It was my first South African Home Exchange (where home owners around the world swop houses. Or for non-reciprocal swops, use Guest Points accrued by giving up your home, or holiday home, to someone else on the Home Exchange website, who then pay you in guest points).
I lucked out by swopping my small but delightful waterfront home on the Muizenberg estuary south of Cape Town, for a stylish, spacious, gorgeous holiday home in Knysna’s des-res Leisure Isle. Knysna is one of the most popular holiday towns along South Africa’s Garden Route. It’s fame is the Knysna lagoon, with giant cliff heads forming a narrow and challenging boat access to the Indian Ocean. It’s incredibly scenic, with numerous hotels and guest houses (read here about the best things to do and places to stay on a trip to Kynsna and Plettenberg Bay). Many of them sit on the hillsides looking over the lagoon, but my temporary new home was on the most desirable Leisure Isle, acccessed by a bridge and surrounded by the lagoon.
So what to do in Knysna? As a sporty hedonist I love a bit of physical activity followed by something sublime on a plate. Encouraged by Knysna Tourism I achieved both every day.
Here’s my 5-Day Guide to Happiness in Knysna……..
DAY 1
To Do: Tony Cook Adventures has a garden full of toys on Leisure Isle for messing about on the water or in the woods; stand up paddle boards, kayaks, surf skis, kite surfing kits, mountain bikes…with lessons to go with all the gear. I headed out onto a flat calm Knysna lagoon on a stable, unsinkable kayak and paddled in a sort of meditative trance brought on by the beauty.
To Eat: I haven’t been to anything else quite like Kilzer’s Kitchen’s hilarious ‘Cook ‘n Look’ evenings, where Jenny (the funny one) and Albin (straight-faced) spar while cooking up a feast in their sunken kitchen as guests look on. It’s easy to get into the happy-go-lucky spirit of the evening (with the help of your own BYO) at this family culinary event that caters for up to 70 dinner guests. Sadly as I update this post in Jan 2013, they are no longer offering this. Instead, Jenny offers gourmet flash-frozen heat & eat meals prepared with love in Kilzer’s Kitchen. These prepared meals are for those that want delicious food but don’t feel like cooking (or can’t cook as well as Jenny, which is more likely!).
DAY 2
To Do: Biomimicy Walk in Knysna Forest. Sue Swain of Biowise had to get us thinking laterally about how the genius of nature can inspire design. She themes her guided walks in the Knysna Forest on biomimicry, commonly associated with copying shape, form or processes from nature for better design and technology; like how the Japanese bullet train replicated the shape of a kingfisher’s beak to stop the sonic boom. But Sue’s walks serve a greater purpose of reconnecting with, learning from, and emulating nature. She offers two options; a walk focused on the magical hidden life of the forest, and another more spiritual journey of sensory bathing, mindful breathing and re-discovering a sense of self.
To Eat: Nutrilicious Kitchen; Modern research now acknowledges that bad guts are the cause of a whole lot of ills. This is where Dr Geraldine of Nutrilicious Kitchen comes in. Her cookery workshops demonstrate how you can love what you eat while cutting out the worst culprits to good gut health like, gluten, sugar and dairy. Try her Snack Attack, Hormonal Harmony or Deserts with Benefits workshops for inspiration to eat well all the time.
DAY 3
To Do: Knysna Heads Walkabout. The path that wanders up and down the rocks at the base of the East Heads cliff has to be walked before or after eating at East Head Café. It’s impossible to take a bad photo from this path as the golden sandstone is the perfect contrast against the blue sea and white waves. Then drive (or puff your way) up to the top of the East Head and witness added scenic drama from up high at dedicated viewing platforms looking out over the lagoon and through the narrow heads out to sea.
To Eat: East Head Café became my ‘go-to’ eating place for breakfast or lunch in Knysna because it offers great service, a lusty lagoon view and food that never fails to hit the spot. Expect to queue on sunny weekend mornings (still worth the wait).
DAY 4
To Do: Anne of Knysna Hike & Bike is one fit veteran sportswoman who has nothing to prove and everything to share about the places she loves in and around Knysna. I’m more of a hiker than a biker, but reckon I could mount a bike if it’s got wine and food interspersed with the effort, as in the Crags Wine and Bubbly Cycle. You could do this as a walking tour, but a bit of cycling effort makes it more worthwhile.
To Eat: The only way is up, to reach The Mount Knysna 5-star boutique hotel perched on the East Head with vertiginous views. Sit on their pool terrace, drink in hand, before heading to your table in their small and exclusive restaurant for food and service that leaves nothing wanting. It’s on par with any international experience, no….it’s better! And they have their own private cinema.
DAY 5
To Do: Springtide Sailing Charters; seen the heads, been on the lagoon, now it’s time to sail it! There’s effort in watching someone else pull ropes, haul sails and navigate through one of the narrowest, most difficult sea entries/exits along the Cape coast. In winter, the migratory whales arrive, giving heightened chances of seeing them.
To Eat: Ile de Pain is a Knysna food institution of the French sort on designer-clothed Thesen Island. It’s created by foodies, fundi’s, artisans and dreamers who conjure up irresistible breads and patisseries, delectable breakfasts and lunches, but not dinner. If you love what you eat, there are a few recipes on their blog. I have favourite dishes at particular eateries and I dream about their roasted cauliflower puree dish.
This just scratches the surface of things to do in Knysna? Help me update this list by telling me your favourites in Knysna.
1 Comment
This article truly captures the essence of what Knysna has to offer. It is a stunning place full
of adventure and a soulful energy. So many things to do and so many wonderful places to stay
as well. One such place I found to be particularly restful and family-friendly was
Bamboo, The Guest House.