Overview

Our western South Africa Cape extensions, combined with our eastern South Africa tours, can produce up to an incredible 500 bird and 50 mammal species, including many South African endemics and near-endemics. Commencing in Cape Town, widely considered one of the world’s most beautiful cities, we set out to explore the breathtaking Cape Peninsula, the succulent Tanqua Karoo, West Coast National Park and teeming pelagic waters. Cape targets include the comical African Penguin, Black Harrier, Ludwig’s Bustard, elusive Cinnamon-breasted Warbler, attractive Victorin’s Warbler, Karoo Lark, stunning Orange-breasted and Southern Double-collared Sunbirds, Cape Sugarbird, Protea, Cape and Forest Canaries, Cape Siskin, Cape Bulbul and Cape Rockjumper, the last belonging to a family that is endemic to southern Africa. Regional endemics could include Rufous-eared Warbler, Southern Boubou, Cape Batis, Cape Grassbird, Karoo Prinia, Karoo Eremomela, Cape Weaver, Fiscal Flycatcher, Namaqua Warbler, Cape Spurfowl and Olive Thrush. An unforgettable experience is definitely a pelagic trip out to sea from Cape Town, whereby finding a fishing vessel could produce literally thousands of birds in its wake. Indian and Atlantic Yellow-nosed, Black-browed and Shy Albatrosses, Cape and White-chinned Petrels, Southern and Northern Giant Petrels and Cape Gannet are regularly encountered.

Please note: these prices are subject to foreign exchange fluctuations.

*2024 Prices are estimated and dates may change*

Tour Facts Top Birds
Cape Rockjumper, Cape Sugarbird, Cape Bulbul, Cape Siskin, Protea, Forest, Cape & Black-headed Canaries, Orange-breasted, Malachite & Southern Double-collared Sunbirds, African Penguin, African Oystercatcher, Crowned, Bank & Cape Cormorants, Hartlaub’s Gull, Black Harrier, Southern Black & Karoo Korhaans, Ludwig’s Bustard, Cape Spurfowl, Bokmakierie, Victorin’s, Namaqua, Rufous-eared, Cinnamon-breasted, and Layard’s Warblers, Karoo Eremomela, Cape Penduline Tit, White-backed Mousebird, Karoo and Tractrac Chats, Karoo Scrub Robin, Southern Boubou, Fiscal and Fairy Flycatchers, Cape Batis, Cape Grassbird, Karoo Lark, Grey Tit, Grey-winged Francolin, Olive Thrush, South African Shelduck, Cape Shoveler, Indian & Atlantic Yellow-nosed, Black-browed & Shy Albatrosses, Southern & Northern Giant Petrels, Cape and White-chinned Petrels, Cape Gannet
Top Mammals
Afro-Australian Fur Seal, Southern Right Whale, Common Eland, Blesbok (Bontebok), (Cape) Mountain Zebra, (Red) Hartebeest, Cape Grey Mongoose, Klipspringer, Springbok, Steenbok, Cape Grysbok, Grey Rhebok, Chacma Baboon, Rock Hyrax, Meerkat
Habitats Covered
mountains, semi-desert, fynbos, coastal and pelagic waters, wetlands
Expected Climate
subtropical with occasional rain, can be cold in winter
Max Group Size
6 with 1 Rockjumper leader / 8 with 1 Rockjumper leader
Tour Pace & Walking
moderate pace with undemanding walks, some long drives
Accommodation
comfortable guesthouses
Ease of Birding
easy
Number of Species Expected
+-200
Other Attractions
Tanqua-Karoo, Table Mountain, Cape Peninsula, great food & wine
Photographic Opportunities
excellent
Tour Route Map Route Map Client Testimonials

This was our first tailor-made tour. It won't be our last. We had a great time. Dan was an excellent guide, working all the angles to get us our target birds while still covering the area specialties, affording us great looks at birds for which we had only fleeting views on our previous South Africa tour with Rockjumper (which was also great!). Dan was very persistent, which paid off in seeing a good number of very difficult specialty birds that many avid South African birders have not seen. We even had two lifer flufftails in a single day, thanks in part to Doug McCulloch, who took the morning off from his new job to help out with the Red-breasted Flufftail. Thanks, Doug! We could have used one more day in the Joburg area, as there were a few birds that were not accessible within the time frame of the tour. This always happens, though, and I am glad we went from a 6-day to a 10-day tour. This is the reason for the overall rating of 9 rather than 10. Overall, the three of us had a great time on the tour. Thanks for putting it together for us!

During Oct 19 to Nov. 6, 2010, I participated in the Eastern South Africa and Western Cape Extension tour. It is the ultimate tour if you are birding for the first time in the African continent. The diversity of birds is overwhelming and unlike birding in the tropical Americas, the birds are easy to see! I personally added 419 lifers! The pace of the tour was ideal. Accommodations were top-notch and the meals wonderful. Keith Valentine is an unsurpassed tour leader. Extremely knowledgeable yet very laid back, approachable and quick to laugh. I have been on many organized bird tours but none come close to the standards set by Rockjumper on this tour. The bar has been raised!

Our short custom tour with two day trips out of Cape Town was really excellent. Our guide Julian was knowledgeable and engaging and generally a great fit for our small family of three. We found almost all our main target species and Julian was always quick to set up the scope to ensure we all got great views of the more distant birds. As a family with a range of interests including not only birds, but also mammals and plants, we really appreciated that Julian found the right balance between trying hard to find some of the more difficult birds and allowing some extra time for studying plants, especially at Kirstenbosch. Thanks Julian, for a great couple of days! Thanks also to Daniel and Laverne for your help with planning and logistics!

What can I say about Adam. As a guide and companion he was first class. Very patient and his enthusiasm is infectious.

Jeremy's botanical skills were excellent.

Dates, Leaders and Pricing
2023 DEPARTURES
2024 DEPARTURES
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