02 Dec 2025 - 18 Dec 2025 (17 days)
ZAR89,950 - 4 Spaces Available
Tour Leader: Julian Parsons
Tour price (Per person): ZAR89,950 * USD5,145 * GBP3,921 * EUR4,685 * AUD7,542
Single Supplement: ZAR7,500 * USD429 * GBP327 * EUR391 * AUD629
Flight costs: ZAR1,800 * USD103 * GBP78 * EUR94 * AUD151
15 Mar 2026 - 31 Mar 2026 (17 days)
ZAR93,500 - Spaces Available
Tour Leader: Quinton Paul Josop
Pricing notes : *Prices are estimated and dates may change*
Tour price (Per person): ZAR93,500 * USD5,348 * GBP4,076 * EUR4,870 * AUD7,840
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.
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.
Blesbuck; Bontebok; Yellow Mongoose; Meerkat; Black Wildebeest; Oribi; Mountain Zebra; Common Eland; Chacma Baboon;
highveld grassland, montane forest, grasslands, rivers, wetlands, mountains, semi-desert, fynbos
subtropical with occasional rain (mostly late afternoon thundershowers)
6 with 1 Rockjumper leader
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.
good to very comfortable
easy to moderate
Sani Pass, Drakensberg Mountains, Lesotho, Table Mountain.
good to very good
Andre Bernon was excellent at sharing his expertise and assisting even the most novice birder (me). We couldn't have asked for a better professional. And he was so personable, considerate and had a great sense of humor.
Daniel Danckwerts was excellent—great hearing and eyesight and was excellent at pointing out exactly where the skulky bird was lurking. He was able to find the group many birds that various members of the group had missed on previous trips to South Africa. And more importantly, he was a store of information about the birds, animals and Kruger. Teamed up with Daniel was our most excellent Kruger driver-guide Dirk who knew where everything was and could find it. We navigated this very complicated trip (flight to Skukuza, travel in south Kruger, flight to Cape Town, testing for covid, boarding the MSC Orchestra and off on our cruise around the Cape of Good Hope only with Daniel’s help and guidance. I am hoping to return to Kruger (for the third time) to bird with Daniel and Dirk on the Kruger Challenge. More than the birds, the trip was fun.
Having been a guide myself in Australia from time to time, I genuinely appreciated the time and effort Greg dedicated to preparing for each day of the tour; where possible, there was an alternative site or activity if ever bird sightings or weather did not go exactly to plan. Greg acted with great professionalism throughout the tour and looked after himself well so he could look after us while on the road and in the bush... For me, the bottom line is: Greg is an excellent birder and a bloody good guide, and, an absolute gem of a bloke. I can’t tell you how much I enjoyed my time on the tour.
Greg and Wade were both amazing in their depth of knowledge of all things South African! They made sure we all got on the birds and described in detail what we should be looking for. Accommodations were lovely (Kruger a little less so, but ok). The Safari was the highlight of the trip. All in all I’d definitely recommend this tour.
I am still absorbing the wonderful trip that I took to South Africa. It was amazing. the guides, Glen Valentine and Riaan Botha were absolutely wonderful. They not only knew their birds and mammals, but they both had wonderful people skills. from the moment they showed up until they departed, I felt safe. They took good care of us, seeing to our basic needs, preparing us for the day's birds and itinerary.
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