Day Trips From Knysna: Wilderness, Plett, Tsitsikamma

Knysna is the perfect basecamp for the Garden Route. Wake up to lagoon views and a proper breakfast at Knysna Paradise Guesthouse, then be in a completely different landscape within the hour. Here are three of our favourite day trips, all under an hour’s drive from your front door.

Wilderness — 45 min west

• The Map of Africa viewpoint: Stand over the famous horseshoe bend of the Touws River and watch the paragliders launch from the cliffs.
• Wilderness Beach boardwalk: A long, wild stretch of sand that’s perfect for a windswept morning walk before the crowds arrive.
• Canoe the Touws River: Rent a canoe in the village and paddle gently past kingfishers and ancient yellowwoods.

Plettenberg Bay — 30 min east

• Robberg Nature Reserve: The peninsula hike is the finest coastal walk on the route — seals, dolphins and, in season, whales.
• Lookout and Central Beach: Blue-flag swimming and a long sweep of white sand right in the heart of Plett.
• Old Nick Village: A cluster of craft studios and a fine coffee stop for the drive back.

Tsitsikamma — 1 hour east

• Storms River Mouth: Cross the suspension bridges over the churning river mouth — the postcard shot of the Garden Route.
• Bloukrans Bridge bungee: The world’s highest commercial bungee jump, for the brave among you.
• The Big Tree forest walk: A gentle boardwalk to an 800-year-old Outeniqua yellowwood.

Local tip: Leave early and drive the N2 with the window down — the mountain-to-sea views alone are worth the trip. Prefer to let someone else do the driving? Ask us about day-tour operators and packages that combine overnight stops at our sister properties along the route.

Back in Knysna by late afternoon, you’ll still have time for a dip in our pool and a waterfront dinner — because the best part of a Garden Route day trip is coming home to the lagoon.

Knysna Paradise Guesthouse — 2026-08-13