OVERVIEW
The Zoological Society of Southern Africa (ZSSA) is delighted to announce our 42nd ZSSA 2027 conference! This biennial event will be a stimulating gathering of zoologists from across Southern Africa, this time in the charming coastal town of Swakopmund, Namibia, at the Swakopmund Plaza Hotel, starting on the 25th of July 2027 with registration and a welcome function, and departing on the morning of 29 July 2027. Swakopmund is situated on the central coast of Namibia and is an oasis where the sea meets the desert. The German colonial architecture is very remarkable in this seaside town.
MAIN THEME: Zoology in a Changing World: From Desert to Ocean: Understanding Biodiversity Change and Resilience
The conference will bring together research across a wide range of zoological disciplines, including:
- Global Change – climate change, environmental change, adaptation & resilience
- Biodiversity, Conservation & Restoration – protecting and restoring our wildlife and ecosystems
- From Desert to Ocean – terrestrial, freshwater, marine & coastal zoology
- Evolution, Taxonomy & Systematics – species discovery, classification & evolutionary relationships
- Animal Behaviour, Ecology & Physiology – how animals respond to their changing environments
- One Health – connections between animals, people, parasites, diseases & the environment
- Emerging Technologies & New Approaches – innovative tools, methods & technologies in zoology
- People, Policy & the Future of Zoology – collaboration, science communication, policy & capacity building
Whether you’re studying a species, an ecosystem, a disease, a behaviour, a conservation challenge or developing new ways to understand biodiversity – there is a place for your research at ZSSA 2027.
Local Organising Committee
- Prof Seth Eiseb (Chairperson) – University of Namibia
- Dr. Mildred Johnson – University of Namibia
- Mrs. Apollonia Dirks – National Museum of Namibia
- Mr. Halleluya Shaanika – Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism
- Dr. Melissa Boonzaaier-Davids
- Ms Lea Smit – University of Pretoria (ZSSA Student representative)
- Ms Shaakirah Sulaiman – University of Cape Town (ZSSA Student representative)
- Ms Suveena Govender – University of KwaZulu-Natal (ZSSA Student representative)
- Ms Elma Marais – ZSSA Administrator
CONFERENCE VENUE
The Swakopmund Plaza Hotel & Conference Centre is located in the heart of Swakopmund and surrounded by a number of historic buildings and restaurants, providing you with the best base for exploring Swakopmund.
Accommodation
The Swakopmund Plaza hotel forms part of The Swakopmund Collection, which is a privately owned and managed hospitality group operating 3 unique hotels and 1 luxury guesthouse in prime locations throughout Swakopmund. The Swakopmund Plaza Hotel as well as the other hotels of the collections are providing discounted accommodation rates for delegates attending the ZSSA conference, however, they will not be able to block book the rooms completely beforehand but will ensure that ZSSA delegates get prioritized over other bookings by using a dedicated code.
By referencing ZSSA2027 Conference, delegates will get a 20% discount on all rooms at any of the Hotels in the Swakopmund Collection and be prioritised over other bookings. More information about the hotels and the pricing of the rooms can be found HERE
CONTACT DETAILS:
Swakopmund Plaza Hotel
Phone : +264 (0)64 426 500
Email : info@plaza.na
Atlantic Villa Guesthouse
Phone : +264 64 463 511
Email : bookings@atlantic-villa.com
Beach Hotel Swakopmund
Phone : +264 (0)64 417 700
Email : info@beach.na
Artemis Hotel Swakopmund
Phone : +264 (0) 64 417 100
Email : info@artemis.com.na
Travel
The conference activities are scheduled to run from the afternoon of Sunday 25 July 2027 (registration and welcome function) until the evening of Wednesday, 28 July (final dinner function and prize giving), with departure on Thursday, 29 July 2027. There is a possibility of post-conference field trips after the event on 29 July. More information will follow at a later stage. Therefore, please plan your itineraries around these dates.
For those traveling via air, there are two main ports of entry into Namibia: Hosea Kutako International Airport (Windhoek) and Walvis Bay International Airport (Rooikop).
Hosea Kutako International Airport is relatively cheaper for travel into the country. Shuttles will be arranged to transport participants from both Hosea Kutako International Airport and Walvis Bay International Airport to Swakopmund on Sunday, 25 July, and return the participants to their departing airports on Thursday, 29 July. Please note that the distance from Windhoek International Airport to Swakopmund is about 430 km, which is about 5 hours by road. In line with this, we strongly advise participants arriving or departing via Hosea Kutako International Airport (Windhoek) to book their flights for arrival into Namibia by Sunday morning, 25 July, and departure on Thursday afternoon/evening, 29 July. Walvis Bay International Airport is about 40 km from Swakopmund; therefore, the travel time is 20 to 30 minutes by road.
ABSTRACT SUBMISSIONS
Please submit abstracts for potential inclusion in the scientific programme using the following themes as guidelines:
- Global Change: Climate change, environmental change, resilience, adaptation, and broader global drivers of change
- Biodiversity, Conservation & Restoration: Understanding, protecting, conserving, and restoring biodiversity
- From Desert to Ocean: Diverse Ecosystems: Terrestrial, freshwater, marine, and coastal zoology
- Evolution, Taxonomy & Systematics: Species discovery, classification, evolution, phylogenetics, and systematics
- Animal Behaviour, Ecology & Physiology: Behavioural, ecological, and physiological responses to environmental change
- One Health: Interconnected human, animal, and environmental health, including wildlife, parasites, diseases, and associated health issues
- Emerging Technologies & New Approaches in Zoology: Innovative tools, methods, technologies, and approaches in zoological research
- People, Policy & the Future of Zoology: Science–policy connections, capacity building, collaboration, science communication, and the future of zoology
SUBMIT YOUR ABSTRACT HERE
Format and submission types:
Full presentations: 15 minutes (12 min presentation + 3 min questions)
Speed presentations: 5 minutes (5 min presentation + combined question time)
Posters (A dedicated poster session will be allocated in the scientific programme)
Keynote presentations will be invited presentations by the scientific committee.
Abstract Submission Guidelines
Please format abstracts according to the following requirements (Abstracts must be submitted for all presentation types)
Abstract Formatting & Structure
Title: Centred, Arial 12-point, bold.
Author(s): Centred, Arial 10-point, bold. List author initials and surnames, with the presenting author underlined.
Affiliations: Centred, Arial 10-point, italics. Use numerical superscripts to indicate multiple distinct affiliations.
Presenting Author Email: Include the presenting author’s email address, centred in Arial 10-point.
Abstract body: Justified, Arial 12-point, single paragraph with a maximum length of 200 words.
Presentation type (e.g., Paper, Extended, Speed, or Poster presentation) & sub-theme: Left-aligned, Arial 12-point.
A template for abstracts is available HERE
Submission Requirements
Please ensure that all abstracts adhere to the formatting requirements above and remain within the 200-word maximum. Submissions that do not follow the specified format may be returned to the author for correction.
The deadline for abstract submissions is Friday, 11 December 2026. Please expect a confirmation of presentation by 22 January 2027.
If your abstract is accepted, you will be provided with further information on the operating system requirements for your presentation, instructions on loading your presentation, and more. Microsoft PowerPoint is strongly preferred for oral presentations.
IMPORTANT DATES & SPONSORSHIP
42nd ZSSA 2027 CONFERENCE SPONSORSHIP
The Zoological Society of Southern Africa (ZSSA) cordially invites your organization to partner with us as a sponsor for our upcoming 42nd ZSSA Conference. This premier event will take place from 25–29 July 2027 at the Swakopmund Plaza Hotel in Swakopmund, Namibia.
The ZSSA is a registered non-profit organization dedicated to supporting scientists and researchers across all fields of zoology in southern Africa. Currently, our society connects approximately 260 members from various academic, government, and research institutions. Every two years, we organize this flagship conference to create a vibrant atmosphere for initiating collaboration, sharing cutting-edge research, and fostering knowledge exchange.
Our 2027 conference is themed “Zoology in a Changing World – From Desert to Ocean: Understanding Biodiversity, Change and Resilience.” This theme is particularly relevant to our host nation, Namibia, and reflects the critical climate and environmental challenges our ecosystems face today. The congress is dedicated to bringing together at least 120 established researchers, industry experts, and enthusiastic postgraduate students who are shaping the future of zoological science.
By sponsoring this event, your organization will gain direct visibility among a specialized network of scientists, decision-makers, and future leaders in the scientific community. Your support will also directly contribute to supporting student attendance and advancing biodiversity research in Southern Africa.
We offer various sponsorship tiers and exhibition opportunities that can be tailored to align with your organization’s marketing and philanthropic goals. Find our detailed sponsorship package for your review, outlining the specific benefits and promotional avenues available for each tier HERE.
Thank you for considering this opportunity to support scientific excellence and environmental resilience.
Yours sincerely,
Prof. Seth J. Eiseb
President, ZSSA
42nd ZSSA Conference Organizing Chair
The Zoological Society of Southern Africa (ZSSA)
Email: seiseb@unam.na
The various sponsorship packages offered can be found at the following link: ZSSA 2027 Sponsorship Packages
Platinum Sponsors
Silver Sponsors
Bronze Sponsors
