31 Jan 2025 - 03 Feb 2025 (4 days)
ZAR20,950 - No Spaces Available
Tour Leader: Daniel Danckwerts
Tour price (Per person): ZAR20,950 * USD1,132 * GBP916 * EUR1,087 * AUD1,801
Single Supplement: ZAR1,150 * USD62 * GBP50 * EUR60 * AUD99
Embark on a thrilling birding expedition to the famed Sani Pass, the highest mountain pass anywhere in South Africa where the rugged beauty of the Drakensberg Range meets the high Lesotho Plateau. With a blend of modern convenience and untamed wilderness, this journey promises unforgettable encounters with several of South Africa’s most sought-after near-endemic species. Top among these are the Drakensberg Rockjumper and Gurney’s Sugarbirds, each belonging to endemic bird families. Other notable targets will include the little-known Mountain Pipit, Sentinel Rock-thrush, endangered Cape Parrot, Orange Ground Thrush, Bush Blackcap, Barratt’s Warbler, Cape and Bearded Vultures, and Drakensberg Siskin. Join us for a short tour that will leave a lasting impression on both novice and seasoned birdwatchers alike!
Blue Crane, Denham's Bustard, Southern Bald Ibis, Cape & Bearded Vultures, Black Harrier, Drakensberg Rockjumper, Gurney's Sugarbird, Bush Blackcap, Ground Woodpecker, African Rock Pipit, Cape Longclaw, Knysna Turaco, Cape Parrot, Olive Bushshrike, Bokmakierie, Layard's Warbler, Orange Ground Thrush, Cape & Sentinel Rock Thrushes, Buff-streaked Chat, Southern Double-collared Sunbird, Drakensberg Siskin, Forest Canary.
Grey Rhebok, Common Eland, Springhare, Slogget's Ice Rat.
mist-belt forests, high-elevation grasslands, mountains, wetlands.
Subtropical conditions with chances for rain. Cool in the highlands.
6 with 1 Rockjumper tour leader
Relaxed.
Excellent
Easy
150+
Sani Pass into Lesotho, excellent scenery
Good but time limited
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.
The tour was great. I got along well with the other participants and I greatly appreciated Greg de Klerk. I quickly realised he knew what he was doing and could relax. He was careful to make sure we all got to see all the birds. I will definitely use Rockjumper again... Can't go wrong!
A massive thanks has to go to André, the ranger, he was exceptional. His knowledge of wildlife was incredible. We were able to learn so much about the animals, plants and he is the 'bird' guru!! We cant thank him enough for his time, going out of his way to show us everything possible, we saw everything.
Greg de Klerk was an excellent guide who made sure I saw as many birds as possible and set a reasonable pace. He was easy to talk to and very informative, I was very impressed with his knowledge.
The lynchpin for our entire experience was the guide - and Greg de Klerk was simply brilliant. He was extremely skilled in knowing where the birds might be, and finding them once we got there. He carefully made sure that we all saw the bird. He was very knowledgeable about bird and mammal behaviour, and shared a lot of information with the tour members. He smoothly handled logistics, is a good driver, and patient with non-nationals who are unfamiliar with South African customs. He has a wonderful sense of humour; and a very warm and outgoing personality, which stimulated good relations between tour members. We would be very excited to go on another Rockjumper trip with him!
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