About The Pan-African Ornithological Congress (PAOC)

1. HOST ORGANISATION

PAOC15 will be hosted by Birdlife Zimbabwe.

Birdlife Zimbabwe (BLZ) is a locally based, not for profit, Nature Conservation Organisation promoting the survival of birds and biodiversity in Zimbabwe for both their intrinsic value and for the enjoyment of future generations.

2. VENUE

PAOC15 will be held at Elephant Hills Conference Centre, Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe.

3. LOCATION – VICTORIA FALLS – https://www.victoriafalls-guide.net/index.html

Victoria Falls is an Important Bird and Biodiversity Area (IBA) within the Kavango Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area (KAZA) which comprises Zimbabwe, Botswana, Zambia, Angola and Namibia. Victoria Falls boasts a checklist of more than three hundred species including Taita Falcon, Rock Pratincole, Hartlaub’s Babbler, African Finfoot, Pel’s Fishing Owl and many others. Please click HERE for the checklist.

4. STRUCTURE OF THE CONGRESS

Sunday 20 November from 1400 hrs; 1800hrs	Registration; Registration Cocktail Event
Monday 21 November	Registration, Opening and Formal presentations
Tuesday 22 November	Formal presentations
Wednesday 23 November	Mid-Congress Morning Excursion & Boma Dinner and Drum Show
Thursday 24 November	Formal presentations
Friday 25 November	Formal presentations

5. REGISTRATION

REGISTRATION IS CLOSED

Registration fees include:

Entrance to all congress sessions.
Printed booklet with Programme.
Daily lunch and refreshments on conference days.
Conference bag except for day delegates who may select to have one.
Transport to and from Victoria Falls Airport except for day delegates for whom this service an optional extra.
The Boma Dinner and Drum Show except for day delegates who need to book and pay online for this.
Mid-Congress Excursion day activities except for day delegates who need to book and pay online for this.

Registration fees are as follows and Prices are in USD: (Excluding Accommodation)

Regular Rate	US$ 550
Early Bird Rate (30 June 2022)	US$ 480
Student Rate	US$ 350
Daily Rate	US$ 100

6. FLIGHTS AND CAR RENTAL

Delegates will need to make their own arrangements to travel to Victoria Falls. The following airlines fly to Victoria Falls:

Return transfers between Victoria Falls Airport and your hotel/lodge are included in the registration fee except for day delegates for whom this service is an optional extra. Various car hire companies are represented in Victoria Falls. For more information, visit https://www.rentalcars.com/

7. VISAS

To determine whether or not delegates need to obtain a visa, please click HERE.

8. ACCOMMODATION

A variety of accommodation options are available on a bed and breakfast basis. Please click HERE for details. Coach transfers from Victoria Falls City Centre to and from the venue are available daily.

9. MID-CONGRESS MORNING EXCURSION

An early morning outing will be scheduled for Wednesday 23 November 2022 after which delegates will dropped back at their hotels or in town and are free to explore independently for the rest of the day. There are various excursion choices available on a first come, first served basis. Delegates are required to indicate their preferred option when registering for Congress. View options here.

10. EVENTS

Events scheduled during PAOC15 include the Welcome Cocktail, APLORI Casual Social, and Boma Dinner and Drum Show. Find details HERE.

11. PRE AND POST CONGRESS BIRD TOURS

These are at the delegates own expense and may be pre-booked and paid for online. Please click HERE for details.

12. SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

The organisers welcome sponsorship participation. A range of sponsorship options have been identified to provide high-value options for branding before and during the Congress. There are sponsorship options to suit every budget. Please contact the organisers for sponsorship options and branding benefits or view the Sponsorship page HERE.

13. CURRENCY

Zimbabwe operates using the local Zimbabwe dollar, and the United States Dollar (USD). Payment for hotel services is required using USD. Supermarkets and shops accept both currencies. Cash and international credit/debit cards are accepted. We advise bringing USD cash with you to Zimbabwe as physical USD cash is the principal mode of transaction.

NB: Small USD notes are in short supply in Zimbabwe. Make sure to bring sufficient US 1 and US 5-dollar bills for small transactions.

14. CLIMATE

The climate in Victoria Falls in November is hot, humid and may be rainy with maximum temperatures ranging from 26 – 33 degrees C (79 – 92 degrees F) and an average minimum night time temperature of 19 degrees C (66 degrees F). Rains occur in the form of downpours or thunderstorms.