Situated in the Baviaanspoort Hills on the Grootbos Road between Stanford and Gansbaai is Platbos forest. This unique forest is one of the Overstrand’s best kept secrets and is home to an abundance of trees , some of which are estimated to be over 1000 years old. Trees include the White Stinkwood, Rock Adler, Wild Olive and many more.

The forest is also home to an abundance of wildlife including aardvark, bontebok, leopard, porcupine, honey badger, caracal, grey rhebok, as well as plenty of reptiles and amphibians including the Boomslang, Cape Cobra, Leopard Toad and Parrot-beaked Tortoise.

Bird enthusiasts will find a great diversity of birdlife including the Cape Canary, Speckled Mouse bird, Knysna Woodpecker, Eagle Owl, African Fish Eagle and lots more.

Pre-bookings are required in order to visit the forest, and education and conservation programmes are offered. The Platbos Conservation Trust is committed to an extensive reforestation project in order to restore this tract of land to its original natural state.

For more info, go to www.platbos.co.za or call +27 (0) 82 411 0448