Both trip leaders Nick and Leon were first-rate. Very knowledgeable on the wildlife, and helpful and supportive on practicalities. The tour packed a lot in, but didn't feel too driven.
P.B. Kent, Feb 20
Tour Itinerary and Reports
- Itinerary
- Tour report - November 2022
- Tour report - February 2020
- Tour report - November 2019
- Tour report - February 2019
- Tour report - November 2018
- Tour report - November 2017
- Tour report - November 2016
- Tour report - November 2015
- Tour report - February 2015
- Tour report - November 2014
- Tour report - September 2013
- Tour report - March 2011
- Tour report - September 2010
- Tour report - September 2009
- Tour report - March 2009
- Tour report - September 2008
- Tour report - March 2008
- Tour report - September 2006
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South Africa - Kruger (Birds)
Tour Code: ZAF03A 10-day tour in search of the birds (and mammals) of Kruger National Park, the upland grasslands of Dullstroom and the Blyde River Canyon.
£3,395 (Inc flights)
£2,695
Highlights
Tour Itinerary and Reports
- Itinerary
- Tour report - November 2022
- Tour report - November 2019
- Tour report - February 2019
- Tour report - November 2018
- Tour report - November 2017
- Tour report - November 2016
- Tour report - November 2015
- Tour report - March 2008
- Tour report - November 2014
- Tour report - September 2013
- Tour report - March 2011
- Tour report - September 2010
- Tour report - September 2009
- Tour report - March 2009
- Tour report - September 2008
- Tour report - February 2020
- Tour report - February 2015
- Tour report - September 2006
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Quick Enquiry
Summary
This action-packed birdwatching safari will take you to some of South Africa’s very best birdwatching and wildlife destinations. Beginning in Dullstroom, home to Blue Cranes and the endemic Gurney’s Sugarbird, our tour moves to the spectacular Blyde River Canyon – the third largest canyon in the world – before the grand finale of 4 nights in the world-famous Kruger National Park. Past tours have enjoyed sightings of over 300 species of birds and nearly 40 species of mammal. Highlights may include Taita Falcon, African Finfoot, Purple-crested Turaco and Gorgeous Bush Shrike, plus mammals such as Elephant, Southern Giraffe, White Rhino and perhaps African Wild Dogs. Kruger night drives open another world of nocturnal possibilities.
- 4 nights in the world famous Kruger National Park
- View the Blyde River Canyon, third largest canyon in the world
- Explore the upland grasslands of Dullstroom
- Around 300 species of birds typically recorded
- Up to 40 species of mammal
- Night drives in Kruger National Park
- Expertly guided by our local South African ornithologists
Grading
This is a traditional birding tour with no strenuous walking involvedOutline Itinerary
What's Included?
- Flights
- Accommodation:
A mix of comfortable guesthouses and chalets / Rondavals in Kruger National Park. All rooms with private facilities.
- Food:
Lunches and dinners are not included, and will be taken at the varied restaurants, shops and bars of Dullstroom and the Kruger rest camps. You are likely to spend £150-£200 on the tour on these meals, depending on your appetite! Breakfast is included.
Reviews
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I had a pre tour extension, everything worked like clockwork, and the guides were incredible. Errol had some wonderful ideas to get the most out of my first two days, and Nic, well, I have never encountered a guide with such acute hearing. Driving in an open vehicle on rough roads, he heard things that the rest of us when stationery and listening could still not hear! Good group of fellow travellers too.
P.A. Berkshire, Nov 19 -
Excellent, the guide Nic was extremely knowledgeable and did a great job to ensure we all had great views.
N.R. Berkshire, Nov 19 -
Everything on the tour was as we had hoped. Both Gavin and Andrew are excellent tour leaders. Both are knowledgeable, friendly, hard-working and entertaining.Everything on the tour was as we had hoped. The number of species of both animal and birds that we saw was amazing.The tour was simply fantastic!
C.E. Derbyshire, Nov 19 -
The leaders Gavin and Andrew were very professional and great company. They worked hard to make sure everyone saw the wildlife. Both were a mine of information and no question was left unanswered so we learnt a lot.
M.W. Worcestershire, Nov 19 -
Everything went well, excellent guides, good group of participants and fantastic number of bird and mammal sightings. My extension to Swaziland went superbly and I thank my guide Nick for his hard work in finding the birds and looking after me. I also wish to thank Ben for organising my superb extension.
B.G. West Midlands, Nov 19 -
I don't think words could express how fantastic the two guides, Warren and Michael were. Their knowledge of the areas we visited was infinite, and they were both so enthusiastic about the wildlife they were showing us. I found their enthusiasm so contagious I have definitely caught the bug!
T.L. East Sussex -
Excellent value. Both the itinerary and the knowledge of the guides was outstanding.
P.M. East Sussex -
The trip was fantastic! Even though the region was just emerging from a 5-year drought, and even though on two days of our trip we saw somewhat fewer birds and mammals due to the passing of Tropical Storm Dineo, we managed to rack up about 300 species of birds in those 10 days - most of them lifers for me. Our guide, driver and general tour manager for the trip - Gavin Simms - was impressively knowledgeable, especially about birds. He knew all the local species (some 400 at least) by sight, sound and behaviours even from great distances. He had nothing short of incredible skills at driving-while-birding and birding-while-driving, even while threading us around foot-deep ruts and potholes. And he was cheerful, informative, helpful, patient - you name it. For every quality that might help bring a bus-load of strangers together in good spirits for a week of variable weather, he had that quality. Of course, it probably helped that those strangers were nice folks for their own part, but even so a gang of strangers can easily get on one another's nerves in the course of a week. We didn't, and that further enhanced the trip as a whole. The scenery and wildlife were fantastic, of course. The accommodations were charmingly and comfortably rustic, though I worry for their state if maintenance slips over the next few years. The food ranged from adequate to excellent and was always healthful and hygienically prepared. As a person with chronic stomach issues, I am happy to report that I didn't have a single bad day on the trip or after getting home. So even with a lesser guide, I'm sure the trip would have been a positive experience. But with Gavin as our guide it was superb!
C.H. Lincolnshire -
I thoroughly enjoyed the holiday, and Warren and Michael could not have been more helpful and professional in every respect. I even wanted to get up early not to miss anything!
M.C. Ledbury -
The trip leaders were fantastic. Apart from their bird expertise they provided lots of general wildlife info. They were also totally committed to giving the group the best possible holiday and were very friendly and sociable.
G. & N.F. Cheshire -
The two local guides, Martin and Richard, were excellent, being very knowledgeable of the local wildlife and made certain everyone saw all the species if at all possible.
Mr & Mrs R. Sidcup -
Both trip leaders were excellent in finding and identifying target bird and mammal species and in organising everything smoothly.
S.R. Middlesex -
The two local guides were both excellent in every way. We couldn’t speak more highly of them. Nothing was too much trouble and they went out of their way to ensure that everyone saw all the birds and mammals wherever humanly possible. We all enjoyed our holiday in South Africa. A really super tour and holiday. Many thanks Naturetrek.
J.H. Somerset -
Martin, the leader, was excellent.
N.A. Middlesex -
Once again the standards were excellent. You have a great person in Martin Benadie, and his knowledge of the area and sounds of the birds is next to none. He is an asset to the company.
G.T. Liverpool -
The holiday was extremely well organised and the service, knowledge and manner of the local guide, Martin, was second to none. I feel the success or failure of any holiday depends on good ground agents and good guides, and of course Naturetrek’s care and attention to detail and planning.
G.T. Liverpool -
I have never met such “sensitive” leadership, and the careful driving in the park as well as the spectacular bird and animal spotting ability was remarkable.
D.F. Surrey -
Excellent holiday with no hitches (my first ever south of the equator). Strongly recommended.
W.W. Kent
Dates & Prices
2025
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Our bargain birdwatching tours suit keen birders who want an active, fast-paced birding holiday with a dedicated focus on searching for birds rather than on looking at the area’s other wildlife or cultural highlights.
We offer a wide selection of long-haul holidays to many destinations in South America, Africa, Asia, Australia and elsewhere.
What can I expect?
- An expert English-speaking local ornithologist leader
- Outstanding value for money
- Dawn-to-dusk birding with limited time for rest, relaxation and outside interests
- Enviable bird lists
- Focused searches for endemics and regional specialities
Who are these tours best suited to?
- Keen & active birders – whether expert or making their first visit to a country or continent
- People looking for an action-packed bird-focused tour
Where can I go?
Naturetrek's selection of birdwatching holidays includes many South and Central American countries including Bolivia, Ecuador, Peru, Venezuela and Panama.
In Africa our selection includes Malawi, Ethiopia and South Africa, while in India and Nepal we offer a choice of 17 bargain birdwatching tours! Here are a few more choices:
- Endemics of Western Australia
- Argentina's Mar Chiquita
- Birds of Brazils Atlantic rainforest
- Colombia – home to the world’s richest avifauna
- Sri Lanka’s endemic birds
Our specialist recommends...
Paul Stanbury - Operations Manager
All Bargain birdwatching Tours
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The majority of our wildlife tours focus primarily on birds, allowing us to offer a huge choice of bird holidays. On most of our birdwatching tours we aim to see a wide variety of species, while taking time to enjoy other wildlife as well as cultural highlights and architecture.
Naturetrek Birdwatching Tours
We have one of the largest selections of professionally organised, small group birdwatching holidays around the world and all of our birdwatching tours are accompanied by at least one professional ornithologist leader with detailed knowledge of the area.
The majority of our bird tours have a relaxed, flexible approach which allows more time for photography, detailed wildlife exploration, leisure time and the region’s people, culture, history and architecture, while allowing the group to see a wide range of bird species.
Here is a small selection of our many bird holidays:
- Southern Morocco – an exploration of the birdlife in Morocco’s southern deserts, oases and mountains
- The Camargue in Spring – a short break to enjoy the spring birds of the Rhône Delta and Camargue wetland
- Wallcreepers & Cranes in Northern Spain – a 2-centre holiday focusing on Lammergeier, Wallcreepers, raptors, Cranes, bustards, sandgrouse and more!
- Madeira & Desertas Islands – A Seabird Extravaganza! – a short break focusing on special breeding seabirds, including a night on the remote Destertas Islands
- Peru – Macaws & Machu Picchu – searches for boobies, macaws and Inca Terns
- Spain & Morocco: Birding on Two Continents! – watch the spectacular spring bird migration from both sides of the Straits of Gibraltar
Our Bargain Birdwatching Selection
Our Bargain Bird Tours are intensive birdwatching holidays suitable for the serious birder. They are led by expert English-speaking local guides (and not accompanied from the UK by a tour leader). You can expect a higher-paced tour and to spend long hours in the field.
Our specialist recommends...
Byron Palacios - Tour Leader
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Safari Holidays – Experience Earth’s Greatest Continent for Wildlife
Why choose Africa for wildlife safaris?
When people think of visiting Africa, safari holidays are regularly at the top of the list. Riding in an open-top jeep along dusty tracks and looking out across sun-baked savannahs teeming with big game is arguably one of life’s best experiences.
For the nature enthusiast, Naturetrek’s African safari holidays offer unparalleled opportunities. Africa is the world’s greatest continent for wildlife, being home to many of the planet’s most iconic mammals and birds.
Many of these animals are relatively easy to observe and exist in scarcely believable abundance, guaranteeing that our African safari tours are always full of amazing sightings.
From the Okavango Delta in Botswana and Zambia’s South Luangwa National Park to Namibia’s Etosha National Park and the superb Kruger National Park in South Africa, our African wildlife safaris will take you to all the continent’s most unmissable destinations.
Classic African safari holidays
We offer classic safari-style packages to Botswana, Zambia, Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa and Namibia.
On these African safari tours you will stay in or very near the prime game-rich areas such as national parks and reserves, heading out daily for wildlife watching in vehicles. There will usually be additional chances to join night drives and look for nocturnal species.
On the majority of our African wildlife safaris, even those in our bargain range, we are able to use superb accommodation, including in remote locations. Tented, fully serviced camps with private facilities are the norm.
Expert naturalist guides
All of our African safari tours are led by expert naturalist guides. Most of our tours are led by superb local guides (the quality of guiding in many parts of Africa is second to none), while some of our longer tours are joined by a UK leader.
What wildlife might I see?
Africa is the best place in the world for seeing large concentrations of big game such as African Bush Elephant, Lion, Cape Buffalo, Giraffe and Blue Wildebeest. On Naturetrek’s African safari tours we visit some of the world’s most famous national parks and reserves, such as the Serengeti, Kruger and Okavango Delta, as well as some less well known regions, in search of a full range of the continent’s most spectacular mammals, from Hippos, Wild Dogs and White Rhinos to Leopards, bushbabies and African Wildcats.
The birdlife is equally staggering, with an enormous variety of charismatic species found across the continent, from bee-eaters and hornbills to finches, weavers and a stunning diversity of birds of prey. Naturetrek’s African wildlife safaris offer a chance to search for a superb variety of species and avian spectacles, such as flamingo-lined lakes in the Rift Valley, bizarre Shoebills in Uganda’s swamps, and giant Ostriches strutting across endless savannahs.
See our list of the best African Safari Holidays
Our specialist recommends...
"We offer a superb choice of expert-led African safari holidays ranging from 9-day bargain tours in Zambia’s South Luangwa National Park to a 17-day birdwatching and mammal-viewing safari through Namibia, Botswana and Zambia. For those who have previously enjoyed a traditional safari, I would recommend our ‘South Africa’s Rare Mammals’ tour, which targets some of the continent’s most rarely seen creatures, such as Aardwolf, Black-footed Cat, Cape Porcupine, African Wildcat, Brown Hyaena and the iconic Aardvark
Paul Stanbury – Operations Manager
Tour Reports
- Tour report - November 2022
- Tour report - February 2020
- Tour report - November 2019
- Tour report - February 2019
- Tour report - November 2018
- Tour report - November 2017
- Tour report - November 2016
- Tour report - November 2015
- Tour report - February 2015
- Tour report - November 2014
- Tour report - September 2013
- Tour report - March 2011
- Tour report - September 2010
- Tour report - September 2009
- Tour report - March 2009
- Tour report - September 2008
- Tour report - March 2008
- Tour report - September 2006
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Why Naturetrek?
At Naturetrek we craft expertly-guided group and tailor-made wildlife holidays and cruises to all seven continents. On one of our holidays, you can be assured that our passionate team will enable you to experience and enjoy the best of the world's wildlife and natural spectacles in as comfortable and rewarding a manner as possible, caring as best we can for the environment in the process. We are proud to provide:
- The widest choice of wildlife holidays worldwide
- Tours managed and led by naturalists, for naturalists
- Outstanding value and exceptional customer service
Furthermore, as a Naturetrek client, our office team are always to on hand to help you – so if you have any queries about your holiday, whether before or after you have booked, we will be delighted to answer them on the phone. Please just give our team a call!