Another of our new Relaxed tours takes us to the key endemic birding sites of KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga, and the Western Cape. An impressive 750+ bird species occur within the region, reflecting the incredible natural diversity of the area; and this, coupled with a modern infrastructure well suited to the needs of the modern traveller, makes birding here an absolute delight. Our tour winds its way from the high-altitude grasslands around Wakkerstroom, endemic-rich mist-belt forests of the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands, lofty peaks of the magnificent Drakensberg, and the remarkably beautiful south-western Cape.

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

Top Birds

Southern Bald Ibis; Blue Korhaan; Denham’s Bustard; Botha’s, Cape Clapper, Karoo, Agulhas Long-billed & Rudd’s Larks; Ground Woodpecker; Buff-streaked, Tractrac, Sickle-winged & Karoo Chats; Yellow-breasted & Mountain Pipits; Amur Falcon; Gurney’s & Cape Sugarbirds; Drakensberg & Cape Rockjumpers; Drakensberg & Cape Siskins; Cape Parrot; Blue Swallow; Knysna Turaco; Grey Crowned, Blue & Wattled Cranes; Cape Bulbul; African Penguin; Orange-breasted Sunbird; Protea Canary; Karoo Eremomela; Rufous-eared, Namaqua, Victorin’s & Cinnamon-breasted Warblers; Southern Tchagra; Knysna Woodpecker.

Top Mammals

Blesbuck; Bontebok; Yellow Mongoose; Meerkat; Black Wildebeest; Oribi; Mountain Zebra; Common Eland; Chacma Baboon;

Habitats Covered

highveld grassland, montane forest, grasslands, rivers, wetlands, mountains, semi-desert, fynbos

Expected Climate

subtropical with occasional rain (mostly late afternoon thundershowers)

Max Group Size

8 with 1 Rockjumper leader

Tour Pace & Walking

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 very comfortable

Ease of Birding

easy to moderate

Other Attractions

Sani Pass, Drakensberg Mountains, Lesotho, Table Mountain.

Photographic Opportunities

good to very good

What our clients say about us

Gregory de Klerk
JS, Best of South Africa: Cape & Kruger I 2016

Greg de Klerk was one of the best guides I've had – EVER. Excellent with bird ID, calls and habitat. And probably just as important in a group setting, VERY good with people, fun, friendly and left no one out. I have heard good things about Rockjumper Tours for years and now I see why. Keep up the good work.

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.

Gregory de Klerk
SK & TG, South Africa

Greg de Klerk was a truly superb guide, and his supporting guides were a great complement to his leadership. He was knowledgeable beyond our highest expectations, patient, helpful, well-organized, and disciplined. If we have the chance to do further tours with you, chances are very high that I would specifically look for ones that Greg leads, because he personally made the tour special. His expertise and professionalism speak well for the South African guiding profession, your company, and the country as a whole. We felt genuinely fortunate to be introduced to South Africa by Greg. Susan and I have worked with several South Africans over the course of our careers, and they all returned back to their homeland when they stopped working. Greg’s display of the country showed us why they all do this, and he personally could not have been a more clear-headed and knowledgeable spokesperson for the country (including its challenges). We normally dread long drives, but he made them not only tolerable, but educational, fun, and memorable. You have a special resource in your employ, the kind of person who can go beyond creating satisfied customers, and convert us into stark raving fans of your tours. We hope you realize that, because it is not common.

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!

Douglas McCulloch
DW - South Africa 2019

WHAT A TRIP,… WHAT AN ADVENTURE,… WHAT A TON OF MEMORIES! From our first contact with Rockjumper, to the conclusion at Nelspruit with the participants and the patient and skillful guidance of our capable leader DOUG,… we could not have put together a better international experience. Doug was the face of Rockjumper for us. The energetic, calm, focused, knowledgable, “proper Englishman” figurehead. Thank You Doug for your knowledge and skill about more than birds as we learned about South Africa and what makes it such a special place.

South Africa - Southern Endemics (Relaxed) 2025

02 Dec 2025 - 18 Dec 2025 (17 days)

ZAR90,000 - Spaces Available

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Tour Leader: Julian Parsons

Pricing notes : *Prices are estimated and dates may change*

Tour price (Per person): ZAR90,000 * USD4,792 * GBP3,908 * EUR4,515 * AUD7,380

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Route Map

Tour Route Map

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