The Majestic Garden Route

The Majestic Garden Route and East Coast are definitely one of our favourite local destinations in South Africa. The trip from Cape Town to Knysna is approximately six hours by road. It is one of the most beautiful places to visit and you are in complete awe of the beauty that surrounds you. It also allows me to indulge my passion for photography!

The Milkwood tree, which is synonymous with the area, has a distinct smell.  I associate this smell with that ‘holiday feeling’; it lets you know you are away from it all. The resort Under Milkwood, on Knysna Heads, takes its name from these majestic trees.

We have enjoyed many memorable holidays in Knysna and after a break of two years returned, this year,for our Easter break. Our choice of area to stay, in Knysna, is Leisure Isle. If you are lucky enough, you can rent a home directly on the Knysna Lagoon. It offers the peaceful tranquilty of island style living, with the most amazing views and the town is a mere 10 min car trip away. The area is great for families, children can happily bike ride around the island.

Walking across the Lagoon at low tide, is something you have to do, it is a somewhat surreal experience.

Looking across the Lagoon towards the Heads

The Knysna Heads is also a popular area, also with amazing views from a slightly different perspective, looking down on to Knysna and the Lagoon. The area boasts a handful of wonderful restaurants, which as you can imagine, have the most spectacular views.

Thesen Island, a Martha’s Vineyard style development, is a more recent addition to the area and is a very popular choice for holiday rental. We have stayed there in the past but still prefer the peace and tranquillity of Leisure Isle. The marina on Thesen Island sports many wonderful shops and restaurants and a boutique Hotel, catering to a holiday makers every need.

Knysna is a skipper’s paradise, with all sorts of vessels on display and plenty of boating shops in the area.  There are a variety of boats trips on offer, for those of us who do not own our own boat. These scenic adventures depart form the Knysna waterfront and offer the sea faring traveller a variety of options; from basic sightseeing, to a luxurious trip including a meal and drinks.

If it’s the outdoors that you enjoy, the walks and trails in the area are fantastic. The enchanting Knysna forest is wonderful for children of all ages. It is the largest indigenous forest in South Africa and was once home to great herds of the Knysna elephant. If you would like to get up close and personal with these magnificent creatures then a visit to Knysna Elephant Park is a must.

Other interesting things to do with children while in the area, other than visit the wonderful beaches; you can pay a visit to Monkeyland, a primate sanctuary or Birds of Eden, a bird sanctuary. They are both in the Plettenberg Bay direction, heading out of Knysna going East. Both of these venues will keep you and your family enthralled for hours.

Lookout Beach Plettenberg Bay

Although the weather was rather inclement during our trip, this Easter, we still managed to enjoy the sights and do all the touristy things. We were even treated to a trip across the Knysna Lagoon, on a beautiful catamaran, which was a definite high light of the holiday. Knysna is definitely a place for relaxing and getting away from  city life and we always enjoy it immensely. We are so blessed to live in such a beautiful country!

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Tagged as: beaches in the Cape, Knysna, Photography, Plettenberg Bay, South Africa, The Cape, the garden route, Travel