African Breeze Guest House

 The Garden Route is a popular and scenic stretch of the southern coast of South Africa. It stretches from Mossel Bay in the Western Cape to the Storms River in the East. It includes towns such as Mossel Bay, George, Knysna, Oudtshoorn, Plettenberg Bay and Nature's Valley.

It has a maritime climate, with moderately hot summers, and mild to chilly winters. It is one of the nicest all-year-round rainfall areas in South Africa, most rain falling in the winter months, brought by the humid sea-winds from the Indian Ocean rising and releasing their precipitation along the high mountain ranges just inland of the coast. Any time of the year is good for visiting the area, depending if you enjoy a peaceful retreat during the winter months, or a bustling holiday destination during the summer.

The Route is sandwiched between the Outeniqua and Tsitsikamma mountains on one side and the Indian Ocean on the other. The Outeniqua and Tsitsikamma indigenous forests are a unique mixture of Cape Fynbos and temperate forest and offer hiking trails and eco-tourism activities. Nearly 300 species of birdlife are to be found in a variety of habitats ranging from fynbos to indigenous forests to wetlands.

Located within the heart of the Garden Route, Knysna is one of the Southern Cape coast's most popular holiday destinations for both local and international visitors. Situated between lush forests and the shores of the peaceful lagoon - it offers many activities and attractions of a wide variety.

The most well known attraction being the Knysna Heads - two great sandstone cliffs guarding the mouth of the lagoon which connects the estuary with the sea. A lookout has been erected on the Eastern Head, commanding spectacular views of the lagoon, Leisure Isle and Knysna. The Western Head is a privately owned nature Reserve - Featherbed Bay.

The Knysna Lagoon is one of the few places along the coast and in the world that supports a oyster hatchery. And the Knysna oysters are reputedly among the tastiest in the world. The annual Oyster Festival in July has become one of the country’s longest running and most popular festivals.

Knysna is a bustling town which boasts many fabulous restaurants and has a picturesque and bustling waterfront and small harbour precinct where you can enjoy good food with a pleasant waterside atmosphere.

The town is a popular destination for both South African and international tourists, especially among the Europeans due to the year-round warm climate. More recently the town has also become a preferred destination among golfers, as it boasts several world class golf courses including Pezula Golf Course, Simola Golf Course and the well established Knysna Golf Course situated on the lagoon. Knysna too is a favourite haunt of artists.

The nearest ocean beach is located at Brenton-on-Sea which lies directly west of the heads and is continuous with Buffels Bay, a popular surfing spot.

Knysna has many attractions in the surrounding areas as well, one of the most spectacular being the Knysna Forest, which is still evident in many places within the town as well. It is the largest indigenous forest in South Africa comprising of tall and ancient trees of local and exotic species, including stinkwood, yellowwood, blackwood, ironwood, white alders and Cape chestnut. Not forgetting the ferns, creepers and wild flowers which add colour to this endless green collage. The forest is vast and extremely dense in places making it impenetrable. Animal life is limited to a few small antelope and a large variety of birds, such as the famous Knysna Loerie. Home to the once great herds of Knysna Elephants, it is believed that only a small heard of less than a dozen elephants remains today.

Leisure Isle is an idyllic residential area surrounded by the beautiful Knysna Lagoon. An inspiring location to walk, run, cycle, wind surf, paddle or to simply soak up the sun and relax. Walking on the lagoon sand during low tide is especially enjoyable and therapeutic. African Breeze is perfectly situated - just a quick walk to the water's edge and to a small, tranquil lagoon beach.

Situated approximately 6km from the centre of town, Leisure Isle is a quick and easy drive from shopping centres, restaurants and entertainment offered in Knysna, yet far enough away not to be affected by the hustle and bustle of town & the Waterfront.

The Western Cape is a province in the south west of South Africa. The capital is Cape Town. Prior to 1994, the region that now forms the Western Cape was part of the huge (and now defunct) Cape Province. Prior to the formation of the Union of South Africa in 1910, it was called the Cape Colony

Western Cape Province is bordered on the north by the Northern Cape Province, on the east by the Eastern Cape Province, on the south by the Indian Ocean, and on the west by the Atlantic Ocean. The Subantarctic dependency of the Prince Edward Islands is included within the province's administration. The Breede and Berg Rivers are major rivers of the province. The capital is Cape Town and other major cities include Stellenbosch, Worcester, Paarl, and George. The Garden Route and the Overberg are popular coastal tourism areas.

The Western Cape is exceptionally topographically diverse. Most of the province falls within the Cape Fold Belt, a range of sandstone folded mountains of Permian to Carboniferous age that range in height from 1000m to 2300m. The valleys between ranges are generally very fertile and contains alluvial loamy to clay soils. The far interior forms part of the Karoo Basin and is generally arid and hilly with a sharp escarpment in the north. Coastal areas range from sandy between capes, to rocky to steep and mountainous in places. The Western Cape is also the southernmost region of the African continent with Cape Agulhas as its southernmost point, only 3800km from the Antarctic coastline