Verloren Valei is a magnet for those with specialist interests such as orchids, wildflowers, birds (especially cranes), insects and wetlands in general. More important, though, is the opportunity to understand how these and other areas of interest exist as part of a wider ecological context. Our expert-led field trips are a way to come to grips with specific aspects of the Reserve within the context of the whole—and an opportunity to experience a place of outstanding natural beauty more intimately.
This field guide is essential to enjoying your field trip. Copies may be purchased at the Reserve office or at the Heritage Centre in Dullstroom (next door to Mrs Simpson’s) – or by e-mailing info@verlorenvalei.org.za.
Upcoming Events
Field trips are R175 per person per day. Friends of Verloren Valei, as well as members of organisations affiliated with us, receive a discounted price of R125. Prices do not include admission to the Reserve (Adults R50, Pensioners and children R25).
Mail info@verlorenvalei.org.za for more information on events, or to book.
Confirmed events for 2025-6:
10-11 January 2026: Two-day Birds and Flowers with Susan Abell and Geoff Lockwood. Friends of Verloren Valei are delighted to offer this popular two-day exploration of the floral and avian treasures of Verloren Valei. It is a unique opportunity to spend time out in the veld with ornithologist Geoff Lockwood and botanist Susan Abell in the Verloren Valei Reserve near Dullstroom, an internationally important wetland and recognized biodiversity hotspot.
17 January 2026: LepSoc field trip with Jeremy Dobson. Verloren Valei is the habitat of two butterfly species that occur nowhere else: Lost Valley Cupid (formerly Warren’s Blue) and Verloren Valei Bronze-Speckled Widow (formerly Clark’s Lost Widow; Verloren Valei Bergweduwee). The field trip under the auspices of the Lepidopterists’ Society of Africa (LepSoc Africa) is an annual highlight of the Verloren Valei year. This year’s trip will again be led by Jeremy Dobson, former President of LepSoc Africa. Other possible sightings might include the Transvaal Russet, Mountain Russet, Bush Scarlet, Lydenburg Opal, Meadow Blue, Plain Black-Eye, Basuto Skolly, Table Mountain Beauty, Blue Pansy, Gaudy Commodore, Mountain Sylph and Restless Cupid, to name just a few. Sorry, fully booked.
23-25 January 2026: Wild Orchids South Africa Conference in Dullstroom — see advert below.
31 January 2026: Orchids and wild flowers with Steve Vincent. Join Steve Vincent, a Friends of Verloren Valei executive committee member and expert guide, to explore the incredible floral richness of the reserve in summer. Possible sightings could include : Disa alticola, D. chrysostachya, D. rhodantha, D.stachyoides,. D Saxicola, D. virsicolor, Eulophia parvilabris, Habenaria tysonii, Satyrium cristatum, S.hallackii, S. longicauda, S. trinerve, Neobolusia tysonii , Schizochilus cecilii and S. zeyheri.
14 February 2026: Wetlands field trip with Hannes Marais, Wetland Ecologist. Verloren Valei is a rare example of a high-altitude wetland, and is designated a Ramsar site—that is, a wetland of international importance. It is one of the most biodiverse reserves in Mpumalanga, with a fascinating array of fauna and flora that are adapted to the wet conditions. This trip aims to give participants a greater insight into wetlands generally, and the hydrology of Verloren Valei in particular. We will also look at the plants adapted to wetlands in particular on this trip.
“Indigenous orchids in a changing landscape“
Wild Orchid South Africa’s Sixth Conference will take place in Dullstroom in January. Members of Friends of Verloren Valei receive a R50 discount on the conference fee.
Long Tom Pass outing – Friday 23 January 2026
Conference – Saturday 24 January 2026 at Dunkeld Estate Conference Centre, Dunkeld Estate, Dullstroom, Mpumalanga.
Guest Speakers will include:
Daleen Roodt: South African Orchids — The Art and Science of Botanical Painting
Whether through scent or deception, colour or contour, there is an intriguing seduction in the methods orchids use to lure in their pollinators. Get a glimpse of how
Daleen Roodt captures these scenes in her botanical art paintings, and the fascinating process and adventures behind the creation of her artworks that has gained international acclaim.
Hendré Barnard (University of Stellenbosch): Saving Orchids with Science – Preliminary findings in the Cape Floristic Region
Orchid conservation is a pressing issue in modern times. Ex-situ cultivation is one part of the conservation tool kit to boost numbers of rare plants. For orchids this re-quires complex sterile culture of seeds with or without their symbiotic fungi. This research is the first comprehensive study into the germination requirements of Cape-Endemic ter-restrial orchids and provides a first step towards saving the charismatic, highly endan-gered species in the region.
Carel Fourie: Uncovering Nervilia kotschyi var. purpurata and Eulophia meleagris
The journey to find two orchid species relatively poorly known in the orchid world in South Africa. Both with the most recent records/photographs dating to the late 1990s or early 2000s. I will also detail how the Nervilia population has fared over the years since I’ve known of its existence in a wetland almost in the center of the busy Preto-ria.
Additional Speakers will be announced on our website.
Verloren Valei outing – Sunday 25 January 2026
To book visit the website www.wildorchids.co.za or email info@wildorchids.co.za.