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New Zealand - South Island Endemics

© Black Stilts by Erik Forsyth

New Zealand supports a host of unusual endemic land birds and a rich assemblage of marine birds and mammals. We start our tour in the beautiful grasslands of the Mackenzie region of the South Island where we will take in the beauty of the Southern Alpine rang, while looking for the critically endangered Black Stilt, before hiking through pristine Red Beech forest surrounded by breath-taking glacier-lined mountains, where the massive Kea (an Alpine parrot) can be found. In Fiordland National Park we will have a boat tour of the stunning Milford Sound while 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, Yellow-eyed and Fiordland Crested Penguins and a pelagic outing visiting several nearby islands in search of a variety of seabirds including 8 species of albatross! Our final destination will be Dunedin, where a visit to a Northern Royal Albatross colony will certainly be amongst the many highlights of this rewarding tour.

Top Birds

Southern Brown Kiwi, Black Stilt, South Island Saddleback, Yellowhead, Rifleman, Black-fronted Tern, Kea, Wrybill and Blue Duck

Habitats Covered

forest, beach, estuary and pelagic at sea

Expected Climate

subtropical with chances for occasional rain

Max Group Size

8 with 1 Rockjumper Leader and local leaders where necessary

Tour Pace & Walking

easy pace with undemanding walks. Most walks are on trails in reserves. Trails tend to be flat with reasonable space, but can be a little slippery when wet.

Accommodation

good hotels, roads, facilities and wifi throughout etc

Ease of Birding

most species are easily seen in open habitat. Kiwi are found at night and are wary of sound and light, so a fair amount of luck is needed

Number of Species Expected

+-100

Other Attractions

Mt Cook scenery and glaciers, Southern Alpine Mountain Range, Mitre Peak Milford Sound, island life Stewart Island, picturesque city of Dunedin

Photographic Opportunities

good to excellent

What our clients say about us

Erik Forsyth
PJ, New Zealand 2022

Even though the weather did not always cooperate Erik was able to get us to sites to see the endemic birds of NZ. The pelagic trips were excellent as was Erik's quick response to having to use an alternate boat for our last trip. He was very helpful in allowing me to spend time with a relative I had not seen in a long time and she and I were able to visit while waiting for the Interisland ferry.

Erik Forsyth
SC, New Zealand 2018

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
RN, New Zealand 2017

The tour was well-planned and Erik Forsyth was an excellent leader. The accommodation, food and transportation were also excellent.

Erik Forsyth
DF - New Zealand 2024

Erik is a fantastic leader and guide, with a great sense of humour and empathy. His knowledge and experience was first class, and he was entirely on top of the logistics throughout. All of which made this trip of a lifetime a total joy. Thank you!

Erik Forsyth
SS, New Zealand 2018

Erik Forsyth is a brilliant  tour leader and birder;  I would definitely like to travel with him again in the future!

New Zealand - South Island Endemics 2024

30 Nov 2024 - 09 Dec 2024 (10 days)

NZD6,695 - Spaces Available

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Tour Leader: Erik Forsyth

Tour price (Per person): NZD6,695 * USD3,983 * GBP3,183 * EUR3,719 * AUD6,081

Single Supplement: NZD850 * USD506 * GBP404 * EUR472 * AUD772

New Zealand - South Island Endemics 2025

24 Jan 2025 - 02 Feb 2025 (10 days)

NZD6,795 - Spaces Available

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Tour Leader: Rockjumper Tour Leader TBC

Tour price (Per person): NZD6,795 * USD4,043 * GBP3,230 * EUR3,775 * AUD6,172

Single Supplement: NZD920 * USD547 * GBP437 * EUR511 * AUD836

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