By Green Pop
Image - Photo Creds: Shari lee Thompson
Nestled in the Southernmost Forest in Africa
Bodhi Khaya Nature Retreat, nestled in the heart of the Platbos Forest near Gansbaai, is a sanctuary, which has become a centre of connection, balance, and growth. Guests can camp in a tent, get a comfortable room or elevate their stay in one of our fully fitted glamping tents.
So Why Flock to the Forest?
Over the years, Reforest Fest has become a symbol of hope, and positive change. At its core, this wholesome festival is all about trees. Thousands of trees are planted each year, with the goal of restoring indigenous forests and reviving ecosystems. This journey extends beyond the weekend as planting sites gradually transform from alien-dominated landscapes into thriving habitats filled with newly planted tree seedlings. We plan to plant 5000 trees at Reforest Fest 2024!
While the festival focuses on trees, it is also about people. Participants spend their days planting trees with friends, returning to a camp filled with music and delicious food. The event welcomes local and international artists and offers a variety of plant-based meals.
The Greenpop village is a hub for learning and fun, featuring workshops, talks, and entertainment for all ages. From engaging workshops to unique food experiences, guests are spoilt for choice.
The Greenpop village will keep you busy from dusk till dawn. Kids can enjoy guided foraging walks, original fire, woodcraft, Easter egg hunts, and more in the dedicated kids' area. From morning yoga sessions to evening drum circles, Reforest Fest offers a sensory feast that brings the community together to put hope into action.
Image - Photo Creds: Jessie Leverzencie
A few highlights to look forward to
For the ears and the stomping feet, Nomadic Orchestra are a dancefloor staple we cannot wait to welcome back at the festival. The primary goal of The Nomads is to get people moving. The band plays infectious, high-energy dance music guaranteed to get feet tapping and limbs swaying. With three full-length studio albums, many successful tours, festivals and events on their resume, the band strives to create top-quality original music for all.
To delight the tastebuds, in addition to Reforest Fest’s ample plant-based food vendors, there will be two exciting pop-up dining experiences. Start the weekend off with our friends at Veld and Sea for a tapas-style, wild foraged flavour feast of plant-based dishes with seasonal, local and wild ingredients. Family style sharing platters, wholesome rainbow coloured food with wine pairings and foraged botanical gin cocktails to complement the feast.
The Sunday of the event sees the Harvest Feast return after a sell out 2023 edition. This incredible picnic-style lunch will be crafted by local chef Bridget Bartleman from Kolossal Hospitality, for participants to enjoy with friends and family.
Prepare to be delighted by a unforgettable feast with a 23-dish menu! Delights include spectacular locally-sourced dishes such as tempura waterblommetjies with vegan mayo dip, vegetarian wild mushroom and pine arancini balls, and an assortment of dairy free cheeses, as well as various chocolate desserts to name but a few!
An assortment of wines to taste and pair will also be available from WWF’s Conservation Wine Tent, which will see guests sampling fragrant wines from across the Western Cape in a unique tasting experience.
Teens will also be entertained with a Sunday afternoon Phoenix Bonfire Building Workshop with Naturelore to engage their hands in group building a spectacular artwork to light up the heart of the festival that evening.
The little ones will have Nature Plays Forest School to help explore and connect with nature through their clay play Creature Workshops - the world of bugs and insects - and a mindfulness walk collecting natural materials to create their own “Journey Sticks.”
Image - Photo Creds: Lizzy Erwee
The Festival’s history
Greenpop's Reforest Fest has been a major tree-planting event since 2011, contributing to the restoration of Platbos Forest Reserve and Bodhi Khaya Nature Retreat. To date, the project has planted over 125 000 trees, aiding the preservation of the forest and its unique species.
This year, the planting efforts expand, not only to Bodhi Khaya, but also to three surrounding conservation properties in the Overberg Valley. Greenpop envisions Reforest Fest as Africa's largest citizen-led restoration festival, attracting a global audience.
In a world where urbanization encroaches on green spaces, Reforest Fest serves as a vital reminder of the importance of nature. As Africa becomes more urbanized, it is crucial to create spaces that reconnect people with the environment. Join Greenpop in their mission to restore degraded land and cultivate hope and regeneration at Reforest Fest 2024.
Reach for the stars, dance with the trees, and savour the soil.
Join Greenpop’s tree-planting festival and help celebrate the age of restoration!
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