Eastern South Africa – Birds & Wildlife
This exciting birding tour offers you the chance to explore some of South Africa’s premier birdwatching and wildlife viewing destinations.
During this Eastern South Africa birdwatching expedition, we’ll embark on a thirteen-day journey through the diverse landscapes of South Africa, exploring four of the country’s nine distinct biomes: Savannah, Forest, Grassland, and Indian Ocean Belt.
Our adventure commences in Johannesburg, Gauteng Province, with departure from O.R. Tambo International Airport. From there, we’ll head northward to the renowned Zaagkuildrift area, where we’ll immerse ourselves in birdwatching before continuing our journey.
Next, we’ll venture into the Afromontane forests of Magoebaskloof, Limpopo Province, stopping at significant birding sites along the route. Descending from the escarpment, we’ll enter the Lowveld region of Limpopo and proceed to the greater Kruger area, specifically the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve, renowned for its abundance of big game.
We’ll spend three nights in the Timbavati, indulging in unforgettable birdwatching experiences before heading southward. En route, we’ll traverse the majestic Blyde River Canyon and proceed to the grasslands of Mpumalanga Province, culminating our journey in the charming village of Wakkerstroom.
Continuing our tour from Wakkerstroom, we’ll travel southeastward to the subtropical province of KwaZulu-Natal, where we’ll explore the renowned iSimangaliso Wetland Reserve, nestled in the heart of the Indian Ocean Coastal Belt Biome.
Our next destination takes us southward to the coastal scarp forests of Ongoye and Dhlinza, where we’ll marvel at the rich birdlife. Continuing our exploration, we’ll venture into southern KwaZulu-Natal and ascend Sani Pass, offering us the opportunity to encounter high-altitude Drakensberg specials.
Following our mountain adventure, we’ll retrace our steps through the picturesque KwaZulu-Natal Midlands, journeying back to Johannesburg. From there, we’ll prepare for an anticipated evening departure on an international flight, bidding farewell to the enchanting landscapes of South Africa
Day 1: Rietvlei Nature Reserve/ Zaagkuilsdrift
Early morning birding at Zaagkuilsdrift. Afternoon travel to Magoebaskloof birding outskirts of Polokwane en route.
Target species: White-bellied Bustard, Short-clawed Lark, Nicholson’s Pipit, Malachite Sunbird, Gurney’s Sugarbird, Violet-eared Waxbill.
Where you will be staying: Zaagkuilsdrift Bird Sanctuary And Lodge
Day 2: Zaagkuilsdrift/Polokwane
Early morning birding at Zaagkuilsdrift. Afternoon travel to Magoebaskloof birding outskirts of Polokwane en route.
Target species: White-bellied Bustard, Short-clawed Lark, Nicholson’s Pipit, Malachite Sunbird, Gurney’s Sugarbird, Violet-eared Waxbill.
Where you will be staying: Bramasole Guesthouse
Day 3: Magoebaskloof/Timbavati Private Nature Reserve
Birdwatching in Magoebaskloof. Afternoon drive in Timbavati Private Nature Reserve.
Target species: Forest Buzzard, Yellow-streaked Greenbul, Cape Parrot, White-starred Robin, Black-fronted Bush Shrike, Knysna Turaco, Barratt’s Warbler, Olive Woodpecker.
Where you will be staying: Nyala Camp
Day 4 & 5: Timbavati Private Nature Reserve
Morning and afternoon game drives in Timbavati Private Nature Reserve.
Target species: Martial Eagle, Tawny Eagle, Wahlberg’s Eagle, Lanner Falcon, Marabou Stork, Saddle-billed Stork, Hooded Vulture, Lappet-faced Vulture, White-backed Vulture, White-headed Vulture, Bateleur, Ayres’s Hawk Eagle, Black-chested Snake Eagle, Brown Snake Eagle, African Barred Owlet, Pearl-spotted Owl, Verreaux’s Eagle Owl.
Where you will be staying: Nyala Camp
Day 6: Timbavati Private Nature Reserve/Departure for Wakkerstroom
Morning game drive in Timbavati Private Nature Reserve Afternoon drive to Wakkerstroom, Mpumalanga.
Target species: Wailing Cisticola, Denham’s Bustard, Jackal Buzzard, Grey Crowned Crane, African Marsh Harrier, Southern Bald Ibis, Blue Korhaan.
Where you will be staying: Wakkerstroom Country Inn
Day 7: Wakkerstroom Grasslands
Full day of birdwatching in Wakkerstroom grasslands.
Target species: Denham’s Bustard, Buff-streaked Chat, Jackal Buzzard, Red-chested Flufftail, Southern Bald Ibis, Black- winged Lapwing, Eastern Long-billed Lark, Pink-billed Lark, Red-capped Lark, Yellow-breasted Pipit, South African Cliff Swallow, Mountain Wheatear.
Where you will be staying: Wakkerstroom Country Inn
Day 8: Wakkerstroom Grasslands/St Lucia (KwaZulu-Natal)
Early morning birdwatching in Wakkerstroom grasslands Travel through to St Lucia town, KwaZulu-Natal
Target species: Rufous-winged Cisticola, Blue-mantled Crested Flycatcher, Pygmy Goose, Crested Guineafowl, Mangrove Kingfisher, Senegal Lapwing, Swamp Nightjar, Grey Sunbird, Grey Waxbill
Where you will be staying: iGwalagwala Guest House
Day 9: iSimangaliso Wetland Park
Full day birdwatching in iSimangaliso Wetland Park.
Target species Rudd’s Apalis, Woodward’s Batis, Southern Banded Snake Eagle, Wattle-eyed Flycatcher, Green Malkoha, Eastern Nicator, Swamp Nightjar, Pink-backed Pelican, Brown Scrub Robin, Lesser-crested Tern, Livingstone’s Turaco, Southern Brown-throated Weaver.
Where you will be staying: iGwalagwala Guest House
Day 10: iSimangaliso Wetland Park/Eshowe
Birdwatching in iSimangaliso Wetland Reserve Afternoon departure for Eshowe via Ongoye
Target species: Grey Cuckooshrike, White- backed Duck, Crowned Eagle, Trumpeter Hornbill, Brown Scrub Robin, Spotted Ground Thrush, Narina Trogon, Green Twinspot.
Where you will be staying: Birds of Paradise
Day 11: Dhlinza Forest
Full day birding in Dhlinza Forest.
Target species: Green Barbet, Eastern Bronze-naped Pigeon, Green Twinspot, Narina Trogon, Olive Woodpecker.
Where you will be staying: KarMichael Guesthouse
Day 12: Sani Pass
Full day birdwatching up Sani Pass and into Lesotho.
Target species: Bush Blackcap, Sick- le-winged Chat, Cape Grassbird, Southern Bald Ibis, African Rock Pipit, Drakensberg Rockjumper, Drakensberg Siskin, Bearded Vulture, Cape Vulture, Ground Woodpecker.
Where you will be staying: KarMichael Guesthouse
Day 13: KwaZulu-Natal Midlands
Birdwatching in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands region. Depart for O.R. Tambo International Airport in the afternoon.
End of tour.
Tour pace
Slow/medium paced with a few long drives.
Tour difficulty
Easy
Costs
Above price based on a group of 8. Please enquire if you’d like us to make this into a tailor-made tour.
Deposit
Secure your spot on this trip with a 25% deposit.
Sustainability:
At Sustainable Birding, our goal is to ensure that every birding holiday we create contributes positively to bird conservation efforts and local communities. Our determination to promote sustainable travel led us to become founding members of Tourism Declares Climate Emergency. As part of this commitment, we have established the world’s pioneering carbon scoring and offsetting framework for tailor-made holidays. Feel free to request us to carbon score your individual trip!
A Few Highlighted Bird Species
- African Crake
- Northern Black Korhaan
- White-backed Mousebird
- Greater Painted Snipe
- River Warbler
- Thrush Nightingale
- White-bellied Bustard
- Short-clawed Lark
- Nicholson’s Pipit
- Malachite Sunbird
- Gurney’s Sugarbird
- Violet-eared Waxbill
- Forest Buzzard
- Yellow-streaked Greenbul
- Cape Parrot
- White-starred Robin
- Black-fronted Bush Shrike
- Knysna Turaco
- Barratt’s Warbler
- Olive Woodpecker
- Martial Eagle
- Tawny Eagle
- Wahlberg’s Eagle
- Lanner Falcon
- Marabou Stork
- Saddle-billed Stork
- Hooded Vulture
- Lappet-faced Vulture
- White-backed Vulture
- White-headed Vulture
- Bateleur
- Ayres’s Hawk Eagle
- Black-chested Snake Eagle
- Brown Snake Eagle
- African Barred Owlet
- Pearl-spotted Owl
- Verreaux’s Eagle Owl
- Wailing Cisticola
- Denham’s Bustard
- Jackal Buzzard
- Grey Crowned Crane
- African Marsh Harrier
- Southern Bald Ibis
- Blue Korhaan
- Buff-streaked Chat
- Red-chested Flufftail
- Black-winged Lapwing
- Eastern Long-billed Lark
- Pink-billed Lark
- Red-capped Lark
- Yellow-breasted Pipit
- South African Cliff Swallow
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DepartureJohannesburg
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IncludedAll meals including lunch on Day 13All accommodation as stated in the itinerary on a sharing basisPrivate vehicle throughout – driven by the guide and all associated vehicle costs including fuelAll game drives within national parksAll guiding services and gratuities at different sitesEntrance fees to all national parks, conservancies and concession feesValue Added Tax inclusive
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Not IncludedAny international airfares, taxes and visa costsAny refreshments apart from those mentioned aboveAny pre or post tour accommodationAny pre or post tour mealsTravel insuranceTelephone calls, laundry and items of a personal nature
