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Rokkitboy2026-06-29 22:18:112026-09-19 11:09:19Expert Birding Talks & Workshops 2026Slow Down. Look Up. Reconnect.
23–30 OCT 2026
Plettenberg Bay
South Africa
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.
Our Festival Hub at Kwendalo serves as the heart of the event, hosting our inspiring expert talk series, and various exciting workshops and birding activities. It’s also the perfect spot to reconnect over a coffee or healthy farm snack at The Kwendalo Café between your birding adventures.
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 festival:
- Fundraiser Dinner and an unforgettable evening around the fire: Enjoy gripping, hilarious bushveld tales from Ian Thomas as he recounts tracking the infamous lion, BIG BLACK. All profits support critical avian conservation.
- Engaging Expert Talks: Enjoy insightful presentations on birding-related topics from renowned experts.
- Guided Bird Walks: Participate in guided bird walks through diverse locations and habitats.
- Universal Access Birding Route: Explore an accessible guided birding walk in Nature’s Valley.
- Unique Birding Activities: Experience bird netting, ringing, and recording with Dr. Mark Brown.
- Birding Canoe Adventure: Embark on a canoeing journey along the Bitou River or Keurbooms Estuary.
- Pelagic Birding Excursion: Join a pelagic birding trip along the breathtaking coastline.
- Birding-Centered Wellness activities: Blending wellness practices and Stand-up Paddle with birdwatching
- A Guided Keurbooms River Boat Cruise: Join us for a unique guided birding expedition up the Keurbooms River.
- A Parliament Of Owls at the Raptor Rescue Centre An enchanting evening of owl-inspired art, live music, food, and a silent evening owl walk. All ticket sales directly support local bird of prey rescue and rehabilitation.
- Self-Drive Birding Route: Navigate at your own pace with a self-drive birding route through diverse habitats.
- Fun Bird Quiz: A fun evening to test your bird knowledge while soaking in the beauty of the Bitou River and enjoying some of the best pizza in Plett.
Join our email newsletter and/or our dedicated WhatsApp Channel for the latest updates.
We’re thrilled to launch this year’s programme
Packed with returning favourites and exciting new additions — including the Parliament of Owls and a Quiz Night! Other highlights include a guided birding ferry trip up the Keurbooms River and a Pelagic Birding trip.
Click on the button to view and explore the full programme — and start planning your week of birding adventure!
We can’t wait to welcome you to another memorable year at the Plett Bitou Birding Festival!
Choose Your Expedition
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.
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Rokkitboy2026-06-29 22:18:112026-09-19 11:09:19Expert Birding Talks & Workshops 2026
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Rokkitboy2025-09-18 16:37:142026-09-19 11:04:47Keurbooms River Birding Cruise
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Rokkitboy2024-09-27 18:00:372026-09-17 21:55:51Bitou Birding Festival Self Drive Map: 2026 Update
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Rokkitboy2024-09-09 22:50:302026-09-19 11:01:26Avian-focused behind-the-scenes tour of Tenikwa
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Rokkitboy2024-09-08 17:17:212026-09-19 10:57:49Kwendalo – The Festival Hub
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Rokkitboy2024-07-11 14:16:442026-09-19 10:53:15Guided Birding Walks
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Rokkitboy2024-07-04 23:03:262026-09-19 10:51:10Bird netting, ringing, recording and release
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Rokkitboy2024-07-04 22:33:362026-09-19 10:48:28Pelagic Birding Expedition with Conserve Eden
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Rokkitboy2024-07-03 21:47:542026-09-19 10:40:12Raptor Rescue – A Parliament of Owls
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Rokkitboy2024-07-03 20:31:562026-09-19 10:42:17Bitou and Keurbooms Estuary Canoe Birding ExperienceExplore with Purpose.
Your attendance directly supports local conservation heroes. In 2025, our community raised over R20,000 for regional NGOs, helping protect the very habitats you explore. Join a movement that celebrates biodiversity and drives sustainable tourism on the Garden Route.
