South Africa has the highest number of endemic and near-endemic bird species of any country on the African continent. Some of these special birds such as Drakensberg Rockjumper and Blue Crane – are beautiful and charismatic; while others, including the endangered Rudd’s and Botha’s Larks, are less striking but incredibly range-restricted. To boot, South Africa is also home to two very impressive endemic families, the striking Rockjumpers and Sugarbirds.
The focus of this 22-day endemics mega-birding tour is to see as many of these South African endemic, breeding endemic and near-endemic species as possible. Every single one of the 99 birds falling into this category as well as most of the 78 species falling into the category of endemic or near-endemic to the southern African sub-region are targeted during the tour. Furthermore, we will seek out many other special and sought-after African species; and, in the course of this tour, we have the potential to rack up a very impressive bird list in terms of species numbers, rarities and great sightings. Mammals will likewise form a major focus of our attention, and we can expect to also find an incredible diversity of reptiles, amphibians, and other wildlife. We invite you to join us on this exciting celebration of our endemic treasures during this ultimate South African mega-birding adventure!
Please note: these prices are subject to foreign exchange fluctuations.
African Penguin, Blue and Wattled Cranes, Ludwig’s and Denham’s Bustards, Blue, Southern Black and Karoo Korhaans, African Oystercatcher, Crowned, Cape and Bank Cormorants, Cape and Natal Spurfowls, Southern Bald Ibis, Cape Vulture, Black Harrier, Cape & Drakensberg Rockjumpers, Cape & Gurney’s Sugarbirds, Bush Blackcap, Ground Woodpecker, Rudd’s, Botha’s, Short-clawed, Red, Sclater’s, Cape Long-billed & Barlow’s Larks, African Rock & Yellow-breasted Pipits, Cape Longclaw, Knysna, Purple-crested & Livingstone’s Turacos, Cape Parrot, Gorgeous, Black-fronted & Olive Bushshrikes, Bokmakierie, Victorin’s, Namaqua, Cinnamon-breasted, and Layard’s Warblers, Fairy Flycatcher, Karoo Eremomela, Cape and Grey Penduline Tits, White-backed Mousebird, Spotted & Orange Ground Thrushes, Cape and Sentinel Rock Thrushes, Rudd’s Apalis, Woodward’s Batis, Karoo & Brown Scrub Robins, Karoo & Buff-streaked Chats, Pink-throated Twinspot, Neergaard’s, Orange-breasted & Southern Double-collared Sunbirds, Cape & Drakensberg Siskins, Protea, Cape, Forest & Black-headed Canaries
Black & White Rhinoceroses, Southern African Hedgehog, Meerkat, Black Wildebeest, Nyala, Cape Grysbok, Aardvark, Aardwolf, Springhare, Common Eland, Bat-eared Fox, Blesbok (Bontebok), Grey Rhebok, Klipspringer, Springbok, African Wild Dog, Cheetah
dune and mist-belt forest, acacia savanna, high elevation and coastal grasslands, mountains, semi-desert, fynbos, coastal waters, wetlands
subtropical conditions with occasional rain, cooler in the highlands and the Cape
8 with 1 Rockjumper leader
Our Mega tours are very fast-paced birding adventures designed for the dedicated lister and serious birder. The focus of the tour is to see as many of the endemics and area specials as possible in our given time. In order to cover the necessary route to maximise the species list we tend to spend a single night at most sites and travel large distances. There is very little down time aside from that spent driving from one site to the next. These tours are not suitable for dedicated or avid photographers; inexperienced or new birders; as well as anyone with serious mobility or health challenges.
comfortable guesthouses and lodges
mostly easy with some difficult species
500 - 550
Cape Peninsula, Sani Pass, Lake St. Lucia, Zululand game reserves, good food & wine, remote and seldom visited areas, spectacular scenery
good, but limited by time
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.
Gareth Robbins is an excellent guide and did a fantastic job managing the group and our expectations. He has a wealth of knowledge and provided information on various topics, including the flora, fauna, culture and everything in between.
Jeremy's botanical skills were excellent.
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.
Doug McCulloch did a good job picking up the tour after Greg had to depart. He is very good at communicating with the group and answering all questions.
02 Nov 2023 - 23 Nov 2023 (22 days)
ZAR103,950 - No Spaces Available
Tour Leader: Julian Parsons
Tour price (Per person): ZAR103,950 * USD5,518 * GBP4,498 * EUR5,201 * AUD8,495
Single Supplement: ZAR9,500 * USD504 * GBP411 * EUR475 * AUD776
Can be linked with: South Africa - Kruger Extension I 2023
01 Nov 2024 - 22 Nov 2024 (22 days)
ZAR107,950 - Spaces Available
Tour Leader: James Lee
Tour price (Per person): ZAR107,950 * USD5,730 * GBP4,671 * EUR5,401 * AUD8,822
Single Supplement: ZAR9,500 * USD504 * GBP411 * EUR475 * AUD776
Can be linked with: South Africa - Kruger Extension I 2024
24 Nov 2024 - 15 Dec 2024 (22 days)
ZAR107,950 - Spaces Available
Tour Leader: Quinton Josop
Tour price (Per person): ZAR107,950 * USD5,730 * GBP4,671 * EUR5,401 * AUD8,822
Single Supplement: ZAR9,500 * USD504 * GBP411 * EUR475 * AUD776
Can be linked with: South Africa - Kruger Extension II 2024
31 Oct 2025 - 21 Nov 2025 (22 days)
ZAR113,000 - Spaces Available
Tour Leader: Julian Parsons
Pricing notes : *Prices are estimated and dates may change*
Tour price (Per person): ZAR113,000 * USD5,998 * GBP4,890 * EUR5,654 * AUD9,234
Can be linked with: South Africa - Kruger Extension I 2025
23 Nov 2025 - 14 Dec 2025 (22 days)
ZAR113,000 - Spaces Available
Tour Leader: James Lee
Pricing notes : *Prices are estimated and dates may change*
Tour price (Per person): ZAR113,000 * USD5,998 * GBP4,890 * EUR5,654 * AUD9,234
Can be linked with: South Africa - Kruger Extension II 2025
South Africa - Mega: Kruger Extension III 2019 - October 2019
South Africa - Mega Birding Tour III 2019 - October 2019
South Africa - Eastern VI 2019 - September 2019
South Africa - Eastern V 2019 - September 2019
South Africa - Cape Wildflowers, Birding & Big Game I 2019 - August 2019
South Africa - Eastern IV 2019 - May 2019
South Africa - Mega: Kruger Extension II 2019 - February 2019
South Africa - Rallid Quest 2019 - February 2019
South Africa - Eastern III 2019 - February 2019
South Africa - Mega Birding Tour II 2019 - February 2019
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