Knysna, Coastal town in Garden Route region, South Africa
Knysna is a coastal town in the Garden Route region of South Africa, known for its sheltered lagoon and natural surroundings. The lagoon extends for several kilometers and is framed by forested hills, while two prominent stone cliffs mark the passage to the Indian Ocean.
George Rex purchased Melkhoutkraal farm in 1804 and laid the foundation for later settlement. The area developed into an important port for exporting timber from the surrounding forests.
The name Knysna derives from the Khoikhoi language, reflecting the indigenous heritage of an area inhabited for over 300,000 years.
The town offers access to beaches, forest paths and water sports, with summer months drawing the most visitors. Early morning works well for birdwatching along the lagoon and walks during cooler hours.
The forests surrounding the town shelter centuries-old yellowwood trees that rank among the tallest native species. Within these same forests lives a small group of protected forest elephants, among the last of their kind in South Africa.
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