South Africa - Western Bird Photography Tour (Small Group) 2026

12 Jul 2026 - 24 Jul 2026 (13 days)

ZAR79,950 - 4 Spaces Available

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Tour Leader: David Hoddinott

Tour price (Per person): ZAR79,950 * USD4,327 * GBP3,350 * EUR4,010 * AUD6,907

Single Supplement: ZAR4,900 * USD265 * GBP205 * EUR246 * AUD423

Can be linked with: South Africa - Eastern Bird Photography Tour (Small Group) 2026

Flight costs (Linked Tour): ZAR1,500 * USD81 * GBP63 * EUR75 * AUD130

South Africa - Western Bird Photography Tour (Small Group) 2027

14 Jun 2027 - 26 Jun 2027 (13 days)

ZAR84,000 - Spaces Available

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Tour Leader: Quinton Paul Josop

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

Tour price (Per person): ZAR84,000 * USD4,546 * GBP3,520 * EUR4,214 * AUD7,256

Can be linked with: South Africa - Eastern Bird Photography Tour (Small Group) 2027

Southern Africa’s dry west is a unique and fascinating, yet under-visited land and offers exceptional opportunities for bird, mammal, and scenic photography. A hotbed of faunal and floral diversity, this area harbours two botanical regions found nowhere else on earth: the Cape Floristic Region and the Succulent Karoo. Our Western South Africa Bird Photo Tour showcases these areas and the range of special bird’s endemic to them; you can expect not only great birds, but some of the most dramatic scenery in Africa! Tour highlights include the stunning fynbos-clad slopes of the Western Cape, home to the stunning Cape Rockjumper and numerous other endemics; and the arid and semi-arid areas of the Karoo, which provide another great backdrop for a variety of bustards, larks and other endemics before we head back to Cape Town, taking in an impressive Cape Gannet colony and the West Coast National Park on the way.

Highlights

  • The pelagic trip into Cape Town’s Atlantic Ocean offers up some of the very best sea birding on the planet. The spectacle is something to behold and photo opportunities are extremely good
  • Visit one of only two land-based African Penguin colonies and enjoy exceptional viewing and photo opportunities of these special and highly endangered birds
  • Exploring and photographing the unique Fynbos and Karoo ecosystems
  • Visiting the spectacular Cape Gannet breeding colony at Lambert’s Bay
  • Opportunities to see and photograph some of South Africa’s most range-restricted and special endemic and near-endemic species including Southern Black Korhaan, Ludwig’s Bustard, Red and Sclater’s Larks, Karoo Eremomela, Cinnamon-breasted and Victorin’s Warblers, Orange-breasted Sunbird, and Black Harrier
  • Excellent chances of seeing the two endemic bird families to Southern Africa – Rockjumpers & Sugarbirds

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

Top Birds

Cape Rockjumper; Cape Sugarbird; Cape Siskin; Cape Bulbul; Protea & Black-headed Canaries; Orange-breasted & Southern Double-collared Sunbirds; African Penguin; African Oystercatcher; Crowned, Bank & Cape Cormorants; Hartlaub’s Gull; Southern Black & Karoo Korhaans; Ludwig’s Bustard; Cape Spurfowl; Victorin’s, Namaqua, Cinnamon-breasted, Layard’s & Rufous-eared Warblers; Fairy & Fiscal Flycatchers; Karoo Eremomela; Barlow’s, Red, Sclater’s & Cape Long-billed Larks; Cape Penduline Tit; White-backed Mousebird; Karoo & Tractrac Chats; Karoo Scrub Robin; Cape Grassbird; Karoo Prinia; Southern Boubou; Cape Batis; Verreaux's & Booted Eagles; South African Shelduck; Karoo Thrush; Forest & Cape Canaries. The pelagic could provide Indian, Atlantic Yellow-nosed, Shy & Black-browed Albatrosses; Cape Petrel; Southern & Northern Giant Petrels.

Top Mammals

Afro-Australian Fur Seal; Southern Right Whale; Common Eland; Blesbok (Bontebok); (Cape) Mountain Zebra; (Red) Hartebeest; Cape Grey Mongoose; Cape Grysbok; Springbok; Klipspringer; Grey Rhebok; Chacma Baboo; Meerkat.

Habitats Covered

Mountains, semi-desert, fynbos, coastal and pelagic waters, wetlands

Expected Climate

Temperate with occasional rain, can be cold in winter

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.

Moderate. Suitable for all birding / wildlife / photography interest levels and most mobility capabilities. Can be a little tiring due to travel distances. Our Bird Photo Tours are a hybrid between our Classic birding tours and dedicated photographic tours. You don’t have to be a professional photographer or have the biggest lens; this is for everyone with an interest in photography and birding. Whether you’re using a bridge camera or the latest body and prime lens, our aims are the same. • These tours are not aimed at seeing the most species possible on the route, rather taking time to photograph key targets and any other interesting species we may find. Naturally, the overall species list will be lower than a comparable birding focused tour. • Whilst we may use blinds, feeders and hide setups on some of these tours, we will not be spending an entire day nor even several hours fixed in one spot. • These tours are suitable for photographers who prefer opportunistic photography over entire days in a hide. • Our leaders will assist in helping everyone secure good photographic opportunities and advise as much as they can on camera setup. However, they are not professional photographic tour leaders.

Accommodation

Comfortable lodges.

Ease of Birding

Undemanding, most species provide good visuals. A small number of scarce/rare species.

Photographic Opportunities

Good to very good. Some hides.

What our clients say about us

André Bernon
B

André in particular went out of his way to make sure our stay was as wonderful as it could be. Andre is also a great guide, with the ability to spot just about everything that moves, even if the movement is only breathing.

Julian Parsons
SZ, South Africa 2022

I participated on the Flock To Marion & Western Cape-I tour. The tour was great , the Flock was indeed a wonderful experience. Julian, our guide on the land section was very professional, attentive and made the tour a big success. The accommodation facilities were great.

Daniel Danckwerts
SR, South Africa 2019

This tour was fantastic-it exceeded all expectations in every aspect. The country is beautiful and it was shown to us in a way I will never forget - the plants, birds, mammals landscapes, insects and people. One of the most rounded lifetime experiences I have had. And now for the guide. Daniel was one of the best (if not the best) guide I’ve ever had. He has incredible birding skills-we missed nothing! His natural science knowledge is vast, especially for his age-it shows his love of nature and willingness to share it. He was very good with us as a group-able to joke around with everyone and meet individual needs. He adapted to all situations smoothly and with great confidence. His driving skills were superb-in the 13 000 km we traveled, not once did I think he made a dangerous or even slightly aggressive move. His choice of lodges and restaurants was great-we didn't lose any weight on the trip! I would travel with him anytime and will seek out destinations where I know he is the guide. Thanks Rockjumper for a wonderful trip.

David Hoddinott
OS - South Africa 2019

David Hoddinott was a superior guide with extensive knowledge (of course) about the avifauna, but also provided good knowledge about other nature matters as well as SA culture and geography apart from being an overall nice person. Would highly recommend.

David Hoddinott
DS - South Africa 2021

The tour was expertly led by David Hoddinott, who was attentive to the clients and exceptionally knowledgeable. He ensured everyone had seen each species of bird encountered. The weather took a turn, but David was keen to stick out as long as it was safe to give us the best chance of maximising our species. Highly recommended.

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Route Map

Tour Route Map