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.
Blue, Wattled & Grey Crowned Cranes; Denham’s Bustard; Blue Korhaan; Southern Bald Ibis; Drakensberg Rockjumper; Gurney’s Sugarbird; Bush Blackcap; Ground, Bennett's & Olive Woodpeckers; Rudd’s & Botha’s Larks; Knysna, Purple-crested & Livingstone’s Turacos; Chorister Robin-Chat; Drakensberg & Karoo Prinias; Grey Tit; Karoo & Olive Thrushes; Fairy Flycatcher; Layard's & Chestnut-vented Warblers; Cape Parrot; Narina Trogon; Gorgeous & Olive Bushshrikes; Spotted & Orange Ground Thrushes; Cape & Sentinel Rock Thrushes; Rudd’s Apalis; Woodward’s & Cape Batises; Grey Waxbill; Brown & Bearded Scrub Robins; Buff-streaked & Sickle-winged Chats; Pink-throated Twinspot; Neergaard’s, Scarlet-chested & Southern Double-collared Sunbirds; Green Malkoha; Half-collared & Giant Kingfishers; Little & White-fronted Bee-eaters; Southern Boubou; Cape & Forest Canaries; Cape, Spectacled & Southern Brown-throated Weavers; Yellow-breasted Pipit.
Lion; Leopard; African Elephant; African Buffalo; Black & White Rhinoceroses; Meerkat, African Wild Dog; Black Wildebeest; Nyala; Cheetah; Southern Giraffe; Greater Kudu; Plains Zebra; Common Warthog; Common Eland; Sloggett’s Vlei Rat; Common Hippopotamus.
Dune and mist-belt forest, acacia savanna, high elevation and coastal grasslands, mountains, wetlands
Subtropical with chances for occasional rain, warm to hot in Kruger and Zululand, cooler in highlands, can be cold in winter
8 with 1 Rockjumper leader
Moderate. Suitable for all birding / wildlife interest levels and most mobility capabilities. Can be a little tiring due to travel distances.
Good to comfortable.
Undemanding, most species provide good visuals. A small number of scarce/rare species.
320 - 380 (400 - 450 with extension)
Kruger National Park, Sani Pass and Drakensberg Mountains, dramatic scenery, Zulu culture, Indian Ocean, iSimangaliso Wetland Park
Good to very good. Some hides, mostly for mammal photography.
I am still absorbing the wonderful trip that I took to South Africa. It was amazing. the guides, Glen Valentine and Riaan Botha were absolutely wonderful. They not only knew their birds and mammals, but they both had wonderful people skills. from the moment they showed up until they departed, I felt safe. They took good care of us, seeing to our basic needs, preparing us for the day's birds and itinerary.
Pre-tour the office staff were superb in sorting out my problems and the personal touches added to our email communications really made a big difference to how I felt about the trip. The guide, Andre Bernon, was excellent. He was able to quickly and effectively locate and identify birds and get the group onto them. His knowledge of locations and ability to manage things on the ground showed real expertise and experience. His people skills and ability to ensure group dynamics were as smooth as possible was exceptional.
As an experienced world traveller and birder, I must say that the Eastern South Africa and Cape Extension III tours went beyond my already high expectations. All in all, we saw nearly 540 bird species, plus many mammals, including the "Big Five". Our guide, Andre Bernon, really made an effort for us all to see each and every species, and was also very knowledgeable about reptiles, mammals, South African history etc. An excellent guide!
This was my first experience with Rockjumper - it far exceeded my expectations. In fact, it far exceeded my experiences with other tours. I don't know how anybody could have been better than Andre Bernon. He was always professional, organized, and I felt completely safe with his driving. His knowledge of birds, animal behavior, the country, the history, goes without saying - but really it was his personality that made the trip. I so enjoyed his sense of humor. I know it is an old-fashioned word, but he was a complete gentleman - showing respect and courtesy to everyone but always with a twinkle in his eye and ready to either hand out or be on the receiving end of a joke. We just plain had fun on this trip! When time and money allows, I would happily go on another trip with him.
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.
Tour Leader: James Wade Lee
Tour price (Per person): ZAR79,950 * USD4,257 * GBP3,369 * EUR3,980 * AUD6,515
Single Supplement: ZAR7,100 * USD378 * GBP299 * EUR353 * AUD579
Can be linked with: South Africa - Cape Extension IV 2024
Tour Leader: Quinton Paul Josop
Tour price (Per person): ZAR79,950 * USD4,257 * GBP3,369 * EUR3,980 * AUD6,515
Single Supplement: ZAR7,100 * USD378 * GBP299 * EUR353 * AUD579
Can be linked with: South Africa - Cape Extension V 2024
Tour Leader: James Wade Lee
Tour price (Per person): ZAR79,950 * USD4,257 * GBP3,369 * EUR3,980 * AUD6,515
Single Supplement: ZAR7,200 * USD383 * GBP303 * EUR358 * AUD587
Can be linked with: South Africa - Cape Extension I 2025
Tour Leader: Ryan Tyrer
Tour price (Per person): ZAR79,950 * USD4,257 * GBP3,369 * EUR3,980 * AUD6,515
Single Supplement: ZAR7,200 * USD383 * GBP303 * EUR358 * AUD587
Can be linked with: South Africa - Cape Extension II 2025
Tour Leader: Ryan Tyrer
Tour price (Per person): ZAR79,950 * USD4,257 * GBP3,369 * EUR3,980 * AUD6,515
Single Supplement: ZAR7,200 * USD383 * GBP303 * EUR358 * AUD587
Can be linked with: South Africa - Cape Extension III 2025
Tour Leader: James Wade Lee
Tour price (Per person): ZAR79,950 * USD4,257 * GBP3,369 * EUR3,980 * AUD6,515
Single Supplement: ZAR7,200 * USD383 * GBP303 * EUR358 * AUD587
Can be linked with: South Africa - Cape Extension IV 2025
Tour Leader: James Wade Lee
Tour price (Per person): ZAR79,950 * USD4,257 * GBP3,369 * EUR3,980 * AUD6,515
Single Supplement: ZAR7,200 * USD383 * GBP303 * EUR358 * AUD587
Can be linked with: South Africa - Cape Extension V 2025
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