Pezula Resort Hotels & Spa

The Southern Cape's exquisite Garden Route is so named because of its famous indigenous forests, majestic mountains, shimmering lakes and rivers and the natural fynbos vegetation which characterizes the region.

The area stretches along the coastline from Heidelberg to the Tsitsikamma Forest and Storms River and winds through picturesque towns with their secluded beaches, quaint restaurants and shops. Humpback and Southern Right whales frolic along these coastal waters from May to December, whilst dolphins are year-round residents.

Known for its temperate Mediterranean climate, the Garden Route is an eco wonderland for nature lovers and a playground for outdoor and adventure enthusiasts.

The town of Knysna lies in the heart of the Garden Route beneath the Outeniqua Mountains, along the banks of a vast estuary which enters the Indian Ocean through 2 giant sandstone Heads. This cosmopolitan town with its up market boutiques, coffee shops and restaurants, is also home to a number of endangered species including the only forest elephant in South Africa and the unique Knysna seahorse.

Just 10 minutes from the centre of Knysna, 20 minutes from Plettenberg Bay and less than 2-hour drive from Storms River, Pezula Resort Hotel & Spa is the ideal base from which to explore South Africa's Garden Route.

Garden Route:

Pezula Resort Hotel & Spa lies in the heart of the Garden Route, an area known for its breathtaking scenery, rich cultural heritage and natural playground of forests, lakes, mountains and rivers.

Within easy reach of a vast range of facilities and activities, the hotel is the ideal base for visitors with an interest in history and the arts, those who favor eco-tourism and adventure seekers who are into extreme sports.

Additional maps

• The closest national airport to Pezula is George Airport, an hour scenic drive along the coastline. Port Elizabeth Airport is two and a half hours by car

• Tambo International Airport (Johannesburg Airport) to George Airport (2 hours)
• Tambo International Airport to Port Elizabeth Airport (1 hour 45 minutes)
• Cape Town International Airport to George Airport (50 minutes)
• Cape Town International Airport to Port Elizabeth Airport (1 hour 10 minutes)

Pezula Aviation:

• Transfers in Pezula's six-seater EC130 Eurocopter from George Airport to Pezula (approx. 25 minutes)
• Pezula's eight-seater Hawker jet can be chartered for flights from anywhere in Africa to Plettenberg Bay Airport, 20-minute chauffeur drive from Pezula Resort Hotel & Spa
• Plettenberg Bay Airport can also be used for guests who charter their own aircraft
• Pezula Travel offers a chauffeur service between Pezula and George, Port Elizabeth and Plettenberg Bay Airports, or can arrange car hire from any destination in South Africa

By road:

• Pezula is an easy, scenic drive from Port Elizabeth or Cape Town, with many stops along the way to refuel or enjoy a light meal. The route is along the N2 national highway
• Directions from Cape Town (±500 km /311 miles)
• Take the N2 from Cape Town to Knysna passing Somerset West, Caledon, Swellendam, Albertinia, Mossel Bay and George
• Continue along the main road through Knysna, past the Provincial Hospital on the left
• After the Caltex Petrol Station on the right, turn right into George Rex Drive (road to Knysna Heads)
• Immediately after Knysna Golf Club, turn left into Wilson Street and right at the circle into Duthie Drive
• Follow Duthie Drive up the hill to Pezula Resort Hotel & Spa (this is well sign-posted)
• Directions from Port Elizabeth (±260 km /162 miles)
• Take the N2 from Port Elizabeth to Knysna, passing Humansdorp, Storms River and Plettenberg Bay
• As you drive into Knysna, turn left into George Rex Drive (road to Knysna Heads)
• Immediately after Knysna Golf Club, turn left into Wilson Street and right at the circle into Duthie Drive
• Follow Duthie Drive up the hill to Pezula Resort Hotel & Spa (this is well sign-posted)

GPS coordinates:

• S 34° 4'12"
• E 23° 5'20"

Or derived from the Hottentot word Xthuys Xna, which means the place where the wood is. It was a description of the Knysna River that meanders through the thick indigenous forest and through deep and often inaccessible gorges before it finally flows into the lagoon.

The Knysna Heads flank a deep but potentially treacherous channel through which the sea pours in to flood the wide and beautiful lagoon at the mouth of the Knysna River.

In the year 1804, the rumoured illegitimate son of King George the III set up home in Knysna. He purchased the estate known as Melkhoutkraal on the shores of the lagoon and moved his entire family and considerable entourage down to Knysna to settle. This is when the European history of Knysna began; the official founding of the settlement of Knysna took place in 1825. In 1851 Knysna was declared a municipality and in 1881 a town.

However one look at the lagoon and it is not difficult to imagine sailors taking refuge here over the centuries, to escape storms, and refit their ships, with the trees from the Knysna forest making excellent replacement timber and masts.

The Knysna forest was home to elephants especially adapted for living in forest conditions, human expansion into the forest, the reduction of its habitat, and hunting had a major effect on the elephant population. By the end of the 1980s the Knysna forest elephant were almost extinct, there was rumoured to one female left. However recent evidence suggests that there may be up to 12 elephants living in the forest. The Knysna forest is now protected.

The famous Choo Choo steam train no longer runs from George to Knysna, as a result of mud slides in July 2006, however if you want to ride this train, you can ride from George to Mossel Bay.

Alluvial gold was found here in 1885, which caused a rush to the area, Jubilee Creek,(Mill wood Gold Mines)  the exact spot where gold was found, provides a tranquil and beautiful picnic area, with many enjoyable forest walks in the area.

Knysna continued to develop over the years and became South Africa's favourite town of the year for a few years in a row, it has now received international recognition for the gem it is - it was named as one of the Top 100 Destinations in the World and one of the Top 25 in Africa by the Trip Advisor, 2008 Travellers' Choice Destinations Awards. With a rich history, gourmet restaurants and a variety of art & craft rambles to add, this is also the ideal base for exploring the rest of the Garden Route.