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

James Wade Lee
AF, South Africa 2023

Wade is an exceptional individual. Hard to believe he is not 21 and has such an understanding and knowledge of the animals. He also has a great personality and is a hard worker to insure that you get all the help needed to be safe in every aspect of the operation. Ryan was also a hard worker with the customers comfort and satisfaction always in mind. He is also extremely knowledgeable about the animals and their environment. The entire staff was very accommodating and helpful. It is a great operation and was a wonderful experience.

David Hoddinott
RH, South Africa 2021

This was my first pelagic tour, and I loved every minute of it. The guides were excellent - informative, knowledgeable, enthusiastic and patient. Couldn't have asked for better, thank you.

Gregory de Klerk
WB & BB, South Africa

The lynchpin for our entire experience was the guide - and Greg de Klerk was simply brilliant. He was extremely skilled in knowing where the birds might be, and finding them once we got there. He carefully made sure that we all saw the bird. He was very knowledgeable about bird and mammal behaviour, and shared a lot of information with the tour members. He smoothly handled logistics, is a good driver, and patient with non-nationals who are unfamiliar with South African customs. He has a wonderful sense of humour; and a very warm and outgoing personality, which stimulated good relations between tour members. We would be very excited to go on another Rockjumper trip with him!

David Hoddinott
MO, South Africa 2021

Always a fantastic experience with Rockjumper from inquiry through to the end. Guides always the best of the best

James Wade Lee
RB - South Africa 2024

Both Greg and Wade were amazing. Greg has a fantastic knowledge of the area and it's wildlife. He was always willing to add information and facts regarding the wildlife we observed. He managed the tour expertly and his enthusiasm was contagious. And Wade is flat out the best bird/wildlife finder that I have ever been around. Truly extraordinary. The trip was beyond my expectations.

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 * USD2,728 * GBP2,187 * EUR2,555 * AUD4,232

Single Supplement: ZAR4,950 * USD260 * GBP208 * EUR243 * AUD403

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

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Route Map

Tour Route Map

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