The Tsitsikamma forest
The Tsitsikamma Forest


The Tsitsikamma National Park is located at the heart of the Garden Route, in the Southern Cape of South Africa. This is where the spectacular and rare Tsitsikamma forest can be found, boasting roughly 116 types of giant trees and a variety of flora. The forest is also home to “The Big Tree”, an 800-year-old yellowwood tree that stands 36.6m high and has a circumference of close to nine metres. The yellowwood tree is indigenous and is also the South African national tree. The yellowwood tree species are protected and only a few are left.at the heart of the Garden Route, in the Southern Cape of South Africa. This is where the spectacular and rare Tsitsikamma forest can be found, boasting roughly 116 types of giant trees and a variety of flora. The forest is also home to “The Big Tree”, an 800-year-old yellowwood tree that stands 36.6m high and has a circumference of close to nine metres. The yellowwood tree is indigenous and is also the South African national tree. The yellowwood tree species are protected and only a few are left.

The Dlinza Forest
The Dlinza Forest


The Dlinza forest that is found just outside Eshowe, KwaZulu-Natal, spans 250 hectares and is best known for its range of bird species, in particular, the Spotted Thrush and Delegorgues Pigeon. The Dlinza forest has historical roots within isiZulu culture, and used to be a burial site for those that fought during the Anglo-Zulu War. Many of the trees, flora and fauna in the forest were used in historical isiZulu medicinal practices.forest has historical roots within isiZulu culture, and used to be a burial site for those that fought during the Anglo-Zulu War. Many of the trees, flora and fauna in the forest were used in historical isiZulu medicinal practices.culture, and used to be a burial site for those that fought during the Anglo-Zulu War. Many of the trees, flora and fauna in the forest were used in historical isiZulu medicinal practices.forest has historical roots within isiZulu culture, and used to be a burial site for those that fought during the Anglo-Zulu War. Many of the trees, flora and fauna in the forest were used in historical isiZulu medicinal practices.isiZulu culture, and used to be a burial site for those that fought during the Anglo-Zulu War. Many of the trees, flora and fauna in the forest were used in historical isiZulu medicinal practices.forest has historical roots within isiZulu culture, and used to be a burial site for those that fought during the Anglo-Zulu War. Many of the trees, flora and fauna in the forest were used in historical isiZulu medicinal practices.


The Modjadji Cycad forest
The Modjadji Cycad Forest


This is another forest that is deeply rooted in culture, and is named after Modjadji, the rain queen and leader of the Northern Sotho tribe the Balobedu. Modjadji was believed to have mystical powers that controlled rainfall. The Modjadji Cycad forest spans roughly 530 hectares and can be found in Limpopo, and what makes it unique is the fact that it is now the only place in the world where the oldest cycads can be found. The cycad is a plant species that can grow up to 13 metres high and is said to pre-date the dinosaurs by about 50 million years. If anything, the cycad connects us to South Africa’s historical and cultural past in a way that only nature can.forest spans roughly 530 hectares and can be found in Limpopo, and what makes it unique is the fact that it is now the only place in the world where the oldest cycads can be found. The cycad is a plant species that can grow up to 13 metres high and is said to pre-date the dinosaurs by about 50 million years. If anything, the cycad connects us to South Africa’s historical and cultural past in a way that only nature can.rain queen and leader of the Northern Sotho tribe the Balobedu. Modjadji was believed to have mystical powers that controlled rainfall. The Modjadji Cycad forest spans roughly 530 hectares and can be found in Limpopo, and what makes it unique is the fact that it is now the only place in the world where the oldest cycads can be found. The cycad is a plant species that can grow up to 13 metres high and is said to pre-date the dinosaurs by about 50 million years. If anything, the cycad connects us to South Africa’s historical and cultural past in a way that only nature can.