The Forest

The magnificent Southern Cape forests are one of South Africa’s greatest natural heritages, owing their existence to the regular, orographic rainfall in the region.  For many years the forests were mercilessly robbed of their rich resources, supplying timber to the furniture, construction and mining industries.  Today, however, the forests are managed according to strict conservation principles.

Only one elephant remains in the forests. 

Outeniqua yellowwood trees draped with Old Man’s Beard lichen present an imposing sight. A particularly big, old specimen can be seen at Diepwalle forest station: the ‘King Edward VII’ tree, named in 1924 on a visit by the Empire Parliamentary Association, is an estimated 600 years old; its total height is 39 m, the bole’s circumference is 6 m.

Other common and well-known species in the Knysna forest include Stinkwood; Real yellowwood; Blackwood; White alder; Ironwood and Hard pear.

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