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South Africa - Mega Birding Tour

© Bokmakierie by Adam Riley
South Africa - Mega Birding Tour I 2025

31 Oct 2025 - 21 Nov 2025 (22 days)

ZAR107,950 - 2 Spaces Available

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Tour Leader: Julian Parsons

Tour price (Per person): ZAR107,950 * USD5,833 * GBP4,722 * EUR5,601 * AUD9,278

Single Supplement: ZAR8,500 * USD459 * GBP372 * EUR441 * AUD731

Can be linked with: South Africa - Kruger Extension I 2025

South Africa - Mega Birding Tour II 2025

23 Nov 2025 - 14 Dec 2025 (22 days)

ZAR107,950 - 2 Spaces Available

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Tour Leader: James Wade Lee

Tour price (Per person): ZAR107,950 * USD5,833 * GBP4,722 * EUR5,601 * AUD9,278

Single Supplement: ZAR8,500 * USD459 * GBP372 * EUR441 * AUD731

Can be linked with: South Africa - Kruger Extension II 2025

South Africa - Mega Birding Tour (Small Group) I 2026

30 Oct 2026 - 20 Nov 2026 (22 days)

ZAR119,950 - Spaces Available

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Tour Leader: Ryan Tyrer

Tour price (Per person): ZAR119,950 * USD6,481 * GBP5,247 * EUR6,224 * AUD10,309

Single Supplement: ZAR8,500 * USD459 * GBP372 * EUR441 * AUD731

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

South Africa - Mega Birding Tour (Small Group) II 2026

22 Nov 2026 - 13 Dec 2026 (22 days)

ZAR119,950 - Spaces Available

Book Now

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Tour Leader: James Wade Lee

Tour price (Per person): ZAR119,950 * USD6,481 * GBP5,247 * EUR6,224 * AUD10,309

Single Supplement: ZAR8,500 * USD459 * GBP372 * EUR441 * AUD731

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

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 Cinnamon-breasted and Knysna Warblers are less striking but 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.

Top Birds

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 (very rare), Botha’s (very rare), 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.

Top Mammals

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

Habitats Covered

dune and mist-belt forest, acacia savanna, high elevation and coastal grasslands, mountains, semi-desert, fynbos, coastal waters, wetlands

Expected Climate

subtropical conditions with occasional rain, cooler in the highlands and the Cape

Max Group Size

5 with 1 Rockjumper leader

Tour Pace & Walking

DIFFICULT: This is a high-intensity “mega” tour designed for passionate listers and serious birders who enjoy a fast-paced schedule. Due to its demanding nature, it’s not recommended for avid photographers, inexperienced birders, or anyone with mobility or health limitations.

Demanding & tiring tour. Designed for the dedicated lister and serious birder. Not suitable for dedicated or avid photographers; inexperienced birders; or anyone with mobility or health challenges. 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.

Accommodation

Good to comfortable.

Ease of Birding

Very targeted birding. Several tricky endemic species, though most birding is in open habitat with limited forest birding.

Number of Species Expected

500 - 550

Other Attractions

Cape Peninsula, Sani Pass, Lake St. Lucia, Zululand game reserves, good food & wine, remote and seldom visited areas, spectacular scenery

Photographic Opportunities

Good, but limited due to time.

What our clients say about us

André Bernon
SC, South Africa 2018

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.

André Bernon
RT, South Africa 2018

As an experienced world traveller and birder, I must say that the Eastern South Africa and Cape Extension III tours went beyond my already high expectations. All in all, we saw nearly 540 bird species, plus many mammals, including the "Big Five". Our guide, Andre Bernon, really made an effort for us all to see each and every species, and was also very knowledgeable about reptiles, mammals, South African history etc. An excellent guide!

Glen Valentine
BC, South Africa 2021

Hi. Glen and Julian were great guides. I really enjoyed spending time with them. The trip was great, lodging was great. The wineries were amazing, as were the bird and animal sightings. I would travel with Glen or Julian again any time!

Keith Valentine
PS, South Africa - Birds & Wine 2018

I'd read and heard positive feedback about Rockjumper before I booked the tour, so I was quite pleased when Keith Valentine, our guide, and Rockjumper were able to exceed my expectations. I knew Keith's role within the firm, so my expectations were particularly high. Keith was terrific. He knows the birds in great detail, including their field marks, calls, and where they can be found. He also deeply understands what it means to provide his customers a great experience, which he did his best to provide. A true leader and nice person that others in the firm can hopefully learn from and follow. All in all, this was a trip of a lifetime for me and my wife.

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.

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