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

Glen Valentine
AC, South Africa Mega

Glen's pacing of the tour was particularly good - relaxed whenever possible and upping the pace when necessary. His responsiveness and attention to client requests was admirable, as was his general demeanor throughout. Nice to spend such a long trip with someone so enthusiastic and sociable.

Daniel Danckwerts
MW, South Africa 2021

"We all immensely enjoyed this Tailor-made tour. Dan is an excellent guide: great ears, great eyes, persistent, patient, cheerful, and knowledgeable about all nature. He really went all out for us, and he succeeded in finding very elusive and range-restricted species. We hope to travel with him in the future. Other aspects of the trip: lodging, transportation, etc. were excellent too. We appreciate the behind-the-scenes efforts by Heinz and the rest of the Rockjumper team."

Gregory de Klerk
RB - South Africa 2024

Both Greg and Wade were amazing. Greg has a fantastic knowledge of the area and it's wildlife. He was always willing to add information and facts regarding the wildlife we observed. He managed the tour expertly and his enthusiasm was contagious. And Wade is flat out the best bird/wildlife finder that I have ever been around. Truly extraordinary. The trip was beyond my expectations.

André Bernon
OS, South Africa 2018

Our leader, Andre Bernon, was very good and very knowledgeable, he was also good with general South African knowledge, which was a good thing.

Daniel Danckwerts
CS - South Africa 2019

I had an excellent birding adventure. Daniel Danckwerts was superb at finding and identifying the myriad of species. He interfaces with the group exceptionally well, from the beginner birder to the pros on the tour. I would love to go on another birding tour with Dan, as he was exceptionally skilled at his craft. Other environmental/birding issues would pop up for conversation and he was skilled in his answers and knowledge. His passion for birding was very apparent, as well as his thoughtfulness in making sure everyone was on the bird and helping with our travel experience.

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 * USD4,178 * GBP3,362 * EUR3,910 * AUD6,428

Single Supplement: ZAR7,100 * USD371 * GBP299 * EUR347 * AUD571

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

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Tour Leader: Quinton Paul Josop

Tour price (Per person): ZAR79,950 * USD4,178 * GBP3,362 * EUR3,910 * AUD6,428

Single Supplement: ZAR7,100 * USD371 * GBP299 * EUR347 * AUD571

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 * USD4,178 * GBP3,362 * EUR3,910 * AUD6,428

Single Supplement: ZAR7,200 * USD376 * GBP303 * EUR352 * AUD579

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 * USD4,178 * GBP3,362 * EUR3,910 * AUD6,428

Single Supplement: ZAR7,200 * USD376 * GBP303 * EUR352 * AUD579

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 * USD4,178 * GBP3,362 * EUR3,910 * AUD6,428

Single Supplement: ZAR7,200 * USD376 * GBP303 * EUR352 * AUD579

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

South Africa - Eastern IV 2025

19 Sep 2025 - 03 Oct 2025 (15 days)

ZAR79,950 - Spaces Available

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Tour Leader: James Wade Lee

Tour price (Per person): ZAR79,950 * USD4,178 * GBP3,362 * EUR3,910 * AUD6,428

Single Supplement: ZAR7,200 * USD376 * GBP303 * EUR352 * AUD579

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

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Tour Leader: James Wade Lee

Tour price (Per person): ZAR79,950 * USD4,178 * GBP3,362 * EUR3,910 * AUD6,428

Single Supplement: ZAR7,200 * USD376 * GBP303 * EUR352 * AUD579

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

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