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

André Bernon
GL, South Africa 2018

The trip went great. We all had a great time. We really enjoyed Andre Bernon, he is a great birder and a very good guide.

David Hoddinott
DS - South Africa 2021

The tour was expertly led by David Hoddinott, who was attentive to the clients and exceptionally knowledgeable. He ensured everyone had seen each species of bird encountered. The weather took a turn, but David was keen to stick out as long as it was safe to give us the best chance of maximising our species. Highly recommended.

Gregory de Klerk
MM, Eastern South Africa X 2016

Having been a guide myself in Australia from time to time, I genuinely appreciated the time and effort Greg dedicated to preparing for each day of the tour; where possible, there was an alternative site or activity if ever bird sightings or weather did not go exactly to plan. Greg acted with great professionalism throughout the tour and looked after himself well so he could look after us while on the road and in the bush... For me, the bottom line is: Greg is an excellent birder and a bloody good guide, and, an absolute gem of a bloke. I can’t tell you how much I enjoyed my time on the tour.

David Hoddinott
NP, South Africa

It was a great pleasure to meet David Hoddinott, and a privilege really to spend time with such a great birder. Mine was a focussed trip around several species not seen in South Africa, and we saw all the birds, including a wonderful view of a male Buff-spotted Flufftail. David also found a few species where I had only had single sightings previously. We had to reschedule my trip at short notice and the Tailormade team at RJ were really helpful to ensure this section of our trip went ahead. Many thanks.

Gregory de Klerk
JM - South Africa 2024

Great tour with amazing birds to see. Greg and Ward did a terrific job of finding the birds and making sure we saw everything. Kruger National Park was spectacular and we had unbelievable views of the animals. Loved the safari vehicle through the park and would recommend using it on future tours. The van was good as we all had window seats. Unfortunately there were issues with opening a couple of the windows along with electrical issues with the refrigerator and charging units at each seat but the guides adjusted to the situation as needed to make the experience a good one. The trip had a lot of time inside the van and sighting/seeing birds from the van. I would have liked more walking maybe on the roads when possible but I understand we were trying to see as many birds as possible. Overall a remarkable trip lead by professional, experienced guides and a great group of birders made this trip memorable.

South Africa - Eastern IV 2024

20 Sep 2024 - 04 Oct 2024 (15 days)

ZAR79,950 - 3 Spaces Available

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Tour Leader: James Wade Lee

Tour price (Per person): ZAR79,950 * USD4,375 * GBP3,399 * EUR4,024 * AUD6,683

Single Supplement: ZAR7,100 * USD389 * GBP302 * EUR357 * AUD593

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 - No Spaces Available

Wait List
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Tour Leader: Quinton Paul Josop

Tour price (Per person): ZAR79,950 * USD4,375 * GBP3,399 * EUR4,024 * AUD6,683

Single Supplement: ZAR7,100 * USD389 * GBP302 * EUR357 * AUD593

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

South Africa - Eastern I 2025

10 Jan 2025 - 24 Jan 2025 (15 days)

ZAR79,950 - Spaces Available

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Tour Leader: James Wade Lee

Tour price (Per person): ZAR79,950 * USD4,375 * GBP3,399 * EUR4,024 * AUD6,683

Single Supplement: ZAR7,200 * USD394 * GBP306 * EUR362 * AUD602

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

South Africa - Eastern II 2025

31 Jan 2025 - 14 Feb 2025 (15 days)

ZAR79,950 - Spaces Available

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Tour Leader: Ryan Tyrer

Tour price (Per person): ZAR79,950 * USD4,375 * GBP3,399 * EUR4,024 * AUD6,683

Single Supplement: ZAR7,200 * USD394 * GBP306 * EUR362 * AUD602

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

South Africa - Eastern III 2025

21 Feb 2025 - 07 Mar 2025 (15 days)

ZAR79,950 - Spaces Available

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Tour Leader: Ryan Tyrer

Tour price (Per person): ZAR79,950 * USD4,375 * GBP3,399 * EUR4,024 * AUD6,683

Single Supplement: ZAR7,200 * USD394 * GBP306 * EUR362 * AUD602

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

South Africa - Eastern Bird Photography Tour 2025

27 Feb 2025 - 11 Mar 2025 (13 days)

ZAR78,950 - 4 Spaces Available

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Tour Leader: Quinton Paul Josop

Tour price (Per person): ZAR78,950 * USD4,321 * GBP3,357 * EUR3,974 * AUD6,599

Single Supplement: ZAR7,250 * USD397 * GBP308 * EUR365 * AUD606

Can be linked with:

South Africa - Eastern IV 2025

19 Sep 2025 - 03 Oct 2025 (15 days)

ZAR79,950 - Spaces Available

Book Now
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Tour Leader: James Wade Lee

Tour price (Per person): ZAR79,950 * USD4,375 * GBP3,399 * EUR4,024 * AUD6,683

Single Supplement: ZAR7,200 * USD394 * GBP306 * EUR362 * AUD602

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

South Africa - Eastern V 2025

10 Oct 2025 - 24 Oct 2025 (15 days)

ZAR79,950 - Spaces Available

Book Now
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Tour Leader: James Wade Lee

Tour price (Per person): ZAR79,950 * USD4,375 * GBP3,399 * EUR4,024 * AUD6,683

Single Supplement: ZAR7,200 * USD394 * GBP306 * EUR362 * AUD602

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

South Africa - Eastern I 2026

09 Jan 2026 - 23 Jan 2026 (15 days)

ZAR83,100 - Spaces Available

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Tour Leader: Ryan Tyrer

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

Tour price (Per person): ZAR83,100 * USD4,548 * GBP3,533 * EUR4,183 * AUD6,946

Can be linked with:

South Africa - Eastern II 2026

30 Jan 2026 - 13 Feb 2026 (15 days)

ZAR83,100 - Spaces Available

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Tour Leader: Ryan Tyrer

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

Tour price (Per person): ZAR83,100 * USD4,548 * GBP3,533 * EUR4,183 * AUD6,946

Can be linked with:

South Africa - Eastern III 2026

20 Feb 2026 - 06 Mar 2026 (15 days)

ZAR83,100 - Spaces Available

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Tour Leader: James Wade Lee

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

Tour price (Per person): ZAR83,100 * USD4,548 * GBP3,533 * EUR4,183 * AUD6,946

Can be linked with:

South Africa - Eastern Bird Photography Tour 2026

31 May 2026 - 12 Jun 2026 (13 days)

ZAR82,500 - Spaces Available

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Tour Leader: David Hoddinott

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Tour Leader: Dušan Brinkhuizen

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

Tour price (Per person): ZAR82,500 * USD4,515 * GBP3,508 * EUR4,153 * AUD6,896

Can be linked with:

South Africa - Eastern IV 2026

04 Sep 2026 - 18 Sep 2026 (15 days)

ZAR83,100 - Spaces Available

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Tour Leader: Gregory de Klerk

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

Tour price (Per person): ZAR83,100 * USD4,548 * GBP3,533 * EUR4,183 * AUD6,946

Can be linked with:

South Africa - Eastern V 2026

09 Oct 2026 - 23 Oct 2026 (15 days)

ZAR83,100 - Spaces Available

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Tour Leader: Julian Parsons

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

Tour price (Per person): ZAR83,100 * USD4,548 * GBP3,533 * EUR4,183 * AUD6,946

Can be linked with:

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