Stunning South Africa – East to the Cape
During this South Africa birdwatching expedition, we’ll embark on a twenty-day journey traversing the diverse landscapes of the country. Our itinerary encompasses exploration of five of South Africa’s nine distinct biomes: Savannah, Forest, Grassland, Fynbos, and the Indian Ocean Belt. Our primary objective? The observation and discovery of the rich avifauna these regions host
The tour commences in Johannesburg, Gauteng Province, with departure from O.R. Tambo International Airport. Our journey begins by heading northwards to the renowned Zaagkuildrift area, where we’ll delve into birdwatching before proceeding to the Afromontane forests of Magoebaskloof, Limpopo Province, with stops at key birding sites along the route.
Descending from the escarpment into Limpopo’s Lowveld region, we venture onward to the esteemed Timbavati Private Nature Reserve, a premier destination for observing big game in southern Africa. Spending three nights in Timbavati, we’ll then journey southwards via the scenic Blyde River Canyon towards Mpumalanga Province’s grasslands, culminating in the quaint village of Wakkerstroom.
Continuing southeastwards to the sub-tropical province of KwaZulu-Natal, our next destination is the renowned iSimangaliso Wetland Reserve, nestled within the heart of the Indian Ocean Coastal Belt Biome. Our itinerary progresses to the coastal scarp forests of Ongoye and Dhlinza before ascending Sani Pass for high-altitude Drakensberg birding.
Retracing our route through the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands, we eventually reach Cape Town, Western Cape Province, where we’ll spend a night before embarking on a pelagic birdwatching excursion from Simons Town. Subsequently, a day is dedicated to exploring Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens and False Bay Nature Reserve before journeying to the Overberg region.
In the Overberg, we’ll visit the African Penguin colony at Stony Point and Harold Porter National Botanical Gardens from our base in Hermanus. Further exploration of birding sites in the area ensues before our expedition leads us to the vast expanses of the Tankwa Karoo.
Returning to Cape Town, we conclude our adventure with an expected evening departure on an international flight, bidding farewell to the diverse avian wonders 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: Ogram’s Country House
Day 12: KwaZulu-Natal Midlands
Birdwatching in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands region. Depart for O.R. Tambo International Airport in the afternoon.
Where you will be staying: KarMichael Guesthouse
Day 13: 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
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Depart for Cape Town via King Shaka International Airport
Where you will be staying: Tranquil Tokai Guesthouse, Cape Town.
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Day 15: Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens/False Bay Nature Reserve
Full day birdwatching Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens and False Bay Nature Reserve
Target species: Forest Buzzard, Lemon Dove, Cape Francolin, Great White Pelican, Orange-breasted Sunbird, Southern Double-collared Sunbird, Cape Sugarbird.
Where you will be staying: KarMichael Guesthouse
Day 16: Palagic species
Full day Pelagic birdwatching trip.
Target species: Atlantic Yellow-nosed Albatross, Black-browed Albatross, Shy Albatross, Wandering Albatross, Great-winged Petrel, Northern Giant Petrel, Soft-plumaged Petrel, White-chinned Petrel, Sooty Shearwater, Subantarctic (Brown) Skua.
Where you will be staying: KarMichael Guesthouse
Day 17: Stony Point & Harold Porter Botanical Gardens
Early morning birdwatching trip to Stony Point penguin colony and Harold Porter Botanical Gardens
Target species: Bank Cormorant, Cape Cormorant, Crowned Cormorant, Cape Francolin, Hartlaub’s Gull, African Penguin, Cape Rockjumper, Cape Siskin, Cape Sugarbird, Southern Tchagra, Sentinel Rock Thrush, Victorin’s Warbler, Knysna Woodpecker.
Where you will be staying: The Bamboo Guesthouse
Day 18: Agulhas Plains & De Mond Nature Reserve
Birdwatching trip to the Agulhas Plains and De Mond Nature Reserve.
Target species: Blue Crane, Black Harrier, Karoo Korhaan, Agulhas Long-billed Lark, African (Black) Oystercatcher, Verreaux’s Eagle, Common Ostrich, Caspian Tern, Ground Woodpecker, Knysna Woodpecker, Cape Vulture.
Where you will be staying: The Bamboo Guesthouse
Day 19: Tankwa Karoo
Full day birdwatching trip to the Tankwa Karoo.
Target species: Ludwig’s Bustard, Black-headed Canary, Tractrac Chat, Burchell’s Courser, Karoo Eremomela, Cape Clapper Lark, Karoo Long- billed Lark, Layard’s Tit-babbler, Cinnamon-breasted Warbler, Namaqua Warbler, Rufous-eared Warbler.
Where you will be staying: Goshawk Eco Venue
Day 20: Tankwa Karoo/Cape Town
Travel from Tankwa Karoo to Cape Town International Airport via Sir Lowry’s Pass.
End of tour.
Tour pace
Slow/medium
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
- Mountain Wheatear
- Rufous-winged Cisticola
- Blue-mantled Crested Flycatcher
- Pygmy Goose
- Crested Guineafowl
- Mangrove Kingfisher
- Senegal Lapwing
- Swamp Nightjar
- Grey Sunbird
- Grey Waxbill
- Rudd’s Apalis
- Woodward’s Batis
- Southern Banded Snake Eagle
- Wattle-eyed Flycatcher
- Green Malkoha
- Eastern Nicator
- Pink-backed Pelican
- Brown Scrub Robin
- Lesser-crested Tern
- Livingstone’s Turaco
- Southern Brown-throated Weaver
- Grey Cuckooshrike
- White-backed Duck
- Crowned Eagle
- Trumpeter Hornbill
- Spotted Ground Thrush
- Narina Trogon
- Green Twinspot
- Green Barbet
- Eastern Bronze-naped Pigeon
- Bush Blackcap
- Sickle-winged Chat
- Cape Grassbird
- African Rock Pipit
- Drakensberg Rockjumper
- Drakensberg Siskin
- Bearded Vulture
- Cape Vulture
- Ground Woodpecker
- Lemon Dove
- Cape Francolin
- Great White Pelican
- Orange-breasted Sunbird
- Southern Double-collared Sunbird
- Cape Sugarbird
- Atlantic Yellow-nosed Albatross
- Black-browed Albatross
- Shy Albatross
- Wandering Albatross
- Great-winged Petrel
- Northern Giant Petrel
- Soft-plumaged Petrel
- White-chinned Petrel
- Sooty Shearwater
- Subantarctic (Brown) Skua
- Bank Cormorant
- Cape Cormorant
- Crowned Cormorant
- Hartlaub’s Gull
- African Penguin
- Cape Rockjumper
- Cape Siskin
- Southern Tchagra
- Sentinel Rock Thrush
- Victorin’s Warbler
- Knysna Woodpecker
- Blue Crane
- Black Harrier
- Karoo Korhaan
- Agulhas Long-billed Lark
- African (Black) Oystercatcher
- Common Ostrich
- Caspian Tern
- Ludwig’s Bustard
- Black-headed Canary
- Tractrac Chat
- Burchell’s Courser
- Karoo Eremomela
- Cape Clapper Lark
- Karoo Long-billed Lark
- Layard’s Tit-babbler
- Cinnamon-breasted Warbler
- Namaqua Warbler
- Rufous-eared Warbler
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DepartureJohannesburg
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IncludedAll meals including lunch on Day 20All 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 insurance
