Proudly Presented by:
Adventurous Reflections
2025 Conference
Drakensberg: 14 - 18 July 2025
Changing thought, changing behaviour, impacting lives.
Reflection in the adventure industry is the ability or opportunity to look back on experiences:
-
to investigate and analyse your own thoughts and behaviour
-
to analyse and assist group thinking and behaviours
-
to reflect on alternative actions
-
to look for better applications
-
to become better, safer, and more efficient
-
and to learn from experiences and transfer the learning to diverse real-life situations.
Date: 14 - 18 July 2025
View programme here.
Venue: ATKV - Drakensville
TITLE SPONSORSHIP:
.png)
.png){kind=logo}
PROGRAMME
Monday 14 July 2025
12:00: Registrations open.
18:00: Meet & Greet Soup & Sherry. Presentation by ATKV, Drakensville
Wednesday 16 July 2025
8:30: Opening
9:00: TourismZA & SA AIA Presentation and Introduction (Mike Baker, TourismZA)
10:00: Exploring the Future: Diploma Programmes in Adventure Tourism and Eco-tourism Management at Mbombela Campus (Michael Allkins)
11:00: TEA
11:30: Breakaway session 1: ARA Legacy and future of ABL/AEL training.
Breakaway session 2: Workplace Integrated Learning: How do we do it?
12:30: LUNCH
13:30: Workshop: Risk Identification and Management (Rob Thomas)
15:30: TEA
16:00: Workshop: Ropework & Practical Techniques for Adventure Guides (Neil Margetts)
16:00: Workshop: Experiential Learning & Facilitation Best Practices (Samantha Pennells-Ingle)
18:00: Dinner
19:00: Fireside Talk: 30 Years of Adventure in South Africa (Walther Meyer, VentureForth)
Tuesday 15 July 2025
8:30: Opening
9:00: SA AIA Updates & Information (Jessi Sunkel, SA AIA)
10:00: Exploring models for a South African Adventure-Based Learning (ABL) Qualification (Dr. Pieter L. Snyman)
11:00: TEA
11:30: Wilderness & Survival Medicine (Walther Meyer, Wild Medix)
12:30: LUNCH
13:30: Panel & Presentation: Supporting Adventure Tourism Startups in South Africa (Prof. Graeme Addison and Francois Nel)
15:30: TEA
16:00: Workshop: Community Tourism Development (Dr. Dewald Venter, Central University of Technology)
18:00: Dinner
19:00: Fireside Talk: A Canyoning Descent of Tugela Falls (Neil Margetts)
Thursday 17 July 2025
8:30: Opening
9:00: Full day CPD Workshops / Training (Choose one of the following):
1) Mountain Biking Course by ATKV Drakensville and SA AIA
2) Snake Handling Course by Ladysmith Snake Removals
3) Intentional Facilitation of Artificial Activities (bottom-top rope and cows-tail) by Dr Pieter Snyman and SA AIA
4) Stop the Bleed Course by WildMedix
5) The Future of Hospitality by Adventure Institute
12:30: LUNCH
18:00: Dinner
19:00: Whip-Making & Competition by ATKV Drakensville
Francois Nel
Entrepreneur in the outdoor recreation industry. As a passionate advocate for the Outdoor Recreation Industry in Southern Africa, Francois' goal is to unlock its full socio-economic potential.
Samantha Pennells-Ingle
Life Coach / ARA Facilitator Trainer / Leadership Development / Resilience Coaching / Team Enhancement
Dr. Pieter L. Snyman
A passion for creating unique experiential learning experiences with multiple technologies and learning styles.
SPEAKERS / PRESENTERS
Johan Outram
Professional Adventure and Culture Tourist Guide. Passionate about Learning in the Outdoors and meaningful skills transfer.
Neil Margetts
Neil enjoys all forms of climbing, from vast icy mountains to sport climbing and bouldering. He has logged numerous canyons and climbs globally and repeatedly ascended the technical free-standing peaks in the Drakensberg.
Jessi Sunkel
As the Executive Director of the South African Adventure Industry Association, I am passionate about supporting, educating, training, standardizing and professionalising the adventure industry in South Africa.
Walther Meyer
Business owner of Ventureforth International and Wild Medix. Wilderness, survival and tactical medicine and rescue trainer.
Rob Thomas
Rescue technician/trainer, helicopter rescue crew member, TFO (FLIR operator), mountain guide, stunt rigger and former army officer (and former medical software developer).
Michael Allkins
Lecturer at Tshwane University of Technology, Mbombela Campus.
Dr. Dewald Venter
Qualified with thirty years experience in Outdoor Adventure Recreation, Adventure-based Learning, Adventure Sport, Adventure Tourism, Tourist Guiding (Nature, Culture, Adventure), and Tourism Development. He serve(d) on various local, provincial, national and international tourism and related services bodies dealing with standardisation, development, education, training, assessment and moderation of adventure and tourism projects.
Mike Baker
As the founder of tourismZA, my mission is to bring the economic benefits of mainstream tourism directly to the people living on the land. We do this by integrating rural and marginalised communities into the digital tourism economy — one Google profile, one 360° view, and one map at a time.
Braam de Kock
Marketing Manager at ATKV, Drakensville
Fanie Cilliers
Ladysmith Snake Removal
Henk Brandt
Head Guide at ATKV, Drakensville
Conference Tickets:
-
Includes full conference & all evening events (lunches, dinners, presentations, workshops, CPD training, evening events).
-
Excludes accommodation & breakfast (can be selected on the next page).
-
SA AIA members are those whose SA AIA membership is in good standing.
-
Student options are those who are still studying and are not professional.
-
Speakers/presenters are offered special student rates.
-
You have full unlimited access to the resort (within the bounds of their rules).
-
A tea and coffee station will also be available.
SA AIA Professional Members: R2,100 per person
SA AIA Student Members: R1,600 per person
Professional Non-Members: R2,400 per person
Student Non-Members: R2,100 per person
TICKETS
CPD Workshops:
-
You must choose at least one workshop per person you are booking for (it is included in the conference fee).
-
These workshops are limited to certain numbers, and works on a first come, first served basis. If the workshop you choose is no longer available, we will contact you with an alternative option.
-
CPD training workshops are run at the same time for the majority of the day (Thursday, 17 July 2025) in and around the ATKV Drakensville resort.
-
The workshop may be run outdoors or indoors - depending on context and space available. Please ensure you have durable clothing for these workshops.
-
Mountain Biking
-
Stop the Bleed
-
Facilitation using Adventure Activities (High Ropes)
-
Future of Hospitality
-
Professional Snake Handling
Accommodation:
-
Options are either single or double beds in a two sleeper, four sleeper or six sleeper unit. The options below are either to share a room with someone or to have the room for yourself. If you have any special requests or requirements, please let us know after submitting your form.
-
Includes accommodation for 4 evenings (check-in: 14 July, check-out: 18 July).
-
Campsites are also available - no minimum amount of people, however a maximum of 6 people per campsite.
-
All options also provide a breakfast voucher at the resort's restaurant worth R50 per day for 4 days.
-
All options are also self-catering.
-
You have full unlimited access to the resort (within the bounds of their rules).
Accommodation & Breakfast (single or double bed, room share): R800 per person
Accommodation & Breakfast (single or double bed, own room): R1,400 per person
Campsite & Breakfast (price is per person - max 6 people): R800 per person
RESOURCES
GALLERY
IN THEIR OWN WORDS...
"Conferences are conferences and workshops are workshops. However, what made this conference great was the spirit [attitude] of organisers, coordinators, and delegates. The gratitude, appreciation for one another and openness to learn and explore made all the difference. I do believe the way in which the conference was 'framed' delivered the successful outcome – congratulations on facilitating a world-class event!"
"It was like freedom, if that makes sense. Sitting with folk who speak the same language was so comforting and encouraging. Knowing that there is a body of professionals willing to assist with Adventure has opened so many doors and reignited the way forward."
"The entire conference was fabulous. Thank you for hosting experts in the field as guest speakers and for the ability to mingle with them afterwards. It is always a privilege to see their passion for the industry and confirm the impact we make in clients’ lives."
"Truly enlightening and insightful. The speakers were well prepared and clear, and the commitment and dedication from everyone involved really added value to the whole experience."
"A pleasant time of making and strengthening contacts. Good and varied content through the sessions and a very friendly atmosphere."
"Well organised event. Topics are relevant to industry. Good to see the mixture of experience in the room."
"Amazing how people from different backgrounds work together and complement each other in this industry. Learned a lot."
"It was really insightful to learn more about ABL and their approach. I just wish we could attend all the CPD workshops — it would give a broader view of what’s out there and a great opportunity to grow."
"Wonderful sharing, engagement, and interaction. Learning and reflecting."
"Excellent value. Well worth it. Excellent networking."