24–31 OCT 2025

Plettenberg Bay

Experience the Wonder of Birding in the heart of the Garden Route

24–31 OCT 2025

Plettenberg Bay

Welcome to the Bitou Birding Festival. Come and experience one of South Africa’s richest birding destinations, home to endemic treasures like the Knysna Turaco, Cape Sugarbird, and Orange-breasted Sunbird. Join us for a week of unforgettable experiences, set against the stunning backdrop of Plettenberg Bay and the scenic Garden Route, where wetlands, rivers, fynbos, coastal shores, forests, and grasslands await.

Whether you’re new to birding or a seasoned twitcher, the Bitou Birding Festival offers a captivating adventure for everyone.

Diverse Habitats to Explore:

Wetlands, rivers, and estuaries
Fynbos habitats
Afromontane forest biomes
Urban areas and grasslands
Coastal areas and pelagic zones

Some highlights planned for the 2025 festival:

Guided Bird Walks: Explore diverse habitats from wetlands and fynbos to lush forests and coastal shores, guided by local volunteer guides.
Expert Talks: Gain insights from top birding and conservation specialists during our popular talk series.
Canoe Birding Adventures: Paddle through the serene waters of the Bitou and Keurbooms Estuary while spotting amazing birdlife.
Pelagic Trips: Experience the thrill of observing seabirds up close on guided trips offshore.
Wellness & Birding: Explore birding-focused mindful wellness sessions to rejuvenate your mind and soul.
Special Evening Events: Enjoy social evenings featuring guest speakers, delicious food, and great company.
Self-Drive Birding Route: Navigate at your own pace with a self-drive birding route map of the area

Join our email newsletter and/or our dedicated WhatsApp Channel for the latest updates.

Get in touch on WhatsApp

Join the WhatsApp Group

Save the Date & Watch this Space

Never miss an update! Subscribe to our newsletter, follow us on social media, and join our dedicated WhatsApp group for real-time updates.

We can’t wait to welcome you to another memorable year at the Plett Bitou Birding Festival!

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER

Festival Activities

Build Your Own Birding Adventure

Participants can create their own unique Birding adventure by booking various individual activities and talks during the festival period. We’ve designed our ticketing system to manage the number of participants for each activity, ensuring that each event remains unique and personal. This approach helps keep participant numbers small, minimising disturbance to the birds and enhancing the overall experience. By keeping groups intimate, we maximise the chances of spotting a diverse range of bird species.

The festival consists of several individual activities that you can book online. Additionally, we have a self-drive map for those who prefer to explore the avian treasures of the area at their own pace. This map will guide you to the best birding spots, allowing you to enjoy the beauty of the region on your own terms.

Book your activities online and join us for an unforgettable birding adventure, tailored to your interests and designed to offer the most enriching and immersive experience possible.

Stay updated with the latest info

Please follow our Social Media pages and come check back here on the website as we add more birding activities, expert speakers and information about the Bitou Birding Festival. We will continually add more information as we go along.

24–31 OCT 2025

Plettenberg Bay

Experience the Wonder of Birding in the heart of the Garden Route

24–31 OCT 2025

Plettenberg Bay

Whether you’re new to birding or a seasoned twitcher, the Bitou Birding Festival offers a captivating adventure for everyone.

Diverse Habitats to Explore:

Some highlights planned for the 2025 festival:

Join our email newsletter and/or our dedicated WhatsApp Channel for the latest updates.

Save the Date & Watch this Space

Festival Activities

Build Your Own Birding Adventure

Stay updated with the latest info

Our festival partners