Just beyond a busy seaside town, the Western Cape holds a unique inland gem: Platbos Forest. Located on Grootbos Road, this 50-hectare plot is one of the few remaining indigenous forests in South Africa, a dense canopy of ancient trees with centuries of history. As Africa’s southernmost forest, Platbos is home to a unique, biodiverse ecosystem, one that has been threatened by human expansion. Previously degraded and infiltrated with invasive plant species, this piece of heritage has been transformed into a hope for the future of indigenous forests through an impactful reforestation project. Driven By Nature Foundation has partnered with Platbos Forest and its custodian, Francois Krige, to maintain a dedicated planting site on the land. After experiencing some of its growth firsthand, we are proud to be an ongoing supporter of this initiative. Removing invasive alien plants to reforest with indigenous trees is a delicate process. It involves clearing growth that disrupts the balance to make room for native species to grow. Knowing what we plant today will continue long into the future, past our lifetimes, assures that we make a tangible difference in the regrowth of this special location.
Find out more about this growing partnership…
A Short Film on Reforestation
In August of 2024, the team arranged to visit Platbos Forest and showcase its role and impact in forest conservation efforts. We travelled from our HQ through Hermanus, past rolling vineyards and small coastal towns, until we arrived at our destination. At Platbos, we met with Francois, whose deep connection to the forest was immediately evident. As he led us through the forest, our team was told about the area’s rich history. We stood in the presence of ancient trees up to 1,000 years old. Walking beneath the branches, we felt the weight of centuries of change, the importance of this unique ecosystem and the painstaking efforts underway to restore its glory. With our videographer, we filmed shots of the trees and set up for our interview. The highlight of our film by far is the conversation with Francois; as the forest’s primary custodian, he not only spends most of his time in the forest, but he has also made it his home. From the moment we had first engaged, we had seen Francois’s dedication to the reforestation project and intrinsic respect for nature as a whole. His guidance led us through and helped us succeed in our tree planting process, as he supported our exciting partnership. Our short film features beautiful, wide shots of the forest from above, detailing the tree growth and the sprawl of the canopy. Scenes focus on the tree nursery, where the journey begins as seedlings are nursed into saplings for planting.
Camera traps of wildlife returning to the forest show the real impact of this program – bringing nature back, helping the entire ecosystem restore itself. The animals that visit Platbos Forest include the cape porcupine, honey badger and leopard, interesting mammals that are rarely seen by the general public. These camera traps helped us reflect the curiosity of the wildlife in the area without invading their space. Aside from the film, our mission wouldn’t have been complete without a personal contribution to the place we were so graciously welcomed. During our visit, Driven By Nature Foundation and our volunteers planted 30 saplings at our dedicated planting site, marking the start of an ongoing, fruitful partnership with Platbos. The final result of our visit was a full short film, which is currently available on our YouTube channel and provides viewers with insight into the essential conservation efforts to restore the forest’s rich diversity of plants and wildlife. As new indigenous growth is reintroduced to the forest, animals and local plant life begin to make their comeback, sprouting through the cracks of degraded soil and rejuvenating it for generations to come.
Tree Planting at Platbos Forest
On 14 June 2025, Driven By Nature Foundation and a group of volunteers returned to Platbos Forest for the short tree-planting window. Lasting only through the cold winter months, this timeframe is sensitive and offers the best chance for the new trees to survive. After once again enjoying a beautiful commute past the ocean, our group arrived at the tree nursery eager to start the day. As conversation filled the air, we took a moment to refresh ourselves and stretch our legs before heading into the forest with Francois. Breathing in the fresh, clean air, our team and volunteers settled into nature as we moved through the greenery. When we reached the site, we unloaded and planted an additional 30 trees in the forest. Everyone took on different tasks: digging, preparing the soil and mulch, positioning saplings and collecting more. The balance of focus and high energy helped us make quick progress. It was a morning filled with teamwork, co-operation and above all, a shared purpose and sense of accomplishment. After wrapping up, we loaded into Francois’s pickup truck and drove back to the nursery while resting our muscles and reflecting on the landscape. We shared our goodbyes before piling back into the car to head back to HQ.
Lessons on Nature and Biodiversity
Throughout our journey with Platbos Forest, we’ve learnt important lessons on nature – specifically how it heals and restores. After decades of degradation, the soil, plants, trees and animals are finally being given a second chance. While the damage was man-made, the recovery can be, too. The opportunity to be a part of the reforestation project is special, something that has grown our organisation both internally and interpersonally. Our team always enjoys the quiet in the canopy, the sound of birds, and the soft crunch of sticks beneath our feet. Platbos Forest is an important part of our biodiversity – one that deserves praise for its commitment to restoring what was once lost and protecting what remains. All forests play a vital role in our global ecosystem, supporting flora and fauna, regulating our climate, water and soil. This project is just one example of the dedicated individuals and groups working tirelessly in reforestation to protect and restore critical habitats for our planet’s health. We need to protect our Earth, from the smallest beetle to the tallest tree; every form of life deserves our respect. Driven By Nature Foundation is proud to stand with the people restoring nature’s balance – one tree at a time.
