Kringe in die Bos Hiking Trail and the Legendary Knysna Elephants

Discover the Legacy of Daleen Matthee and the Knysna Elephants
Daleen Matthee, one of South Africa’s most famous authors, is best known for her novels “Kringe in die Bos” and “Fiela se Kind”. She passed away in 2005, but her love for the Knysna forest lives on through her writing. One of her favourite research spots was Krisjan se Nek, near Rheenendal, outside Knysna.

In 2008, a memorial to Daleen Matthee was unveiled near an 880-year-old Yellowwood tree, now known as the “Daleen Matthee Big Tree”. The area is also home to the Kringe in die Bos hiking trail, allowing visitors to walk in the footsteps of the author. In her books, Daleen drew attention to the mysterious “Grootvoete” — elephants believed to roam the forests of Knysna.

The Knysna Elephants: A Fascinating History
The Knysna elephants were first studied in detail by Nick Carter in 1969. During his research, he observed a large bull elephant named Champion and a pregnant female, Elderberry, in the Harkerville area. In 1970, their calf, Oupoot, was born, and the family was regularly seen near the N2 highway. In total, Carter recorded 10 elephants in the Knysna forest region.

By 1981, only three elephants were thought to remain. The skeleton of Champion, the bull elephant, was discovered in 1983 and is now displayed at the Forest Legends Museum in Diepwalle, north of Knysna. In August 1989, the skeleton of a female elephant was found in the Gouna area; carbon dating confirmed she had died in 1987, likely Elderberry. By studying the head creases and ear outlines, researchers could identify individual elephants, including Oupoot, who was also observed to have had at least one calf.

During the 1990s, two elephants were regularly seen in the Goudveld, Oubrand, and Diepwalle areas. One was very shy, mostly heard but rarely seen, while the other was more visible in the forest.

A 15-month study in 2016/2017 using camera traps across the 185-square-kilometre elephant habitat found only one female elephant remaining. Tragically, Oupoot was last seen in May 2024 on the farm of Oubaas Fourie in Karatara.

Explore Knysna’s Forest and Elephant Trails
For visitors to Knysna, exploring the Kringe in die Bos hiking trail and visiting the Daleen Matthee Big Tree offers a chance to connect with both the natural beauty and the literary legacy of Daleen Matthee. From mysterious elephants to ancient yellowwood trees, the Knysna forest continues to inspire locals and tourists alike.

Credit for research: Ryno Joubert