For our Cape & Kruger birding and wildlife tour we have specifically selected the two most productive and diverse regions of South Africa: the fabulous Cape Peninsula in the south-west and the vast world famous Kruger National Park in the north-east of the country. Spending about five days in each area, we have the opportunity to explore both the Cape and Kruger by means of a variety of day trips visiting the essential highlights of each distinct region. The birding and scenery in the smallest Floristic Kingdom in the world is spectacular and the world famous Kruger National Park gives us chance to get close to the typical African wildlife such as Lion, Leopard, African Elephant, both Black and White Rhinoceroses, Plains Zebra, Giraffe and Warthog - not to mention its rich birdlife. This tour promises a whole host of endemic and super special African bird and wildlife species and comes highly recommended!
Please note: these prices are subject to foreign exchange fluctuations.
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Top Birds
Western Cape: Cape Rockjumper, Cape Sugarbird, Cape Siskin, Protea and Cape Canaries, Orange-breasted, Malachite & Southern Double-collared Sunbirds, African Penguin, African Oystercatcher, Crowned, Bank & Cape Cormorants, Hartlaub’s Gull, Black Harrier, Southern Black and Karoo Korhaans, Cape Spurfowl, Bokmakierie, Jackal Buzzard, Southern Boubou, Swee Waxbill, Karoo and Large-billed Larks, Karoo Eremomela, Ground Woodpecker, Cape Weaver, Cape Bulbul, Maccoa Duck, Cape Teal, Cape Shoveler, South African Shelduck, Victorin’s, Cinnamon-breasted, Rufous-eared and Namaqua Warblers, Cape Penduline Tit, White-backed Mousebird, Greater and Lesser Flamingos.
Kruger: Common Ostrich, Kori Bustard, Southern Ground Hornbill, Bateleur, Martial, Crowned, African Hawk- & Tawny Eagles, Dark Chanting Goshawk, Lizard Buzzard, Marabou & Saddle-billed Storks, Lappet-faced, White-backed, Hooded & White-headed Vultures, chances for African Finfoot, White-crowned Lapwing, Swainson’s & Natal Spurfowls, Coqui, Crested and Shelley's Francolins, Bronze-winged Courser, Double-banded Sandgrouse, Verreaux’s and Spotted Eagle-Owls, Southern White-faced, African Scops Owls, Pearl-spotted & African Barred Owlets, Southern Red-billed and Southern Yellow-billed Hornbills, Brown-headed Parrot, Bennett’s, Cardinal and Golden-tailed Woodpeckers, Mosque Swallow, Grey-headed and Orange-breasted Bushshrikes, Burchell’s Starling, Southern White-crowned Shrike, Red-headed Weaver, White-browed Robin-Chat, Bearded Scrub Robin, Burnt-necked Eremomela, Bushveld Pipit
Top Mammals
Western Cape: Afro-Australian Fur Seal, Common Eland, Blesbok (Bontebok), (Cape) Mountain Zebra, (Red) Hartebeest, Cape Grysbok, Southern Right Whale, Long-beaked Common Dolphin
Kruger: The ‘Big 5’ (Lion, Leopard, African Elephant, Black and White Rhinoceroses, African Buffalo), Cheetah, African Wild Dog, Side-striped Jackal, Greater Kudu, Giraffe, Spotted Hyena, Nyala, Common and Central African Large-spotted Genet, Wild Cat, African Civet, Cape Porcupine, White-tailed Mongoose, Klipspringer, Plains Zebra, Warthog
Habitats Covered
Western Cape: mountains, fynbos, coastal waters, semi desert, wetlands
Kruger: acacia savanna, bushveld, terminalia woodland, riverine forest, grasslands, rivers, wetlands
Expected Climate
Western Cape: subtropical with occasional rain, can be cold at times
Kruger: subtropical and dry, warm to hot
Max Group Size
8 with 1 Rockjumper leader
Tour Pace & Walking
relaxed to moderate pace with undemanding walks
Accommodation
comfortable to very comfortable
Ease of Birding
mostly easy with a few tougher species
Number of Species Expected
290+
Other Attractions
Western Cape: Table Mountain, incredible coastal and mountain scenery, Tanqua Karoo, great food & wine
Kruger: vast, pristine wilderness, huge numbers of African mega-fauna
Photographic Opportunities
excellent
Client Testimonials
Julian did an outstanding job leading the tour. I understand he is a new guide w/ Rockjumper, but it seemed like he had years of experience. His birding skills were superb, as expected. His knowledge of all the obscure larks and LBJs was very impressive. Importantly, he handled logistics very well, managed client expectations and personalities superbly, and was always cheerful and kept things positive. I've got to give a nod to the driver as well, he was a joy to be around. Always cheerful (regardless of tire problems in the Karoo) and willing to jimmy the vehicle around so everyone gets a good look. A definite asset to the tour. I understand these trips run smoothly because of all the support back at the office. Thanks to everyone involved. All of my communications pre-tour were handled promptly and professionally. The whole Rockjumper team were a real pleasure to work with. Can't wait to do it again!
Our guide, Doug McCulloch, was outstanding. Both professional and personable. He made sure we all got on the bird if possible. Great eyes and ears, went out of his way at times. Ie: The scope was set up too high, the only way to see the bird, so for Joanie, Doug got down on all fours and had her step up on his back to see an African Finfoot through the scope. (We have a photo of this).
Our group of six was very lucky to have Julian Parsons and Musa as our tour guide and driver! Excellent knowledge of birds, biomes, and local culture and politics. Also both had a great sense of humor and they were adaptable to our group's moods: the perfect match for our group! We would recommend both of them for any future tours! Bottom line, a very memorable trip with lots of great memories. Thanks to all.
This was a huge change for me booking a more laid back tour instead of my usual hardcore birding from morning till night. I loved the change and was able to relax more and enjoy the company of the other participants and our guide Jeremy Exelby. We were still able to get a very good number of birds interwoven with some wonderful wine tasting and excellent meals. Last but not least the last half was dedicated to Big game viewing along with birding and incredible scenery. All in all a huge success and a big thanks to a Jeremy for his enthusiasm, kindness and excellent people skills. He was a joy to be around.
Thank you for a wonderful tour. We enjoyed your good company and we appreciate your expertise, effort and enthusiasm. We thoroughly enjoyed our time in South Africa and we hope to travel with you again sometime. P.S It was a cracker