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South Africa - Flock to Marion - Eastern Extension

© Drakensberg Rockjumper by Adam Riley
South Africa - Flock to Marion - Eastern Extension 2028

07 Feb 2028 - 16 Feb 2028 (10 days)

ZAR65,995 SPACES AVAILABLE

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Tour Leader: Jan Pienaar

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Tour Price (Per person): ZAR65,995 (USD4,036 * GBP3,068 * AUD5,760 * CAD5,704)

Single Supplement: ZAR3,795 (USD232 * GBP176 * AUD331 * CAD328)

South Africa’s eastern provinces of KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga offer some of the finest birding and wildlife experiences in the country. This wonderfully varied region supports an extraordinary diversity of habitats, from high-altitude grasslands and mist-belt forests to subtropical wetlands, savanna and broad river valleys, and with them comes an equally impressive array of birds and mammals.

Over ten days, this tour showcases many of the eastern region’s most celebrated birding destinations. We begin beneath the dramatic Drakensberg escarpment, where the legendary Sani Pass climbs into the highlands of Lesotho and offers access to a distinctive suite of montane specials. From there, we descend through the lush Natal Midlands, exploring endemic-rich forests and rolling countryside before continuing north to the wetlands and coastal habitats around St Lucia and iSimangaliso.

The journey then moves into the renowned game-rich reserves of Zululand, where superb bushveld birding is complemented by the chance to encounter some of Africa’s most iconic mammals. Mkhuze Game Reserve in particular is famed for its remarkable bird diversity, while the surrounding lowveld supports an exceptional selection of raptors, hornbills, bee-eaters, kingfishers and other characteristic species.

Our final major stop is Wakkerstroom, one of South Africa’s premier highveld birding areas and a stronghold for several sought-after grassland endemics and near-endemics. Here, broad open plains and rolling uplands provide a fitting contrast to the forests, mountains and wetlands of the earlier part of the tour.

Combining outstanding birding, dramatic scenery and excellent mammal viewing, this compact eastern South African journey offers an exceptional cross-section of the region’s natural riches and some of the most rewarding birding to be found anywhere in the country.

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

Top Birds

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; 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.

Top Mammals

African Elephant; African Buffalo; White Rhinoceros; Meerkat; Black Wildebeest; Nyala; Greater Kudu; Plains Zebra; Common Warthog; Common Eland; Sloggett’s Vlei Rat; Common 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

5 with 1 Rockjumper leader

Tour Pace & Walking

MODERATE TO CHALLENGING: This tour requires a good level of fitness, stamina, and overall health. It’s best suited for experienced birders who are comfortable with a more active itinerary. Please note that it may not be ideal for avid photographers, new birders, or those with mobility or health concerns.

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

320 - 360

Other Attractions

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

Photographic Opportunities

Good to very good. Some hides, mostly for mammal photography.

What our clients say about us

André Bernon
PB, South Africa 2017

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.

Daniel Danckwerts
TT - South Africa Rallid Quest 2019

There are not enough superlatives to describe Daniel Danckwerts! He is a superstar of a guide and I am glad I had the opportunity to tour with him, because he will be in great demand when the word gets out how amazing this tour was! Although he is one of your junior guides, he conducts himself with poise and confidence in excess of his years. His passion for birding, culture and history is unsurpassed and his laugh is absolutely infectious.  He knew all the hotspots for the notoriously difficult species on this tour and even when the birds weren't cooperating, he devised innovative means to ensure the group would have the best opportunity to see these very, very elusive birds. We learned a few lessons on this inaugural tour about patience and stamina.... it is certainly not for the faint-hearted because it requires a lot of hard work but the rewards certainly exceeded the effort.  Where else do you have the opportunity to see mythic flufftails and crakes all in one place? I will absolutely travel with Daniel again!

Daniel Danckwerts
AM - South Africa 2022

Dan was excellent and really knowledgeable.

Daniel Danckwerts
SR, South Africa 2019

This tour was fantastic-it exceeded all expectations in every aspect. The country is beautiful and it was shown to us in a way I will never forget - the plants, birds, mammals landscapes, insects and people. One of the most rounded lifetime experiences I have had. And now for the guide. Daniel was one of the best (if not the best) guide I’ve ever had. He has incredible birding skills-we missed nothing! His natural science knowledge is vast, especially for his age-it shows his love of nature and willingness to share it. He was very good with us as a group-able to joke around with everyone and meet individual needs. He adapted to all situations smoothly and with great confidence. His driving skills were superb-in the 13 000 km we traveled, not once did I think he made a dangerous or even slightly aggressive move. His choice of lodges and restaurants was great-we didn't lose any weight on the trip! I would travel with him anytime and will seek out destinations where I know he is the guide. Thanks Rockjumper for a wonderful trip.

Julian Parsons
RK, South Africa

The tour was fantastic. Julian Parsons is an excellent guide. Outstanding with both birds and people. Several times he was required to troubleshoot problems and issues and did so without distracting from the trip in any way. Our driver was also fantastic. Two flat tires, but he quickly changed out to the spare and arranged to have both fixed, after hours! He was very personable and incredibly safe driver. We always arrived on time (or early) without incident, including when we had the flat tires.

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Route Map

Tour Route Map