South Africa - Mega Birding Tour (Small Group) I 2025

31 Oct 2025 - 21 Nov 2025 (22 days)

ZAR107,950 - No Spaces Available

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Tour Leader: Julian Parsons

Tour price (Per person): ZAR107,950 * USD5,842 * GBP4,524 * EUR5,415 * AUD9,325

Single Supplement: ZAR8,500 * USD460 * GBP356 * EUR426 * AUD734

Can be linked with: South Africa - Kruger Extension (Small Group) I 2025

South Africa - Mega Birding Tour (Small Group) II 2025

23 Nov 2025 - 14 Dec 2025 (22 days)

ZAR107,950 - 1 Space Available

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Tour Leader: Quinton Paul Josop

Tour price (Per person): ZAR107,950 * USD5,842 * GBP4,524 * EUR5,415 * AUD9,325

Single Supplement: ZAR8,500 * USD460 * GBP356 * EUR426 * AUD734

Can be linked with: South Africa - Kruger Extension (Small Group) II 2025

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

30 Oct 2026 - 20 Nov 2026 (22 days)

ZAR119,950 - 1 Space Available

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Tour Leader: Ryan Tyrer

Tour price (Per person): ZAR119,950 * USD6,492 * GBP5,026 * EUR6,017 * AUD10,362

Single Supplement: ZAR8,500 * USD460 * GBP356 * EUR426 * AUD734

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

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Tour Leader: James Wade Lee

Tour price (Per person): ZAR119,950 * USD6,492 * GBP5,026 * EUR6,017 * AUD10,362

Single Supplement: ZAR8,500 * USD460 * GBP356 * EUR426 * AUD734

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

South Africa - Mega Birding Tour (Small Group) I 2027

08 Nov 2027 - 29 Nov 2027 (22 days)

ZAR127,000 - Spaces Available

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Tour Leader: Quinton Paul Josop

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

Tour price (Per person): ZAR127,000 * USD6,873 * GBP5,322 * EUR6,371 * AUD10,971

Can be linked with: South Africa - Kruger Extension (Small Group) I 2027

South Africa - Mega Birding Tour (Small Group) II 2027

15 Nov 2027 - 06 Dec 2027 (22 days)

ZAR127,000 - Spaces Available

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Tour Leader: Ryan Tyrer

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

Tour price (Per person): ZAR127,000 * USD6,873 * GBP5,322 * EUR6,371 * AUD10,971

Can be linked with: South Africa - Kruger Extension (Small Group) II 2027

South Africa - Mega Birding Tour (Small Group) III 2027

22 Nov 2027 - 13 Dec 2027 (22 days)

ZAR127,000 - Spaces Available

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Tour Leader: André Bernon

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

Tour price (Per person): ZAR127,000 * USD6,873 * GBP5,322 * EUR6,371 * AUD10,971

Can be linked with: South Africa - Kruger Extension (Small Group) III 2027

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

David Hoddinott
NP, South Africa

It was a great pleasure to meet David Hoddinott, and a privilege really to spend time with such a great birder. Mine was a focussed trip around several species not seen in South Africa, and we saw all the birds, including a wonderful view of a male Buff-spotted Flufftail. David also found a few species where I had only had single sightings previously. We had to reschedule my trip at short notice and the Tailormade team at RJ were really helpful to ensure this section of our trip went ahead. Many thanks.

Gregory de Klerk
JM - South Africa 2024

Great tour with amazing birds to see. Greg and Ward did a terrific job of finding the birds and making sure we saw everything. Kruger National Park was spectacular and we had unbelievable views of the animals. Loved the safari vehicle through the park and would recommend using it on future tours. The van was good as we all had window seats. Unfortunately there were issues with opening a couple of the windows along with electrical issues with the refrigerator and charging units at each seat but the guides adjusted to the situation as needed to make the experience a good one. The trip had a lot of time inside the van and sighting/seeing birds from the van. I would have liked more walking maybe on the roads when possible but I understand we were trying to see as many birds as possible. Overall a remarkable trip lead by professional, experienced guides and a great group of birders made this trip memorable.

Glen Valentine
RH & SH, South Africa 2021

First, compliments to whoever came up with the concept of this tour. It seems unusual, even unique. This was a second choice for us because COVID restrictions postponed our tour to Cape, Kruger, and the Victoria Falls extension. The inclusion of the wine tastings seemed whimsical but it was genius. It’s as if we had 2 different vacations, back-to-back, and both memorable. We suspect that logistics for this tour were especially challenging. Glen was more than up to the task, every booking was right on time and of excellent quality. Rockjumper is a class act! We had some really memorable sightings and wildlife experiences due to Glen’s knowledge and diligence. We also appreciate that besides the birds and big mammals he gave us lots of information on habitat, environmental challenges, and especially for Suna and me, knowledge of plants. We walk around our California neighbourhood and notice all the imported African plants growing in our yards! We felt the timing was good too. It was late spring in the fynbos with many flowers still showing, and we were able to see many migrant birds down from the north.

Heinz Ortmann
JH, Cape & Kruger II 2015

Heinz was incredible. His knowledge and personality were wonderful. What a wonderful young man! We had an incredible time.

André Bernon
GL, South Africa 2018

The trip went great. We all had a great time. We really enjoyed Andre Bernon, he is a great birder and a very good guide.

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Tour Route Map