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South Africa - Budget Eastern (Small Group)

© Southern bald ibis by Hugh Chittenden

Our Budget Eastern South Africa birding safari incorporates the very best of southern African bird watching and game viewing at a more affordable rate than our standard tour. On this adventure we will explore the classic African savanna of the world-renowned Kruger National Park, the teeming Zululand game reserves, and the endemic-rich mist-belt forests and grasslands of the Natal Midlands. Target birds include Southern Bald Ibis, Blue and Wattled Cranes, Blue Korhaan, Knysna and Livingstone's Turacos, Rudd’s and Botha’s Larks, Orange and Spotted Ground Thrushes, Bush Blackcap, Rudd's Apalis, the lovely Pink-throated Twinspot, Olive and Gorgeous Bushshrikes, delightful Swee Waxbill, Forest and Cape Canaries, Buff-streaked Chat and the highly endangered Cape Parrot. Our chances of finding the classic ‘Big Five’ (Lion, Leopard, African Elephant, African Buffalo and Rhinoceros) are excellent, while less common mammals on our route include African Wild Dog, Cheetah and the endemic Black Wildebeest. This tour can be combined with our Budget Western South Africa tour for a very comprehensive coverage of the birds and wildlife of this amazing country.

Please note: these prices are subject to foreign exchange fluctuations.

Top Birds

Blue, Wattled and Grey Crowned Cranes, Blue Korhaan, Southern Bald Ibis, Bush Blackcap, Rudd's & Botha's Larks, Knysna, Purple-crested and Livingstone's Turacos, Cape Parrot, Narina Trogon, Gorgeous & Olive Bushshrikes, Spotted and Orange Ground Thrushes, Cape Rock Thrush, Rudd's Apalis, Brown and Bearded Scrub Robins, Buff-streaked Chat, Pink-throated Twinspot, Neergaard’s and Southern Double-collared, Scarlet-chested Sunbirds, Yellow-breasted, African Rock and Long-billed Pipits, Southern Boubou, Cape Shoveler, South African Shelduck, Maccoa Duck, Cape and Forest Canaries, Ground Woodpecker, African Black Swift, Jackal Buzzard, Cape, Eastern Golden and Southern Brown-throated Weavers, White-eared Barbet, Black-bellied and Burchell's Starlings, Green Malkoha, Southern Red-billed and Southern Yellow-billed Hornbills, Southern Ground Hornbill

Top Mammals

The ‘Big 5’ (Lion, Leopard, African Elephant, African Buffalo, Rhinoceros), Cheetah, African Wild Dog, Meerkat, Black Wildebeest, Nyala, Greater Kudu, Giraffe, Plains Zebra

Habitats Covered

mist-belt forest, Acacia savanna, high elevation and coastal grasslands, wetlands

Expected Climate

subtropical with occasional rain, warm in Kruger National Park and Zululand, cooler in the highlands, can be cold in winter

Max Group Size

6 with 1 Rockjumper leader

Tour Pace & Walking

moderate pace with some long drives

Accommodation

comfortable

Ease of Birding

easy

Number of Species Expected

320 - 350

Other Attractions

Kruger National Park, great food & wine, Zulu culture

Photographic Opportunities

excellent

What our clients say about us

Gregory de Klerk
PW, South Africa

Greg was brilliant (the best guide I've ever had). He found most of the birds we were trying for, and always did his utmost to get us all onto them.

Daniel Danckwerts
MW, South Africa 2021

"We all immensely enjoyed this Tailor-made tour. Dan is an excellent guide: great ears, great eyes, persistent, patient, cheerful, and knowledgeable about all nature. He really went all out for us, and he succeeded in finding very elusive and range-restricted species. We hope to travel with him in the future. Other aspects of the trip: lodging, transportation, etc. were excellent too. We appreciate the behind-the-scenes efforts by Heinz and the rest of the Rockjumper team."

Daniel Danckwerts
SR, South Africa 2019

This tour was fantastic-it exceeded all expectations in every aspect. The country is beautiful and it was shown to us in a way I will never forget - the plants, birds, mammals landscapes, insects and people. One of the most rounded lifetime experiences I have had. And now for the guide. Daniel was one of the best (if not the best) guide I’ve ever had. He has incredible birding skills-we missed nothing! His natural science knowledge is vast, especially for his age-it shows his love of nature and willingness to share it. He was very good with us as a group-able to joke around with everyone and meet individual needs. He adapted to all situations smoothly and with great confidence. His driving skills were superb-in the 13 000 km we traveled, not once did I think he made a dangerous or even slightly aggressive move. His choice of lodges and restaurants was great-we didn't lose any weight on the trip! I would travel with him anytime and will seek out destinations where I know he is the guide. Thanks Rockjumper for a wonderful trip.

Gregory de Klerk
CG, South Africa

Greg de Klerk worked hard to get us the sightings, to ensure everyone got a "good look" and to keep us as safe and as comfortable as possible. I especially appreciated his additional information about field marks, behaviour, the habitat/area, history and culture.

Gregory de Klerk
JS, Best of South Africa: Cape & Kruger I 2016

Greg de Klerk was one of the best guides I've had – EVER. Excellent with bird ID, calls and habitat. And probably just as important in a group setting, VERY good with people, fun, friendly and left no one out. I have heard good things about Rockjumper Tours for years and now I see why. Keep up the good work.

South Africa - Budget Eastern (Small Group) 2025

01 Mar 2025 - 12 Mar 2025 (12 days)

ZAR51,950 - Spaces Available

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Tour Leader: Quinton Paul Josop

Tour price (Per person): ZAR51,950 * USD2,805 * GBP2,242 * EUR2,603 * AUD4,244

Single Supplement: ZAR4,950 * USD267 * GBP214 * EUR248 * AUD404

Can be linked with: South Africa - Budget Western (Small Group) 2025

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