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South Africa - Flock to Marion - Western Endemics

© Karoo Eremomela by Clayton Burne
South Africa - Flock to Marion - Western Endemics 2028

21 Jan 2028 - 31 Jan 2028 (11 days)

ZAR69,995 SPACES AVAILABLE

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Tour Leader: Rockjumper Tour Leader TBC

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Tour Price (Per person): ZAR69,995 (USD4,193 * GBP3,229 * AUD6,241 * CAD6,080)

Single Supplement: ZAR4,895 (USD293 * GBP226 * AUD436 * CAD425)

Southern Africa’s dry west is a vast and captivating region that remains well off the traditional birding circuit. Stretching from the fynbos-covered mountains of the Western Cape into the open plains and rugged semi-deserts of the Karoo, this remarkable corner of South Africa supports an exceptional concentration of endemic and range-restricted birds, including some of the country’s most sought-after larks.

Designed as an exciting extension ahead of Flock to Marion, this tour explores a selection of these seldom-visited landscapes in search of the many special birds adapted to South Africa’s arid west. Particular attention will be given to the region’s endemic larks, alongside a superb supporting cast of bustards, coursers, chats, canaries and other dry-country specialists.

Our journey will also take us through two globally significant botanical regions found nowhere else on Earth: the Cape Floristic Region and the Succulent Karoo. From spectacular fynbos-clad mountain slopes, home to Cape Rockjumper and a host of Cape endemics, we venture into the starkly beautiful Karoo, where wide horizons and seemingly empty plains conceal an impressive diversity of highly localised birds. Returning towards Cape Town, we round out the experience along the Atlantic coast, with opportunities to visit the impressive Cape Gannet colony and productive wetlands and strandveld of the West Coast.

Combining some of South Africa’s least-visited birding areas with a remarkable collection of endemics and dramatic scenery, this extension offers the perfect introduction to the country before the adventure to Marion Island begins.

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

Top Birds

Cape Rockjumper, Cape Sugarbird, Cape Siskin, Cape Bulbul, Protea & Black-headed Canaries, Orange-breasted, Dusky, Greater Double-collared & Southern Double-collared Sunbirds, African Oystercatcher, Crowned, Bank & Cape Cormorants, Hartlaub’s Gull, Southern Black, Northern Black & Karoo Korhaans, Ludwig’s & Denham's Bustards, Cape Spurfowl, Victorin’s, Namaqua, Cinnamon-breasted, Layard’s & Rufous-eared Warblers, Fairy & Fiscal Flycatchers, Karoo Eremomela, Dune (Barlow’s), Red, Sclater’s, Stark's, Karoo-long-billed, Sabota, Cape Clapper, Agulhas Long-billed & Cape Long-billed Larks, Capped Wheatear, Cape Penduline Tit, White-backed Mousebird, Karoo & Tractrac Chats, Karoo Scrub Robin, Short-toed Rock Thrush, Cape Grassbird, Karoo Prinia, Pririt Batis, Verreaux's, Crowned & Booted Eagles, South African Shelduck, Karoo Thrush, Namaqua Sandgrouse, Burchell's Courser, Orange River White-eye, Greater Kestrel, Forest & Cape Canaries.

Top Mammals

Afro-Australian Fur Seal, Common Eland, Blesbok (Bontebok), Mountain Zebra, Hartebeest, Cape Grey Mongoose, Cape Grysbok, Springbok, Klipspringer, Grey Rhebok, Chacma Baboon, Springbok and Meerkat

Habitats Covered

mountains, semi-desert, fynbos, coastal waters, wetlands, dunes, gravel plains

Expected Climate

temperate with occasional rain, can be cold in winter. The hinterland reaches high temperatures during the day, before plunging at night.

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, target driven. Not suitable for novice birders. Can be a little tiring due to travel distances.

Accommodation

Comfortable lodges.

Ease of Birding

Some scarce and rare species that may require greater effort to find that normal.

Number of Species Expected

220 - 240

Other Attractions

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

Photographic Opportunities

Good to very good.

What our clients say about us

David Hoddinott
EB, South Africa 2014

My wife and I were part of a six person tour of South Africa that was led by David Hoddinott. Our trip was excellent and seamless. David was the perfect guide for our group and, as I’m sure you’re aware, is an extraordinary birder and bird finder.... Thank you to Rockjumper, and David especially, for taking the time to create such a wonderful trip for our group. As always, I’m sure that it’s a challenge to accommodate numerous personalities within a group and David was great at it. We all liked him from day one and he was always positive and up for anything. He was an absolute joy to be with. We’d previously been to Zimbabwe, Uganda, and Botswana and South Africa was a totally different experience. We really enjoyed the people that we got to meet and the sheer beauty of the country is breathtaking. David’s enthusiasm and pride of his homeland was inspiring and infectious. We can’t thank him enough for making it come alive for us. And thanks to all who had a part in setting it all up. We’d happily recommend Rockjumper to anyone thinking about a trip led by you.

Adam Riley
GB, South Africa

What can I say about Adam. As a guide and companion he was first class. Very patient and his enthusiasm is infectious.

Keith Valentine
TD, South Africa 2018

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

James Wade Lee
MN, South Africa - Eastern (Small Group) III 2026

First of all the best leader I ever had - enthusiastic, with knowledge of birds and animals, helpful, the man who can see and hear everything. Many thanks! Also nice places for accomodation with really friendly hosts. And of course South Africa - huge and beautiful country.

Gregory de Klerk
CS - South Africa 2019

As a guide myself for more than 10 years (starting back in the early 90s), I believe I can give a sincere and realistic review of Greg de Klerk's performance during our nearly 2 weeks in Eastern South Africa. With this in mind, I can say that Greg did an excellent of maintaining and overseeing all aspects of our trip from start to finish. I particularly felt that his capacity for maintaining the various and sometimes complex logistics was impressive and well above average. Whether it was making sure that everyone's accommodations were comfortable, or helping us find a restroom during one challenging afternoon, when the restaurant we were eating in randomly closed their bathrooms down, Greg was always "on top of his game." This is not to mention his excellent abilities in the field as well. As a professional wildlife biologist, I was very impressed with Greg's abilities "beyond " just identifying species, so to speak. ln other words, Greg gave impressive, in-depth natural history descriptions of nearly every species of wildlife we recorded.

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Route Map

Tour Route Map