A meeting to foster deep engagement between communities studying pulsars, pulsar wind nebulae (PWNe) and supernova remnants (SNRs) and those investigating their connections to cosmic rays, gravitational waves and neutrinos.
The Scientific Programme is now available here
Registration is managed via our official conference organiser, Tourvest Meetings & Incentives.
This portal will remain open until just before the start of the conference or until capacity is reached; however, accommodation is limited, so it will be best if delegates register as soon as possible and provisionally book accommodation.
Accommodation is managed via our official conference organiser, Tourvest Meetings & Incentives and will be allocated in a staggered fashion. Please direct enquiries to info@nsn-knp2026.org.za
We note that pre-booked accommodation is limited and advise delegates to book at their soonest convenience or discuss with the conference organisers if payment can only be made at a later date. Ad hoc queries (e.g., single / double room occupancy, room sharing, or length of stay) may be directed to info@nsn-knp2026.org.za. This portal will remain open until all conference accommodation has been confirmed and paid for or released due to cancellation penalties.
The science of pulsar-related systems is progressing rapidly, driven by major instrumental and computational advances. Hosting a high-energy conference focusing on neutron stars and their environments in the Kruger National Park offers a timely opportunity to bring together international experts, theorists and observers working across the electromagnetic spectrum and in multi-messenger domains. Recent discoveries with, e.g., MeerKAT, FAST, NICER, Chandra, the Fermi LAT, H.E.S.S. and LHAASO telescopes have deepened our understanding of pulsar-related systems, revealing multipolar magnetic fields, yielding constraints on the neutron star equation of state, extended TeV halos, ultra-high-energy emission from pulsar wind nebulae (PWNe), and pulsed gamma-ray emission in the TeV band. We also look forward to the contributions that will be made by current experiments as well as by the DSA-2000, SKA, IXPE, future MeV satellites, SWGO, the CTAO and HAWC, among others. This meeting will foster engagement between communities studying pulsars, PWNe, magnetars, fast radio bursts (FRBs) and supernova remnants (SNRs) and those investigating their connections to cosmic rays, gravitational waves (including pulsar timing arrays) and
neutrinos.
South Africa and Regional Context
South Africa, with its strong regional observational infrastructure – including the MeerKAT radio telescope, SALT optical telescope, and H.E.S.S. Cherenkov Array in Namibia – offers an ideal setting for this meeting. By convening international experts in high-energy neutron star systems in the Kruger National Park, the meeting will facilitate collaboration between theorists and observers from both hemispheres and across subdisciplines.
This will be the third in a series of conferences hosted in the Kruger National Park. The previous editions were:
Berg-en-Dal
13–17 Aug 1997
Skukuza
13–17 Aug 2012
(In memory of Okkie de Jager)
With this third event, we will celebrate the lifetime professional contribution to gamma-ray astronomy of internationally renowned gamma-ray and pulsar physicists Alice Harding and Isabelle Grenier, on the joyous occasion of the 75th birthday of Alice and the retirement of Isabelle.
We are actively pursuing sponsorships in order to make the conference accessible and affordable for early-career scientists. There will be a maximum of 100 participants, with about 20 of them being students / postdocs / junior members.
Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, USA
Alice Harding was an Astrophysicist in the Astrophysics Science Division at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center from 1980 to 2020, after earning her PhD from the University of Massachusetts–Amherst in 1979. She retired from NASA and continues as a Visiting Scientist in the Theoretical Division at Los Alamos National Laboratory since 2020. Her interests include millisecond and canonical pulsars as well as highly magnetised neutron stars (magnetars). She has been modelling gamma-ray pulsars for 45 years and wrote one of the first papers in this field. She and Okkie de Jager (KNP2012 conference honouree) predicted the high-energy spectrum of the Crab Nebula that was later detected by high-energy and very-high energy telescopes.
A Fellow of the American Physical Society, she received the NASA Medal for Exceptional Scientific Achievement (1994, 2012), the John C. Lindsay Award (2012), and the AAS Rossi Prize (2013).
She is a member of the NICER Science Team and Fermi LAT Collaboration, continuing to contribute to pulsar and high-energy astrophysics research.
AIM, CEA–Saclay / Université Paris-Cité
Isabelle Grenier, a professor at Université Paris-Cité, conducts research in astrophysics at AIM CEA–Saclay. An expert in high-energy astrophysics and the interstellar medium, she earned her PhD in astrophysics in 1988 at Université Paris-Diderot, focusing on analysis methods for sparse photon data, on gamma-ray pulsars and mapping molecular clouds in the Milky Way. Her results on phase-resolved spectroscopy of gamma-ray pulsars provided early clues to particle acceleration in their magnetospheres. She identified pulsars and their wind nebulae as dominant sources of Galactic gamma rays and discovered large reserves of dark gas as well as cocoons of young cosmic rays in our Galaxy.
As a member of the Fermi LAT Collaboration, she continues to advance our understanding of gamma rays and cosmic rays in the Milky Way.
In 2022, the French Academy of Sciences CNES prize was awarded to her.
William Marsh Rice University, Houston, USA
Prof. Christo Venter (co-chair)
North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa
Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos,
USA
AIM, CEA–Saclay / Université Paris-Cité,
France
INAF – Istituto di Astrofisica
Spaziale e Fisica Cosmica di Milano, Milan,
Italy
Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats (ICREA), Barcelona,
Spain
Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron (DESY), Zeuthen, Germany
University of Manitoba,
Canada
NASA GSFC / University of Maryland College Park,
USA
CNRS, IPAG, Université Grenoble Alpes,
France
University of British Columbia, Okanagan,
Canada
University of Cape Town,
South Africa
North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa
North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa
North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa
Administration
North-West University, Potchefstroom,
South Africa
Senior Liaison Officer: FNAS
North-West University, Potchefstroom,
South Africa
Student Representative
North-West University, Potchefstroom,
South Africa
PCO
TOURVEST,
Cape Town, South Africa
Website and Design
Dara Media and Marketing, George,
South Africa
Kruger National Park
Established in 1926, the Kruger National Park is one of Africa’s largest and most celebrated wildlife reserves. Covering nearly 20,000 km² in the north-eastern region of South Africa, it hosts an exceptional diversity of ecosystems, more than 500 bird species, and the iconic Big Five. The park is a model of world-class conservation and offers visitors a rare opportunity to experience the rich natural heritage of southern Africa.
Please note that daily conservation fees will apply to international participants, in accordance with South African National Parks (SANParks) regulations.
Skukuza Rest Camp
Skukuza, the largest rest camp in Kruger, serves as the park’s administrative headquarters and a vibrant hub for visitors. Situated on the banks of the Sabie River, it offers a wide range of facilities including conference venues, accommodation, restaurants and research resources. Its location and infrastructure make it an ideal setting for scientific meetings while providing direct access to the park’s remarkable wildlife and landscapes.
For more details on the venue, accommodation options and surrounding area, please visit the About the Venue page.
The organisers made a block booking of 65 single and 5 double rooms at the Skukuza Lodge. It is possible to upgrade from a single to double room at extra cost at the Skukuza Lodge.
Shared, more affordable accommodation is also available (15 bungalow rooms shared by two persons per bungalow). Ad hoc requests should be sent to the organisers at the conference email.
Although we highly recommend making use of the pre-booked accommodation, own arrangements may be made apart from the block booking; one option would be the Protea Hotel at Kruger Gate.
Most international delegates will arrive in South Africa via O.R. Tambo International Airport (Johannesburg). From there, the most convenient option is a domestic flight to Skukuza Airport (SZK), located inside Kruger National Park.
Alternatively, delegates may choose to rent a vehicle at O.R. Tambo and drive to Skukuza (approximately 5 – 6 hours), offering flexibility to explore the region before or after the conference.
Comprehensive travel guidance, including flight options and regional alternatives, is available on the Travel Information page.
Abstract submission for the conference is handled via a dedicated online form available on the conference website.
The submission period runs from February 15 to March 10, 2026, after which abstracts will be reviewed by the Scientific Organising Committee.
Notification of accepted talks and posters is expected by April 15, 2026.
Please consult the abstract submission page for detailed guidelines and requirements.
Final assignment of presentation type will be made by the (SOC).
The early-bird registration fee of R9 000 per person (around USD560) will be valid from March 25 until May 15, 2026.
Thereafter the registration fee will be R10 500 until June 15, 2026 (or when we’ve reached capacity).
The registration fee covers
Not included are
Registration for the conference will be managed via dedicated online portals operated by Tourvest Meetings & Incentives, our professional conference organiser.
All registration-related matters, including
will be handled by Tourvest.
The Tourvest Accommodation Portal will open on April 24, 2026
The Tourvest Registration Portal is now open:
Registration, accommodation, and travel arrangements will be handled by Tourvest. As soon as registration opens, a portal to Tourvest will be available on this website.
We are committed to creating a professional, respectful, and welcoming environment for all participants. This meeting is intended to be collegial, inclusive, and supportive, where everyone can contribute and feel valued.
Student Sponsorship
Additional student subsidy did not realise, so we cannot offer more than the registration sponsorship for Students and Postdocs. We will follow up with individuals concerning their respective financial position and send them letters of commitment that they will have to fill out soon.
We would like to thank the following generous sponsors:
North-West University
South African Radio Astronomy Observatory
National Institute of Theoretical and Computational Sciences
SA-GAMMA Consortium
Department of Science Technology & Innovation
Fermi Gamma Ray Telescope
South African Tourism
NWU Centre for Space Research
Accompanying persons are very welcome.
We urge delegates to register their accompanying persons on the portal as soon as it opens. We plan to issue a single invoice, including registration fee, accommodation, and accompanying person costs.
The registration portal will allow one to add the following expenses:
All other costs, including travel, accommodation, conservation fee, breakfast, lunch, dinner, game drives, and snacks will be for the account of the accompanying person.
Skukuza Rest Camp doen’t have standard childcare available. However, childcare may be arranged in advance with local service providers. Delegates who may require childcare during the conference are encouraged to contact the organising team ahead of time so that enquiries can be directed appropriately.
For childcare enquiries, please contact info@nsn-knp2026.org.za.
Accompanying persons may make use of the optional leisure activities and visitor experiences available in and around Skukuza Rest Camp during the conference. These may include guided game drives, guided bush walks, self-drive game viewing, and other SANParks visitor activities, subject to availability.
Activities are arranged separately from the scientific programme and should be booked in advance where possible. Availability, departure times, prices, and age restrictions may vary, and participants are encouraged to confirm details directly with SANParks or at the Skukuza reception/activity desk on arrival.
More information about Skukuza Rest Camp facilities, leisure options, and downtime activities is available on the About the Venue page.
Internet access will be available within the conference facilities.
A dedicated Wi-Fi network will be provided for conference use in the main meeting venues to support presentations and general academic activities (but probably not suitable for large data uploads or downloads).
Wi-Fi availability outside the conference venues may vary, and mobile data is recommended as a supplementary option for personal use.
For personal communication and practical use such as WhatsApp, email, light internet browsing, and navigation to and within the park, delegates may find mobile data to be a convenient supplementary option during their stay.
Vodacom and MTN provide 3G/4G coverage in the Skukuza area, with generally good signal strength within the rest camp.
International delegates may purchase a local SIM card at OR Tambo International Airport upon arrival, or use an international eSIM service (such as Airalo, Nomad, or Holafly). Mobile data should be considered a supplementary option for personal communication and not a replacement for the dedicated internet provided within conference venues.
Offline maps are recommended when travelling within the park.
South Africa uses a 220–230 V / 50 Hz electricity supply. The standard wall socket is the three-pin South African plug (Type M).
Many hotels and conference venues, including facilities at Skukuza, provide multi-standard sockets that can accommodate European two-pin plugs. However, this cannot be guaranteed in all rooms or buildings.
Delegates are therefore advised to bring a universal travel adapter or a South Africa (Type M) plug adapter for their electronic devices. These can be obtained at OR Tambo Airport.
Delegates may find the following apps useful, depending on their device, as they provide offline maps and practical information for navigating within Kruger National Park. Availability and functionality may vary by device and app version.
KrugerGuide (Android Only) – offline park maps, roads, rest camps, and facilities
Maps.me (Android & iOS) – offline navigation and basic mapping within the park
All visitors to Kruger National Park are required to pay a daily conservation fee. The fee is charged per person, per day, regardless of the number of times you enter or exit the park during your stay. Fees vary depending on nationality (International, SADC, or South African resident).
For international visitors, the current daily conservation fee is R602 per person per day (subject to change). The SANParks Wild Card (International – All Parks Cluster, Individual) currently costs R4 680, which covers unlimited access to all participating SANParks national parks and is valid for 12 months from date of purchase.
Delegates planning to stay eight days or longer may wish to consider purchasing a SANParks Wild Card, which may be more cost-effective for extended stays.
A link for the pre-purchase of SANParks Wild Cards will be provided to help avoid delays during on-site registration. Please ensure that you select the correct category:
South African [SA]
Southern African Development Community [SADC]
International visitor
Please note that the selected category will affect the price. Purchasing a Wild Card for the duration of your stay is typically more cost-effective than paying the daily Conservation Fee and will also facilitate smoother entry into the Park.
For information on SANParks Conservation Fees and Wild Cards categories (including options for couples and families, please refer to the SANParks Website.
Kruger National Park is located in a malaria-risk area, although the risk is generally low and seasonal. Delegates are advised to consult a healthcare professional or travel clinic well in advance of travel to determine whether malaria prophylaxis is recommended based on individual circumstances. The Kruger park had above-average rainfall and wide-spread flooding this summer, increasing the number of mosquitos in the Park.
As an additional precaution, the use of mosquito repellent and wearing long sleeves and trousers during the early morning and evening hours is advised.
Visitor-focused information is available from SANParks and medical information here. We advise delegates to consult their doctor or medical practitioner on this matter
While daytime temperatures in Kruger National Park are generally mild to warm during winter, early morning and evening temperatures can be surprisingly cold. Guided game drives typically depart before sunrise or return after sunset, and are conducted in open safari vehicles, where wind exposure can significantly increase the chill factor. During the winter months, early morning temperatures may drop to single digits (°C), particularly in June, July, and August.
Delegates are strongly advised to pack warm layers, including:
A warm jacket or fleece
A beanie or scarf
Gloves for early morning drives
These layers can easily be removed later in the day as temperatures rise.
Recommended Packing List:
Camera (with spare batteries or memory cards)
Binoculars (highly recommended for game and bird viewing)
Field guides for wildlife and bird identification
Mosquito repellent
Malaria medication, where prescribed or recommended
Comfortable walking shoes, preferably closed (especially for nature walks or daytime activities)
Hat and sunscreen for daytime outdoor activities or walking