New Zealand supports a host of unusual endemic land birds and a rich assemblage of marine birds and mammals. Our comprehensive tour is designed to seek almost every possible endemic and take full advantage of New Zealand’s oceanic diversity. Beginning in Auckland, we target North Island Brown Kiwi, amongst a multitude of other species that will no doubt be lifers. The first of our several pelagic excursions then takes place in the Hauraki Gulf in search of the recently rediscovered New Zealand Storm Petrel and a myriad of other species. Continuing to the fabled Tiritiri Matangi Island, we will bird this predator-free reserve for the prehistoric South Island Takahe, strange North Island Kokako and Stitchbird, before combing the Miranda shoreline for the bizarre Wrybill and numerous migrant waders. We finish our time on North Island visiting Kapiti Island searching for the endangered Little Spotted Kiwi, migrant Long-tailed Cuckoo and Tomtit.
Crossing onto South Island, our first stop is Blumine Island Bird Sanctuary, where the dazzling South Island Saddleback and New Zealand Robin will no doubt entertain us, before we embark on another pelagic adventure into the fantastic upwelling off Kaikoura, searching for an abundance of albatrosses, shearwaters and petrels. Travelling across South Island, we will seek the endemic flightless rail known as the Weka, as well as the critically endangered Black Stilt, before hiking through pristine Red Beech forest surrounded by breathtaking glacier-lined mountains, where Pipipi (Brown Creeper) and the massive Kea can be found. In Fiordland National Park our targets will include Blue Duck, the cute New Zealand Rockwren and New Zealand Falcon, before catching our ferry to the rugged Stewart Island in search of Southern Brown Kiwi and a variety of other specialities prior to another pelagic outing visiting several nearby islands. Our final destination will be Dunedin, where a visit to a Northern Royal Albatross colony and a Yellow-eyed Penguin breeding site will certainly be amongst the many highlights of this rewarding tour. With excellent lodging and meals, awe-inspiring scenery and fantastically friendly “Kiwis”, this is sure to be a tour of a lifetime!
Southern Brown, North Island Brown & Little Spotted Kiwis; Paradise Shelduck; Blue Duck; Brown Teal; New Zealand Scaup; Yellow-eyed, Fiordland & Little Penguins; New Zealand Storm Petrel; Wandering, Antipodean, Southern Royal, Northern Royal, Campbell, Shy, Salvin's & Buller's Albatrosses; Cook's, Westland & Black Petrels; Buller's & Hutton's Shearwater; New Zealand Grebe; Spotted, Rough-faced, Foveaux, Otago & Spotted Shags; Weka; South Island Takahe; South Island & Variable Oystercatchers; Black Stilt; Wrybill; New Zealand Plover; Black-billed Gull; White-fronted & Black-fronted Terns; New Zealand Pigeon; New Zealand Falcon; Kea; New Zealand Kaka; Yellow-crowned & Malherbe's Parakeets; Rifelman; New Zealand Rockwren; Tui; Grey Gerygone; North Island Kokako; North Island & South Island Saddlebacks; Stitchbird; Yellowhead; Whitehead; Pipipi; Tomtit; New Zealand Robin; New Zealand Fernbird; New Zealand Pipit.
New Zealand Fur Seal; Hector's & Dusky Dolphins; Killer Whale
mudflats, estuary, river, pelagic, wetlands, islands, alpine grasslands, mountain beech forest, temperate rainforest
subtropical to temperate. the south can get very cold. New Zealand often experiences four seasons in one day, so you should be prepared for sudden changes in weather and temperature.
8 with 1 Rockjumper leader
mostly very relaxed with some longer walks
very comfortable
mostly undemanding
135+
excellent
Erik Forsyth is one of the best guides. Extraordinary knowledge of birds as well as New Zealand itself. Personable and cheerful with a wonderful sense of humour. He is attentive birders' needs and made every effort to meet and exceed any special needs. He knew where to try and find the endemics, and the only one we didn't see or hear was because of inclement weather. We would definitely travel with Erik again should that opportunity present itself.
ERIK IS A WONDERFUL GUIDE AND COMPANION WITH A GREAT SENSE OF HUMOR BUT ALSO WITH ATTENTION TO DETAIL. WE FOUND ALMOST ALL OF THE BIRDS ON OUR CHECKLIST AND ARE VERY HAPPY WITH THE RESULTS.
Erik Forsyth was excellent, a great guide; professional, knowledgeable, friendly and pleasant to be around. He was also a careful driver who spent many hours driving us around New Zealand. All in all, I was left very satisfied and happy with the tour; and this being my first Rockjumper tour, I was left with a very positive impression of the company and its staff. I would certainly like to use Rockjumper and Erik again!
Erik Forsyth's depth of knowledge of the birds of New Zealand was astounding. He delivered on all the species possible, and some even became good friends with multiple good sightings before the trip was through. He was good-natured and managed our group well throughout the long hours of driving on several days. The accommodations were good, as were the night walks for kiwis, the pelagic tours, and the visits to islands and refuges to see rare, endemic and endangered species. I loved the trip from the beginning to the end. We had good weather, too! Thanks, from the bottom of my heart, for the wonderful experience exploring New Zealand. I fell in love with the birds and the country. Thanks, Erik, for making it happen. Four stars, two thumbs up, all possible positive accolades.
Erik Forsyth did a fine job of managing the group. He is a constitutionally positive person and conveyed a healthy sense of humour that was appreciated by the entire group. He clearly endeavoured to spend time with all of the members of the group which brought about good group cohesion. He met each person, regardless of their birding ability, and facilitated their birding experience.
23 Oct 2023 - 08 Nov 2023 (17 days)
NZD10,595 - No Spaces Available
Tour Leader: Erik Forsyth
Tour price (Per person): NZD10,595 * USD6,394 * GBP5,216 * EUR6,032 * AUD9,847
Single Supplement: NZD1,550 * USD935 * GBP763 * EUR883 * AUD1,441
13 Nov 2023 - 29 Nov 2023 (17 days)
NZD10,595 - No Spaces Available
Tour Leader: Erik Forsyth
Tour price (Per person): NZD10,595 * USD6,394 * GBP5,216 * EUR6,032 * AUD9,847
Single Supplement: NZD1,550 * USD935 * GBP763 * EUR883 * AUD1,441
09 Jan 2024 - 25 Jan 2024 (17 days)
NZD11,395 - No Spaces Available
Tour Leader: Erik Forsyth
Tour price (Per person): NZD11,395 * USD6,877 * GBP5,610 * EUR6,488 * AUD10,591
Single Supplement: NZD1,550 * USD935 * GBP763 * EUR883 * AUD1,441
22 Oct 2024 - 07 Nov 2024 (17 days)
NZD11,395 - No Spaces Available
Tour Leader: Erik Forsyth
Tour price (Per person): NZD11,395 * USD6,877 * GBP5,610 * EUR6,488 * AUD10,591
Single Supplement: NZD1,550 * USD935 * GBP763 * EUR883 * AUD1,441
11 Nov 2024 - 27 Nov 2024 (17 days)
NZD11,395 - No Spaces Available
Tour Leader: Erik Forsyth
Tour price (Per person): NZD11,395 * USD6,877 * GBP5,610 * EUR6,488 * AUD10,591
Single Supplement: NZD1,550 * USD935 * GBP763 * EUR883 * AUD1,441
Tour Leader: Erik Forsyth
Pricing notes : *Prices are estimated and dates may change*
Tour price (Per person): NZD12,000 * USD7,242 * GBP5,908 * EUR6,832 * AUD11,153
16 Oct 2025 - 01 Nov 2025 (17 days)
NZD12,000 - Spaces Available
Tour Leader: Erik Forsyth
Pricing notes : *Prices are estimated and dates may change*
Tour price (Per person): NZD12,000 * USD7,242 * GBP5,908 * EUR6,832 * AUD11,153
05 Nov 2025 - 21 Nov 2025 (17 days)
NZD12,000 - Spaces Available
Tour Leader: Erik Forsyth
Pricing notes : *Prices are estimated and dates may change*
Tour price (Per person): NZD12,000 * USD7,242 * GBP5,908 * EUR6,832 * AUD11,153
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