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South Africa - Kruger Challenge

© Bateleur Eagle by Clayton Burne
South Africa - Kruger Challenge - Northern pre-tour Extension 2026

06 Feb 2026 - 12 Feb 2026 (7 days)

ZAR47,950 - Spaces Available

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Tour Leader: James Wade Lee

Tour price (Per person): ZAR47,950 * USD2,770 * GBP2,146 * EUR2,436 * AUD4,280

Single Supplement: ZAR3,550 * USD205 * GBP159 * EUR180 * AUD317

South Africa - Kruger Challenge 2026

12 Feb 2026 - 21 Feb 2026 (10 days)

ZAR32,995 - Spaces Available on this guaranteed departure

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Tour Leader: Rockjumper Tour Leader TBC

Pricing notes : A meal supplement of ZAR5,000.00 will be charged per person to cover all meals for the duration of the Challenge.

Tour price (Per person): ZAR32,995 * USD1,906 * GBP1,476 * EUR1,676 * AUD2,945

Single Supplement: ZAR6,550 * USD378 * GBP293 * EUR333 * AUD585

South Africa - Kruger Challenge - Cape post-tour Extension 2026

21 Feb 2026 - 26 Feb 2026 (6 days)

ZAR36,950 - 1 Space Available on this guaranteed departure

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Tour Leader: Jan Pienaar

Tour price (Per person): ZAR36,950 * USD2,135 * GBP1,653 * EUR1,877 * AUD3,298

Single Supplement: ZAR2,800 * USD162 * GBP125 * EUR142 * AUD250

Flight costs (Linked Tour): ZAR2,310 * USD133 * GBP103 * EUR117 * AUD206

This unique and fun birding and wildlife challenge provides the opportunity to explore the world-famous Kruger National Park in north-eastern South Africa, from its remote north to its vast south. Not only will you get to experience amazing birding and wildlife viewing, but you will also be assisting in saving a special bird from imminent extinction. All proceeds raised will go directly to BirdLife South Africa for vital research and conservation work to protect one of Africa’s, and indeed the world's, most endangered and little-known species – the White-winged Flufftail. Rockjumper Birding Tours has volunteered its resources and expertise to arrange and coordinate this event and will not be benefiting financially.

Kruger National Park is one of Africa’s most famous, oldest, largest and magnificent reserves and will play host to this birding and wildlife challenge during February 2026. In total, a maximum of 8 teams will take part in what will be a light-hearted, exciting competition where teams explore Kruger National Park from top to bottom, recording all the species of birds and mammals they encounter over an 8-day period. Each team of up to 9 participants will have its own open safari vehicle, professional safari driver guide, and experienced volunteer birding leader. Each team will be awarded a single point for every species of bird and mammal, regardless of the difficulty associated with locating the species, and the team with the highest score at the end of the 7 days will be crowned the Birding & Wildlife Champions of Kruger. We will be exploring the length of Kruger from Punda Maria in the north to Berg-en-Dal in the south. The challenge will begin in Johannesburg, where we will enjoy a welcome dinner and a briefing. Thereafter, we will all transfer to Mopani and the challenge begins as we enter Kruger National Park. The challenge ultimately concludes in Berg-en-Dal for an epic final night of festivities and prize-giving.

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

Top Birds

Common Ostrich, Kori Bustard, Red-crested Korhaan, Southern Ground Hornbill, Bateleur, Martial, Crowned, African Hawk- and Tawny Eagles, Dark Chanting Goshawk, Lizard Buzzard, Lappet-faced, Cape, White-backed, Hooded & White-headed Vultures, chances for the elusive African Finfoot, White-crowned Lapwing, Swainson’s & Natal Spurfowls, Coqui Francolin, Bronze-winged Courser, Double-banded Sandgrouse, Verreaux’s Eagle-Owl, Southern White-faced Owl, Pearl-spotted & African Barred Owlets, Southern Red-billed & Southern Yellow-billed Hornbills, Brown-headed Parrot, Bennett’s Woodpecker, Grey-headed Bushshrike, Burchell’s & Cape Starlings, Magpie & Southern White-crowned Shrikes, Red-headed Weaver, White-throated Robin-Chat, Acacia Pied Barbet, Burchell’s Coucal, Chestnut-vented Warbler, Stierling’s Wren-Warbler, Violet-eared Waxbill, Burnt-necked Eremomela, African Pygmy & Giant Kingfishers, Black, Woolly-necked, Saddle-billed & Yellow-billed Storks, African Openbill.

Top Mammals

The ‘Big 5’, Cheetah, African Wild Dog, Side-striped Jackal, Greater Kudu, Giraffe, Spotted Hyena, Nyala, Common and Central African Large-spotted Genets, Wild Cat, African Civet, Serval, Cape Porcupine, White-tailed Mongoose, Klipspringer, Thick-tailed Greater Galago, Honey Badger, Caracal.

Habitats Covered

acacia savanna, bushveld, terminalia woodland, riverine forest, grasslands, rivers, wetlands

Expected Climate

subtropical with occasional rain, warm to very hot

Max Group Size

Teams of 9 with with 1 expert leader and one driver guide

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.

relaxed

Accommodation

comfortable

Ease of Birding

easy

Number of Species Expected

300+

Other Attractions

vast, pristine wilderness

Photographic Opportunities

excellent

What our clients say about us

Julian Parsons
MW, South Africa

Julian did an outstanding job leading the tour. I understand he is a new guide w/ Rockjumper, but it seemed like he had years of experience. His birding skills were superb, as expected. His knowledge of all the obscure larks and LBJs was very impressive. Importantly, he handled logistics very well, managed client expectations and personalities superbly, and was always cheerful and kept things positive. I've got to give a nod to the driver as well, he was a joy to be around. Always cheerful (regardless of tire problems in the Karoo) and willing to jimmy the vehicle around so everyone gets a good look. A definite asset to the tour. I understand these trips run smoothly because of all the support back at the office. Thanks to everyone involved. All of my communications pre-tour were handled promptly and professionally. The whole Rockjumper team were a real pleasure to work with. Can't wait to do it again!

Gregory de Klerk
WB & BB, South Africa

The lynchpin for our entire experience was the guide - and Greg de Klerk was simply brilliant. He was extremely skilled in knowing where the birds might be, and finding them once we got there. He carefully made sure that we all saw the bird. He was very knowledgeable about bird and mammal behaviour, and shared a lot of information with the tour members. He smoothly handled logistics, is a good driver, and patient with non-nationals who are unfamiliar with South African customs. He has a wonderful sense of humour; and a very warm and outgoing personality, which stimulated good relations between tour members. We would be very excited to go on another Rockjumper trip with him!

David Hoddinott
G, South Africa Mega

I would like to add my thanks to you, Crystal, and all the other people associated with Rockjumper for making this the best birding tour in which I have participated. David's leadership was superb as our trip bird count shows. I would be happy to go with Rockjumper on future trips. Thanks again for your assistance during the Mega South Africa trip.

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!

David Hoddinott
MW, South African Mega 2015

David was a fantastic guide whose love for his homeland, and passion for its wildlife, shone brightly. I couldn’t have wished for a better guide to show me the wonders of South Africa.

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