Western Cape Article - South African Vacations

Live-aboard cruisers can even be rented for meandering around the lagoon for days on end.Deep-sea fishing trips are also available.ART AND CRAFTSArt and craft shops and markets: Many talented artists and crafters live and work in Knysnaand sell their art at Knysna’s street markets and in the many shops around town. Items madefrom the indigenous woods of the area are internationally renowned.Knysna Arts Festival: This popular festival takes place over ten days in late September/earlyOctober. The festival showcases a collection of visual and performing arts.Painting Holiday: For those who fancy themselves to be artists in the making, a Knysnapainting holiday with the Elliott family is the ideal solution. The couple offers various paintingcourses.CUISINEKnysna Oyster Company: The Oyster Company was established in 1949 and is situated onThesen Island. Oysters from the Knysna Lagoon, a long-time traditional delicacy of theregion, are cultivated and sold here.CULTURE / COMMUNITY TOURISMJudah Square: The square offers the ideal way to experience the Rastafarian culture. Knysnahas the largest Rastafarian community in the country and the community invites visitors to thesquare to experience and learn more about the religion and its way of life.Knysna Township Trail: The trail allows visitors to experience the old townships of the areaand meet the local people. A visit to Mary, an old storyteller, is an occasion not to be missed.ENTERTAINMENT AND SHOPPINGPleasure Boat: There are several boating opportunities on the Knysna Lagoon. Visitors cantake a cruise on a boat to The Heads and enjoy a light meal whilst drifting past one of the mostbeautiful natural wonders of the area.Knysna Waterfront: Dine on fresh oysters and tour the brewery or browse around Knysna’swaterfront.FAUNA AND FLORABird life: More than 280 species of birds have been recorded on Thesen Island, in SteenbokPark and on the Groenvlei and Swartvlei Lakes.Featherbed Nature Reserve: A good base for water-sports and walks, the Featherbed NatureReserve lies on the unspoilt western head of the Lagoon and can only be reached by ferry.The reserve is a Natural Heritage Site and is home to two of Knysna’s icons, the KnysnaLoerie and the Blue Duiker. Bird-watching is extremely popular in the area, as the varied andcontrasting types of habitat found around the lagoon attract many different species of birds.Knysna Lagoon: The lagoon is a protected marine reserve and is the breeding ground of therenowned Knysna oyster, as well as of the threatened Knysna sea horse.Rare species: Knysna is the home of the forest elephant, which has been nearly hunted toextinction. Only a few of these giants are left and they are rarely seen. Knysna is also wellknown for its sea horse and its unique pansy shell.114