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Image courtesy of Marcus Westberg
Johannesburg, South Africa – 6 October 2025
RETURN Africa, the safari and travel company best known for its Pafuri Collection in the far north of Kruger National Park, is proud to announce its sponsorship of BirdLife South Africa’s Birding Big Day 2025. As headline sponsor, RETURN Africa is contributing accommodation valued at approximately R64,000, along with an additional financial contribution of R30,000, bringing the total support for the event to around R94,000. This generous sponsorship will help celebrate South Africa’s most anticipated citizen-science birding event.
Birding Big Day brings together thousands of birders across the country to record as many species as possible in a single 24-hour period, contributing to important data collection while fostering a shared passion for bird conservation. It is widely recognised as South Africa’s biggest celebration of birding.
“At RETURN Africa we’re excited to be associated with Birding Big Day 2025,” says Harald van Lennep, Operations Director of RETURN Africa. “The Pafuri region, where our lodges are located, is home to over 450 species of birds, amongst which are some of the country’s most sought-after specials. We have immense respect for the role BirdLife South Africa plays in protecting and promoting South Africa’s incredible array of birds.
Because Pafuri offers home and refuge to so many species, our sponsorship of this event is a natural extension of our commitment to protect this environment and to share our special corner of Kruger with the birding world.”
Pafuri is often described as one of South Africa’s birding meccas. The region plays host to species found nowhere else in the country. For example Böhm’s and Mottled spinetail, racket-tailed roller, Arnot’s chat, Three-banded Courser and Black-throated Wattle-eye. It is the best place to find Pel’s Fishing owl. The forests and rivers echo with the vibrant summer return of cuckoos, rollers and bee-eaters. RETURN Africa’s sponsorship underscores the Company’s deep connection with this landscape and its role in protecting and showcasing its astonishing biodiversity.
Birders of all experience levels are encouraged to take part in Birding Big Day 2025, whether competing for top honours or simply enjoying a day out in nature.
About RETURN Africa
RETURN Africa offers immersive journeys in South Africa, from its flagship Pafuri Collection in the northern Kruger National Park to historic boutique stays in Cape Town. With a philosophy rooted in heritage, community and conservation, RETURN Africa invites travellers to share in the joy of extraordinary places and the people who call them home.
Media Contact
Craig Parvess
RETURN Africa
Email: craig@returnafrica.com
About BirdLife South Africa
BirdLife South Africa is the country’s only dedicated bird conservation organisation. Through research, advocacy, education and public participation, BirdLife South Africa works to conserve South Africa’s birds and their habitats, ensuring that future generations can enjoy the rich birdlife for which the country is renowned.
