The town of Knysna is nestled between the crystal waters of the Knysna Estuary and the mysterious, indigenous Knysna Forest. Rolling hills lead to the magnificent Outeniqua Mountains and sandy beaches stretch for miles along the impressive coastline.
Annual food, wine and lifestyle festivals; adventure trails to explore; adrenaline-charged activities and luxurious pastimes; gourmet eateries and unique retail options; world-class golfing; or simply relaxing and enjoying life. Why not choose to live in someone else’s dream holiday destination?
The domestic airport outside George is approximately 60km from Knysna to the West. Cape Town lies approximately 490km to the West and Qheberha (formerly Port Elizabeth), is approximately 260km to the East.
Areas in Knysna
The greater Knysna municipal area stretches from Noetzie in the East to Sedgefield in the West, and includes a number of sought-after neighbourhoods. From the bustle of Knysna town (link to Seahorse Court) to the tranquillity of Belvidere, the exclusivity of estate living (link to Fernwood) to the vacation vibes of Buffalo Bay – we will find what you’re looking for in Knysna. Popular areas include:
Things to consider when buying in Knysna
Tourist attractions
Knysna Lagoon Cruises – Boat trips, kayaking, paddleboarding & oyster tastings
Featherbed Nature Reserve – Guided eco-walk-through fynbos, forests & caves on Western Head
Pledge Nature Reserve – 10 ha indigenous forest & fynbos reserve with trails & boardwalks near town centre
Steenbok Nature Reserve – Leisure Island conservation area with bird hides & wetland trails
Knysna Elephant Park – Sanctuary offering encounters and feeding experiences
Knysna Fort (Thomson’s Folly) – Historical Boer War-era hilltop fort ruins from 1901
Garden of Eden (Brenton-on-Sea) – Scenic walks & surf stretch a few minutes from Knysna Heads
Buffalo Bay & Brenton Beaches – Whale/dolphin spotting, rock pools & leisurely beach days
Healthcare
Knysna Town Clinic
Address: Corner of Queen & Clyde Streets, Knysna
Services: Primary healthcare, chronic medication, child immunisation, family planning
Contact: 044 382 0836
Khayelethu Clinic
Address: Chungwa Street, Khayelethu Township, Knysna
Services: HIV/AIDS care, TB treatment, general outpatient care
Contact: 044 375 0207
Keurhoek Clinic
Address: Keurhoek, Rheenendal, Knysna
Services: Primary healthcare, antenatal care, chronic medication
Contact: 044 389 0212
Hornlee Clinic
Address: Chapel Street, Hornlee, Knysna
Services: Primary care, child health, HIV testing
Contact: 044 385 0579
Public Hospital
Knysna Provincial Hospital
Address: Main Street, Knysna
Services: Emergency unit, maternity, surgery, general medicine
Beds: Approx. 90
Visiting Hours: 15:00–16:00 and 19:00–20:00
Emergency Contact: 10177
Phone: 044 302 8400
Private / Day Hospitals
Advanced Knysna Surgical Centre
Address: 4 Barracuda Street, Fisher Haven, Knysna
Services: Day surgery – ophthalmology, ENT, orthopaedics, dentistry
Theatres: 2
Beds: 20
Contact: 087 236 8508 / Email: knysna@advancedhealth.co.za
Knysna Private Hospital (via various private GPs and specialists)
May operate in conjunction with Advanced Surgical Centre or local specialist practices
Other Health Services
Knysna Lifestyle Estate Healthcare Centre
Address: Knysna Lifestyle Estate, Welbedacht Lane
Services: Assisted living, frail care, dementia care for elderly
Facilities: 24-hour nursing, physiotherapy, occupational therapy
Education facilities
Doodlebugs Nursery School – 3 Dikkop Street, Lower Old Place. Tel: 044 382 3988
Knysna Montessori School – 4 Narnia Lane, Narnia. Tel: 044 382 5316
Primary Schools
Brackenhill Primary School – Brackenhill. Tel: 044 375 9066
Chris Nissen Primary School – 1 Rholihlahla Rd, White Location. Tel: 044 382 0702
Fraaisig Primary School – Gladstone St, Hornlee. Tel: 044 385 0395
Hornlee Primary School – Wing St, Hornlee. Tel: 044 385 0306
Knysna Primary School – 7 Long St, Central. Tel: 044 382 1422
Combined / Intermediate Schools
Oakhill School – Combined education in Knysna
Knysna Sport School – Marlin Rd, Fisherhaven. Tel: 044 384 0759
Secondary Schools
Knysna High School – 20 Long St, Central. Tel: 044 382 2137
Knysna Secondary (Knysna Sekondêr) – Sunridge St, Hornlee. Tel: 044 385 0310
Special Academies
Heatherhill Creative Learning Centre – Rheenendal.
Township Schools (via Eastern Cape Primary list)
Phakamisani Primary School – Kwanokuthula
Tertiary / Further Education
Saasveld Forestry College (part of Nelson Mandela University) – between Knysna & George, specializing in forestry and environmental studies
Knysna Montessori School – Full IEB curriculum Pre Primary to Matric, boarding available
Oakhill College – Combined private school offering Cambridge/IEB streams
Heatherhill Creative Learning Centre – Specialist education (arts-based)
Keurbosch International Cambridge School – Cambridge International curriculum
Stepping Stones School – Independent for early grades (Gr 1–3)
Nursery & Pre-Primary Schools
Doodlebugs Nursery School
Ages: 4 mo–school-entry
Address: 3 Dikkop St, Old Place
Hours: 07:00–15:00
Contact: 044 382 3988
Knysna Montessori Pre School
Ages: 2–6, with full Montessori approach plus Primary & High School
Address: Kanonkop St, Welbedacht
Tel/Email via admissions@knysnamontessori.co.za
*Other preschools/creches in Knysna:*
Smart Caterpillar Preschool (17 Trotter St)
Pixieland Pre Primary (38 Fraser St)
Bambino Play School (10 Green St)
Little Elephants Pre-Primary (5 Church St)
Mamma Mia Nursery School (16 Fitchat St)
Humpty Dumpty Creche (35 Main Rd)
Hildur Stent Creche (500 Alamein St, Hornlee)
Rates and taxes