Kwendalo is proud to present the Bitou Birding Festival Hub. Nestled within a 16-hectare estate in Plettenberg Bay, this serene venue is the perfect setting for the Bitou Birding Festival. Talks will take place in the Harmony Centre, a tranquil space designed for learning and connection, creating a meaningful experience for festival-goers. Kwendalo, meaning “place of nature” in isiXhosa, embodies natural living and holistic wellness.
Visitors can enjoy delicious meals, coffee, and tea at the Green Café, an ideal spot to relax and recharge. Kwendalo offers fantastic birding opportunities, including a bird hide overlooking the river, where participants can peacefully observe birdlife as well as walks across the beautiful estate grounds.
Kwendalo will also host a variety of bird-inspired wellness activities, such as Qi gong, breath work and nature connection on the lawn, yoga, and the “Bird and Breakfast” experience with Matt Zylstra. All wellness activities can be booked directly with Kwendalo’s Jana on [email protected]. The festival will officially kick off on 27 September with the opening of a bird-themed group art exhibition. For more details on wellness activities and treatments, refer to the programme below or get in touch with Jana at the Kwendalo reception.
Bird & Breakfast with Dr. Matthew Zylstra
1 OCT & 3 OCT
Location: Kwendalo
Time: 8:30 – 10:00
Birding with a difference. This mindful morning walk around Kwendalo is about experiencing birdlife in ways that enhance our wellbeing. We will wander, engage our senses, and tune into bird sounds and behaviours. The emphasis is less on counting and more about connecting with the species. Suitable for novice to expert birders.
The experience will be followed by a healthy farm brunch at The Green Café.
(Ticket includes breakfast, excl. drinks)
Guide: Matthew Zylstra, PhD
Min: 6 persons, Max: 12 persons.
Activities at Kwendalo
| Date | Activity | Ticket Price | Book Via |
|---|---|---|---|
| Friday 2024/09/27 | Art exhibition opening Welcoming Launch of Self-Drive Birding Map Time: 17:00 for 17:30 | FREE RSVP Essential | Quicket |
| Monday 2024/09/30 | Wellness Activity Qi gong, breath work and nature connection on the lawn Time: 08:30 for 09:00 | R120 | Kwendalo |
| Monday 2024/09/30 | Talk / Presentation The Health Benefits of Birding Time: 17:30 for 18:00 Speaker: Dr. Matthew Zylstra | R120 | Quicket |
| Tuesday 2024/10/01 | Bird & Breakfast with Dr. Matthew Zylstra Time: 8:30 – 10:00 | R220 | Kwendalo |
| Tuesday 2024/10/01 | Talk / Presentation Raptors of the Greater Plett Area Time: 17:30 for 18:00 Speaker: Dr. Mark Brown | R120 | Quicket |
| Wednesday 2024/10/02 | Wellness Activity Qi gong, breath work and nature connection on the lawn Time: 08:30 for 09:00 | R120 | Kwendalo |
| Wednesday 2024/10/02 | Talk / Presentation Density and Distribution of African Black Oystercatchers in the Southern Cape Time: 17:30 for 18:00 Speaker: Mark Dixon | R120 | Quicket |
| Thursday 2024/10/03 | Bird & Breakfast with Dr. Matthew Zylstra Time: 8:30 – 10:00 | R220 | Kwendalo |
| Thursday 2024/10/03 | Talk / Presentation Birds of the Bitou Time: 17:30 for 18:00 Speaker: Mike Bridgeford | R120 | Quicket |
| Friday 2024/10/04 | Yoga with Maria Schearer Time: 08:30 for 09:00 | R180 | Kwendalo |
| Friday 2024/10/04 | Talk / Presentation Conservation Projects and Success Stories of NVT Time: 17:30 for 18:00 Speaker: Prof. Hendri Coetzee | R120 | Quicket |
| Saturday 2024/10/05 | Bird netting, ringing, recording and release by Dr. Mark Brown This activity offers a unique opportunity to witness bird netting, ringing, recording, and release firsthand. Time: 6:00 for 6:30 | R150 | Quicket |
TALKS
Get ready to enrich your birding knowledge at the Bitou Birding Festival with our captivating lineup of expert talks! This series brings together top bird specialists and passionate conservationists to explore fascinating topics right in the heart of the Garden Route. From understanding the impacts of climate change on our feathered friends to discovering the secret lives of raptors, these talks are perfect for anyone eager to deepen their connection with nature. Whether you’re just starting out or you’re an experienced birder, these engaging sessions will leave you inspired and more in tune with the avian world around us. Join us to share in the excitement!
Dr. Mark Brown – Birds and Climate Change
Saturday, 28 September 2024 17:30 for 18:00 – Belle Balance inside Plett Nature Reserve
Dr. Matthew Zylstra – The Health Benefits of Birding
Monday, 30 September 2024 17:30 for 18:00 – Kwendalo
Dr. Mark Brown – Raptors of the Greater Plett Area
Tuesday, 01 October 2024 17:30 for 18:00 – Kwendalo
Mark Dixon – Density and Distribution of African Black Oystercatchers in the Southern Cape
Wednesday, 02 October 2024 17:30 for 18:00 -Kwendalo
Mike Bridgeford – Birds of the Bitou
Thursday, 03 October 2024 17:30 for 18:00 – Kwendalo
Prof. Hendri Coetzee – Conservation Projects and Success Stories of NVT
Friday, 04 October 2024 17:30 for 18:00 – Kwendalo
There will also be a series of guided bird walking routes throughout the region. You can find out more about guided walks and the self-drive map here. Join the Guided Birding Walks and experience the beauty of the Garden Route with our guided bird walks, guided by BirdLife Plettenberg Bay volunteers. Our knowledgeable local birders, familiar with these stunning locations and habitats, will assist in identifying the rich bird life along the way.
Other activities include pelagic birding trips, guided river canoe birding, Raptor Rescue tours and displays, and bird netting, ringing, recording and releasing. Find out more about Bitou Birding Festival activities here.
