Knysna

Knysna is situated on the shores of one of South Africa's largest estuaries. Close by is the country's largest temperate evergreen forest.

Specials
Knysna Warbler, Knysna Woodpecker, Victorin's Warbler, Narina Trogon, Orange-breasted Sunbird, Cape Sugarbird, Chorister Robin-Chat, African Emerald Cuckoo, Red-chested Flufftail, Buff-spotted Flufftail, African Finfoot, White-backed Night-Heron, African Cuckoo Hawk and African Hobby (summer).

Habitats
Temperate evergreen forest, rivers and estuaries, south coast renosterveld, beaches and cliffs, floodplains, pastures and dams.

Facilities
Include forest day walks, picnic sites, camping sites, caravan parks, canoeing, adventure companies, bed and breakfasts, guest farms, country lodges, holiday cottages and hotels.

Birding

1. At Woodbourne Pan at low tide in summer you will find waterbirds and waders. These may include Pied Avocet, African Spoonbill, Marsh Sandpiper, Curlew Sandpiper, Ruff, Common Greenshank, Kittlitz's Plover, Common Sandpiper, African Snipe, African Rail, Black Crake and Caspian Tern. Rarities sometimes turn up such as Pectoral Sandpiper which spent the summer of 1995 here.

2. From Leisure Island near the small boat Harbour one may see at low tide, Common Whimbrel, Grey Plover, Common Ringed Plover, Sandwich Tern and Common Tern, African Fish-Eagle and Osprey.

3. Pledge Nature Reserve included Blue-mantled Crested-Flycatcher, Knysna Turaco, Olive Bush-Shrike, Knysna Woodpecker, Olive Woodpecker, African Emerald Cuckoo, Swee Waxbill and Cape Grassbird.

4. The Knysna Warbler is present at the Heads. Try the walk from the restaurant through indigenous coastal bush toward the sea or the Coney Glen picnic site. It is essential to know the call.

5. Canoe up the Knysna River at high tide for African Black Duck, Giant Kingfisher, Half-collared Kingfisher, Malachite Kingfisher, Black Saw-wing and the secretive African Finfoot and White-backed Night-Heron.

6. Kranshoek is situated on the coast. Access is through the Harkerville forest. In the fynbos between the view site over the cliffs and the first picnic site at winter breeding time, the Cape Sugarbird are visible displaying over the proteas. Orange-breasted Sunbird occur as well as Amethyst Sunbird, Southern Double-collared Sunbird, Greater Double-collared Sunbird, Malachite Sunbird, Victorin's Warbler and Cape Grassbird. The forest includes Narina Trogon, Blue-mantled Crested-Flycatcher, Black-bellied Starling and other forest species. Kranshoek is 24 km east of Knysna. Turn off 19 km from Knysna to the right.

General
A wide range of accommodation is available through the Knysna Tourism, 20 Main Street, and they will provide directions and maps of Knysna tel:: +27 44 3825510, fax: +27 44 382 1646, email: booking@mweb.co.za or www.knysna-info.co.za.
Forestry have a regional office in Knysna, Dewar Centre, Main Street, and will provide maps of forest walks (Tel : +27 44 382 5466).

Anne Brash 2002.