Overview

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.

*2024 Prices are estimated and dates may change*

Tour Facts 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
Tour Route Map Route Map Client Testimonials

Doug McCulloch did a good job picking up the tour after Greg had to depart. He is very good at communicating with the group and answering all questions.

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.

This was my first experience with Rockjumper - it far exceeded my expectations. In fact, it far exceeded my experiences with other tours. I don't know how anybody could have been better than Andre Bernon. He was always professional, organized, and I felt completely safe with his driving. His knowledge of birds, animal behavior, the country, the history, goes without saying - but really it was his personality that made the trip. I so enjoyed his sense of humor. I know it is an old-fashioned word, but he was a complete gentleman - showing respect and courtesy to everyone but always with a twinkle in his eye and ready to either hand out or be on the receiving end of a joke. We just plain had fun on this trip! When time and money allows, I would happily go on another trip with him.

My wife and I were part of a six person tour of South Africa that was led by David Hoddinott. Our trip was excellent and seamless. David was the perfect guide for our group and, as I’m sure you’re aware, is an extraordinary birder and bird finder.... Thank you to Rockjumper, and David especially, for taking the time to create such a wonderful trip for our group. As always, I’m sure that it’s a challenge to accommodate numerous personalities within a group and David was great at it. We all liked him from day one and he was always positive and up for anything. He was an absolute joy to be with. We’d previously been to Zimbabwe, Uganda, and Botswana and South Africa was a totally different experience. We really enjoyed the people that we got to meet and the sheer beauty of the country is breathtaking. David’s enthusiasm and pride of his homeland was inspiring and infectious. We can’t thank him enough for making it come alive for us. And thanks to all who had a part in setting it all up. We’d happily recommend Rockjumper to anyone thinking about a trip led by you.

Doug McCulloch did an excellent job. I have never seen a guide work so hard to get everyone on the birds. He gets high marks for his knowledge of the birds and his people-management skills.

Dates, Leaders and Pricing
2023 DEPARTURES
2024 DEPARTURES
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