Availability |
|---|---|---|
| Breakfast (continental) | ZAR45 | |
| Breakfast (cooked) | ZAR57 | |
| Burger | ZAR73 | |
| Burger (cheese) | ZAR77 | |
| Burger (vegetarian) | ZAR72 | |
| Cake (slice) | ZAR39 | |
| Calamari | ZAR111 | |
| California roll | ZAR40 | |
| Chicken wings | ZAR90 | |
| Chop suey (meat) | ZAR85 | |
| Chop suey (vegetable) | ZAR59 | |
| Cottage pie | ZAR75 | |
| Curry (generic – meat) | ZAR115 | |
| Curry (Southeast Asia – meat) | ZAR80 | |
| Dumplings (Asian – meat) | ZAR30 | |
| Dumplings (Asian – vegetable) | ZAR59 | |
| Duck (sauce) | ZAR115 | |
| Eggs (how you like) | ZAR60 | |
| Fillet (beef) | ZAR168 | |
| Fillet (fish) | ZAR145 | |
| Fish and chips | ZAR84 | |
| Fishcakes | ZAR54 | |
| French fries | ZAR23 | |
| Fried rice (meat) | ZAR65 | |
| Fried rice (vegetable) | ZAR55 | |
| Fruit salad | ZAR55 | |
| Goulash (chicken) | ZAR120 | |
| Grilled (chicken) | ZAR90 | |
| Grilled (fish) | ZAR149 | |
| Hot dog | ZAR48 | |
| Ice cream (scoop) | ZAR23 | |
| Ice cream (sundae) | ZAR32 | |
| Lamb chops | ZAR170 |
| Dish | Cost | Availability |
|---|---|---|
| Mashed potatoes | ZAR18 | |
| Maki roll | ZAR28 | |
| Meat balls | ZAR60 | |
| Mussles | ZAR115 | |
| Noodles (meat) | ZAR65 | |
| Noodles (vegetable) | ZAR58 | |
| Noodle soup (meat) | ZAR69 | |
| Noodle soup (vegetable) | ZAR59 | |
| Omelette | ZAR57 | |
| Pancake (simple) | ZAR16 | |
| Pancake (loaded) | ZAR30 | |
| Pizza (simple) | ZAR85 | |
| Pizza (loaded) | ZAR145 | |
| Pork chops | ZAR75 | |
| Prawns | ZAR103 | |
| Prawn crackers | ZAR18 | |
| Quesadilla (meat) | ZAR100 | |
| Quesadilla (vegetables) | ZAR85 | |
| Quiche | ZAR62 | |
| Ribs | ZAR130 | |
| Roasted (pork) | ZAR145 | |
| Roasted (vegetable) | ZAR82 | |
| Salad | ZAR64 | |
| Salad (meat) | ZAR76 | |
| Sandwich (basic) | ZAR17 | |
| Sandwich (loaded) | ZAR55 | |
| Sausage and mash | ZAR65 | |
| Soup (meat) | ZAR45 | |
| Soup (vegetarian) | ZAR25 | |
| Spring rolls | ZAR28 | |
| Steak | ZAR103 | |
| Stir fry (meat) | ZAR72 | |
| Stir fry (vegetable) | ZAR124 | |
| Sweet and sour (meat) | ZAR75 | |
| Waffles (sweet) | ZAR36 | |
| Wraps | ZAR65 |
| Beverage | Cost | Availability |
|---|---|---|
| Alcoholic mixed drink | ZAR47 | |
| Beer (multinational) | ZAR24 | |
| Beer (national) | ZAR21 | |
| Brandy (shot) | ZAR18 | |
| Cappuccino | ZAR20 | |
| Cider (bottle) | ZAR24 | |
| Coffee | ZAR18 | |
| Espresso | ZAR18 | |
| Fruit juice (concentrated) | ZAR19 | |
| Fruit juice (fresh) | ZAR25 | |
| Gin (shot) | ZAR17 | |
| Hot chocolate | ZAR23 | |
| Milkshake | ZAR25 | |
| Red Bull | ZAR38 | |
| Rum (shot) | ZAR18 | |
| Smoothie | ZAR38 | |
| Soft drink | ZAR18 | |
| Tea | ZAR16 | |
| Tea (herbal) | ZAR17 | |
| Vodka (shot) | ZAR17 | |
| Water (2L) | ZAR61 | |
| Whisky (shot) | ZAR17 | |
| Wine (bottle) | ZAR108 | |
| Wine (glass) | ZAR39 |
Knysna Forum
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