21 – 23 September 2018

One of the Garden Route’s premier horse-riding events, including the South African Adult Eventing Championships, now includes a variety of exciting outdoor events for the non-equestrian, making it a weekend of sport for the whole family to enjoy.

Trail running and cycling enthusiasts can join in on the fun at the Kurland Hotel & Polo Estate in the Crags from 21 to 23 September 2018. Last year, the organisers introduced the Trail Run to the weekend’s events to great success, with 130 runners and 250 spectators enjoying a morning on the estate. Lance Gibbons, member of the Kurland Eventing Committee says: “This year we are very excited to host the Dr Evil Mountain Bike race, which caters for 300 entries, as well as a wonderful local cuisine and produce market. The 2018 Kurland event is now the perfect weekend of outdoor fun, with something for everyone to enjoy.”

From an equestrian perspective, the 2018 Kurland Event is a Three-Phase Event, encapsulating the three elements of dressage, show-jumping and cross-country. “This is one of the best ways to develop the infrastructure necessary for all disciplines of competitive equestrian sports,” said Gibbons. During the weekend’s event Kurland will host the SA Adult Eventing Championships; The Kurland Cup, which will include dressage on Friday; cross-country on Saturday and the event will end off with show-jumping on Sunday.

The Kurland Cup event has shown steady and sustainable growth since it was established in 2016. “Aside from our obvious equestrian focus, we are excited about building an event with a variety of outdoor attractions focused on healthy living and lifestyle,” said Gibbons. 

Additionally, there will also be evening entertainment with cocktail functions and a braai on Saturday, so be sure to head out to enjoy a weekend of sporting fun at Kurland. The Kurland Hotel & Polo Estate is the ultimate host, set on beautiful, rolling grounds and conveniently located just off the N2 near Plettenberg Bay.

Find out more…

Researchers and volunteers from ORCA Foundation continue their survey of our resident (and endangered) Indian Ocean Humpback Dolphins in Plettenberg Bay. The foundation conducts monthly surveys of the population.  On their first three days at sea this month, they saw no humpback dolphins, but did manage to spot: a duck-billed ray, some great white sharks, a thresher shark breach, humpback whales, southern right whales and loads of bottlenose dolphins.

On their last day, the researchers found a nice big group of dolphins, split into two subgroups, along Keurbooms beach. They were socialising and slowly making their way eastwards. Among them was their favourite gal, MICHELLE, sporting her deeply notched dorsal fin (seen below). So far, she has been seen on every monthly survey! This project is run in collaboration with Nelson Mandela University and the data will be used to better understand and conserve the species.

Find out more…

Plett Tourism, Bayview Hotel and Rocky Road Backpackers recently hosted bloggers, The Travel Manuel during the Garden Route Walking Festival. The Manuels travel with their toddler and have put together an excellent list of family-friendly stays in the Western Cape.

Read their article to find out where the family friendly stays are…

This winter the public are invited to a behind-the-scenes guided tour of Mungo Mill. Every Saturday and Sunday, at 11h30, you can meet at the mill bridge entrance where the tour begins. You will get to wander between the looms with a knowledgeable guide and engage with the weaving process to experience the age-old art of weaving from pre-industrial revolution to present day. An insightful and interesting experience for all.

No booking required, simply meet at the entrance of the mill. Tours are approximately 40 minutes. You can enjoy some shopping afterwards or a delicious meal at Roost.

For large group bookings and alternative guided tour schedules, please contact gillian@oldnick.co.za.

Beaches in Plett are not currently manned by lifeguards.

For beach information, visit Plettbeachwatch or contact Beach Control on 044 501 3125.

Behind the scenes of the wildlife tourism industry

SA Tourism invites participation during Tourism Month

Plett Wine & Bubbly Festival moves to March 2019 school holidays

Two days of birding at Bitou River Lodge

PAA Hospitality Trade Fair 29 Aug

Eden to Addo Hike
01 Sep

Bitou 10 Sandcastle Competition 01 Sept

Sabrina Love Golf Day
02 Sept

Dr Evil Classic
20-22 Sep

SA Eventing Championships 21 Sept

Tour de Plett
06 Oct

The Wild Corridor MTB Tour 23 Oct

Plett Rage
30 Nov

Robberg Fine Foods Beach Regatta 15 Dec

Plett Wine & Bubbly Festival 23-24 Mar

*Announcing our #spiritofknysna competition*

WIN a fantastic holiday in Knysna, the heartbeat of the Garden Route, in South Africa’s Western Cape! Spend 7 glorious days in Knysna, experiencing three different luxurious accommodation options in three different parts of our scenic area.

Read more here
 

Knysna Oyster Festival a great success

A successful 35th edition of the Pick n Pay Knysna Oyster Festival wrapped up on Sunday, with a diverse range of sporting and lifestyle events which catered for locals and visitors alike. The economic impact cannot be underestimated.

Read more here

Cooke and van der Merwe win Momentum BIG5 Challenge

Winners of the 9th edition of the Momentum BIG5 Challenge were decided on Saturday at the Knysna Half Marathon finish line, with Cooke and van der Merwe taking first place overall in the men’s and women’s events respectively.

Read more here

Bringing the forest to the Oyster Festival

The sights, sounds and surroundings of the Knysna forest were brought right into the Oyster Festival grounds last weekend, where it stood as a replica – albeit on a much smaller scale –inside the Momentum Knysna Forest Marathon registration tent.

Read more here

Knysna Day of Appreciation

Join us for the Knysna Day of Appreciation held at Pledge Nature Reserve. This is a private initiative, arranged by a group of locals, to recognise the losses suffered by so many in the area and remember and appreciate the magnificent deeds, support and assistance from within our community and beyond.

Read more here

Knysna Tourism launches #SpiritofKnysna campaign

Knysna Tourism’s new destination marketing campaign, #SpiritofKnysna, kicks off next week with the launch of our video. The two-minute video was filmed in Knysna and Sedgefield and showcases the lagoon, forest, beaches and related activities.

Read more here

A treasure trove of sports events at Pick n Pay Knysna Oyster Festival

The Pick n Pay Knysna Oyster Festival, 29 June – 8 July, has long been an annual pilgrimage for marathon runners and cyclists; and over the years the range of sporting events on offer at the Festival has grown significantly.

 Read more here

Pink Loerie and Mr Gay World end on a high note

The Pink Loerie Mardi Gras and Arts Festival and the Mr Gay World Competition ended on a high note last week with the crowning of the new Mr Gay World 2018, Australia’s Jordan Bruno at a glittering ceremony in Knysna on Saturday 26 May.

Read more here

FNB Forest Family Hike 2018

The legendary Harkerville Trails are considered mountain biking and trail running Utopia. We provide the opportunity for people of all ages and fitness levels to absorb the magic of these famous forests with friends and family.

Read more here

New attractions and old favourites at Pick n Pay Knysna Oyster Festival

If you aren’t already planning to be at the Pick n Pay Knysna Oyster Festival from Friday, 29 June – Sunday, 8 July, here are a few ‘tasters’ to entice you to book your holiday now and join us for “the best 10 days of winter”.

Read more here

Knysna Plett Concert Series

The Knysna Plett Concert Series presents three brilliant musicians, Alexander Buzlov, a cellist, Nikita Boriso-Glebsky, an outstanding Russian violinist and Gold Medallist Bryan Wallick, on the piano.

Read more here

Renew Able Plett – 05 June

A Musical Delight at Ouland Royale – 15 June

Plett Arts Festival
25 Jun

Plett Winter School
25 Jun – 19 July

AFRIDOCS in Plett
04 – 06 July

Plett Historical Society 12 July

Plett AFROJAZZ
7 July

Bia Tour de Femme
09 Aug

Eden to Addo Hike
01 Sep

Dr Evil Classic
20-22 Sep

Plett Wine & Bubbly Festival

Tour de Plett
06 Oct

Plett Rage
30 Nov

We have been enjoying the most amazing great white shark sightings off Robberg Peninsula this past month, as is common at this time of year. Plett Tourism’s Luck’z Mdzeke, while guiding a group of hikers on Robberg, was fortunate enough to capture the video below of a shark and seals in the midst of a hunt, and as the seals hold their own. What a fantastic natural sight and a real privilege to be viewed from land.

Click here to watch the video…

Successful Knysna Oyster Festival Media Launch

This week Knysna played host to a group of local and national journalists and influencers who attended the official media launch of the Pick n Pay Knysna Oyster Festival to experience “Knysna in an Oyster shell.”

Read more here

Knysna Ambassadors Graduate

Congratulations to all the new Knysna Ambassadors who graduated this week at a ceremony hosted by Belvidere Manor. All 20 of them successfully completed the three-day Tourism Ambassador Course run by the Francois Ferreira Academy in March, and sponsored by Skal International.

Read more here

Visit Knysna Tourism’s Stand at WTM Africa

Knysna Tourism will be at World Travel Market (WTM) Africa from 18-20 April in the CTICC, sharing a stand with some of our local tourism products. If you are in Cape Town, pop in and see us at stand L14 on the ground floor near entrance 3.

Read more here

Desired State of GRNP

South African National Parks (SANParks) begins the review of its Garden Route National Park (GRNP) management plan next week. This is the first phase of the revision to develop the ‘desired state’ of the GRNP.

Read more here

Cycling for Seahorses

Pieter Verhoef aims to raise R20,000 by cycling 360 km in less than 30 hours for the Knysna Basin Project, specifically for the conservation of the endangered Knysna seahorse. Read about how you can support this worthy initiative.

Read more here

Featherbed is Rising! – a Horticulturist’s Tale

Martin Hatchuel studied horticulture in Johannesburg and Durban, and then used his knowledge to become a guide at Featherbed, and in the Knysna forests in the mid-80s. Last year after the fires, Featherbed Co asked him to come back as a horticulturist to help with the rehabilitation of the vegetation.

Read more here

Mr SA to Launch Book at PiliPili in Sedgefield

PiliPili Beach Bar in Sedgefield will host the launch of Mr South Africa’s first book, Heart, on 23 April. Tickets will include a copy of the book, a talk by the author, snacks, finger food and a beverage. Click on the link to book tickets online.

Read more here

Overwhelming response to Tourism Ambassador Course

There has been an overwhelming response to the Tourism Ambassador Course that is being sponsored by Skål International and coordinated by the Francois Ferreira Academy, in association with Knysna Tourism.

Read more here
 

Enter our competition at the Cape Town Cycle Tour Expo!

Don’t forget to visit Knysna Tourism at the Cape Town Cycle Tour (CTCT) Expo next week where we will be sharing stand 194 with Headstrong Productions. You’ll have the chance to enter our great competition!

Read more here

 SA Canoe Polo Champs for Knysna

The Knysna Canoe Polo Club will host the 2018 South African Canoe Polo championships at the Knysna Waterfront over the Easter Weekend, 30 & 31 March and 1 April.

Read more here

Knysna Motor Show 2018 aims for 400 Classic Cars & Motorcycles

The 2018 Knysna Motor Show, sponsored by Sanlam Private Wealth, will be hosted for the seventh successive year on 29 April and the organisers, hoping to break all records, are aiming for 400 classic cars and motorcycles.

Read more here

Greenpop Eden Festival of Action

The 2018 Festival of Action will be Greenpop’s seventh annual action event. Striving to repair damage caused by fires in 2017, the festival brings eco-warriors together to learn, plant trees and take part in collective action.

Read more here

Knysna Literary Festival opens on Friday 9 March

There are still a few tickets available for this year’s Knysna Literary Festival, which has a packed programme that touches on hot-topic current affairs and politics, history, adventure, conservation, cuisine and storytelling.

Read more here

Eat, shop, play in Knysna

“Somewhere about a one hour and 40-minute flight from Johannesburg and a five-hour drive from Cape Town is a place said to be one of the most beautiful parts of the world. A place that makes you feel lucky to be South African or to even just get a taste of this diverse country, its vast landscapes and feel its rich soil beneath your feet,”

Read more here

Getaway in Knysna

Knysna and Sedgefield, the towns at the heart of the Garden Route, recently played host to Getaway magazine for four days. Journalist Welcome Lishivha and photographer Gareth van Nelson arrived on Saturday 25 November to explore the area for a six-page feature in the April 2018 issue.

Read more here

Knysna SPLASH: 28 December 2017

Knysna SPLASH, the annual festival presented by the Rotary Club of Knysna, will be back on 28 December 2017 with three fun-filled events for the whole family. Join us at the Waterfront for a day of water sports and fun!

Read more here

Coke chooses Knysna!

Knysna is one of 40 dream destinations selected by Coca-Cola for ultimate prize in their Taste Summer in Paradise competition. The destinations are featured on the labels of the company’s Coca-Cola, Coca-Cola Zero Sugar and Diet Coke bottles.

Read more here

Knysna ready for season!

Knysna Municipal Manager, Kam Chetty says that despite the drought in the Western Cape will in no way hamper the town’s summer season readiness and Knysna is definitely “open for business”.

Read more here

Avopomme exhibition opening

Don’t miss the exhibition, Beauty in Destruction, opening at Avopomme creative hub in Knysna on Thursday 7 December and featuring artists Jo Davis, Brett Harvey Baker, Jannie Uitlander, Neale Perring and Ricardo van Lingen.

Read more here

Pezula in world’s top 175 golf courses

Pezula golf club is delighted to announce that it has achieved an honourable mention as part of the platinum clubs of the world, an honour bestowed on only three clubs in South Africa. This achievement is in the golf and country club category, with Pezula narrowly missing the prestigious top 100 in the world. However, this honourable mention places the club in the top 175 in the world, a noteworthy achievement.

Read more here

Knysna promoted at international shows

Knysna Tourism chairperson Elmay Bouwer has been on a nonstop campaign to promote Greater Knysna at various trade and road shows in Europe and the UK for the past few weeks.The campaign kicked off in October with a five-day SA Tourism (SAT) Nordics roadshow to Sweden, Denmark, Norway and Finland with Nicole Tunmer (the Featherbed Co) and Lyle Katzen, (Afrovibe and Afroventures Tours & Safaris). Madison Manor and Knysna Hollow were also represented.-

Read more here

StreetSmart raises R90 000 for street children in Knysna

Sinethemba Projects, a Knysna NGO running programmes for vulnerable children, has received R90,000 from StreetSmart Knysna to boost community upliftment in the area. The StreetSmart funds were handed over at an event held at Belvidere Manor Hotel.

Read more here

CHRISTMAS MARKET

Friends of the Library presents a Christmas Market with books, stalls, hot beverages, cake raffles and great fun for the whole family on 9 Dec from 8:30 – 12:00 at Cearn Hall, Leisure Island.

LIVE ENTERTAINMENT

Catch Ian Hall live at Blend Restaurant on Friday, 01 Dec from 8pm – 11pm & on Sunday 03 Dec, Dave Mac will entertain you from 1pm – 4pm

For more information contact: 044 384 0493

LIVE ENTERTAINMENT

Newly renovated Vinyl Bar & Music venue prestents Music through the ages with Resident DJ Eric-M (doors open Tues – Sat from 6pm – cover charge starts at R30) 

For more information contact: 044 382 0386

FRIDAY NIGHT MARKET

Don’t miss the Friday Night Market this Friday from 4pm – 8pm for some good local food, entertainment, stalls or just good company. Follow the scarecrows up Welbedach Lane.

For more info contact: 044 382 5316

WILD OATS MARKET

Don’t miss the Wild Oats Community Farmers Market blending people from diverse backgrounds, uniting urban and rural in a mix, every Saturday from 07:30 – 12pm.

For more info contact: 044 883 1177

HARKERVILLE MARKET

Join the rural and rustic, but vibey and vital Harkerville Market it’s definitely all you could ever hope for in a typical South African Saturday Market. Saturdays 8am – 12pm.

For more info contact: 084 510 9939

Knysna Timber Festival will go ahead

The Knysna Timber Festival 2017 will go ahead as planned from 29 September to 1 October – and it’ll take place as usual at its traditional venue at Timber Village, despite the fact that Timber Village was burned to the ground during the town’s recent devastating fires.

Read more here

International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development

The United Nations General Assembly declared 2017 as the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development recalling the potential of tourism to advance the universal 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Read more here

Networking at Lakeside Lodge and Spa

South African Tourism Internal and Corporate Communications Manager, Mpho Mfenyana, and Darryl Erasmus, Chief Quality Assurance Officer were in Knysna last week at the invitation of the Benguela Collection who hosted a two-day launch of Benguela Cove wines at Lakeside Lodge and Spa in Sedgefield.

Read more here

‘DON’T FEED WILDLIFE’

SANParks scientists and civil society research groups have cautioned against feeding wild animals. This comes after volunteer groups had dropped vegetables and seeds for animals to eat in the national park and surrounds. This week, authorities detailed reasons for discouraging the feeding of animals in burnt areas.

Read more here

Flavours winner uses money to expand catering business

Local Green Chef Melven Mene, winner of this year’s Knysna Oyster Festival event, Flavours of Knysna, has used his prize money of R10,000 as part payment on a car. The second hand Toyota Corolla, will help Chef Mene expand his business, Usatsho Tshisanyama & Catering.

Read more here

TREASURE HUNT

Join Hospice and Pam Golding Knysna for their annual Spring Maison Market from 29 – 30 September 2017.

For more information contact: 083 448 1934

LIVE ENTERTAINMENT

Catch Cloud 9 live at Blend Restaurant on Friday, 04 Aug from 8pm – 11pm & on Sunday, 06 Aug, Shaza will entertain you from 1pm – 4pm

For more information contact: 044 384 0493

WOMAN’S DAY WORKSHOP

Belvidere Manor presents Woman’s Day make-up workshops on 8 August 2017 with make-up expert Debbie Jean. Two sessions available from 9:30 – 11:30 & 17:30 – 19:30. R120pp

For more information and to book contact: 082 804 2746

STEAK AND CHIPS

Join Pezula Golf Club on 25 Aug 2017 from 18:30 for a Steak and Chips evening with music entertainment. R85 pp.

For more information and to book contact: 044 302 5317

WILD OATS MARKET

Don’t miss the Wild Oats Community Farmers Market blending people from diverse backgrounds, uniting urban and rural in a mix, every Saturday from 07:30 – 12pm.

For more info contact: 044 883 1177

HARKERVILLE MARKET

Join the rural and rustic, but vibey and vital Harkerville Market it’s definitely all you could ever hope for in a typical South African Saturday Market. Saturdays 8am – 12pm.

For more info contact: 084 510 9939

Rastafari Earth Festival – A Celebration of One Love

July 23rd marks the birthday (or what is referred to as the ‘earth day’) of the Rastafarian’s spiritual messiah, His Majesty Haile Selassie I. The annual Earth Festival, which takes place from the 22nd to 30th July 2017, honours this special date on their religious calender and is a joyous and colourful celebration of this fascinating and vibrant Knysna community. It also serves as a platform for these residents to openly share with others the traditions and roots of their faith.

Read more here

Oyster Festival message from Knysna Tourism

We are thrilled with the attendance numbers at the Pick n Pay Knysna Oyster Festival this year, particularly in light of the devastating Knysna fire which started on 7 June, just one month before the festival opened. The fire did not discourage our visitors who flocked in their thousands to support Knysna, the festival events and local businesses.

Read more here

BAYPORT PHOENIX RISES FROM THE ASHES

It was a trail running experience none of the 600 participating athletes will ever forget. The 4km of pristine unspoilt beach between the villages of Buffalo Bay and Brenton on Sea are one of the most beautiful stretches of coastline in the world and it was never more spectacularly displayed than it was on Tuesday morning as the assembled participants gazed out across the beautiful blue waters of the bay and tried to envisage the scene of terror from just 34 days earlier.

Read more here

The Simola Phantom – a sell-out event

As the full moon performed its lunar showcase, close to 400 adventurous trail runners and trail walkers -equipped with their headlamps – went out into the Simola forests to meet the Phantom.

Read more here

GLOW IN THE DARK FUN RUN

Join Doodlebugs on Friday, 28 July 2017 @ 17:00 for a family fun run/Walk. Hot soup and drinks as well as glow in the dark goodies & face paint on sale. R50 Adults & R35 kids.

For more information contact: 084 548 4118

LIVE ENTERTAINMENT

Knysna Plett Concert presents a benefit concert on Monday, 31 July 2017 with Bryan Wallick on the piano playing composers like Bach, Brahms & Liszt. R120 – Adults / R30 – Kids. Show starts at 19:30. Tickets available at the door from 18:45

WOMAN’S DAY WORKSHOP

Belvidere Manor presents Woman’s Day make-up workshops on 8 August 2017 with make-up expert Debbie Jean. Two sessions available from 9:30 – 11:30 & 17:30 – 19:30. R120pp

For more information and to book contact: 082 804 2746

PUB, POT & PORT

Join Pezula Golf Club on 28 July 2017 from 18:30 for a Pub, Potjie & Port evening with music entertainment. R85 pp.

For more information and to book contact: 044 302 5317

WILD OATS MARKET

Don’t miss the Wild Oats Community Farmers Market blending people from diverse backgrounds, uniting urban and rural in a mix, every Saturday from 07:30 – 12pm.

For more info contact: 044 883 1177

HARKERVILLE MARKET

Join the rural and rustic, but vibey and vital Harkerville Market it’s definitely all you could ever hope for in a typical South African Saturday Market. Saturdays 8am – 12pm.

For more info contact: 084 510 9939