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South Africa - Eastern (Small Group)

© Drakensberg Rockjumper by Adam Riley
South Africa - Eastern (Small Group) I 2026

09 Jan 2026 - 23 Jan 2026 (15 days)

ZAR89,950 - No Spaces Available

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Tour Leader: Ryan Tyrer

Tour price (Per person): ZAR89,950 * USD4,778 * GBP3,814 * EUR4,584 * AUD7,679

Single Supplement: ZAR7,500 * USD398 * GBP318 * EUR382 * AUD640

Can be linked with: South Africa - Cape Extension (Small Group) I 2026

South Africa - Eastern (Small Group) II 2026

30 Jan 2026 - 13 Feb 2026 (15 days)

ZAR89,950 - Spaces Available

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Tour Leader: Ryan Tyrer

Tour price (Per person): ZAR89,950 * USD4,778 * GBP3,814 * EUR4,584 * AUD7,679

Single Supplement: ZAR7,500 * USD398 * GBP318 * EUR382 * AUD640

Can be linked with: South Africa - Cape Extension (Small Group) II 2026

South Africa - Eastern (Small Group) III 2026

20 Feb 2026 - 06 Mar 2026 (15 days)

ZAR89,950 - 1 Space Available

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Tour Leader: James Wade Lee

Tour price (Per person): ZAR89,950 * USD4,778 * GBP3,814 * EUR4,584 * AUD7,679

Single Supplement: ZAR7,500 * USD398 * GBP318 * EUR382 * AUD640

Can be linked with: South Africa - Cape Extension (Small Group) III 2026

South Africa - Eastern (Small Group) IV 2026

04 Sep 2026 - 18 Sep 2026 (15 days)

ZAR89,950 - Spaces Available

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Tour Leader: Gregory de Klerk

Tour price (Per person): ZAR89,950 * USD4,778 * GBP3,814 * EUR4,584 * AUD7,679

Single Supplement: ZAR7,500 * USD398 * GBP318 * EUR382 * AUD640

Can be linked with: South Africa - Cape Extension (Small Group) IV 2026

South Africa - Eastern (Small Group) V 2026

09 Oct 2026 - 23 Oct 2026 (15 days)

ZAR89,950 - Spaces Available

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Tour Leader: Julian Parsons

Tour price (Per person): ZAR89,950 * USD4,778 * GBP3,814 * EUR4,584 * AUD7,679

Single Supplement: ZAR7,500 * USD398 * GBP318 * EUR382 * AUD640

Can be linked with: South Africa - Cape Extension (Small Group) V 2026

The provinces of KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga on South Africa’s eastern seaboard boast some of the country’s finest birding as well as exceptional mammal viewing. 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. From the classic African savanna of the world-renowned Kruger National Park and the teeming Zululand game reserves to the endemic-rich mist-belt forests of the Natal Midlands and the lofty peaks of the magnificent Drakensberg, this tour of eastern South Africa offers the very best of southern African birding and game viewing!

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

Top Birds

Blue, Wattled & Grey Crowned Cranes; Denham’s Bustard; Blue Korhaan; Southern Bald Ibis; Drakensberg Rockjumper; Gurney’s Sugarbird; Bush Blackcap; Ground, Bennett's & Olive Woodpeckers; Knysna, Purple-crested & Livingstone’s Turacos; Chorister Robin-Chat; Drakensberg & Karoo Prinias; Grey Tit; Karoo & Olive Thrushes; Fairy Flycatcher; Layard's & Chestnut-vented Warblers; Cape Parrot; Narina Trogon; Gorgeous & Olive Bushshrikes; Spotted & Orange Ground Thrushes; Cape & Sentinel Rock Thrushes; Rudd’s Apalis; Woodward’s & Cape Batises; Grey Waxbill; Brown & Bearded Scrub Robins; Buff-streaked & Sickle-winged Chats; Pink-throated Twinspot; Neergaard’s, Scarlet-chested & Southern Double-collared Sunbirds; Green Malkoha; Half-collared & Giant Kingfishers; Little & White-fronted Bee-eaters; Southern Boubou; Cape & Forest Canaries; Cape, Spectacled & Southern Brown-throated Weavers; Yellow-breasted Pipit.

Top Mammals

Lion; Leopard; African Elephant; African Buffalo; Black & White Rhinoceroses; Meerkat, African Wild Dog; Black Wildebeest; Nyala; Cheetah; Southern Giraffe; Greater Kudu; Plains Zebra; Common Warthog; Common Eland; Sloggett’s Vlei Rat; Common Hippopotamus.

Habitats Covered

Dune and mist-belt forest, acacia savanna, high elevation and coastal grasslands, mountains, wetlands

Expected Climate

Subtropical with chances for occasional rain, warm to hot in Kruger and Zululand, cooler in highlands, can be cold in winter

Max Group Size

5 with 1 Rockjumper leader

Tour Pace & Walking

MODERATE TO CHALLENGING: This tour requires a good level of fitness, stamina, and overall health. It’s best suited for experienced birders who are comfortable with a more active itinerary. Please note that it may not be ideal for avid photographers, new birders, or those with mobility or health concerns.

Moderate. Suitable for all birding / wildlife interest levels and most mobility capabilities. Can be a little tiring due to travel distances.

Accommodation

Good to comfortable.

Ease of Birding

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

Number of Species Expected

320 - 380 (400 - 450 with extension)

Other Attractions

Kruger National Park, Sani Pass and Drakensberg Mountains, dramatic scenery, Zulu culture, Indian Ocean, iSimangaliso Wetland Park

Photographic Opportunities

Good to very good. Some hides, mostly for mammal photography.

What our clients say about us

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.

Daniel Danckwerts
TT - South Africa Rallid Quest 2019

There are not enough superlatives to describe Daniel Danckwerts! He is a superstar of a guide and I am glad I had the opportunity to tour with him, because he will be in great demand when the word gets out how amazing this tour was! Although he is one of your junior guides, he conducts himself with poise and confidence in excess of his years. His passion for birding, culture and history is unsurpassed and his laugh is absolutely infectious.  He knew all the hotspots for the notoriously difficult species on this tour and even when the birds weren't cooperating, he devised innovative means to ensure the group would have the best opportunity to see these very, very elusive birds. We learned a few lessons on this inaugural tour about patience and stamina.... it is certainly not for the faint-hearted because it requires a lot of hard work but the rewards certainly exceeded the effort.  Where else do you have the opportunity to see mythic flufftails and crakes all in one place? I will absolutely travel with Daniel again!

Gregory de Klerk
RB - South Africa 2024

Both Greg and Wade were amazing. Greg has a fantastic knowledge of the area and it's wildlife. He was always willing to add information and facts regarding the wildlife we observed. He managed the tour expertly and his enthusiasm was contagious. And Wade is flat out the best bird/wildlife finder that I have ever been around. Truly extraordinary. The trip was beyond my expectations.

André Bernon
J

André our game ranger for the third time once again is impeccable! His eyesight is actually too good for words!

André Bernon
K

Andre, our guide, has such an infectious nature, which had a huge positive effect on our stay. His incredible knowledge of birds was indeed humbling. A birder's paradise and a guide passionate about birds and nature - what more could one ask for?

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