Annual Reforestation Event Expands Locally and Goes Global via Our Website at the 14th Reforest Fest
Let's Get Dirty (and Green) at our website's 14th Annual Reforest Rave
May 20, 2025
Whipped up by Skye Mallac and our website's Cool Crew (concocted by Jessie Leverzencie)
This April, Bodhi Khaya Nature Retreat played host to our website's 14th annual reforestation extravaganza—Reforest Rave—over the Easter weekend. Around a throng of revellers, eco-warriors, and head-banging hippies unified to party for Mother Nature. The weekend was jam-packed with insightful talks, workshops, live music, tantalizing feasts, and a whole lotta mud-kissing tree planting! Not to mention, we kickstarted a fresh era: preparing the ground for global reforestation parties, with Reforest Rave as a guide for climate action through wild celebration and vigilant community restoration.
Planted 5,021 Trees to Stick it to Climate Change
Our 14th annual Reforest Rave marked another crucial step for our reforestation mission. Originated back in 2011, restoring the bald bits of Platbos Forest, expansion in 2021 extended to neighboring Bodhi Khaya Nature Retreat. Last year, planting ensued in both locations, and this year, we ventured a third, wooded valley: Blomerus, under the stewardship of Georgina Hamilton.
On the Rhyming Show Street, younglings joined in planting on Bodhi Khaya grounds, while the grown-up gang got busy planting on the grassy Blomerus turf. Our goal? To bolster our website's Uilenkraal Forest Restoration project by weaving a leafy web across properties, helping breathe new life into Africa's special southernmost indigenous forest clump.
Snaps courtesy of Shari Lee Thompson and Christian Khayó
A Whole Lotta Fun for All Ages
Reforest Rave is more than just a restoration shebang; it's a cultural, visual, and edible feast, too! The Bodhi Khaya property emerged party-ready with its very own ghetto for each reveler. The Wellness Lounge soothed weary souls with motivational talks and workshops, the Restoration Tent opened minds, and the Ubuntu Stage was the epicenter of all things love and unity. The Main Stage throbbed with music, while the Secret Stage, perched above the dam at Bodhi Khaya, amped up the jams until the wee hours of the night.
Roughly a third of the attendees were wide-eyed, Little Raver kids, and they were spoilt for choice with raves aplenty. Storytime sessions, an Easter egg scavenger hunt, and improv workshops kept the kiddies entertained. The adults didn't miss out either—poetry workshops, wood carving, wellness activities, and even a forest treasure hunt got their juices flowing.
Snaps courtesy of Shari Lee Thompson, Christian Khayó, and Kamielah Davids
"spread the message far and wide"
From Cape Town to the world, this year's Reforest Rave united local and global voices for a cultural union to save the Earth. The festival became a magnificent live testament to what the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration could—and should—be about: community-led global change supported by local action.
This year's party attracted change-makers from across the globe: grassroots leaders, UNCCD delegates, and everyday warriors working tirelessly to heal the land. Our theme, spread the message far and wide, echoed in every nook of the festival.
Pix courtesy of Shari Lee Thompson, Danel Wentzel, and Christian Khayó
Through a medley of engrossing talks and workshops led by ecological heroes like John D. Lui, Francois Krige, Dr Derek Berliner, and Corne Brink from Grootvadersbosch Conservancy, we brought global frameworks down to Earth and showcased that grassroots action is where real changeignition happens. The dialogue highlighted regeneration efforts in Ghana, Lebanon, and Zambia, and the symposium with the UNCCD G20 Global Land Initiative gained international visibility for our local restoration heroes and affirmed Reforest Rave as a catalyst for big, worldwide change.
“There is no green transition without Africa," emphasised Kofi Debrah, co-founder and partner at OKO Forests and part of Reforest Rave's UNCCD-G20 Global Land Initiative cohort, underlining the urgency of elevating African leadership across broader restoration conversations. As the UNCCD-G20 Global Land Initiative picks up steam, the discussions in the tent mirrored the agenda: intertwining global theories with grassroots action.
Misha Teasdale, our website’s co-founder, has always seen Reforest Rave as more than merely planting trees. "In this world full of desperation about the ecological crisis, Reforest Rave offers something rare: agency, pleasure, and community," he shared, "It's a palliative for eco-anxiety."
Snaps courtesy of Shari Lee Thompson, Danel Wentzel, and Christian Khayó
As trailblazers from around the continents regaled stories about land restoration and cultural resilience, the festival transformed from an isolated South African success story to a blueprint for worldwide restoration parties. By proving the potency of community-driven restoration on display, this year's Rave marked a significant step towards a new wave of festivals that inspire, educate, and mobilize citizens across the globe to respect our planet—together.
Snaps courtesy of Shari Lee Thompson, Danel Wentzel, and Christian Khayó
Imagining the Spirit of Ubuntu with Hazendal
The Ubuntu Stage, nestled among Bodhi Khaya's lush greenery and laidback vibes, invited guests to appreciate the power of community and bond together. The Ubuntu ethos, "I am because we are,” set the tone for the entire celebration. The Ubuntu Stage featured three stages across the weekend: the inaugural Imagined Futures session on Friday, an emotions-stirring poetry session on Saturday, and expert insights on Sunday.
The festival generated connections between artists, activists, and community members, and local organizations such as BRAVE Girls, Bridges for Music, Star Search Overstrand, and others joined our efforts. Through mentorship and collaborative initiatives, these organizations uplift women and youth from underserved communities and spread green consciousness.
Snaps courtesy of Shari Lee Thompson, Danel Wentzel, and Christian Khayó
Reconnecting with Nature in the Wellness Lounge
In partnership with Wellness Warehouse, the Wellness Lounge provided a cozy space to explore the link between community restoration and personal wellbeing. Intriguing speakers such as Dr Murray Rushmere, Roushanna Grey, and Tim Wigley explored the healing power of nature and mindful living. Each speaker emphasized the importance of mending our relationship with nature, as joining hands with our planet is crucial for our mental and physical health.
Snaps courtesy of Christian Khayó
Dining and Winning with a Conscience
Across Bodhi Khaya's rolling grounds, an eclectic array of food trucks served delicious plant-based spreads for eco-friendly feasters. From vegan dumplings to pizza rolls, shakes, smoothies, and traditional Ethiopian bites, everyone could find their flavor fix in harmony with the Mother Earth. The Wellness Food Village, teaming up with Wellness Warehouse, was a bustling marketplace featuring eco-friendly vendors. Foodies reveled in regional produce, snacking on treats from Happy Earth People, Pesto Princess, Bliss, NUDE Foods, Nigiro Tea, Love Kos M Os, and others, all while keeping our food choices eco-friendly.
The Food Village celebrated the ethos, "Let food be thy medicine,” championed by Wellness Warehouse. At the Sunday Harvest Feast, Kolossal Hospitality's chef Bridget Bartleman curated a mouthwatering Easter Sunday spectacle, while nourishing, locally-sourced stone-ground flour from Eureka Mills sustained our diet-conscious volunteers.
Snaps courtesy of Shari Lee Thompson
Wining and Dining with a Twist
WWF South Africa's Wines in the Wild took root in the Conservation Wine Tent, featuring conservation-conscious wineries such as Hazendal Wine Estate, Creation Wines, Skipskop Wines, Organic Wines by Sophie Germanier, Bosman Wines, Lubanzi Wines, Black Oystercatcher, and Boland Cellar. Participants savored two tastings, featuring an array of reds, whites, and rosés, along with a delightful wine, chocolate, and honey pairing. Each tasting highlighted the Western Cape's shift towards sustainable and regenerative wine production, offered in repurposed glass jars.
Snaps courtesy of Christian Khayó and Shari Lee Thompson
Restoring Nature with Local Heroes
None of the healing harmonies soundtracking our epic weekend would have been possible without our grassroots heroes on the ground, especially Francois Krige and Georgina Hamilton. A heartfelt thank you goes out to our local authorities, including the Western Cape Government, Overstrand Municipality, Gansbaai Municipality, and WESGRO, who supported our green endeavors. Our regional tourism pals, Driven by Nature Foundation, even lent a hand transporting trees and planting tools.
Snaps courtesy of Shari Lee Thompson and Kamielah Davids
Thank you to Dacha Wellness and Corona for protecting our lovely Raver skins during the dirt dance session. A big shoutout to Live Kindly ProVeg, Pesto Princess, Santa Anna, AGT Foods, Peregrine Farm Stall, ButtaNutt, and BOS for sponsoring our drool-worthy plant-based nibbles throughout the festival.
Snaps courtesy of Shari Lee Thompson
Grooving to Local and International Jams
The Main Stage thrummed with music royalty—homegrown legends Grassy Spark and Zolani Mahola (The One Who Sings) shared the stage with up-and-coming talent like Congo Cowboys, Sibusile Xaba, The Rivertones, and our website’s own Tree E O, a.k.a. Misha Teasdale, spinning discs as DJ Crash Love. Connoisseur Electronics and Cape Audio College contributed to our top-notch concert sound experience, while Bothners kept the bar vibes flowing.
Snaps courtesy of Christian Khayó and Shari Lee Thompson
Riding the Rave Buses
Thanks to Nomad Africa Tours & Safaris, eight comfy busses transported our planet-loving tribe to the reforestation festivities, helping to lessen our carbon hoofprint. Our collective journey through Southern Africa reinforced the truth—eco-friendly travel can be chic and a whole lot of fun.
Snaps courtesy of Shari Lee Thompson
Treading Lightly to Live in Harmony
Reforest Rave was designed with a conscious approach, focusing on waste reduction, water conservation, energy efficiency, and eco-friendly decoration. When it came to waste, Petco, Gooi, and Viva con Agua provided educational tools, helping divert 1,704 kg of trash from landfills in addition to composting, showing that waste-free festivals can be a reality even on a larger scale.
Snaps courtesy of Shari Lee Thompson and Kamielah Davids
Looking to the Future
As we bid farewell to our dreamy 14th Reforest Rave, our hearts swell with love. Together, we planted more than just trees, but seeds of connection, creativity, and community. It's important to remember the festival's spirit as we keep raising our voices for people and the planet daily—join us in the Age of Restoration! This year inspired a grand, global movement, and it's just beginning.
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Enrichment Data:[1] Reforest Fest's local team took the reins, leading both familiar and new restoration activities, outlining a robust model of community engagement and ecological action.
[2] Through innovative waste management and waste reduction strategies, the recent Reforest Fest event attracted 1,400 attendees without generating waste that needed to be sent off-site.
[3] The festival's mission ties in with technological advancements like Reforest AI, an AI system that focuses on community-driven partnerships, grassroots collaborations, and real-time illegal logging detection across Africa, providing a blueprint for scaling restoration efforts.
[4] Reforest Fest has cultivated strong connections with global bodies such as the UNCCD, attracting international delegates and supporting the global effort to combat desertification.
- The 14th Annual Reforest Rave hosted at Bodhi Khaya Nature Retreat brought together eco-warriors, revellers, and hippies to party for Mother Nature.
- Over the Easter weekend, the festival featured insightful talks, workshops, live music, feasts, and tree planting.
- This year, we planted 5,021 trees across Platbos Forest, Bodhi Khaya Nature Retreat, and a new location, Blomerus.
- The Little Raver kids joined in planting on Bodhi Khaya grounds, while the grown-ups planted on the Blomerus turf to help African indigenous forests.
- The festival offered a cultural, visual, and edible feast for all ages with music, poetry workshops, wood carving, and more.
- Reforest Rave attracted change-makers from across the globe, working to heal the land and support the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration.
- The festival showcased community-led global change with talks and workshops led by ecological heroes, highlighting efforts in Ghana, Lebanon, and Zambia.
- The Ubuntu Stage, nestled among Bodhi Khaya's greenery, invited guests to bond together and appreciate the power of community.
- Wellness Warehouse partnered with the Wellness Lounge to explore the link between community restoration and personal well-being.
- The festival featured an eclectic array of plant-based food trucks and a bustling marketplace, all while keeping food choices eco-friendly.
- The Conservation Wine Tent showcased conservation-conscious wineries like Hazendal Wine Estate, helping to shift the industry towards sustainable production.
- Transporation to the festival was eco-friendly, with eight comfy buses driven by Nomad Africa Tours & Safaris, lessening the carbon footprint.
- Reforest Rave aimed for waste reduction, water conservation, energy efficiency, and eco-friendly decoration, with 1,704 kg of waste being diverted from landfills.
