KwaZulu-Natal Mountains 4-Day Birding Tour

4-Day Tour

Durban – Midlands – Southern Drakensberg – Durban

Tour Information

Target bird species:

Drakensberg Rockjumper, Gurney’s Sugarbird, Cape Parrot, African Grass Owl, Secretarybird, Cape Eagle Owl, Cape Vulture, Striped Flufftail, Wattled Crane, Blue Crane, Grey-crowned Crane, Ground Woodpecker, Forest Buzzard, Orange Ground Thrush, Mountain Pipit, Yellow-breasted Pipit, African Rock Pipit, Barratt’s Warbler, Bearded Vulture, Buff-streaked Chat, Bush Blackcap, Drakensberg Siskin, Fairy Flycatcher, Fan-tailed Grassbird, Grey-winged Francolin, Red-winged Francolin, Red-necked Spurfowl, Layard’s Warbler, Red-chested Flufftail, Sentinel Rock Thrush, Sickle-winged Chat, Southern Bald Ibis, Cuckoo Finch, Knysna Turaco, Olive Bush Shrike, Yellow-throated Woodland Warbler, White Starred Robin, Chorister Robin Chat, Eastern Bronze-naped Pigeon, African Emerald Cuckoo, Scaly-throated Honeyguide.

Target mammal species:

Cape Clawless Otter, Spotted-necked Otter, Water Mongoose, Black Wildebeest, Oribi, Grey Rhebok, Eland, Samango (Blue) Monkey.

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:

07 – 10 March 2026
03 – 06 May 2026
12 – 15 September 2026

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:

2026: ZAR 23,770 per person sharing, and ZAR 1,750 single supplement

2027: ZAR 25,550 per person sharing, and ZAR 1,880 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

Durban – Midlands – Southern Drakensberg – Durban

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!