Our eastern South Africa birding and wildlife tours combine the great birds and mammals of the world-renowned Kruger National Park, the teeming Zululand game reserves, the endemic-rich mist-belt forests and grasslands of the Natal Midlands and the lofty peaks of the magnificent Drakensberg. Target species include Kori Bustard, Southern Ground Hornbill, Bateleur, Southern Bald Ibis, Bearded Vulture, Blue and Wattled Cranes, Blue Korhaan, Ground Woodpecker, Yellow-breasted Pipit, Rudd’s and Botha’s Larks, Spotted and Orange Ground Thrushes, Drakensberg Rockjumper, Gurney’s Sugarbird, the splendid Pink-throated Twinspot, Neergaard’s Sunbird, Narina Trogon, Woodward’s Batis, Gorgeous and Olive Bushshrikes, Chorister Robin-Chat, Brown and Bearded Scrub Robins, Knysna and Livingstone's Turacos, Bush Blackcap and Rudd’s Apalis. Our chances of achieving the classic ‘Big Five’ (Lion, Leopard, African Elephant, African Buffalo and both Black & White Rhinoceroses) are excellent, while less common mammals include African Wild Dog, Cheetah and the endemic Black Wildebeest.

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

Tour Facts

Top Birds

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

Top Mammals

The ‘Big 5’(Lion, Leopard, African Elephant, African Buffalo and both Black & White Rhinoceroses), Meerkat, African Wild Dog, Black Wildebeest, Nyala, Cheetah, Giraffe, Greater Kudu, Plains Zebra, Warthog, Common Eland and Sloggett’s Vlei Rat, 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

8 with 1 Rockjumper leader

Tour Pace & Walking

moderate pace with undemanding walks, some long drives

Accommodation

comfortable guesthouses and lodges

Ease of Birding

easy

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

excellent

What our clients say about us

AF, South Africa 2023

Wade is an exceptional individual. Hard to believe he is not 21 and has such an understanding and knowledge of the animals. He also has a great personality and is a hard worker to insure that you get all the help needed to be safe in every aspect of the operation. Ryan was also a hard worker with the customers comfort and satisfaction always in mind. He is also extremely knowledgeable about the animals and their environment. The entire staff was very accommodating and helpful. It is a great operation and was a wonderful experience.

GB & NB - South Africa 2019

Greg is very knowledgable about everything South Africa and was very good at getting everyone on the birds. He manages the people dynamics very well and kept the mood light and enjoyable.

South Africa

Thank you for a wonderful tour. We enjoyed your good company and we appreciate your expertise, effort and enthusiasm. We thoroughly enjoyed our time in South Africa and we hope to travel with you again sometime. P.S It was a cracker

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!

OS, South Africa 2018

Our leader, Andre Bernon, was very good and very knowledgeable, he was also good with general South African knowledge, which was a good thing.

South Africa - Western Bird Photography Tour (Small Group) 2025 - March 2025

South Africa - Eastern Bird Photography Tour (Small Group) 2025 - February 2025

South Africa - Eastern III 2025 - February 2025

South Africa - Flock to Marion - Sani Pass post-tour extension 2025 - January 2025

South Africa - Flock to Marion - Sani Pass pre-tour extension 2025 - January 2025

South Africa - (F2M ext) Andersson 2025 - January 2025

South Africa - Flock to Marion - Eastern pre-tour extension I 2025 - January 2025

South Africa - Mega Birding Tour II 2024 - November 2024

South Africa - Kruger Extension I 2024 - November 2024

South Africa - Bates 2024 - November 2024

South Africa - Joseph & friends (ESA) 2024 - November 2024

South Africa - Wilkens & Lenssen 2024 - November 2024

South Africa - Mega Birding Tour I 2024 - November 2024

South Africa - Cape Extension V 2024 - October 2024

South Africa - Ann 2024 - October 2024

South Africa - Eastern V 2024 - October 2024

South Africa - Cape Extension IV 2024 - October 2024

South Africa - Eastern IV 2024 - September 2024

South Africa - West 2024 - September 2024

South Africa - Allen (Cisticola Ref) 2024 - August 2024

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South Africa - Eastern (Small Group) IV 2025

South Africa - Eastern (Small Group) V 2025

South Africa - Eastern (Small Group) I 2026

South Africa - Eastern (Small Group) II 2026

South Africa - Eastern (Small Group) III 2026

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

South Africa - Eastern (Small Group) V 2026

South Africa - Eastern (Small Group) I 2027

South Africa - Eastern (Small Group) II 2027

South Africa - Eastern (Small Group) III 2027

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

South Africa - Eastern (Small Group) IV 2027

South Africa - Eastern (Small Group) V 2027

South Africa - Eastern (Small Group) VI 2027