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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 * USD4,771 * GBP3,808 * EUR4,580 * AUD7,667

Single Supplement: ZAR7,500 * USD398 * GBP318 * EUR382 * AUD639

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 * USD4,771 * GBP3,808 * EUR4,580 * AUD7,667

Single Supplement: ZAR7,500 * USD398 * GBP318 * EUR382 * AUD639

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 * USD4,771 * GBP3,808 * EUR4,580 * AUD7,667

Single Supplement: ZAR7,500 * USD398 * GBP318 * EUR382 * AUD639

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 * USD4,771 * GBP3,808 * EUR4,580 * AUD7,667

Single Supplement: ZAR7,500 * USD398 * GBP318 * EUR382 * AUD639

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 * USD4,771 * GBP3,808 * EUR4,580 * AUD7,667

Single Supplement: ZAR7,500 * USD398 * GBP318 * EUR382 * AUD639

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

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.

David Hoddinott
DS - South Africa 2021

The tour was expertly led by David Hoddinott, who was attentive to the clients and exceptionally knowledgeable. He ensured everyone had seen each species of bird encountered. The weather took a turn, but David was keen to stick out as long as it was safe to give us the best chance of maximising our species. Highly recommended.

Gregory de Klerk
DL, South Africa

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!

Julian Parsons
DT, South Africa

Our short custom tour with two day trips out of Cape Town was really excellent. Our guide Julian was knowledgeable and engaging and generally a great fit for our small family of three. We found almost all our main target species and Julian was always quick to set up the scope to ensure we all got great views of the more distant birds. As a family with a range of interests including not only birds, but also mammals and plants, we really appreciated that Julian found the right balance between trying hard to find some of the more difficult birds and allowing some extra time for studying plants, especially at Kirstenbosch. Thanks Julian, for a great couple of days! Thanks also to Daniel and Laverne for your help with planning and logistics!

Daniel Danckwerts
MW, South Africa 2021

"We all immensely enjoyed this Tailor-made tour. Dan is an excellent guide: great ears, great eyes, persistent, patient, cheerful, and knowledgeable about all nature. He really went all out for us, and he succeeded in finding very elusive and range-restricted species. We hope to travel with him in the future. Other aspects of the trip: lodging, transportation, etc. were excellent too. We appreciate the behind-the-scenes efforts by Heinz and the rest of the Rockjumper team."

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