10-15 January 2027 Lapalala Wilderness School, Limpopo, South Africa
15th Colloquium of the African Arachnological Society
African arachnids, by day and by night
Five days of talks, posters and fieldwork in the Waterberg bushveld, for arachnologists from Africa and the rest of the world.
- Colloquium
- 80 days to go
- Next date
- Abstract submission closes2 November 2026, in 11 days
- Venue
- Lapalala Wilderness School
- Organised by
- DITSONG: National Museum of Natural History
Invitation
The 15th AFRAS Colloquium
The African Arachnological Society (AFRAS) and the Organising Committee invite members of the arachnological community and accompanying guests to the 15th AFRAS Colloquium. It is organised by the DITSONG: National Museum of Natural History, Pretoria, and held at the Lapalala Wilderness School in Limpopo from 10 to 15 January 2027.
This is an opportunity for international and local arachnologists to connect and discuss collaborative projects on the hugely diverse African arachnid fauna.
The AFRAS Colloquiums are meetings of local and international arachnologists who research African arachnids, held every three years.
We strongly encourage participation by students and fellow arachnologists in Africa.
AFRAS is a non-profit scientific organisation. Membership is free.
Tharina Bird and the Organising Committee
AFRAS Chair
Key dates
From the first abstract to the last specimen
Registration closes on 7 December 2026. The provisional programme follows on 11 December 2026.
- 1 August 2026 Abstract submission opens
- 17 August 2026 Registration opens
- 2 November 2026 Abstract submission closes
- 9 November 2026 Outcome sent to authors
- 7 December 2026 Registration closes
- 11 December 2026 Provisional programme
- 10-15 January 2027 Colloquium
- 18-20 January 2027 Curation workshop, Pretoria
The week
Talks, posters and the open day
Three days of oral and poster presentations, with an open day for collecting in the middle of the week.
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Mon, Tue, Thu
Talks and posters
Regular 15-minute talks, posters, and a flash session where students can pitch a project before the data is in.
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Wednesday 13 January
Open day
Collect across the fenced 1,170-hectare property with a Limpopo permit, take a free day, or join the other activities.
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Included
Big 5 game drive
One Big 5 safari game drive is included in the full colloquium registration.
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18-20 January 2027
Curation workshop
A hands-on, fully sponsored workshop on arachnid curation at the DITSONG museum in Pretoria, after the colloquium.
Venue
Lapalala Wilderness School
The venue is an award-winning, off-the-grid, eco-built educational facility. It is built from rammed earth and sits within the bushveld, so the whole stay is spent in nature. Accommodation ranges from private lodge-style rooms to shared dormitories, with one bathroom for every guest, available to delegates on a first-come basis.
- In the UNESCO-declared Waterberg Biosphere Reserve, about 50 km from Vaalwater.
- Bushveld savanna on the Palala River, under an unpolluted night sky.
- Dorms, single rooms and VIP rooms, with all meals included.
- About 3.5 hours by road from Johannesburg, with an airport shuttle on request.
Documents
The circular
The Second Circular has the dates, fees, accommodation, sponsorships, visas and the provisional programme in one document.
Provisional programme 11 December 2026
Colloquium news
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