The Wellbeing Wildlife Sanctuary in Karatara was the magical setting for the annual Ecolution Festival that took place from 3-6 October 2025. This wasn’t just a weekend of camping, music and educational workshops, but was also a hands-on, multi-generational effort to rehabilitate disturbed sections of the property to support the passage of wildlife and improve biodiversity.
The festival was hosted by Dion Viljoen and Mariette Carstens in collaboration with Precious Tree Project, represented by our very own Ray. The Ecolution Team put on another highly enjoyable weekend where attendees showed up as co-creators in this important rehabilitation effort for the wildlife corridors running through Wellbeing Sanctuary. These natural pathways are essential for the movement and survival of local animal populations, and the festival has given them a significant boost since its launch in 2024!
The tireless work of the Ecolution Team ensured that the event ran smoothly and that the environmental restoration goals remained front and centre of the festivities. This was evident in what was the ambitious and most impactful part of the weekend – the monumental task of planting this new forest pocket – where festival goers, from toddlers to elders, came together to put 1,000 indigenous trees into the ground! An impressive range of over 30 different locally indigenous tree species were thrown in the forest mix. This incredible planting effort, preceded by the clearing efforts undertaken prior to the festival, was made possible through the generous sponsorship of the Butterfly Foundation. Thank you!
Butterfly Foundation | Creating a positive impact, one traveler at a time
Beyond the planting, attendees enjoyed a vibrant agenda of eco-conscious activities designed to inspire and educate. The program featured a range of talks by guest speakers and engaging workshops, offering practical skills and deep insights into environmental stewardship. Other activities also included eco-conscious performances, earth crafts, live music, dancing, yoga, drumming, and a green marketplace – something for all ages to enjoy.
The energy and commitment displayed at the Wellbeing Wildlife Sanctuary was a joyful, communal celebration. By planting, learning, and connecting, the participants of the Ecolution Festival 2025 have laid down deep roots for a greener, wilder future for Wellbeing Sanctuary.
Thank you to everyone who joined in and made this difference! Hope to see you all there next year!
