National Wetlands Indaba 2026
Wetlands and Traditional Knowledge: Celebrating Cultural Heritage
Fieldtrips
On behalf of the Local Organising Committee, we are pleased to announce the following fieldtrips at this years Indaba.
Berg River
Come join us to see first hand the amazing aquatic weed control programme that has helped save the Berg River.
We will meet at Kersefontein Guest Farm to hear more about the late Francis Steyn, who after a Berg River Canoe Marathan, had the vision to clear the dense stands of water hyacinth from the system. Led by Gerrie Manewell, 8 specialized herbicide applicators paddled 265 km from Paarl to Velddrif to take on this mammoth task.
Stanley Engel and Jacques van der Merwe will introduce you to this ambious project, their frustrations, their methods and their ultimate successes. Julian Melck will also introduce attendees to the beautiful farm, it’s history and operations.
Darling Wetland
Flowers, Frogs and Fine Wine: Wetlands of the Darling surrounds
The seasonal wetlands around Darling are home to a spectacular variety of plants, showing themselves for only a few months of the year. October is late in the season but we hope to catch the end of this unforgettable display, while improving our iNaturalist skills, looking beyond the flowers to the other inhabitants of these wetlands, discussing how best to document and assess this wetland type and learning more about the conservation and management of these last remaining patches of biodiversity.
This field trip can accommodate up to 30 delegates and will include a 45-60 minute drive to the area and some additional driving between sites.
!Khwa ttu
!Khwa ttu heritage centre and conservation area
!Khwa ttu is a heritage centre and conservation area on the West Coast. During this field trip you will learn how the San restoration team implements their Landscape Restoration Programme throughout the 850 hectare conservation area, through an indigenous, place-based approach.
The field trip will include a drive through the landscape, a stop at the boma with its panoramic views of the area as well as visit to seepage and wetland areas and will explore how restoration actions support the protection and ecological functioning of seepage areas, drainage systems, and seasonal wetlands through the broader landscape. The field trip offers a case study in how wetland-associated systems can be supported through broader landscape restoration rather than through wetland rehabilitation alone. It also highlights the role of indigenous-led stewardship in restoring ecological conditions across a groundwater-linked landscape, while opening discussion on the importance of research partnerships to better understand seasonal wetlands, non-perennial streams, and the biodiversity they sustain.
This field trip can accommodate up to 20 delegates and will be approx. 1-1.5 hours on site.
Please note that there is an entrance fee payable of R220 per person which is not covered by the Indaba registration fees. Entrance fees are for the attendees own account.
Langebaan
Langebaan Ramsar Site
Fulfils all 9 criteria to be deemed a wetland of international importance.
Supports nursery area for fish and local historical fishing.
Only Estuarine lagoon in South Africa, part of the West Coast NP Marine Protected Area (MPA).
Estuary fed by groundwater. Groundwater discharge at Geelbek.
Historical and cultural heritage buildings and monuments at Geelbek Information Centre.
Rocherpan
Cape Nature’s Rocherpan Nature Reserve
Join us to explore parts of the Rocherpan Nature Reserve near Velddrif. Follow the nature reserve staff for a walk to some of the bird hides. If the pan has water, some bird watching will be in order on the day.
Learn about the hydrological function of the pan, the impacts on the wetland, the part it played in the ecological reserve studies done in the Berg River catchment, the species of special concern present and the day-to-day operation in management of the biodiversity on the nature reserve, together with the eco-tourism facilities.