Racket-tailed Roller. Image courtesy of Anton Crone
Pafuri Camp will host BirdLife South Africa’s Science and Innovation Programme for the first time, and the grand prize, a four-night stay for four at Pafuri, is open to every member who registers.
RETURN Africa, the safari and travel company known for its Pafuri Collection in the far north of the Kruger National Park, is once again the headline sponsor of BirdLife South Africa’s Birding Big Day (BBD2026).
BBD2026 takes place on Saturday, 5 December 2026, and brings together thousands of birders across the country for South Africa’s largest single-day birding event.
Once again, RETURN Africa’s grand prize is a four-night stay for four people at Pafuri Camp, valued at approximately R64 000, alongside a cash donation of R30 000, bringing the total support for the event to around R94 000. As before, the prize is not reserved for the highest-scoring teams; every member who opts in when they register stands to win. The prize is open to anyone who takes part.
New this year, RETURN Africa will host BirdLife South Africa’s (BLSA) Science and Innovation Programme at Pafuri Camp. Birders who choose Pafuri as their BBD 2026 destination will share the camp with David Ehlers Smith, BLSA’s Science and Spatial Planning Manager and the challenge’s coordinator.
Registration for BBD2026 opens in September and closes strictly on Friday, 4 December at 17h00. Birders are encouraged to register well ahead of the deadline; late registrations will not be accepted.
Pafuri sits within the 26,500-hectare Makuleke Contractual National Park on the Luvuvhu floodplain. Pafuri Camp, along with Baobab Hill House, Hutwini Walking Camp and Nkula Walking Camp, are the Pafuri Collection properties RETURN Africa runs within this stretch of the park, home to a 30-year community partnership with the Makuleke people.
The forests and rivers here host more than 450 bird species across riverine and fever tree forest, Ramsar-recognised flood pans and river systems, and mopane and sandveld habitat, among them rarities found nowhere else in South Africa.
Register for BBD2026 here: Birding Big Day 2026 – BirdLife South Africa
About RETURN Africa
RETURN Africa offers immersive journeys across South Africa, from its flagship Pafuri Collection in the northern Kruger National Park to historic boutique stays in Cape Town. 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.
