Our eastern South Africa birding and wildlife tours combine the great birds and mammals of the world-renowned Kruger National Park, the teeming Zululand game reserves, the endemic-rich mist-belt forests and grasslands of the Natal Midlands and the lofty peaks of the magnificent Drakensberg. Target species include Kori Bustard, Southern Ground Hornbill, Bateleur, Southern Bald Ibis, Bearded Vulture, Blue and Wattled Cranes, Blue Korhaan, Ground Woodpecker, Yellow-breasted Pipit, Rudd’s and Botha’s Larks, Spotted and Orange Ground Thrushes, Drakensberg Rockjumper, Gurney’s Sugarbird, the splendid Pink-throated Twinspot, Neergaard’s Sunbird, Narina Trogon, Woodward’s Batis, Gorgeous and Olive Bushshrikes, Chorister Robin-Chat, Brown and Bearded Scrub Robins, Knysna and Livingstone's Turacos, Bush Blackcap and Rudd’s Apalis. Our chances of achieving the classic ‘Big Five’ (Lion, Leopard, African Elephant, African Buffalo and both Black & White Rhinoceroses) are excellent, while less common mammals include African Wild Dog, Cheetah and the endemic Black Wildebeest.

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

Top Birds

Blue, Wattled and Grey Crowned Cranes, Denham’s Bustard, Blue Korhaan, Southern Bald Ibis, Drakensberg Rockjumper, Gurney’s Sugarbird, Bush Blackcap, Ground, Bennett's and Olive Woodpeckers, Rudd’s and Botha’s Larks, Knysna, Purple-crested and Livingstone’s Turacos, Chorister Robin-Chat, Drakensberg and Karoo Prinias, Grey Tit, Karoo and Olive Thrushes, Fairy Flycatcher, Layard's and Chestnut-vented Warblers, Cape Parrot, Narina Trogon, Gorgeous and Olive Bushshrikes, Spotted and Orange Ground Thrushes, Cape and Sentinel Rock Thrushes, Rudd’s Apalis, Woodward’s and Cape Batises, Crimson-breasted Shrike, Southern Pied Babbler, Violet-eared, Grey and Black-faced Waxbills, Brown and Bearded Scrub Robins, Buff-streaked and Sickle-winged Chats, Pink-throated Twinspot, Neergaard’s, Scarlet-chested and Southern Double-collared Sunbirds, Green Malkoha, Half-collared and Giant Kingfishers, Little and White-fronted Bee-eaters, Southern Boubou, Cape and Forest Canaries, Cape, Spectacled and Southern Brown-throated Weavers, Yellow-breasted Pipit.

Top Mammals

The ‘Big 5’(Lion, Leopard, African Elephant, African Buffalo and both Black & White Rhinoceroses), Meerkat, African Wild Dog, Black Wildebeest, Nyala, Cheetah, Giraffe, Greater Kudu, Plains Zebra, Warthog, Common Eland and Sloggett’s Vlei Rat, Hippopotamus.

Habitats Covered

dune and mist-belt forest, acacia savanna, high elevation and coastal grasslands, mountains, wetlands

Expected Climate

subtropical with chances for occasional rain, warm to hot in Kruger and Zululand, cooler in highlands, can be cold in winter

Max Group Size

8 with 1 Rockjumper leader

Tour Pace & Walking

moderate pace with undemanding walks, some long drives

Accommodation

comfortable guesthouses and lodges

Ease of Birding

easy

Number of Species Expected

320 - 380 (400 - 450 with extension)

Other Attractions

Kruger National Park, Sani Pass and Drakensberg Mountains, dramatic scenery, Zulu culture, Indian Ocean, iSimangaliso Wetland Park

Photographic Opportunities

excellent

What our clients say about us

David Hoddinott
MW, South African Mega 2015

David was a fantastic guide whose love for his homeland, and passion for its wildlife, shone brightly. I couldn’t have wished for a better guide to show me the wonders of South Africa.

Jeremy Exelby
MF & JF, South Africa 2018

Jeremy Exelby was an excellent guide; his knowledge of the local plants and animals was fantastic. He led the group in a very professional way, taking everyone's considerations into account. We had a fabulous time and saw some wonderful flowers and birds.

Douglas McCulloch
CC, South Africa 2019

Doug gave 150% of himself to this tour. Need I say more? Even when having to change two different flat tires, he was jovial! Amazing!

Jeremy Exelby
JH & LH, South Africa - Cape Wildflowers 2018

Jeremy Exelby is the perfect guide for this. The fact he didn¹t know all birds (mainly larks, cisticolas!) and had to consult a bird book, was NOT an issue with any of us. In fact, that made us discuss ID as a group, making us better birders, giving us a stake in ID - not at all a negative, especially for this tour. This was refreshing, rather than just accepting an ID by an RJ guide. We love his honesty and integrity.

Glen Valentine
BC, South Africa 2021

Hi. Glen and Julian were great guides. I really enjoyed spending time with them. The trip was great, lodging was great. The wineries were amazing, as were the bird and animal sightings. I would travel with Glen or Julian again any time!

South Africa - Eastern VI 2023

13 Oct 2023 - 27 Oct 2023 (15 days)

ZAR72,950 - No Spaces Available

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Tour Leader: Quinton Josop

Tour price (Per person): ZAR72,950 * USD3,823 * GBP3,148 * EUR3,621 * AUD5,994

Single Supplement: ZAR7,000 * USD367 * GBP302 * EUR347 * AUD575

Can be linked with: South Africa - Cape Extension VI 2023

South Africa - Eastern I 2024

05 Jan 2024 - 19 Jan 2024 (15 days)

ZAR79,950 - No Spaces Available

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Tour Leader: Gregory de Klerk

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Tour Leader: James Lee

Tour price (Per person): ZAR79,950 * USD4,190 * GBP3,450 * EUR3,968 * AUD6,569

Single Supplement: ZAR7,100 * USD372 * GBP306 * EUR352 * AUD583

Can be linked with: South Africa - Cape Extension I 2024

South Africa - Eastern IV 2024

20 Sep 2024 - 04 Oct 2024 (15 days)

ZAR79,950 - 4 Spaces Available

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Tour Leader: James Lee

Tour price (Per person): ZAR79,950 * USD4,190 * GBP3,450 * EUR3,968 * AUD6,569

Single Supplement: ZAR7,100 * USD372 * GBP306 * EUR352 * AUD583

Can be linked with: South Africa - Cape Extension IV 2024

South Africa - Eastern V 2024

11 Oct 2024 - 25 Oct 2024 (15 days)

ZAR79,950 - Spaces Available

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Tour Leader: Quinton Josop

Tour price (Per person): ZAR79,950 * USD4,190 * GBP3,450 * EUR3,968 * AUD6,569

Single Supplement: ZAR7,100 * USD372 * GBP306 * EUR352 * AUD583

Can be linked with: South Africa - Cape Extension V 2024

South Africa - Eastern I 2025

10 Jan 2025 - 24 Jan 2025 (15 days)

ZAR84,000 - Spaces Available

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Tour Leader: James Lee

Pricing notes : *Prices are estimated and dates may change*

Tour price (Per person): ZAR84,000 * USD4,403 * GBP3,625 * EUR4,169 * AUD6,902

Can be linked with: South Africa - Cape Extension I 2025

South Africa - Eastern II 2025

31 Jan 2025 - 14 Feb 2025 (15 days)

ZAR84,000 - Spaces Available

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Tour Leader: Quinton Josop

Pricing notes : *Prices are estimated and dates may change*

Tour price (Per person): ZAR84,000 * USD4,403 * GBP3,625 * EUR4,169 * AUD6,902

Can be linked with: South Africa - Cape Extension II 2025

South Africa - Eastern III 2025

21 Feb 2025 - 07 Mar 2025 (15 days)

ZAR84,000 - Spaces Available

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Tour Leader: Michael Meidlinger

Pricing notes : *Prices are estimated and dates may change*

Tour price (Per person): ZAR84,000 * USD4,403 * GBP3,625 * EUR4,169 * AUD6,902

Can be linked with: South Africa - Cape Extension III 2025

South Africa - Eastern IV 2025

19 Sep 2025 - 03 Oct 2025 (15 days)

ZAR84,000 - Spaces Available

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Tour Leader: James Lee

Pricing notes : *Prices are estimated and dates may change*

Tour price (Per person): ZAR84,000 * USD4,403 * GBP3,625 * EUR4,169 * AUD6,902

Can be linked with: South Africa - Cape Extension IV 2025

South Africa - Eastern V 2025

10 Oct 2025 - 24 Oct 2025 (15 days)

ZAR84,000 - Spaces Available

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Tour Leader: James Lee

Pricing notes : *Prices are estimated and dates may change*

Tour price (Per person): ZAR84,000 * USD4,403 * GBP3,625 * EUR4,169 * AUD6,902

Can be linked with: South Africa - Cape Extension V 2025

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