Well-known academics, scientists and birdwatchers gathered at Shiluvhari Lakeside Lodge over the past weekend to celebrate the magnificent biodiversity of the Soutpansberg Mountains.

Over 90 people from around South Africa attended this Forest Festival. The event also attracted birdwatchers from Australia, Sweden and England.

The festival was opened by Mr Jan Fourie, chairperson of Birdlife South Africa. Highlights of the weekend were talks on trees, birds, butterflies, mammals, spiders and dragonflies. Groups of participants met at different venues along the Soutpansberg to be given a hands-on experience of the forests.

The weekend was divided up into a series of lectures and guided walks. Friday and Saturday’s lectures concentrated on the specifics of forest biodiversity with highly acclaimed ornithologist, naturalist and author Dr Warwick Talboton who gave presentations on birds and dragonflies. Dr Coert Geldenhuys spoke on forest flora and the important role birds play in the distribution of trees between forests. Dr Stephan Voort gave a fascinating talk on forest spiders, Dr Ian Gaigher spoke on forest mammals, Pierre le Roux enthused his audience with his talk on butterflies and visiting academic Craig Symes gave a talk on forest birding techniques.

The lectures on Sunday concentrated on the conservation and management of forests with presentations from Dr Jan Crafford outlining the Soutpansberg Biosphere Initiative and a representative from the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry, Mr Van der Merwe, talking about the role of the government in protecting forests.

The festival was sponsored by GLENDOWER Whiskey and organized jointly by Sarah Venter of the Soutpansberg-Limpopo Birding Route and Eddie Cassani of the Marakele Honorary Rangers. This highly praised event will be repeated for the next two years. It is hoped that the festival will not only highlight the importance of forests in this area, but also put the Soutpansberg firmly on the avi-tourism map.