3-8 August 2025
The International Society for Diatom Research and the North-West University will host the International Diatom Symposium at the Skukuza Rest Camp in the heart of the Kruger National Park from 3-8 August 2025.
South Africa is a welcoming country with friendly people, a warm climate, and diverse natural life, offering visitors an unforgettable experience. The Kruger National Park is one of the largest conservation areas in southern Africa. It is the ideal venue to enjoy a combination of science and pleasure. You will have the chance to meet and talk to colleagues in adventurous atmosphere and, who knows, you may have the opportunity to see the big five (elephant, rhino, buffalo, leopard and lion) as well as an abundance of amazing bird, insect and plant life.
Closing dates
| Registration: 15 April 2025 | |
| Accommodation reservation: 15 April 2025 | |
| Booking of mid-symposium excursion: 15 April 2025 | |
| Late registration: 1 May 2025 | |
| Abstract submission: 1 June 2025 | |
| Abstract acceptance: 1 July 2025 | |
| Start of the symposium: 3 August 2025 |
Please note: Invoices will be issued for registration and accommodation costs (payment will not be collected online).
Abstract Submission
Deadline 1 June 2025
Poster size A0
Presentation in MS Powerpoint format
Submit your abstract here
Committees
Local organising committee
- Jonathan Taylor
- Anatoliy Levanets (NWU Botany)
- Ashleigh Pieterse (NWU Dean’s Office)
- Asanda Tsholela (NWU Botany)
- Moira Muller (web designer)
Scientific Committee
- Katerina Kopalová (Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic)
- Sarah Spaulding (INSTAAR, University of Colorado, USA)
- Marina Potapova (Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University, Philadelphia, USA)
- Roksana Majewska (Nord University, Norway)
- Somayyeh Kheiri (Research Inst. of Forests and Rangelands, Tehran, Iran)
- Nora Maidana (University of Buenos Aires, Argentina)
- Carlos E. Wetzel (Luxemburg Institute for Science and Technology, Luxemburg)
- Paul B. Hamilton (Canadian Museum of Nature, Ottawa, Canada)
- Bart Van de Vijver (Meise Botanic Garden & University of Antwerp, Belgium)
- Shigeki Mayama (Tokyo Gakugei University, Tokyo, Japan)
- Patrick Rioual (Institute of Geology & Geophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China)
- Jakub Witkowski (University of Szczecin, Poland)
Contact details for more information
- Prof Jonathan Taylor (North-West University)
- Jonathan.Taylor@nwu.ac.za
Registration and accommodation
Timeline
| Registration: 15 April 2025 | |
| Accommodation reservation: 15 April 2025 | |
| Booking of mid-symposium excursion: 15 April 2025 | |
| Late registration: 1 May 2025 | |
| Abstract submission: 1 June 2025 | |
| Abstract acceptance: 1 July 2025 | |
| Start of the symposium: 3 August 2025 |
The registration fee includes:
- All lunches
- Ice breaker reception
- Coffee breaks
- Mid symposium excursion and bush braai (barbeque)
- Final banquet dinner
- Shuttle to and from Skukuza airport or Nelspruit airport
Registration and accommodation costs (Euro):
All inclusive (€)
| ISDR member early bird | 300 | |
| Non-member early bird | 350 | |
| ISDR memberlate registration | 350 | |
| Non-member late registration | 400 | |
| Student registration | 180 | |
| 5 nights accommodation single occupancy | 1100 | |
| 5 nights accommodation per person sharing | 725 | |
Omit banquet dinner (€)
| ISDR member early bird | 240 | |
| Non-member early bird | 290 | |
| ISDR member late registration | 290 | |
| Non-member late registration | 340 | |
| Student registration | 120 | |
| Accompanying person, including mid symposium excursion and dinner only (All) | 180 | |
| Conference dinner only (All) | 60 | |
| Excursion only (All) | 120 | |
Medical precautions and climate
The Lowveld of South Africa is still considered a risk area for malaria. Although mosquito numbers are rather low in the winter, we recommend prophylactic malaria medication (please first consult your health professional about side-effects of some types of medication). Please also take precautions by spraying insect repellent and by wearing longer clothing in the early evening especially. Ticks may be a risk if you go on game walks, long pants help to mitigate this risk. Hiking boots are mandatory for the mid-symposium bush walk as you might be going to thorny vegetation.
The KNP is situated in the Lowveld region of South Africa and is thus subject to very hot weather. Even though August is considered winter in South Africa you can still expect day-time high temperatures of 30°C and higher. But during the night, temperature may drop as low as 05°C! The rainy season only starts in October/November so we should have warm sunny days for the symposium.
Long sleeve clothing, a sun hat and sun cream are essential items, especially on game walks and drives.
Travel
Visa requirements
Please check here for visitor visa requirements to South Africa:
- https://www.dha.gov.za/index.php/applying-for-sa-visa
- https://www.dha.gov.za/index.php/immigration-services/exempt-countries
Air travel
Connecting to Skukuza or Nelspruit
Be aware that because of South African Custom Regulations you will have to collect your luggage at your main port of entry (OR Tambo – Johannesburg or Cape Town International) and clear customs. You will then need to re-check your bags onto the connecting flight. The airports are not particularly large by international standards and the international and domestic terminals are adject to each other. In the event of flight delays you will be met at the gate by aircraft staff who will aid you to catch your connecting flight in time.
Road travel
You can hire a car at most airports, including Skukuza. Road conditions may be poor in some places so please be on the lookout for potholes etc. Never stop to offer anyone a lift or for someone trying to flag you down or indicating there is a fault with your vehicle!
Travel within the Kruger National Park
It is forbidden at all times to exit your vehicle while outside of a rest-camp or other designated area within the Park. Travel is very slow with speed limits (60 km/h or less) strictly imposed. Park gates (including rest camps) close promptly at 18:00. Please plan your travel leaving enough time to either exit the park on time or to reach your rest camp on time.
