Knysna Forest ready to host Oyster Festival in July
Initial findings after the devastating fires in Knysna indicate the iconic Knysna forest was not affected by the fire. From Goudveld to Diepwalle, the forest is accessible and was not at all affected by the fire. The Knysna forests are South Africa's largest portion of Southern Afrotemperate Forests, spanning across some 60,500 hectares of land, from George to Tsitsikamma in the East.
The fynbos areas in the Park (Harkerville) were affected. The Kranshoek Viewpoint and picnic areas were gutted down by the recent inferno. The team in Harkerville are assessing the damage to see if that area will be ready for the town’s biggest Festival in July. In addition, the Knysna estuary was used to ferry people across from suburbs affected by the fire, is also operational and ready for the Knysna Oyster Festival in July.
‘We had an overwhelming response to a call for volunteers for GIS mapping of lost infrastructure. The team is also getting ready to finalise findings and should hand over maps and a report to the JOC (Joint Organising Committee). This exercise will provide adequate information pertaining to the loss of infrastructure as a result of the devastating Knysna fires from Rheenendal right through to the town of Knysna.’
The mystical Knysna forest is attractive to visitors for its indigenous trees some over 600 years old. The King Edward Big tree in Diepwalle, the Dalene Matthee Memorial, the Hoekwil Big tree and the 1000-year-old Tsitsikamma Big tree. Other activities in the forest include camping spots, cycling trails, hiking trails, forest excursions (segways, scootours and ziplining). There 2 museums in the Knsyna forest (the Legends Museum in Diepwalle with the history of the Knysna forest is by far the most popular).
