Overview

Our South India birding tour takes us to the rugged lands of southern India and the impressive Western Ghats Mountains, a land of endless valleys, rolling tea estates and breathtaking highland vistas, well-known for harboring a superb range of highly localized endemic birds and a host of special mammals. This comprehensive tour showcases many of these special creatures: the gorgeous Indian Pitta, Wynaad's Laughingthrush, Nilgiri Wood Pigeon, the rare Sri Lanka Frogmouth, exquisite Malabar Trogon, Malabar Whistling Thrush and Heart-spotted Woodpecker are just some of the incredible birds we will search for, while Indian Elephant, Gaur (Indian Bison), Wild Boar and Smooth-coated Otter are potential mammal highlights. Join us for an unbeatable birding exploration to the southern part of this immense and extremely rewarding nation!

Tour Facts Top Birds
Painted Bush Quail, Red Spurfowl, Nilgiri Wood & Grey-fronted Green Pigeons, Malabar Grey Hornbill, White-cheeked Barbet, Blue-winged Parakeet, Malabar Woodshrike, White-spotted Fantail, White-bellied Treepie, Indian Black-lored Tit, Malabar Lark, Grey-headed, Flame-throated & Yellow-throated Bulbuls, Broad-tailed Grassbird, Indian Scimitar & Rufous Babblers, Wynaad, Nilgiri & Palani Laughingthrushes, Malabar Starling, Nilgiri Thrush, White-bellied Blue, Black-and-orange & Nilgiri Flycatchers, Nilgiri Blue & White-bellied Blue Robins, Malabar Whistling Thrush, Nilgiri Flowerpecker, Crimson-backed Sunbird, Nilgiri Pipit, Indian Pitta, Sri Lanka Frogmouth, Malabar Trogon, Heart-spotted Woodpecker.
Top Mammals
Dhole, Gaur (Indian Bison), Smooth-coated Otter, Nilgiri Tahr
Habitats Covered
sholas (montane forests), teak woodlands, lakes, wetlands, montane grassland
Expected Climate
warm during day, cool at night, rain unexpected
Max Group Size
12 with 2 Rockjumper leaders / 8 with 1 Rockjumper leader
Tour Pace & Walking
moderate
Accommodation
basic to comfortable lodges and hotels
Ease of Birding
mostly unchallenging
Number of Species Expected
+-250
Other Attractions
Lake Periyar, roadside temples and shrines, Western Ghats Mountains, tea plantations
Photographic Opportunities
very good
Tour Route Map Route Map Client Testimonials

David Erterius is an absolute delight. Our group was unanimous in its respect for his exceptional birding skills, tirelessness, even temper and sense of humour. I especially appreciated that he always let us know what the plans were, and was most considerate of our needs (birds and otherwise), and our comfort. I look forward to an opportunity to travel with him again.

We had a wonderful trip with Rich Lindie and Stephan Lorenz, and we would certainly be happy to travel with either of them again. They were both excellent with the birds, had a great sense of humour, and were helpful and patient when individuals required extra assistance. In addition to the birding, we enjoyed a long list of mammals sighted in the various national parks. The accommodations and meals were also very good.

Greg de Klerk and David Erterius were great - super knowledgeable and really kind. You can tell that they both care about birds and their guests. I hope I can go on a Rockjumper tour with them again.

This was a great trip. A terrific itinerary and we saw lots of birds and we saw tigers at Ranthambhore and Corbett. Glen and [the local leader] were excellent guides—great spotting skills, and they made sure everyone saw the bird. The logistics worked very well because Glen and [the local leader] were a great team.

Greg de Klerk and David Erterius were great - super knowledgeable and really kind. You can tell that they both care about birds and their guests. I hope I can go on a Rockjumper tour with them again.

Dates, Leaders and Pricing
2023 DEPARTURES
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