Where to practice Forest Bathing in South Africa
The Japanese practice of Forest Bathing is taking the world by storm, inviting young and old to reconnect with nature in the purest way.
Walking amongst the trees has many benefits to humans. Hence, we’ve curated a five-stop road trip so you can visit South Africa’s best forests.
What Is Forest Bathing?
As a physiological and psychological form of exercise emerging in the 1980s, the practice of Shinrin-yoku (meaning to take in the forest atmosphere) has a twofold purpose. It is an eco-therapy to combat the pressures of modern life, as well as an encouragement to reconnect with nature and protect its forests.
The Japanese term was coined by Tomohide Akiyama, Director of the Japanese Forestry Agency, in 1982. He wanted it to hold the meaning of “walking slowly though the woods, in no hurry, for a morning, an afternoon or a day.” The term is all about balancing urban life with natural surroundings.
In short, Forest Bathing is the practice of spending time in nature with the intent to experience deep relaxation and a sense of peace. It does not actually mean to literally take a bath in a forest, but rather to spend time in a natural environment where you just soak in your surroundings. Whether that is on a hike or on a bench with your morning coffee, the benefits are very much the same.
What are the Benefits of Forest Bathing?
Trees provide many benefits to humans, including oxygen, food, medicine, shade and shelter. With the rise of the Industrial Revolution and continuous modernisation of cities, the human race is moving further and further away from nature.
Meaghan Weeden from One Tree Planted, says: “As a society, we have paved over wetlands, sealed our homes against the elements and limited our direct contact with the soils and textures of the natural world.”
There is much to gain psychologically from walking amongst the trees, exploring the many metaphors hidden behind bark and branches. “Learn character from trees, value from roots and change from leaves,” says author and peace activist, Tasneern Harneed.
Spending time with Mother Nature has physiological effects too, such as a decreased blood pressure, heart rate, inflammation and cortisol levels. You might also experience a decrease in anxiety, fatigue and mental fog. In return, you will have an elevated mood and sense of peace and contentment.
Further to this, you will inhale the airborne essential oils released from plants known as phytoncides. While these essential oils protect plants against bacteria and pests, your immune system also gains a boost when inhaling them. Essentially, your body activates its natural killer cells that protect against germs and cancerous bodies.
Dr Qing Li, author of Shinrin-yoku: The Art and Science of Forest Bathing, says: “The good news is that even a small amount of time in nature can have an impact on our health. A two-hour forest bathe will help you to unplug from technology and slow down. It will bring you into the present moment to de-stress and relax you. When you connect to nature through all five of your senses, you begin to draw on the vast array of benefits the natural world provides.”
Places for Forest Bathing in South Africa
In our country, a forest is defined as “an area of land dominated by tree species with overlapping canopies covering at least 75% of the area and very little grass or herbaceous ground cover.”
Natural forests are about 0.4% of South Africa’s land cover, whilst commercial plantations make up 1%. However, South Africa as a whole has over 1.4 million hectares of forest area, second in Southern Africa to Namibia. That means South Africa is rich in places to practice forest bathing. The value of these spaces is summed up perfectly by Martin Luther King Jr: “For in the true nature of things, if we rightly consider, every green tree is far more glorious than if it were made of silver and gold.”
Herewith our curated “Forests in South Africa Road Trip” with Hello Lifestyle’s five recommended forests for forest bathing:
Thathe Vondo Holy Forest
Starting at the northern-most point of South Africa, the Thathe Vondo Holy Forest in Limpopo is sacred to the Venda people. The traditional folklore says the forest is patrolled by a sacred white lion which protects the graves of the chiefs of the Thathe clan. Legend also has it that there is a so-called lightning bird called Ndadzi that flies on the wings of thunder, protecting the spirits within the trees. The dense flora makes the forest nearly impenetrable on foot, except for the dedicated track made by the Venda people.
God’s Window & Forest
Situated on the Drakensburg escarpment and overlooking the Blyde River Canyon, God’s Window is a panoramic view of Mpumalanga’s never-ending indigenous forest landscape. It is found along the Panorama Route, but can be accessed via a rainforest trail too. While you will feel like you are walking on the edge of the earth, nothing compares to the absolute peace this window into heaven brings.
Hlatikhulu Forest Reserve
This trail, near Bergville in KwaZulu-Natal, is within the Hlatikhulu subtropical forest. Situated on a remote plateau on top of the majestic Lebombo Mountains, the forest is buzzing with wildlife and vegetation. It boasts many Yellowwoods – the national tree of South Africa – too. Additionally, there are many waterfalls, the Sterkspruit River and its subsequent streams for swimming to explore.
Tsitsikamma Forest and Big Tree
Forming part of the Garden Route between the Eastern Cape and Western Cape, the Tsitsikamma Forest is within the Tsitsikamma National Park. You can experience the Otter Trail, which is surrounded by South Africa’s Yellowwood trees, here. Within the forest, visitors can walk a path leading to the Tsitsikamma Big Tree. Estimated to be over 800 years old, this ancient Outeniqua Yellowwood tree stands over 36 metres tall and nine metres wide. It brings to mind the saying by Henry Thoreau: “I took a walk in the woods and came out taller than the trees.”
Knysna Forest
Also part of the Garden Route National Park in the Western Cape, the Knysna Forests host 50 different indigenous tree species. You will encounter the giant Yellowwoods and the iconic Stinkwood, as well as Wild Fig, Cape Ash and Candlewood species, to name but a few. End your forest road trip off amongst the branches of the 568 square kilometre forest complex. This dense tree collection allows one to “look deep into nature and…start to understand everything better,” as Albert Einstein said.
There certainly are many benefits to forest bathing – something worth doing every once in a while. Our road trip is not even a drop in the ocean for the number of forests and nature reserves South Africa has to offer. Why not make it a personal goal to visit as many natural forests as possible? As Ralph Smart said: “There is no Wi-Fi in the forest, but I promise you will find a better connection.”
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