Platbos is Africa's Southernmost Forest

a botanically unique, endangered forest ecosystem

Platbos Forest is one of the few surviving indigenous forests in South Africa. A Lowland Afrotemperate forest remnant, it is filled with ancient trees, some of which are over a 1000 years old.

The forest, found on the slopes of the Baviaanspoort Hills, is located on the Grootbos Road between the fishing village of Gansbaai and the seaside town of Hermanus in the Western Cape Province. Southern Right whales gather each year in Spring to birth their young in the blue waters of Walker Bay, a few kilometers away from the forest.

Plant a Tree: Grow a Forest

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Help us protect and restore Platbos Forest

Platbos, a relic forest with trees of over 1000 years of age, is vulnerable to runaway fires. Indigenous forests are rare and endangered ecosystems covering less than 0.05% of the Western Cape. The Platbos Reforestation Project was conceived in the wake of the devastating fires of 2006.

PLANT A FOREST TREE

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Visit Platbos Forest

Come and discover this unique forest biome for your self. The forest trail is enjoyed by tree and bird enthusiasts, and the gentle terrain and sheltering canopy make it a suitable destination for young and old alike. Bring along a picnic or contemplate the peace of Platbos at the forest’s beautiful labyrinth.

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African Tree Essences

If, like many of the visitors to Platbos, you are inspired by the gentle yet vibrant energy of the forest, you might like to purchase a set of the African Tree Essences.

Made from the tree flowers, clear spring water and the African sun, they hold the unique vibrational blueprint of the 13 major tree species of the forest.

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When you make a donation to plant a tree at Platbos, you are helping to conserve and extend the biodiversity of the forest. For when you plant a tree at Platbos, you are sponsoring a square metre of forest canopy and the myriad of life forms that this supports – from mosses, lichens, birds and bees, to bushbuck and honey badgers. Whether it’s planting a tree in honour of someone special, or sponsoring tree planting to minimize your ecological footprint, your participation in the Platbos Reforestation Project is what enables us to realize our goal in conserving and rehabilitating this unique forest.

As of March 2024, 94296 forest trees from the Platbos Nursery have been sponsored for planting in our Reforestation Sites.

Visit our full Tree Planting Record and Reforestation Partners pages.

Accommodation at Platbos

Check availability, see rates and book online with Nightsbridge.

For all accommodation enquiries please email: admin@platbos.co.za

Platbos Accommodation has been awarded Certificates of Excellence from TripAdviser since 2019.
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Honey Bee Suite

Eco-friendly and off-grid, offering private, tented accommodation, this forest venue sleeps 2 guests. The HOT TUB is set beneath a beautiful white stinkwood tree and guests enjoy the privilege of having this unique and beautiful forest venue all to themselves.

Bush Buck Suite

Eco-friendly and off-grid private accommo- dation, this forest venue sleeps 2 guests. Exclusive in that guests enjoy the privilege of having this unique and beautiful forest venue all to themselves.

The Forest Camp

This camp, orientated around a magnificent and ancient Celtis africana, sleeps 2 guests in a tented bedroom. Your wood-fired HOT TUB is situated within a natural clearing at the Forest Camp.

Old Olive Cabin

Situated nearby to one of Platbos Forest’s most ancient trees – a Wild Olive of over 800 years old – retreat for a weekend (or more) of peace and tranquillity in this magical forest. Old Olive Cabin sleeps 2.

The Owl Camp

Set beneath a majestic white stinkwood tree and surrounded by forest. Secluded and truly unique experience for camping enthusiasts. Facilities are for the exclusive use of those booking the site. Owl Camp sleeps a maximum of 4.

For all accommodation enquiries please email: admin@platbos.co.za

The Forest is Water-wise

Platbos Forest Reserve is off-grid and our accommodation units are serviced with river and dam water. Although our area is not yet receiving stringent water restrictions like those in Cape Town, we encourage our guests to always use natural resources mindfully. Four of our five accommodation units use environmentally-friendly composting toilet systems, and all the water that is used in the accommodation units is recycled back into the forest which is why we supply biodegradable, non-harmful washing up liquid for our guests.

Walk the Forest Trails

An indigenous forest trail for bird and tree enthusiasts [ read more ]

Caught on camera at Platbos

Map and Directions

Situated in the Baviaanspoort Hills on the Grootbos Road between Stanford and Gansbaai. The forest is just 40 minutes from Hermanus, South Africa´s whale-watching capital [ read more ]

Map and Directions

Situated in the Baviaanspoort Hills on the Grootbos Road between Stanford and Gansbaai. The forest is just 40 minutes from Hermanus, South Africa´s whale-watching capital [ read more ]

Platbos Forest is an “off-the-grid” enterprise. The majority of nursery, office and household activities are powered by renewable energy sources. All waste is recycled and composted where possible and the tree nursery runs according to organic growing principles.

The Reforestation Project is managed under the auspices of the Platbos Conservation Trust, a Nonprofit Organization (Registration Number: 086-576-NPO).

Your stay in our Forest Accommodation helps us to care-take Platbos:
5% of the monthly turnover is donated to the Platbos Conservation Trust whose responsibilities include alien clearing and maintaining the Reserve’s fire-breaks.