phone-icon 1-888-990-5552 email-icon info@rockjumper.com
user-icon
Log in / Register

South Africa - Flock to Marion - Cape Post Extension

© Malachite Sunbird by Daniel Danckwerts
South Africa - Flock to Marion - Cape Post Extension 2028

07 Feb 2028 - 12 Feb 2028 (6 days)

ZAR38,500 SPACES AVAILABLE

client-img

Tour Leader: Joshua Olszewski

Book Now

Tour Price (Per person): ZAR38,500 (USD2,353 * GBP1,789 * AUD3,358 * CAD3,326)

Single Supplement: ZAR1,500 (USD92 * GBP70 * AUD131 * CAD130)

Flight costs: ZAR1,650 (USD101 * GBP77 * AUD144 * CAD143)

South Africa’s south-western Cape is one of the most distinctive birding regions on the continent, combining dramatic scenery, exceptional floral diversity and an impressive concentration of endemic and near-endemic birds. This extension showcases the very best of the region, from the fynbos-covered mountains and coastal habitats surrounding Cape Town to the stark, open landscapes of the Karoo farther north.

Our journey begins in Cape Town, the celebrated “Mother City”, widely regarded as one of the world’s most beautiful urban destinations. With its spectacular setting beneath Table Mountain and easy access to an extraordinary variety of habitats, Cape Town provides the perfect base for the opening days of the extension. From here we will explore mountain fynbos, coastal wetlands, strandveld and other productive habitats in search of many of the Cape’s most sought-after birds, while enjoying the superb scenery for which the region is renowned.

The Cape Floristic Region is one of the world’s great centres of endemism, and our time here will focus on locating many of its characteristic species, including Cape Rockjumper, Cape Sugarbird, Orange-breasted Sunbird, Cape Siskin and a host of other regional specials. The diversity of habitats around the city also provides opportunities for an excellent supporting cast of raptors, waterbirds, seabirds and fynbos specialists.

Leaving Cape Town behind, we will travel north along the west coast before turning inland towards the increasingly arid landscapes of the Karoo. Here the scenery changes dramatically, with rugged mountains, broad gravel plains and sparse shrublands replacing the lush fynbos of the Cape. The Tanqua Karoo in particular offers some of South Africa’s most rewarding dry-country birding, with a superb selection of larks, chats, bustards, canaries and other arid-zone specialists.

Combining spectacular scenery, remarkable botanical diversity and a superb concentration of endemic birds, the Cape Extension offers an ideal introduction to one of South Africa’s most rewarding regions. From the slopes of Table Mountain to the wide-open spaces of the Karoo, it provides a fitting and memorable finale to any southern African birding adventure.

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

Top Birds

Cape Rockjumper; Cape Sugarbird; Cape Bulbul; Cape Siskin; Protea, Forest, Cape & Black-headed Canaries; Orange-breasted, Malachite & Southern Double-collared Sunbirds; African Penguin; African Oystercatcher; Crowned, Bank & Cape Cormorants; Hartlaub’s Gull; Black Harrier; Southern Black & Karoo Korhaans; Ludwig’s Bustard; Cape Spurfowl; Bokmakierie; Victorin’s, Namaqua, Rufous-eared, Cinnamon-breasted & Layard’s Warblers; Karoo Eremomela; Cape Penduline Tit; White-backed Mousebird; Karoo & Tractrac Chats; Karoo Scrub Robin; Southern Boubou; Fiscal & Fairy Flycatchers; Cape Batis; Cape Grassbird; Karoo Lark; Grey Tit; Grey-winged Francolin; Karoo & Olive Thrushes; South African Shelduck; Cape Shoveler; Cape Gannet.

Top Mammals

Afro-Australian Fur Seal; Southern Right Whale; Common Eland; Blesbok (Bontebok); (Cape) Mountain Zebra; Hartebeest; Cape Grey Mongoose; Klipspringer; Springbok; Steenbok; Cape Grysbok (rare); Grey Rhebok; Chacma Baboon; Rock Hyrax; Meerkat.

Habitats Covered

Mountains, semi-desert, fynbos, coastal and pelagic waters, wetlands

Expected Climate

Subtropical with occasional rain, can be cold in winter

Max Group Size

5 with 1 Rockjumper leader

Tour Pace & Walking

UNDEMANDING: This tour is ideal for birders and wildlife enthusiasts of all experience levels. It’s suitable for most mobility levels and offers a relaxed pace, ensuring an enjoyable experience for everyone.

Moderate. Suitable for all birding / wildlife interest levels and most mobility capabilities. Can be a little tiring due to travel distances.

Accommodation

Good to comfortable.

Ease of Birding

Undemanding, most species provide good visuals. A small number of scarce/rare species.

Number of Species Expected

+-200

Other Attractions

Tanqua-Karoo, Table Mountain, Cape Peninsula, great food & wine

Photographic Opportunities

Good to very good.

What our clients say about us

Gregory de Klerk
CS - South Africa

We‘ve had a fantastic time in Cape Town so far, please express our gratitude to Greg again as well for the great time we had with him.

Gregory de Klerk
SK & TG, South Africa

Greg de Klerk was a truly superb guide, and his supporting guides were a great complement to his leadership. He was knowledgeable beyond our highest expectations, patient, helpful, well-organized, and disciplined. If we have the chance to do further tours with you, chances are very high that I would specifically look for ones that Greg leads, because he personally made the tour special. His expertise and professionalism speak well for the South African guiding profession, your company, and the country as a whole. We felt genuinely fortunate to be introduced to South Africa by Greg. Susan and I have worked with several South Africans over the course of our careers, and they all returned back to their homeland when they stopped working. Greg’s display of the country showed us why they all do this, and he personally could not have been a more clear-headed and knowledgeable spokesperson for the country (including its challenges). We normally dread long drives, but he made them not only tolerable, but educational, fun, and memorable. You have a special resource in your employ, the kind of person who can go beyond creating satisfied customers, and convert us into stark raving fans of your tours. We hope you realize that, because it is not common.

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.

Glen Valentine
RH & SH, South Africa 2021

First, compliments to whoever came up with the concept of this tour. It seems unusual, even unique. This was a second choice for us because COVID restrictions postponed our tour to Cape, Kruger, and the Victoria Falls extension. The inclusion of the wine tastings seemed whimsical but it was genius. It’s as if we had 2 different vacations, back-to-back, and both memorable. We suspect that logistics for this tour were especially challenging. Glen was more than up to the task, every booking was right on time and of excellent quality. Rockjumper is a class act! We had some really memorable sightings and wildlife experiences due to Glen’s knowledge and diligence. We also appreciate that besides the birds and big mammals he gave us lots of information on habitat, environmental challenges, and especially for Suna and me, knowledge of plants. We walk around our California neighbourhood and notice all the imported African plants growing in our yards! We felt the timing was good too. It was late spring in the fynbos with many flowers still showing, and we were able to see many migrant birds down from the north.

Keith Valentine
TD, South Africa 2018

Keith Valentine is a great guide and his knowledge of the birds and their calls was just amazing.

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

  • Your details

  • This field is hidden when viewing the form

  • Contact permission

    We would love to send you Newsletters (twice yearly).via Type a message, Promotions/Discounts (weekly), Blog Articles/Image of the Month (monthly) and other content that we think you would find interesting. If you are happy with this then please select your preferences below. If you would like to unsubscribe from previous subscriptions, or leave our mailing list entirely, then please do so by visiting the Preference Centre link at the bottom of these emails.

Route Map

Tour Route Map