A WORLD OF ADVENTURE AWAITS
A WORLD OF ADVENTURE AWAITS
your adventure STARTS HERE
When you stay at Portland Manor, you can be as active as you wish, or you can spend your days relaxing at the pool.
Explore the estate’s hiking/ MTB trails, or venture out onto the dam, to catch and release the plentiful bass, splash around or paddle out in the estate’s canoes.
Nearby Knysna and Sedgefield (about 26 minute’s drive from Portland Manor) offer a plethora of activities from township tours to whale watching and ziplining, and have numerous pristine beaches. There’s no shortage of fun activities for couples and families alike in the surrounding area.
PORTLAND MANOR experiences
Hike or run the scenic portland manor trails
The routes at Portland Manor are through the scenic Portland farm with its indigenous fynbos landscapes and forests and will take you on a circular course around the expansive Lawnwood Dam.
hire a fishing rod and throw a line in the estate dam
Fishing enthusiasts can simply stroll down to Lawnwood Dam located on the estate to catch some bass. On lazy days, our visitors can have a picnic at Lawnwood Dam, which is situated on the property and was constructed in the early 1980s.
hire a bike to ride the estate’s trails or surrounds
spend time lounging at the swimming pool reserved for in-house guests
Portland Manor’s in-house guests have exclusive use of our beautiful swimming pool! The expansive new deck has views across the dam to the Outeniqua mountains and luxury loungers where you can spend the day relaxing in the sun, or enjoy a cocktail at sunset.
ENJOY THE SCENIC
PORTLAND MANOR ESTATE
RECONNECT & RECHARGE
THINGS TO DO IN THE GREATER KNYSNA AREA
Knysna is known as Nature’s Playground, and it’s easy to see why! Surrounded by forests, mountains, beaches, lagoons and ocean, there are innumerable activities to appeal to all ages and levels of adventure. From bungy jumping, whale watching, and scooter tours through the forest, to paragliding or yacht cruises, no adventure activity is too wild or too daring for Knysna’s adrenaline junkies.
This adventure wonderland is just waiting to be explored! We’ve listed some of the fun things that you can do solo, as a couple or with family and friends, below.
Markets
There are plenty of markets in Knysna and Sedgefield, from a dinner market to farmers’ markets, you can explore them all.
Golf
Knysna has three superb 18-hole golf courses and there are a total of 25 courses in the Garden Route.
Nature
Nature is all around you in Knysna and the town lies within the Garden Route National Park Lakes Section.
Beaches
Pack your beach bag and head for one of the beautiful beaches in Knysna or Sedgefield. And don’t forget the sunscreen!
animal sanctuaries
Numerous animal sanctuaries and rehabilitation centres in Knysna and Plett are open to the public.
adventure
How brave are you? Knysna and Sedgefield have a host of adventure activities to enthrall adrenaline junkies!
art & culture
Knysna’s art scene is thriving! In the streets and in the galleries, the town has seen a resurgence of art in many forms.
family
Options for family activities are many and varied, whether you are travelling with older or younger family members.
Coming soon
PORTLAND CAMINO
A Journey Inspired by Circles in the Forest and the Land That Birthed It
Some paths are more than trails—they echo the footsteps of those who walked before. The Portland Camino is more than a journey through nature; it is a pilgrimage of the soul, shaped by Circles in the Forest and the land that inspired it.
This route winds through ancient forests and meandering rivers, offering a space for reflection and connection. Drawing from Dalene Matthee’s novel, which tells the story of a woodcutter caught between the forces of progress and his deep connection to the forest, this walk encourages reflection on the fragile harmony between humanity and nature.
Each step is an invitation—to listen, to remember, to return to something ancient yet personal. The trees stand as silent witnesses, the wind carries forgotten truths, and the earth welcomes all who walk with intention.
This is more than a walk. It is an invitation to look within, surrender to the wilderness, and in that surrender, rediscover home.
Stay tuned—your journey into serenity is about to unfold.