Bushmans Pillow is 4Ha piece of land covered in majority invasive vegetation that we are slowly restoring back to its original state, indigenous Tsitsikamma forest. The land is surrounded by pine plantations, connected to the mountains by a thin strip of indigenous forest which we hope to connect up to. The invasive vegetation creates a monoculture of species, preventing the indigenous species from re-establishing. There is a long story of why these trees are here, why the forest is gone and what our relationship is with land that has been deforested. At Bushmans Pillow we are curious about this relationship and the ways to restore the land whilst creating a safe space for the youth who spend time on it.

Our restoration is slow, clearing in patches rather than clear cutting so that the indigenous species can pioneer through bird droppings, wind and the existing seed bank. With guests, friends and the local Eco Youth Circle we are planting a diversity of species to begin the rebuilding of the forest. Along the way we use the space to learn about restoration monitoring, succession, nature in all its forms, our inner landscapes and our cultural heritage.

Since 2019 we are seeing more and more wildlife moving through Bushmans Pillow. Our aim is to make this a safe, beautiful space for both wild animals and humans. Our camps for the EYC’s of Cultural Connections focus on inner and outer ecology, connecting with ourselves and our environments so that through a sense of place and safety in ourselves, we may become custodians of our environments and care more for our earth.

Bushman’s Pillow is privately funded, generating income from accommodation and venue hire. Cultural Connections and partners – Umthombo Trust, Jan Glazewski Foundation, Mungo and Robberg Coastal Corridor fund the EYC camps. A percentage of the proceeds are put back into the maintenance and upkeep of the property to grow it for the EYC and other guests.

Bushmans Pillow is 4Ha piece of land dominated by invasive vegetation that we are slowly restoring back to its original state, indigenous Tsisikamma forest. The land is surrounded by pine plantations, connected to the mountains by a thin strip of Indigenous forest which we hope to connect up to. The invasive vegetation creates a monoculture of species, preventing the indigenous species from re-establishing. There is a long story of why these trees are here, why the forest is gone and what our relationship is with land that has been deforested. At Bushmans pillow we are curious about this relationship and the ways to restore the land whilst restoring the people who spend time on it.

Our restoration is slow, clearing in patches rather than clear cutting so that the indigenous species can pioneer through bird droppings, wind and the existing seed bank. With guests, friends and the local Eco Youth Circle we are planting a diversity of species to begin the rebuilding of the forest. Along the way we use the space to learn about restoration monitoring, succession, nature in all its forms, our inner landscapes and our cultural heritage.

Since 2019 we are seeing more and more wildlife moving through Bushmans Pillow. Our aim is to make this a safe, beautiful space for both wild animals and humans. Our camps for the EYC’s of Cultural Connections focus on inner and outer ecology, connecting with ourselves and our environments so that through a sense of place and safety in ourselves, we may become custodians of our environments and care more for our earth.

To fund the work we do here, we offer the space as a venue for events and have accommodation options available. We specialize in camps, retreats and forest learning spaces which are all developed and hosted by the leaders of Bushman’s Pillow and the Eco Youth Circles of Cultural Connections.