South Africa: The West

Kalahari to the Cape

Driving north from Upington we will soon encounter majestic Southern Pale Chanting Goshawks on roadside poles.
Driving north from Upington we will soon encounter majestic Southern Pale Chanting Goshawks on roadside poles.
The distinctive nests of Sociable Weavers will also be a prominent feature of the journey.
The distinctive nests of Sociable Weavers will also be a prominent feature of the journey.
The inhabitants of which live up to their name
The inhabitants of which live up to their name
This part of the tour is the only place we we’ll see certain species such as the colourful Lilac-breasted Roller….
This part of the tour is the only place we we’ll see certain species such as the colourful Lilac-breasted Roller….
….and the striking Southern Pied Babbler
….and the striking Southern Pied Babbler
Once inside the Kalahari Trans Frontier National Park, we’ll make straight for one of the many waterholes where Burchell’s and Namaqua Sandgrouse should be coming into drink
Once inside the Kalahari Trans Frontier National Park, we’ll make straight for one of the many waterholes where Burchell’s and Namaqua Sandgrouse should be coming into drink
Smaller birds will join them, such as Red-headed Finches,…
Smaller birds will join them, such as Red-headed Finches,…
…and if we are lucky, Violet-eared Waxbill
…and if we are lucky, Violet-eared Waxbill
All this activity attracts the attention of resident Lanner Falcons
All this activity attracts the attention of resident Lanner Falcons
On the more open grassy areas we may encounter a stately Kori Bustard,…
On the more open grassy areas we may encounter a stately Kori Bustard,…
…or the strange Secretarybird
…or the strange Secretarybird
There will be mammals to see as well from the striking Gemsbok…..
There will be mammals to see as well from the striking Gemsbok…..
…to endearing Meerkats
…to endearing Meerkats
Although luck will be needed to locate one of the parks big cats such as Cheetah
Although luck will be needed to locate one of the parks big cats such as Cheetah
Moving west we reach the wide-open spaces of Bushmanland
Moving west we reach the wide-open spaces of Bushmanland
This is good lark country and we should see several species including Sabota Lark…
This is good lark country and we should see several species including Sabota Lark…
…and the range-restricted Red Lark
…and the range-restricted Red Lark
This is also a good area to see Karoo Korhaans
This is also a good area to see Karoo Korhaans
Any of the farmland water troughs can be a magnet for birds such as these Lark-like Buntings
Any of the farmland water troughs can be a magnet for birds such as these Lark-like Buntings
While the roadside poles provide a lookout for Greater Kestrels.
While the roadside poles provide a lookout for Greater Kestrels.
Any rocky area is a good place to look for Mountain Wheatear
Any rocky area is a good place to look for Mountain Wheatear
Entering Namaqualand we will be hoping that the winter rains have been good enough to produce some spectacular wild flower displays
Entering Namaqualand we will be hoping that the winter rains have been good enough to produce some spectacular wild flower displays
That are endlessly photogenic
That are endlessly photogenic
And on the coast we’ll get up close and personal with the Cape Gannets at Lambert’s Bay
And on the coast we’ll get up close and personal with the Cape Gannets at Lambert’s Bay
Moving inland we’ll look for the elusive Protea Canary
Moving inland we’ll look for the elusive Protea Canary
Before we reach the vast Karoo where birds can range from the massive Ludwig’s Bustard…
Before we reach the vast Karoo where birds can range from the massive Ludwig’s Bustard…
To the dainty Karoo Eremomela
To the dainty Karoo Eremomela
Or Pririt Batis
Or Pririt Batis
The Bontebok National Park is a good place to see the eponymous antelope
The Bontebok National Park is a good place to see the eponymous antelope
And also to catch up with a variety of typical fynbos birds such as the colourful Bokmakierie
And also to catch up with a variety of typical fynbos birds such as the colourful Bokmakierie
Or the Cape Longclaw
Or the Cape Longclaw
Driving south we pass through rich agricultural land where Blue Cranes can be common
Driving south we pass through rich agricultural land where Blue Cranes can be common
And where we’ll hope to see Agulhas Long-billed Lark
And where we’ll hope to see Agulhas Long-billed Lark
Any roadside reedbeds will have vivid Southern Red Bishops
Any roadside reedbeds will have vivid Southern Red Bishops
Reaching the coast we should get great views of Cape Rockjumper
Reaching the coast we should get great views of Cape Rockjumper
We’ll also be on the lookout for Cape Grassbird
We’ll also be on the lookout for Cape Grassbird
And the ultra skulking Victorin’s Warbler
And the ultra skulking Victorin’s Warbler
The remarkably tame African Penguins are much easier to find (Photo: Richard Campey)
The remarkably tame African Penguins are much easier to find (Photo: Richard Campey)
During our time in Cape Town we’ll visit the West Coast National Park where we should encounter more wild flowers
During our time in Cape Town we’ll visit the West Coast National Park where we should encounter more wild flowers
The Park is a great place to see a variety of birds including Southern Black Korhaan
The Park is a great place to see a variety of birds including Southern Black Korhaan
And we can find African Black Oystercatchers on the coastal areas
And we can find African Black Oystercatchers on the coastal areas
Nearby salt works are the home of Chestnut-banded Plovers
Nearby salt works are the home of Chestnut-banded Plovers
We’ll visit the world-famous Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens  in the shadow of Table Mountain
We’ll visit the world-famous Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens in the shadow of Table Mountain
Where we are bound to see Cape Sugarbirds feeding on proteas
Where we are bound to see Cape Sugarbirds feeding on proteas
These massive flowers also attract Orange-breasted Sunbird
These massive flowers also attract Orange-breasted Sunbird
And Lesser Double Collared Sunbird
And Lesser Double Collared Sunbird
While the more wooded areas are where we find Cape Batis
While the more wooded areas are where we find Cape Batis
Venturing out to sea we hope to find a trawler surrounded by birds
Venturing out to sea we hope to find a trawler surrounded by birds
Amongst the throng we may find Shy Albatrosses, here with Pintado Petrel, Wilson’s Storm Petrel and Northern Giant Petrel
Amongst the throng we may find Shy Albatrosses, here with Pintado Petrel, Wilson’s Storm Petrel and Northern Giant Petrel
Black-browed Albatross is also common, here with a Great Shearwater
Black-browed Albatross is also common, here with a Great Shearwater
And there is always a chance of something scarcer such as Indian Ocean Yellow-nosed Albatross
And there is always a chance of something scarcer such as Indian Ocean Yellow-nosed Albatross
Or a mighty visitor from the deep south, Southern Royal Albatross
Or a mighty visitor from the deep south, Southern Royal Albatross
We end the tour at the most south-westerly point of Africa, The Cape of Good Hope where we might find a Ground Woodpecker waiting for us
We end the tour at the most south-westerly point of Africa, The Cape of Good Hope where we might find a Ground Woodpecker waiting for us
Photo credit: Steve Rooke
2025 Tour Price
$6,190
2025
Single Room Supplement $460
2026
Tour Price to be Determined
Maximum group size five with one leader.
Tour balances paid by check/bank transfer may carry a 4% discount

South Africa is a very popular destination for birdwatchers, and a glance at one of its many excellent field guides soon reveals why. Over 700 different bird species occur here, of which over 100 are endemic or near-endemic. Thousands of kilometers of shoreline harbor migrant and resident birds, and some of the largest concentrations of seabirds in the world congregate offshore. In addition there is a wonderful infrastructure with great roads, comfortable accommodation, and superb food. 

Early September is the absolute best time to visit western South Africa. Spring will be under way, and many of the birds will be in full breeding plumage as they busy themselves with the onset of nesting. If the early rains have been good, they will have coaxed life from the desert and we should be treated to some wonderful wildflower displays. Our journey will take us from the rolling red sand dunes of the Kalahari Desert through the hauntingly beautiful plains of Bushmanland to the Atlantic coast. From there we’ll travel to the vast expanse of the Great Karoo before ending our tour where Africa itself ends and two oceans meet, at the windswept Cape of Good Hope. We have been running tours to South Africa for well over 20 years and this itinerary has been designed to show us the best birding the Western Cape has to offer at the very best time to visit the region.

This tour perfectly complements our South Africa: The East- Birds and Mammals tour for complete coverage of South Africa.

Tour Team
Itinerary (Click to see more)
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Tour Notes

Maximum group size five with one leader.

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