Dear Fellow Parasitologists,
The Parasitological Society of Southern Africa (PARSA) is delighted to invite you to the 5th International Congress on Parasites of Wildlife (ICPOW), to be held at the Nombolo Mdhluli Conference Centre in Skukuza, the main congress centre of the world-famous Kruger National Park, South Africa, during 14-18 September 2025.
The congress provides a perfect opportunity to exchange research findings and engage in stimulating conversations around the broader theme of wildlife parasites. All parasitologists (in the fields of biology, taxonomy, systematics, evolutionary biology, epidemiology, veterinary science, etc.) are invited to participate. The venue complements the congress theme and will allow everyone to experience the African bush in all its glory. The event is an ideal opportunity to strengthen existing friendships and collaborations and forge new ones. As in previous years, the congress will be hosted by PARSA and will thus coincide with the 53rd annual meeting of the Society.
As a Society it is our pleasure to host national, regional and international delegates and, together with the local organizing committee, we commit to making this another memorable event.
We are looking forward to welcoming you to Skukuza in September 2025.
Sincerely,
Sonja Matthee
ICPOW2025 Chairperson
Local Organising Committee
- Prof. Sonja Matthee (Chairperson) – Stellenbosch University
- Prof. Wilmien Powell (University of Limpopo)
- Dr Mamohale Chaisi (South African National Biodiversity Institute)
- Prof. Kerry Malherbe (North-West University) – represents PARSA council
- Prof. Maxwell Barson (University of Botswana)
Congress Secretariat
SAVETCON Event Management
Corné Engelbrecht
+27(0)71 587 2950
[email protected]
KINDLY NOTE IMPORTANT DATES
- 23 January 2025 – Abstract submission open
- 23 January 2025 – Early Registration open
- 28 February 2025 – Special sessions deadline
- 27 March 2025 – Abstract submission deadline
- 24 April 2025 – Abstract confirmation notices
- 27 June 2025 – Early registration & payment deadline (if PO number is received by this date, the Early Registration Fee will be honoured)
- 16 July 2025 – Accommodation payment deadline
- 25 July 2025 – Regular registration & payment deadline
- 01 September 2025 – Late Registration Closes
NB: payment not received by the advertised due date will automatically be carried over to the next payment category.
Purchase orders received before registration category deadline will be honoured.
Valid Student number and Proof of registration for 2025/2026 is required.
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Registration for full congress includes:
- Electronic congress abstract book
- Congress promotional material
- Morning break refreshments (3)
- Lunches (3)
- Welcome reception (canapés) on Sunday evening
Excluded
- Catered Boma-braai on Monday evening – non-students only
- Catered Boma-braai on Tuesday evening – students only, including post-docs
- Gala dinner on Wednesday evening.
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Registration for full congress accompanying person includes:
- Morning break refreshments (3)
- Lunches (3)
- Welcome reception (canapés) on Sunday evening
Excluded
- Catered Boma-braai
- Gala dinner
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TO BE CONFIRMED – Registration for post-conference workshop includes:
- Light refreshments
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PARSA MEMBERSHIP
PARSA membership is open to any interested parties.
A membership certificate will be sent to you every year after confirmation of the annual fees.
The (new) fees are as follows:
Joining Fee = R 100
Yearly Membership Fee = R200/year
Download the application form and send it, along with proof of payment, to:
Dr Raksha Bhoora
E-mail: [email protected]
IMPORTANT DATES
- 23 January 2025 – Abstract submission open
- 28 February 2025 – Special sessions deadline
- 27 March 2025 – Abstract submission deadline
- 24 April 2025 – Abstract confirmation notices
- 27 June 2025 – Early registration & payment deadline (if PO number is received by this date, the Early Registration Fee will be honoured)
- 16 July 2025 – Accommodation payment deadline
- 25 July 2025 – Regular registration & payment deadline
GUIDELINES FOR SUBMISSION
- Abstracts can be submitted for consideration either as oral or poster presentations. Please adhere to the instructions on the form.
- Delegates wishing to submit more than one abstract must please complete a separate form for each abstract.
- All abstracts to be submitted via the online submission form.
- Abstracts are limited to 250 words.
- IMPORTANT: Include 3-5 keywords.
- Please ensure that the e-mail addresses as submitted are correct as these addresses will be used in all correspondence and acceptance notifications.
- Late submissions will not be considered.
- Oral presentations will be allocated 10 minutes plus 5 minutes for questions.
- Poster sessions form an integral part of the congress, and posters will be displayed on poster boards for the duration of the congress. Poster presenters are requested to stand at their posters during allocated Poster Sessions.
- Poster Size: A0 – 841mm(w) x 1189mm(h)
The provisional programme for the Congress is as follow:
SUNDAY 14 SEPTEMBER
Arrival at conference venue. Accommodation will be available from 14h00.
16h00 – Registration for congress opens
18h00 – Welcome Reception at Congress Venue
DAY 2 – MONDAY 15 SEPTEMBER 2025
08:00 – Plenary Session – Keynote Speaker 1
08:50 – Parallel Sessions
10:30 – Mid-morning refreshments and networking
11:00 – Parallel Sessions
12:20 – Poster Session 1
13:00 – Lunch
14:00 – Plenary Session – Gold Sponsor
14:10 – Plenary Session – Guest Speaker 1
14:40 – Parallel Sessions
15:55 – Close of Day 1
18:00 – Catered braai @ Cattle Baron Lapa for all non-student delegates (optional and limited to 80 guests)
DAY 3 – TUESDAY 16 SEPTEMBER 2025
08:00 – Plenary Session – Keynote Speaker 2
08:50 – Parallel Sessions
10:30 – Mid-morning refreshments and networking
11:00 – Parallel Sessions
12:30 – Poster Session 2
13:20 – Lunch
14:00 – Plenary Session – Silver Sponsor (limited to one sponsor)
14:10 – Plenary Session – Guest Speaker 2
14:40 – Parallel Sessions
15:55 – Close of Day 2
18:00 – Catered braai @ Cattle Baron Lapa for all students and post-docs (optional and limited to 80 guests)
DAY 4 – WEDNESDAY 17 SEPTEMBER 2025
08:00 – Plenary Session – Keynote Speaker 3
08:50 – Parallel Sessions
10:30 – Mid-morning refreshments and networking
11:00 – Parallel Sessions
12:20 – Poster Session 3
13:00 – Lunch
14:00 – Plenary Session – Bronze Sponsor 1
14:05 – Plenary Session – Bronze Sponsor 2
14:10 – Plenary Session – Guest Speaker 3
14:40 – Parallel Sessions
14:40 – Close of Congress
15:00 – PARSA AGM
18:00 – Gala Dinner
DAY 5 – THURSDAY 18 SEPTEMBER 2025
08:30- 12:00 – Workshops (to be confirmed)
Accommodation check out time is 10h00.
ALL ACCOMMODATION MUST BE BOOKED & PAID BY NO LATER THAN 16 JULY 2025 THROUGH THE SECRETARIAT
The congress will take place during the high tourist season and therefore all accommodation and registrations fees need to be paid latest by 16th July 2025 in order for us to keep the block reservation. The rest of the camp is already fully booked.
We know there are challenges with some of the Academic Institutions and Government Departments and would like to accommodate all delegates as far as possible. If needed, we recommend that you make provision for an advance in order to settle your accommodation and registration fees in time. Purchase orders should also be processed and paid by 16th July 2025 to secure your accommodation booking and conference registration. Please check the procedure with your financial department to adhere within the timelines. Quotes, Invoices and Statements are available on the online registration system.
Please note, the Congress Organisers can only manage accommodation reservations for the period of the congress (in on 14 September and out on 18 September). Any pre- or post-congress bookings should be made directly with Sanparks at www.sanparks.org.
ACCOMMODATION
- Registration is a pre-requisite for booking of accommodation.
- All accommodation bookings will require a 50% deposit within 7 days of the reservation and the balance by 16 July 2025.
- Delegates wishing to extend their stay in Kruger Park, i.e. enter the park prior to 14 September 2025 or leave the park after 18 September 2025 should book that specific accommodation separately and directly with SANParks (www.sanparks.org).
- There will be no refund for payments if delegates are unable to attend the congress.
- Accommodation payments can be made via PayFast (online), but is subject to a 4% processing fee to cover credit card charges. Electronic transfers are free of charge and no processing fee will be added.
- All cancellations will be subject to a R250 administration fee.
Please note: The congress officially ends with the Gala dinner the evening of the 17th of September. Due to the gate closures, you will be required to stay over on the night of 17 September and only depart the next day (18th September 2025).
Exit permit
On entrance to the Kruger National Park you will receive an “Entry permit”. Before finally exiting the Park you need to get an “Exit permit” from the Camp Reception office. It is advisable that you obtain the “Exit permit” the afternoon before departure. Please be aware of the relevant office hours of the Camp Reception. Please note: you will not be allowed to exit the Park gates if you are not in possession of an “Exit permit”.
INFORMATION
Accommodation has been reserved at Skukuza, Kruger National Park, and all accommodation bookings for the congress have to be made through SAVETCON.
Accommodation ranges from rooms at the Safari Lodge, luxury, river-view bungalows, self-catering bungalows and bungalows and safari-tents without kitchen facilities. All accommodation units have their own barbecue facilities.
The comfortable, en-suite, thatch-roofed bungalows and safari-tents have 2 or more single beds and are rented on a room-only basis.
Tariffs are based per unit per night and is valid for one or two persons – there is an additional fee for a third person sharing the accommodation.
Skukuza Camp has a cafeteria, a restaurant (Cattle Baron) and a well-stocked shop that offers basic commodities (e.g. groceries, bread, vegetables, drinks, meat, toiletries, etc.).
All coffee & tea breaks, lunches, the welcome reception, catered boma-braai and the gala dinner are included in the full registration fee.
GETTING THERE
There are numerous transport options available to guests for travel to and from Skukuza Rest Camp in the Kruger National Park.
Recommended – By Air
Airlink operates daily scheduled flights between Johannesburg, Durban, Pietermaritzburg, Bloemfontein and Cape Town to the Skukuza Airport, located a short distance from the Skukuza Rest Camp. Shuttle services would need to be pre-arranged from both airports. Book flights
Daily flights available:
- OR Tambo International Airport, Johannesburg – Skukuza Airport @ 10:00am
- Cape Town International Airport – Skukuza Airport @ 10:35am
- Skukuza Airport – OR Tambo International Airport, Johannesburg @ 11:20am
- Skukuza Airport – Cape Town International Airport @13:20pm
FlySafair routes have also been added for direct flights to the Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport. For a daily schedule, please visit www.flysafair.co.za
Transfers from Skukuza Airport
The Skukuza Airport Management Company appointed Avis as the car hire service provider at Skukuza Airport providing car hire and point-to-point shuttle service between Skukuza Airport and Skukuza Main Camp.
Not only will Avis provide pre-booked vehicles for collection at the Skukuza Airport for guests arriving on Airlink’s schedule flights direct from Johannesburg and Cape Town, but they will also offer a shuttle service to the main Skukuza Camp. Avis has a well-established infrastructure at the Skukuza Camp having provided car hire facilities to the visitors to the Park for many years. The opportunity to fly directly into the Kruger Park, hire a car and immediately begin your game drive as you exit the airport is unique.
By Road – Paul Kruger Gate (from OR Tambo airport)
- Take Jones Rd and get on the R21 in Jet Park, Boksburg
- Follow N12 and N4 (the N4 heads towards Mbombela (also known as Nelspruit)) to R36 in Mpumalanga Province. Exit from N4/R36
- Take theR539 to the N4.
- Follow the N4. Exit from N4
- Then take the R40 to Hazyview via White River.
- From Hazyview, take the R536 to the Kruger gate.
- Allow between 5 to 6 hours for the total trip (OR Tambo airport to Kruger gate).
- Skukuza Camp is 12 km away from the Kruger Gate. Allow about 30 minutes for the drive to the camp.
Transfers from OR Tambo International Airport to Skukuza
Transfers from and to OR Tambo can be booked online with EZ Shuttles. Book here.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
- The booking reservation code is xxx and must be presented to security personnel at the entrance gate;
- Proof of identity, identity document. (ID), passport or alternative valid identification e.g. driver’s license card is required for scanning upon entering/exiting the Park
- On arrival at Skukuza camp, please proceed to the Congress Venue Reception to collect your room key.
- Collect an exit permit at the Congress Venue the day before departure – you will not be able to exit the park without the exit permit.
Park and Camp gate times
* Park Entrance Gates Open @ 06h00
* Camp Gates Open @ 06h00
** All Gates Close @ 18h00#
# Late arrivals are allowed for emergencies only and are subject to the following conditions:
– An additional cost per vehicle will be charged
– Late arrival must be arranged in advance with the gate
– Evidence for late arrival must be provided
– Guests must have pre-booked accommodation at camps that are within 10km distance from relevant gate
– Arrangements for late arrival after 21:00 will not be permitted
– Under no circumstances are late arrivals allowed at the following gates: Pafuri, Phalaborwa, Giriyondo & Phabeni.784
The 5th International Congress on Parasites of Wildlife (ICPOW) will be held jointly with the 53rd annual congress of the Parasitological Society of Southern Africa (PARSA) in Kruger National Park during 14-18 September 2025.
Session themes will include amongst others: molecular biology, taxonomy and systematics (that is based on molecular analyses), parasite-host interactions, immunology, parasite ecology, disease and transmission ecology, veterinary parasitology, parasite evolution and host-switching.
The congress has attracted 120 delegates from more than 10 different countries. The South African contingency includes established researchers and postgraduate students from various institutions such as the University of Limpopo, University of Venda, North-West University, University of the Western Cape, Pretoria University, SANBI, the ARC and Stellenbosch University.
The congress aims to facilitate the exchange of research findings and fruitful engagement between delegates. More importantly, the congress will act as platform to discuss and develop activities that will ensure capacity building in the field of parasitology in South Africa and Africa.
Association with ICPOW and PARSA, as a donor, sponsor or exhibitor is an excellent way to reach a focussed and captive audience for demonstrating your interest in parasitology.
The congress offers a variety of engagement opportunities suitable for large as well as small organisations. With this event held for the fifth time in Africa, great participation from the region is expected due to accessibility and affordability. Please use this unique opportunity to participate in this event by selecting from the options in this prospectus.
Skukuza Camp
“Welcoming You with the Roar of Lions”
Skukuza is the Kruger National Park’s largest rest camp and administrative headquarters. It is situated on the southern banks of the Sabie River. The camp is well foliaged and there are some lofty trees along the rivers edge. Activities and facilities are diverse, as are the animal and plants found both within the camp and in the surrounding area.
Important Information
Warnings
Please ensure that your stay is happy and safe by taking note of a few simple warnings. You will be sharing your stay with many exciting and unusual creatures but without knowledge some of them could be dangerous!
Bats, Spiders, Snakes, Scorpions, Malaria Zone.
If you must walk around at night please do not do so without a torch.
Remember:
By feeding any wildlife, you are signing their death warrant as they become aggressive.
Climate
Kruger is in a summer rainfall area. Such precipitation is usually convectional and can results in heavy downpours. The summer months (October to April) are hot and often balmy. Winters are warm and mild, although visitors going on night-drives will require warm clothing.
Activities for overnight residents only. The third is in a separate new day visitor’s area, located downstream from the main camp.• Game Drives (Night and Morning)
- Bush Breakfast and Braai (Barbeque)
- Golf
- Guided Bush Walks
- Stevenson Hamilton Memorial Library
- Wilderness Trail (Metsi Metsi)
Kids Educational Programme
3 Swimming pools, two of these are in camp and
These activities will ensure an exciting bush experience. All bookings as well as further details of these activities are available from the Skukuza reception.
Facilities
- Information at Reception 08h00 – 18h00
- Public telephone – All hours
- Post Office – 09h00 – 15h00
- Bank – 09h00-15h00
- Basic First Aid
- Restaurant – 07h00-09h00 breakfast, 12h00-14h00 lunch, 18h00-21h00 dinner
- Cafeteria
- Shop
- Emergency Road Services
- Garage with Workshop
- Petrol Station
- Laundromat
- 9 Hole Golf Course – 013 735 5543
- Auditorium and Conference Facilities
- Car Wash
- Limited DSTV Available in Luxury Units
- Avis Car rental – 013 735 5651
OTHER FACILITIES
The Parks Shops
Skukuza has a relatively large shop were a variety of items can be purchased including:
- Curios
- Safari and Ethnic clothing
- Binoculars, books, camera films and Videos on wild life
- Magazines
- Meat, groceries, fresh milk, vegetables and bread daily.
- Beverages: Spirits, Beer, Wine Cold Drinks, Fruit Juices and Mineral water
- Hardware (limited stock)
- Sweets and snacks
- Medicines (non-prescription)
- Stationary and stamps
- Braai wood and other accessories
Handy Hints and Tips
- All accommodation, ablution and kitchen facilities are serviced by cleaning staff on a daily basis.
- Vehicle fuel is available near the reception at the main gate.
- Currently bedding is supplied in all accommodation except for self camping.
- Cooking utensils and refrigeration are provided in most accommodation units, exceptions will be indicated while booking.
- Adults 12 years and above.
- Child (2-11 years), under 2 years – free.
- Additional Person Supplements are applicable to those units where number of beds exceeds the base occupancy, if these beds are occupied.
- No animals may be brought into a National Park.
- Plan your trip – do not try and cover too great a distance. The Kruger National Park is a massive tract of land an frequently visitors try to cover too much ground. Slow travel and regular stopping produces much more action than covering a lot of ground.
- Early mornings and evening time are usually the most productive game viewing periods.
- Remember to bring a camera, binoculars, bird and wildlife reference books, and a hat and sunscreen lotion. Also remember to take along medicine such as anti-histamine and lotion for insect stings and bites.
- Do not leave any food unattended, as thieving monkeys and baboons are a constant threat.
General Malaria Information
Malaria is a word many people associate with game parks in Africa. However, only two of the South African National Parks are in a malaria risk area and they are the Kruger National Park and Mapungubwe National Park, although at both these venues the risk is usually low. Historically there have been incidences of malaria in other parks, but then there are recorded incidences of malaria from urban Europe and other non-risk areas. But to all intents and purposes Kruger is the only malaria risk park in the SANParks’set-up.
Anti-malaria prophylactics are thus recommended by visitors for Kruger. The highest risk period is between December and April (end of the rainy season). A 24-hour malaria hotline is available on +27 (0)82 234 1800 to give detailed explanation on risk and advice on precautionary measures. Visitors wishing to make use of prophylactics should consult a knowledgeable medical practitioner or recognized travel clinic about recommended medication, as certain products cause nausea, hallucinations or other negative side effects with certain people.
Sightings
There are so many creatures to see and sightings of rare species can be the highlight of your trip! Keep up to date with the movements of the wildlife in the Kruger National Park by consulting the sightings map at reception, it is updated daily!
Areas of special interest
In camp
- Stevenson Hamilton Memorial Library
- Dog Graveyard
- Selati Restaurant – the old railway carriage has been converted into a restaurant and sports bar
Out of camp
- Kruger Tablets
- Lake Panic Bird Hide
- Nursery
- Stevenson Hamilton Memorial
- Granokop
Five Things to seek
- Fruit Bat
- Thick-tailed Bush Baby
- Warthog
- Spotted Hyena
- Purple-crested Lourie
Plan your trip to adhere to gate closing times
The southern part of the Kruger National Park is approximately 5 to 6 hour’s drive from Gauteng. Remember to plan your trip to make sure you are in the camp by these times.
Gate closing times
January, February, November and December 18h30
March, April, august, September, and October 18h00
May, June and July 17h30
International delegates can fly to the Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport (Nelspruit) or directly into Skukuza Airport from Johannesburg or Cape Town.
Registration Terms & Conditions
Full Registration entitles delegates to the following:
- Access to all sessions and exhibition area
- Morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea
- Welcome Reception
- EXCLUDED: Boma Braai and Official Congress Dinner
To be entitled to the early registration fee you must have registered and paid by the early registration closing date.
For group registrations, please contact [email protected] for more information or download this sheet.
Registration confirmation
Your completed registration and successful payment will be acknowledged via email with confirmation of your requirements according to your registration form. Your registration will only be processed or confirmed once payment has been made. Please contact us if you do not receive your confirmation as this may effect future communications from us.
All registrations must be paid by the close date to secure the discounted rates.
Name badge
Each delegate will receive a name badge when they check in at the registration desk. The badge will be your official pass to obtain entry to all sessions and social functions. You are responsible for having your badge clearly visible at all times and must be clearly visible at all times to obtain entry to all sessions and to social functions.
Credit Card
Please note online payments can be made directly after registration.
Accepted credit cards: MasterCard, Visa.
EFT – Local
Electronic Bank Transfers can be made to:
Account Name: Savetcon (Pty) Ltd
Bank Details: Standard Bank
Branch: Brooklyn (051001)
Account Number: 011846496
Currency: ZAR
Swift Code: SBZAZAJJ
EFT – International
Electronic Bank Transfers can be made to:
Account Name: Savetcon (Pty) Ltd
Bank Details: Capitec Business
Branch: Treasury (450105)
Account Number: 5000050010
Currency: USD
Swift Code: CABLZAJJ
Acknowledgments
Your completed registration and successful payment will be acknowledged via email with a confirmation of your requirements according to your registration form. Your registration will not be processed or confirmed if payment does not accompany your form.
Cancellations must be notified in writing to the Congress Secretariat at [email protected].
Registration
Cancellations before 30 April 2025 will incur an ZAR 300.00 cancellation fee.
Cancellations from 01 May 2025 to 21 July 2025 will incur a 50% cancellation fee.
Cancellations on or after 21 July 2025 will receive no refund.
The programme is correct at the time of publishing. The organisers reserve the right to delete, modify or alter items from the program or to delete, modify or alter any aspect of the congress time tabling and delivery at their sole discretion and without notice. Neither the host organisation(s) nor the Congress Secretariat will accept any liability for any loss or inconvenience caused to any party consequent to such changes.
The Organiser and Host/s of ICPOW 2025 (the “Event”) reserve the right to remove from the venue/event at any time any attendee deemed to be causing, or potentially causing, a disturbance or exhibiting disruptive or inappropriate behaviour. Such removal does not constitute a right to refund of any fees paid. Please view the Code of Conduct here which all attendees are expected to comply with.
Registration fees do not include insurance. It is strongly recommended that at the time you register for ICPOW 2025 and book your travel you take out an insurance policy of your choice. The policy should include:
- Loss of fees/deposit through cancellation of your participation in the Congress or through cancellation of the Congress
- Loss of international/domestic air fares through cancellation for any reason
- Loss of tour monies through cancellation for any reason including airline or related services strikes within South Africa
- Failure to utilise tours or pre-booked arrangements due to airline delay
- Force Majeure or any other reason
- Medical expenses (including sickness and accident cover)
- Loss or damage to personal property
- Additional expenses and repatriation should travel arrangements have to be altered
- Medical expenses.
Although every effort will be made to ensure your health and safety, the Organizers cannot accept any liability for personal injuries or for loss or damage to property belonging to the delegates, either during, or as a result of the meeting. Please ensure that your property is insured for any eventuality and that you do have adequate personal insurance, medical cover and life insurance.
The Participant agrees to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless, the Congress Organisers and/or any of their appointed suppliers to the Congress, its affiliates, officers, employees, and agents from and against any and all claims, liabilities, damages, losses, and expenses, including reasonable attorney’s fees, arising out of or in connection with the Participant’s attendance at the congress, including but not limited to any injury to persons or property, or any violation of applicable laws or regulations. This indemnity obligation shall survive the termination of this agreement and the Participant’s attendance at the congress.
PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS CONGRESS WILL TAKE PLACE IN A MALARIA AREA
HOSTED BY THE PARASITOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF SOUTHERN AFRICA
