There is something undeniably magical about a forest. Maybe it’s the abundance of hide-and-seek spaces that bring out the child in us. Maybe it’s the wealth of life, the generous shade and fresh air we find there. Or maybe it’s the feeling that something miraculous might occur at any moment, à la the fairy tale forests of our childhood.

At Platbos, the southernmost forest in Africa, something magical is indeed going on as owners, Francois and Melissa Krige, and environmental NGO, Greenpop, bring together green-hearted souls for two weekends of laughter, music and planting to help rehabilitate this endangered forest. And the best part? You can share in the magic by booking a stay at Platbos or getting your hands dirty at the seventh annual Reforest Fest!

Once upon a time there was a magical forest …

Driving along Grootbos Road (R43) between Gansbaai and Hermanus, with the ocean beckoning in the distance and fynbos and coastal dune thicket whistling past on both sides, you’d be surprised at how close you are to the ancient forest of Platbos ─ hiding in plain sight. This has been Francois and Melissa’s home since 2005, after buying the forest in 2004 and dedicating their lives to raising awareness for this special stretch of land.

In 2011, the environmental NGO, Greenpop, joined in the conservation effort by launching the Platbos Reforest Fest where all are invited to a magical weekend of tree-planting, good music and food, activities and conversation among the age-old trees.

Although Greenpop is involved in a bunch of other projects across Southern Africa, Katherine Carey, their creative and communications manager, says the Reforest Fest at Platbos is particularly special because it is Greenpop’s longest running festival and, to date, it has led to the planting of 38 000 trees in the unique Platbos Forest Reserve.

What makes Platbos so unique?

At Platbos elements of coastal forest, like milkwood trees, share the forest floor with subtropical trees, such as the white stinkwood and hard pear to form an extremely rare type of forest. For all intents and purposes some of these trees should’ve died out in the region years ago due to shifting rainfall patterns, not to mention the pressure of deforestation, encroaching alien vegetation, unsuitable soil and devastating veld fires. Yet, they have persisted, some of them estimated to be a thousand years old! The very existence of Platbos is mystifying and that’s why Francois and Melissa became its passionate activists.

Stay at Platbos

So passionate are they about this unusual gem, that they’ve built eco-friendly, off-the-grid cabins, erected glamping and camping facilities and laid out forest walks in Platbos, all listed on TravelGround ─ so you can also experience the magic of the forest and hopefully lend a hand in the conservation of the region.

So, if you’re what Melissa calls ‘a true green-hearted soul’, book a stay in one of the accommodation options the Krige’s are offering and escape into nature. While staying at Platbos, go for a walk on a forest trail or in the mother-of-pearl labyrinth, buy some Platbos tree essences sold all over the world, or become part of the Krige’s reforestation project. This project involves the harvesting and replanting of endemic tree saplings in the forest, and the Greenpop Reforest Fest has been of particular help in getting the saplings planted.

What to expect at the Reforest Fest

The fest comprises two weekends of tree-planting and activities like laughing yoga, arts and crafts, upcycling workshops and eco-talks. The Reforest Family Fest (10 – 12 March 2017) is more suited to families looking to reconnect with nature, whereas The Reforest Friends Fest (17 – 19 March 2017) is a weekend for individuals to get their hands dirty helping the environment. This year the music line-up includes the Stone Jets, Adelle Nqeto, and Brian Ernst, and food can be bought (cash only, no self-catering facilities or fires) at yummy vegan and vegetarian vendors such as Fry’s Family Foods.

Whether you’re an avid conservationist, a parent looking to teach your child the value of nature, or just looking for a beautiful place to become (literally) grounded again, Platbos and the upcoming Reforest Fest is the place to be! So do some good, for yourself and the environment, book a stay at this magical place and find your way into the woods.

Feature Image: Johnny Miller (Millefoto)