Gauteng And Northern Regions Bat Interest Group (GNORBIG)

15/04/2026

We're very excited to invite and welcome you all to watch Prof Ara Monadjem's Royal Society Africa Prize Lecture on Wednesday 15 April 2026 at 18:30 - 19:30 GMT 🦇👏🎉

Titled "What bats reveal about hidden biodiversity in Africa" you can register online for free here:

Join us for the Royal Society Africa Prize Lecture delivered by Professor Ara Monadjem

04/03/2026

Bats from Wegbreek 2024 trip

04/03/2026

On the weekend of 13 - 15th March we will return to a charming destination: Bosveld Wegbreek

There is an update:
Looks like we can get the accommodation cost down to a decent +- R350/person/night if we can just get one or two more people.
We would then all be in the Mountain Camp which would be more practical.
So please contact me a.s.a.p if that changes your mind...

🦇
Julio

02/03/2026

Bats from Wegbreek trip 2024

02/03/2026

Hi All,

A reminder of the coming field trip to Bosveld Wegbreek 13-15 Mar, as described below.
There are still some places left.

Julio

On Tue, 24 Feb 2026 at 14:49, African Bat wrote:
GNoR BIG members,

On the weekend of 13 - 15th March we will return to a charming destination: Bosveld Wegbreek
This lodge is about 20 min outside the town of Modimolle (a.k.a. Nylstroom), Limpopo Province, and less than 2.5 hrs drive from JHB.
We would like to make the focus of this trip about introducing our newer and inexperienced members to bat surveying and identification.
So newbies are especially encouraged to join. (But the old hands are always welcome too).

Centered on a dam and stream in mountainous bushveld, this is decent bat country.
If it doesn't rain, it's going to be hot, but there is a nice swimming pool with slides for relief after a hike.

Accommodation & charge
The cost is around R500/p/n for the chalets, and there is also camping available (R250/p/n).
Bring own food and drink, etc.

If you want to join this trip please email Julio at [email protected] as soon as possible. Or call/text/WhatsApp at 082-359-1295.
The sooner the better since accommodation may be limited.

Thanks,
Julio

25/02/2026

Bats of Bosveld Wegbreek

24/02/2026

GNoR BIG members,

On the weekend of 13 - 15th March we will return to a charming destination: Bosveld Wegbreek
This lodge is about 20 min outside the town of Modimolle (a.k.a. Nylstroom), Limpopo Province, and less than 2.5 hrs drive from JHB.
We would like to make the focus of this trip about introducing our newer and inexperienced members to bat surveying and identification.
So newbies are especially encouraged to join. (But the old hands are always welcome too).

Centered on a dam and stream in mountainous bushveld, this is decent bat country.
If it doesn't rain, it's going to be hot, but there is a nice swimming pool with slides for relief after a hike.

Accommodation & charge
The cost is around R500/p/n for the chalets, and there is also camping available (R250/p/n).
Bring own food and drink, etc.

If you want to join this trip please email Julio at [email protected] as soon as possible. Or call/text/WhatsApp at 082-359-1295.
The sooner the better since accommodation may be limited.

Thanks,
Julio

24/02/2026

We would really love to have our new members join us on bat weekends... book the 13-15 March 2026 details to follow

19/02/2026

We were super lucky to have caught a Lesser Wooly bat at the last outing. Sorry not the greatest pics

12/02/2026

Presented by Annatjie Barkhuizen and Sharron Reynolds

25/01/2026

*** Bookings are now closed. *** Due to popular demand a second date has been added

12/02/2025

From out chairman, Julio

GNoR BIG Members,

About every second year we try to find a long weekend to spoil ourselves, that is, to visit a destination that is a bit far, but with a relatively high bat diversity.
This year, using the 21 Mar long weekend we will return to an old favourite, Ratho Bush Camp, which is on the Botswana border (i.e. the Limpopo River), near the Tuli Block.
Our team will arrive/depart at different times, but will have a presence from 19 to 24 Mar, with the core period being 21 and 22 Mar.

It is rugged and wild baobab country north of Alldays, and not far from Mapungubwe National Park.
It is a great area for bats and all sorts of other things: Day trips to Mapungubwe, mountain biking, fishing, birding, etc.

Two accommodation options are available, Camping with electricity, and relatively fancy Safari Tented Camping.
At this stage there are still two campsites available, and two Safari Tents.
To book, please do so yourself directly through the website. https://www.rathobushcamps.co.za/
But let me know that you are joining, or for more info, by email at [email protected].
Or call/text at 082-359-1295.


Thanks,
Julio