News

The 23^rd Savanna Science Network Meeting (SSNM), will take place from 2 – 5 March 2026 at Skukuza in the Kruger National Park; bringing together leading scientists, researchers, conservationists, and policymakers from around the globe to address the critical challenges facing savanna ecosystems and the communities that depend on them.

This is one of the most important scientific gatherings in the world where research findings, assessments of effectiveness of research programmes, discuss biodiversity conservation strategies, collaboration on topics such as fire behaviours, vegetation monitoring, population studies, technological and governance challenges, aerial counts strategies and broader savanna ecology in Southern Africa and beyond.

The meeting coincides with Kruger National Park’s Centenary – marking 100 years of conservation, in one of the world’s most iconic protected areas will dedicate a presentation reflecting on the recent Kruger floods which took place in January 2026.

This year’s meeting boasts 230 registered delegates, representing all continents except Antarctica, with 127 delegates from Africa. All sessions will be live streamed on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@savannasciencelivestream335 for those who would like to take part online.

The close interactions between academics and park authorities facilitated by this meeting are key to promoting pro-active evidence-based decision-making and directing research to address priority conservation management needs. The meeting has always valued capacity building, and as such students share the platform with world-renowned savanna scientists from across the globe.

Information on the SANParks Scientific Services is found on the following link: https://www.sanparks.org/conservation/scientific-services

Editor’s Note: The idea for the Savanna Science Network Meeting came about when a small group of scientists working on river related issues in Kruger National Park, reflecting on the impacts of the 2000 flood event. The scope and participation of these meetings grew quickly to include Savanna related research and delegates from many countries and organisations. This meeting is now considered the premier international savanna science conference covering socio-ecological research taking place in savannas across the globe.