A True Hidden Treasure – Platbos Forest Reserve

Ahoy there sailors! 

Platbos Forest

Upon waking up at The Windsor Hotel on a typical Hermanus winters morning you might think to yourself what should I do today? With so much that Hermanus has to offer you still might be challenged to do something a little different. Our suggestion is that you treat yourself to something that can only be described as really getting in touch with nature and finding inner peace. In order to do that climb in your car and drive 30 minutes towards Gansbaai, turn left at the Grootbos sign just before De Kelders and drive onto the dirt road, go down the little pass and come to a truly ‘unique South African Forest Jewel’ that is the enchanting forest of Platbos.

Upon entering the Platbos Forest you will immediately know that you have come across something that touches you deep in your soul. Abandon your car at the car park and lose yourself in this ancient indigenous forest. Hug a tree that’s hundreds of years old and feel the vibration of Africa penetrate your deep inner self.

What makes Platbos so unique is not only that it’s thousands of years old or that it’s Africa’s Southernmost Indigenous Forest. No, what makes Platbos truly unique is that it’s a botanical mystery. In a time where the planet is gradually warming up, all relic forests are retreating into moist mountain ravines, but not Platbos. Platbos stands on a North-facing gentle undulating alkaline soiled terrain with no river course feeding the forest and given the relatively low rainfall in the region it is absolutely amazing that this forest even exists.

Platbos Forest Location

One might attribute it’s existence to the cool coastal mists which blanket the forest in the early hours of the summer months. The abundance of mosses, epiphytes, trees, unique flowers and plants that are available to see are truly a sight to behold.

Platbos is one of the few indigenous forests left in the Western Cape given that only 0.05% of the land is covered in indigenous forests, this is truly a rare experience.

A great time to visit Platbos is in the month of May when the guardians of the Platbos Forest put on a couple of exciting festivals such as the Re-Forest Fest which is a great opportunity to mix music + Trees = Love and you get a chance to help them re-forest the area with indigenous trees. Please check out Platbos Forest Reserve website as well as their Facebook Page to help support them and be part of a healing process. 

GreenPop Facebook Page.

Platbos Re-Forest GreenPop

Platbos has a range of accommodation options and forest trails, they even have a nursery where you can buy indigenous plants from them. All your support goes back into protecting and growing the Platbos Forest. While you’re at Platbos you’ll make great friends with the guardians, Francois and Melissa Krige truly lovely people who will show you things that we just would not see with our city eyes.

Treat yourself to a Platbos soul generating, thought provoking and magical experience.

Wish you all pain sailing until we meet again next week, same place, same time.

Re-forestation of Platbos