THE 25TH CONGRESS OF THE SOUTHERN AFRICAN SOCIETY FOR QUATERNARY RESEARCH
Southern African Quaternary Climates, Ecosystems and People – Perspectives from the Lowveld
31 August – 4 September 2026
IMPORTANT DATES
Conference dates: 31st August – 4th September 2026
Abstract submissions deadline: 31 May 2026
Financial support deadline: 31 March 2026
Registration deadline: 31 May 2026
CONFERENCE VENUE & ACCOMMODATION
The conference is being held at the Wits Rural Facility in the Limpopo Province of South Africa. The site offers a range of visitor accommodation, seminar and conference venues, a restaurant, and laboratory facilities, all located within a 350-hectare bushveld estate owned by Wits University.
Wits Rural Facility is located approximately 25 minutes from Hoedspruit Airport and 30 minutes from Kruger National Park. A range of other activities is also available in the surrounding area, and some popular options can be found here.
TRANSPORT TO THE VENUE
Hoedspruit Airport – Eastgate (HDS).
There are daily flights from Johannesburg and Cape Town to HDS. See Airlink to make a booking. Wits Rural Facility is approximately a 25 minute drive from HDS. A shuttle service is available upon request.
Private transport
Wits Rural Facility is located approximately 450 km from Johannesburg. The N4 via Schoemanskloof bypass provides a scenic and reliable route.
WEATHER:
The weather in Hoedspruit during September is typically warm and dry, with pleasant conditions ideal for outdoor activities and wildlife viewing. Average daytime temperatures are generally around 27–28 °C, with nights cooling to about 14–16 °C. September also tends to be one of the least humid months of the year, with plenty of sunshine and long daylight hours. This means you can expect mostly sunny, warm days and cool nights, with low chances of rain and comfortable conditions overall.
PRELIMINARY PROGRAMME
| Sunday | 30 August | Arrival. Afternoon drinks and braai |
| Monday | 31 August | Day 1 presentations |
| Tuesday | 01 September | Day 2 presentations |
| Wednesday | 02 September | Full day field trip to Kruger National Park |
| Thursday | 03 September | Day 3 presentations |
| Friday | 04 September | Field trips to sites of interest and workshops |
| Saturday | 05 September | Departures |
The full programme will be added here in due course.
REGISTRATION
Please complete the registration form (link above) and pay the registration fees, details below:
| Accommodation type | |||
| Single | Sharing (twin beds) | Dormitory (4 per room) | |
| Local SASQUA Members | R13 500 | R11 500 | R9000 |
| Local Non-SASQUA Members | R15 000 | R13 000 | R10 000 |
| Int SASQUA Members | EURO 850 | EURO 740 | EURO 580 |
| Int Non-SASQUA Members | EURO 950 | EURO 850 | EURO 630 |
Registration fees include:
- SASQUA will sponsor drinks on some evenings; otherwise, a bar will be available on site.
- Entrance to all conference sessions
- Accommodation (choice of single, sharing or dormitory)
- All meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner)
- Entrance to Kruger National Park and full day safari
Payment details:
Please pay the fees by bank transfer or Credit Card (PayFast payment gateway using links below) before 31 May 2026 and send the proof of payment to: sasquacomms@gmail.com
| PAYFAST LINKS (FOR CREDIT CARD PAYMENTS) | |||
| Single | Sharing (twin beds) | Dormitory (4 per room) | |
| Local SASQUA Members | R13 500 | R11 500 | R9000 |
| Local Non-SASQUA Members | R15 000 | R13 000 | R10 000 |
| Int SASQUA Members | EURO 850 | EURO 740 | EURO 580 |
| Int Non-SASQUA Members | EURO 950 | EURO 850 | EURO 630 |
Banking details
Bank: ABSA Bank
Account Name: SASQUA
Account Number: 9054912711
Bank Branch Name: Durban city, branch code: 632005
Swift Code: ABSA ZA JJ
Reference: (SASQUA2026 + YOUR INITIALS + YOUR SURNAME)
STUDENT SUPPORT
We will be offering limited support to students and ECRs, to apply please download and fill out the form (below) and submit to sasquacomms@gmail.com (include email subject line: SASQUA 2026 Student Support).
EXCURSIONS
A range of short excursions will be arranged for Friday 4 September 2026. These include a safari drive at Manyeleti Game Reserve (R1550), visit to Moholoholo Rehabilitation Centre (R950) and a Blyde Dam boat trip (R1450).
Excursions must be booked via the registration form. The cost of these activities will be for the delegate’s own account, while transport, refreshments and meals will be arranged.
DATA ANALYSIS WORKSHOP
LED BY DR MANU CHEVALIER – DATA SHARP ACADEMY
Dr Manuel Chevalier has offered to run a data-analysis course on the 4th September aimed at strengthening analytical thinking and practical data skills in environmental and Quaternary sciences. Places for this workshop will be limited and a small registration fee is likely. If you are interesting in attending this workshop, please indicate so on your registration form.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR PRESENTERS
Oral presentations: 12 minutes talk with 3 minute question time
Posters: A0 size, portrait orientation
ANY QUESTIONS?
Email the Local Organising Chair Prof Marc Humphries: marc.humphries@wits.ac.za
SASQUA 