Plett Bitou Birding Festival 2025

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

Set in one of South Africa’s most biodiverse corners — where coastal, riverine, fynbos, forest and marine ecosystems meet — the festival returns for its second edition with a refreshed programme designed to connect people, birds, and place. Whether you’re travelling from afar or live just up the road, this is your invitation to slow down, tune in, and discover the beauty and benefits of birding.

The week features guided bird walks in some of the region’s richest habitats, bird-ringing demonstrations that let you witness conservation science up close, canoe trips along tranquil rivers, and even a pelagic birding expedition for those eager to spot ocean-going specials. Events are timed to maximise early-morning bird activity while leaving enough spare time for personal exploration, rest, or spontaneous birding adventures. The self-drive map of local birding hotspots is the perfect companion to explore at your own pace.

The festival kicks off with engaging talks and activities at Kwendalo — the festival hub — that will explore key conservation topics, from a beginner birding course to avian conservation. One of the themes expected to resonate strongly again this year is the link between birding and wellbeing. Mounting research shows that simply seeing or hearing birds improves mental health and mood. Birding helps calm the nervous system, restore attention, and spark joy — and the Bitou region offers countless moments where birdsong and wild beauty work their quiet magic.

“It’s this deeper dimension that sets the Bitou Birding Festival apart. Here, birding isn’t just about ticking boxes — it’s about presence. It’s about noticing the subtle rustle of a sunbird in the canopy, the elegance of a heron lifting from a reed bed, or the chorus of calls that rise as the day begins. These moments connect us not just to nature, but to ourselves.”

While the focus remains firmly on birds, the festival celebrates the broader community and the landscapes that support them. Local guides and volunteers bring passion and local knowledge to every outing, while the carefully selected venues reflect the festival’s roots in sustainable living and ecological awareness.

Travellers can explore a curated list of accommodation options on the festival website, offering peaceful stays in bird-rich environments — places where binoculars are as essential as your morning coffee.

Whether you’re chasing lifers or just curious about what’s out there, the Bitou Birding Festival offers a week of wonder, connection, and calm. Come for the birds — and leave with a renewed sense of what it means to belong in nature.

Highlights of the Festival:

• 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.
• Dinner Presentation at Belle Balance at Plett Game Reserve: An informative presentation by Pierre Pistorius and dinner at Belle Balance inside Plett Game Reserve. Come early and do some birding in the gardens.
• Raptor Rescue Rehabilitation Centre Tour: Visit the Raptor Rescue Rehabilitation Centre for an informative tour and raptor display - learn about these magnificent birds and the crucial conservation efforts dedicated to their protection.
• Expo for vendors focused on Birding Products and Services, i.e. Conservation NGO’s, optics gear, birding books, tours, birding guides, etc.
• Self-Drive Birding Route: Navigate at your own pace with a self-drive birding route through diverse habitats.

Explore Diverse Habitats:

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

Build your own birding adventure today! Visit our website for more information, to book your favorite birding activities, and for a self-drive route map with birding hot-spots.