Drive Your Own Circle In The Forest
go! - South Africa|February/March 2021
Rooted in Time is a self-drive tour through the Knysna Forest that takes you back to an era when elephants wandered and woodcutters’ axes echoed. Alida Kieser was enthralled.
Alida Kieser
Drive Your Own Circle In The Forest

Most people who visit Knysna only go to the waterfront and the Heads viewpoint, but that’s just a smidgen of the town’s appeal. For me and my husband Robert, the real drawcard is the magical forest that stretches all the way to the mountains on the other side of the N2.

It’s a landscape jam-packed with history and stories, as told by Dalene Matthee in her iconic Knysna novels, Circles in a Forest, The Mulberry Forest, and Fiela’s Child. There’s darkness – elephants hunted to extinction; woodcutters living in hardship – but also hope for the discovery of gold, modern conservation efforts, and the promise of a better tomorrow. Many landmarks in the forest have remained preserved for hundreds of years.

Rooted in Time is a self-drive route that consists of 10 historical sites where you can learn more about the forest. It starts at the Templeman Station (1), about 20km north of Knysna. Park your vehicle at the Ysterhoutrug picnic site and walk next to a section of the old, rusty railway line. The train transported wood, but judging by the photos on the information boards it was also a fun outing for residents of the forest – they sat on chairs on the open wagons. At the end of the path there’s a deck where the railway platform once was.

The train was nicknamed Coffee Pot because the engine’s chimney looked like one, and it ran 30km from Diepwalle to Thesen Island on the Knysna Lagoon from 1907 to 1949. Yellowwood, stinkwood, and ironwood trees were loaded up and taken to the sawmill, and from there to Cape Town and abroad.

These days, Thesen Island is a suburb with luxury apartments and holiday homes.

Diese Geschichte stammt aus der February/March 2021-Ausgabe von go! - South Africa.

Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.

Diese Geschichte stammt aus der February/March 2021-Ausgabe von go! - South Africa.

Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.

WEITERE ARTIKEL AUS GO! - SOUTH AFRICAAlle anzeigen
Rolling out the big guns
go! - South Africa

Rolling out the big guns

If you're still scanning the horizon for a Chinese automotive invasion you're looking the wrong way. It's already happening, and the new GWM Tank is the off-road spearhead into the highly lucrative and hotly contested lifestyle market.

time-read
2 Minuten  |
June/July 2024
TAKE A HIKE
go! - South Africa

TAKE A HIKE

The beautiful agony of Tienuurkop

time-read
3 Minuten  |
June/July 2024
Time out in Dullies
go! - South Africa

Time out in Dullies

A long weekend in Dullstroom is just long enough to make you realise you need to spend several more weekends here! There's food, drink, art and action in abundance. Here's your guide.

time-read
4 Minuten  |
June/July 2024
Gallivanting in the Galápagos!
go! - South Africa

Gallivanting in the Galápagos!

The Galápagos Islands are on many a traveller's wish list. They were on Hanlie and Vivian Gericke's too, even though the price of visiting made their eyes water. Was it worth it? Read on...

time-read
9 Minuten  |
June/July 2024
BURCHELL AND THE COUNTRY OF THE BUSHMEN
go! - South Africa

BURCHELL AND THE COUNTRY OF THE BUSHMEN

How many times have you driven through a landscape and wished you could have seen it centuries ago? In 1811, the English artist and explorer, William John Burchell, travelled through South Africa. Join us as we follow in his footsteps.

time-read
10+ Minuten  |
June/July 2024
Long live the Hibiscus Coast
go! - South Africa

Long live the Hibiscus Coast

The KZN South Coast is a national treasure. It's still the place to go if you want a classic seaside holiday complete with warm waves, cold beer, soft serve and good vibes. Here's your guide.

time-read
8 Minuten  |
June/July 2024
The island at the end of the earth
go! - South Africa

The island at the end of the earth

Imagine adlace-with the cleanest air arid:the clearest seawater, where_no human.oranimabwants to:harm you: A placewhere the climates balmy. year-round:-with a sekrhistory ahd wwild scenery. A place like this:exist8” and it’s called St Helena.

time-read
10+ Minuten  |
June/July 2024
A day on the road
go! - South Africa

A day on the road

You never know what the road will bring. Toast Coetzer heads south on the N1 and discovers South Africa.

time-read
5 Minuten  |
June/July 2024
The wilder shore
go! - South Africa

The wilder shore

The final leg of a 30-day trek across East Africa sees lan Tyrer and the Africa - Wild & Untamed crew explore both shores of Lake Malawi. Get ready for an overloaded ferry, a croc attack and being surrounded by elephants...

time-read
10+ Minuten  |
February/March 2024
A river runs through it
go! - South Africa

A river runs through it

Sabie is onthe Drakensberg escaromentialongMpumalanga’s famous Panorama Route. Want a weekend away surrounded by forests and waterfalls? Here's wnat you need to know.

time-read
10 Minuten  |
February/March 2024