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South Africa - Kruger Challenge - Northern pre-tour Extension

© Baillon's Crake by Rob Williams
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 * USD2,575 * GBP1,934 * EUR2,276 * AUD4,011

Single Supplement: ZAR3,550 * USD191 * GBP143 * EUR168 * AUD297

South Africa is quite simply one of the most pleasurable countries in which to travel, offering fantastic birding, exceptional wildlife viewing, and breathtaking photographic opportunities—all supported by world-class infrastructure. This relaxed tour of northern South Africa takes us birding through a wide range of habitats, from Highveld grasslands and acacia-dominated savannas to arid Kalahari fringe and the lush montane forests of the Magoebaskloof, offering a diverse and exciting selection of bird species along the way.

We begin our journey in the Highveld grasslands around Johannesburg, home to several localised species and an ideal introduction to the region's avifauna. From here, we explore the rich acacia woodlands of Zaagkuildrift, a perennial favourite among birders. These dry thornveld and riverine woodlands lie along the edge of the Kalahari Basin and provide habitat for some of the area’s most sought-after species, including the striking, Crimson-breasted Shrike, vibrant Violet-eared Waxbill, subtle Barred Wren-warbler, and desert-adapted Kalahari Scrub Robin and Ashy Tit. The combination of open savanna and riverine thickets ensures a busy and varied birding experience.

We’ll also visit one of South Africa’s premier wetland reserves, where expansive reedbeds and floodplains host a wide variety of waterbirds and grassland specials. With good luck, we may encounter species such as African Pygmy Goose, White-backed Duck, Hottentot Teal, and Black Heron, while adjacent grasslands may produce Marsh Owl, African Quailfinch, and a range of wetland-associated warblers and crakes.

Our route then takes us through Polokwane Nature Reserve, one of the most important strongholds for the highly range-restricted Short-clawed Lark. This near-endemic species is a top target here, and the surrounding bushveld supports an exciting mix of species such as Southern Pied Babbler, White-bellied Sunbird, and Burchell’s Starling.

The final leg of our tour is spent in the cool, misty forests of Magoebaskloof, where we target a host of montane and forest specialists amid scenic ravines and moss-draped trees. Notable species include Black-fronted Bushshrike, Chorister Robin-Chat, Yellow-streaked Greenbul, and, with luck, the endangered and elusive Cape Parrot. The forests may also produce Narina Trogon, Olive Bushshrike, and various flycatchers and sunbirds, offering a perfect end to a tour that truly has it all—from wetlands and dry-country specialities to highland forests rich in endemics and near-endemics.

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

 

 

Top Birds

Common Ostrich; Fulvous Whistling Duck; Red-winged and Orange River Francolins; Knysna Turaco; Northern Black Korhaan; African Emerald Cuckoo; African Finfoot; Buff-spotted and Red-chested Flufftails; African Rail; African and Baillon's Crakes; Bat Hawk; Cape Vulture; Crowned and Martial Eagles; Rufous-breasted Sparrowhawk; African Wood Owl; Narina Trogon; Broad-billed Roller; Half-collared Kingfisher; Olive Woodpecker; Cape Parrot; Black-fronted Bushshrike; Grey Cuckooshrike; Cape Penduline-tit; Ashy Tit; Yellow-streaked Greenbul; Gurney's Sugarbird; Orange Ground Thrush; Marico Flycatcher; Chorister Robin-chat; Great Sparrow; Scaly-feathered Weaver; Green Twinspot

Top Mammals

Blesbok; Black Wildebeest; Mountain Reedbuck; Yellow Mongoose; Cape Clawless Otter;

Habitats Covered

highveld grassland, montane forest, acacia savanna, bushveld, terminalia woodland, riverine forest, grasslands, rivers, wetlands

Expected Climate

subtropical and dry, warm to hot. Can be cold to very cold in the early mornings and evenings

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.

Undemanding, perfectly suited for all birding / wildlife interest levels and most mobility capabilities. Our Relaxed series of tours are designed to focus on having an enjoyable holiday with a bird and wildlife focus. Where possible; we have reduced or removed long drives, single night stays and poor/rustic accommodation. We have also sought to reduce or remove difficult hikes, narrow/muddy trails and otherwise oppressive environmental conditions. Early starts and night birding are mostly optional, and we will not spend much time searching for difficult and/or skulking species. These tours are not suitable for hardcore birders and listers, or dedicated photographers.

Accommodation

Good to comfortable.

Ease of Birding

Undemanding, most species provide good visuals. A small number of scare / tricky species.

Other Attractions

vast, pristine wilderness

Photographic Opportunities

Very good to excellent.

What our clients say about us

Daniel Danckwerts
AC & MJ, South Africa 2019

Thanks to Rynart Bezuidenhout and Daniel Danckwerts for an unforgettable tour. Their effort to give us the very best experience was sublime. Not only was our ambition to see the wanted birds, animals and nature much more than fulfilled – our competent, friendly and openminded guides also managed to give a perspective into the life and culture in South Africa of today. This we appreciate a lot.

Keith Valentine
JT & LT - Birds & Wine

We are writing to say thank you for all you did for us on our recent Birds and Wine tour with you and Alvaro. We really enjoyed meeting you and spending two weeks touring with you around South Africa. The itinerary that you put together with Alvaro was great and all the arrangements worked out to give us a wonderful tour. Your knowledge of the birds and patience spent helping us find and see all the birds really helped us to enjoy our experience and increase our knowledge. We spent much of our time in the Manyoni Reserve in the vehicle with you and it was always exciting finding the wildlife and hearing your analysis of the situation. We also truly appreciated your selection of wineries to visit, the wines we tasted, and the wines you selected to take with us to Zebra Hills Lodge. Your knowledge of the wine and wineries greatly added to our pleasure on the tour. We live in the Northern California wine region and the opportunity to compare South Africa’s wine with the product we know was very enlightening for us. Both the wineries we visited and the wines we tasted convinced us that we were in an excellent wine producing region of the world.

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!

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.

André Bernon
M

I am not a twitcher or even a knowledgeable birdwatcher, but I am always keen to see new things. Our ranger André had a huge knowledge of birds. He shared this and more about all the flora and fauna that we came across. He explained about insects and trees as we passed them and didn't fail to answer a question.

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