KwaZulu-Natal Mountains 4-Day Birding Tour

4-Day Tour

King Shaka International Airport or Umhlanga Rocks in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal – Midlands – Southern Drakensberg – King Shaka International Airport or Umhlanga Rocks in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal.

Tour Information

Target species are dictated by the various habitats we will explore on this tour as outlined below.

Day 1: Durban to Creighton, Coleford and Sani Pass

We visit many destinations on our first day, beginning with the Creighton area and the vlei (marsh) at the Coleford Nature Reserve, where we target numerous endemic and red-list species including: African Grass Owl, Coqui Francolin, Denham’s Bustard, Mountain Pipit, Red-winged Francolin, Secretarybird, Shelley’s Francolin, Short-tailed Pipit, Southern Ground Hornbill, Striped Flufftail, Wattled Crane, Yellow-breasted Pipit.

Some mammals we expect to see are black wildebeest, oribi, red hartebeest, grey rhebok, Southern reedbuck and blesbok. We then head through the Underberg to the Himeville area, where we spend our first night.

Accommodation: Mkomazana Mountain Cottages (or similar), Sani Pass

Day 2: Sani Pass

Today, we head off on an exciting guided 4×4 mountain expedition up and down the breathtaking Sani Pass and explore the greater region. Here, we focus on the many bird endemics and specials, with the main targets being Drakensberg Rockjumper and Gurney’s Sugarbird. Other birds include: African Rock Pipit, Barratt’s Warbler, Bearded Vulture, Buff-spotted Flufftail. Buff-streaked Chat, Bush Blackcap, Cape Eagle-Owl, Cape Vulture, Drakensberg Siskin, Fairy Flycatcher, Fan-tailed Grassbird, Grey-winged Francolin, Ground Woodpecker, Layard’s Warbler, Mountain Wheatear, Red-chested Flufftail, Sentinel Rock-Thrush, Sickle-winged Chat, Southern Bald Ibis.

Some mammals to search for include eland, spotted-necked otter, chacma baboon, water mongoose, grey rhebok and Southern reedbuck.

Accommodation: Mkomazana Mountain Co ttages (or similar), Sani Pass

Day 3: Himeville, Marutswa Forest, Midmar and Karkloof

We rise early for birding in the Himeville region en route to the Marutswa Forest in search of the critically endangered Cape Parrot, and other birds like Knysna Turaco, Olive Bush-Shrike, Yellow Woodland Warbler, White Starred Robin, and Chorister Robin-Chat.

We then travel to the Midmar Dam Nature Reserve in search of Black-rumped Buttonquail, Short-tailed Pipit, Marsh Owl, African Marsh Harrier, and the diminutive African Quailfinch, Wing-snapping Cisticola and Pale-crowned Cisticola. 

In winter, we may also enjoy sightings of Buffy Pipit, Black-winged Lapwing and Eastern Long-billed Lark.

Journeying a short distance, we arrive at the mist belt grasslands, wetlands and mist belt forests of Karkloof, where we search for three crane species: Wattled, Grey-crowned and Blue, as well as Red-chested Flufftail and African Rail, among others.

Some mammals to search for include common duiker, spotted-necked otter, Samango (blue) monkey and vervet monkey.

Accommodation: Thistledown Country House (or similar), Karkloof

Day 4: Karkloof to Durban

We head to Benvie Gardens today to search for Orange Ground Thrush, Eastern Bronze-naped Pigeon, Forest Buzzard, African Emerald Cuckoo, Chorister Robin-Chat, Scaly-throated Honeyguide, Mountain Wagtail and others. Later, we travel to the large coastal city of Durban where our birding adventure comes to an end.

Private wildlife and birding guide
Accommodation (may change subject to availability, in which case similar will be found)
All breakfasts, dinners, tea and coffee
All ground transport – maximum 6 participants and 1 guide per luxury touring vehicle
Bottled water in vehicles
All entrance fees, conservation and community levies to parks and reserves
Trip guide and personalised checklists
Specialist guide fees – 1 day Sani Pass 4×4 Tour

All airfares
Airport departure taxes or visa fees
Travel and medical insurance (incl. personal equipment and repatriation)
All lunches, snacks and drinks (except bottled water)
Optional excursions
Specialist guide fees and activities not specified
Items of a personal nature
Laundry and telephone charges
Tips and gratuities for guides and local restaurants
Anything else not mentioned in “Includes”

Distance:

Total driving distance (including around sites) = 790km.

Scheduled Dates:

Or alternate dates on request

Duration:

4 days, 3 nights.

No. of Pax:

Maximum 6 guests per vehicle and per guide.

Tour Starts:

At King Shaka International Airport in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal.

Tour Ends:

At King Shaka International Airport in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal.

Price:

2024: ZAR 18,030 per person sharing, and ZAR 1,320 single supplement

2025: ZAR 19,320 per person sharing, and ZAR 1,420 single supplement

Terms and Conditions apply
Minimum of 4 participants per vehicle required to undertake the trip. Should the number of guests change, the cost of the tour and the per person cost will change accordingly
The species mentioned in the itinerary represent only some of those we may possibly view on the tour, however, none can be guaranteed
This itinerary is subject to change due to weather conditions at the time and other factors beyond our control
Tour group is responsible for paying for all guide meals

Tour Insight

On this birding-focused tour, we explore the hilly Midlands and the mountainous regions of the KwaZulu-Natal province, which is abundant in endemic and specials, wildlife species and scenic beauty. Our primary destination is the greater region of the Sani Pass, in the Drakensberg mountain range, which forms part of the spectacular Maloti-uKhahlamba Park, a World Heritage Site.

The tour covers a wide altitudinal range from near sea level to 2,900 metres and, therefore, many varied habitats supporting a wide variety of species.

Our sightings goal is 200+ bird species in summer and 180+ in winter, and we hope to see upwards of  20 mammal species. Many reptiles, amphibians and butterflies can also be found, as well as numerous orchid and protea species.

Tour Overview

Comfortable private lodges and country cottages. Luxury accommodation can be arranged at your request (additional cost). 

The climate is subtropical, mostly hot during the day in the summer and cooler in the evenings, with a chance of mist. Rain is possible, usually in the form of summer convection thunderstorms, and cool, wet weather is possible in the event of a cold front moving up from the south in the winter months, with frost and even snow possible at high altitudes. This is a summer rainfall region, averaging between 700mm and 1 100mm annually. The driest month is July; the most rainfall falls in January. Temperatures range from -5°C (23°F) in winter to 32°C (89.6°F) in summer, with an average maximum of 28°C (82.4°F) and an average minimum of 10°C (50°F). The warmest month is February. 

Numerous forest types, wetlands, riverine areas, grassland, mountains, cliffs, rocky slopes, indigenous scarp, mist belt forests, man-made forests and gardens, which host numerous regional endemics, threatened and endangered bird and mammal species, as well as great floral diversity that includes orchids and proteas. Each destination offers extraordinary scenery, providing you with unparalleled photographic opportunities.

Optional extensions:

Wakkerstroom – add 2 days to explore the renowned and abundant Mpumalanga highland and wetland region of Wakkerstroom.

Zululand and Maputaland – add another 4 days to explore the savanna, woodland, coastal forest, seashore and estuaries of this species-rich region, which also hosts large mammals, including the Big 5.

Tour variation:

This set-departure tour is also available as a private or custom tour on request. Kindly submit an enquiry with your preferred dates and group size.

A birding day trip by 4×4 up to the Lesotho border via the Sani Pass, which forms part of the Maloti-Drakensberg Park, a World Heritage Site (2 nights)

Birding in the lush grasslands, misty wetlands, leafy forests and streams of the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands (1 night)

Searching for numerous endemic, special and red-listed bird species

Medium-paced with optional mid-day breaks (advisable on hot days). If you’re a keen photographer (and so are we), there will be many opportunities to capture moments to make you the envy of your friends!