South Africa Birding Trips

© Rick Nuttall

South Africa Birding Trips

With a total of 869 species that can be found on the mainland, these tours are for anyone interested in creatures with feathers; be it at an expert level or in a “new-to-birding” sense. South Africa has amazing endemic bird species, the highest number on the African continent: 18 true endemics, 50 near endemics (with more than 70% of their range within the borders of South Africa), and one breeding near-endemic species, adding up to a grand total of 69 birds endemic or near-endemic to southern Africa.

South Africa’s national bird is the Blue Crane (Anthropoides paradiseus), a small, elegant crane and arguably one of the world’s most sophisticated birds, with a gunpowder blue plumage, massively extended primary plumes and an exhilarating and elegant courtship dance. This species is mostly found in South Africa while a small, isolated population can be found in Namibia.

 

Like most of the other tours and trips we offer at Southern Sky Adventures, our birding trips are also 100% customizable and can be tailormade to suit your hobbies and interests.

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    RICK NUTTALL

    The wonderful Rick Nuttall leads our birding tours. Rick has been sharing his knowledge and passion for all things nature, especially birds, from an incredibly young age. He conducted his master’s degree in extensive behavioral studies of waxbills. In 1991, Rick joined the National Museum in Bloemfontein. He has authored scientific, semi-scientific and popular ornithological publications while leading birding trips in South Africa since 1993. Rick has a keen interest in photography, sound recording, and is fascinated by nature. You will often see him with his recording equipment as he always keeps his eyes and ears open for recording opportunities.

     

    These birding tours truly capture the essence of the passion we at Southern Sky Adventures and Rick share for nature. Our tours cover the most important birding locations and a few hidden gems in South Africa. We focus on endemic birds as well as special birds you might find in each area.

    What they say…

    Client reviews

    Adventure of a Lifetime

    I can’t recommend Richard Pace and Southern Sky adventures enough! He’s been travelling all over the continent of Africa for the last 12 years and specializes in an otherwise unknown and intimidating territory. I didn’t know what to expect from South Africa but my trip went off without a hitch and was the adventure of a lifetime. Richard’s easy to talk to and most likely has the answer you need. Africa is obviously his passion and he loves sharing it with others – it’s not about the money for him. His mission is to ensure his customers have the best experience possible, bottom line. In a world of false advertising, rip-offs, over-promising/under-delivery, Richard rises above all the rest. I wouldn’t even consider going anywhere in Africa without Southern Sky Adventures.

    Amy, Georgia
    South Africa

    Perfect Honeymoon Trip

    I would encourage anyone thinking of travelling to Africa to call Southern Sky Adventures. Richard Pace was recommended to us by several of our friends in New York. Specializing in tailoring trips to fit your objectives, Southern Sky Adventures can, of course, can recommend destinations and “must see” areas of interest. The great thing about Richard is that he can mix and match all sorts of accommodations and activities to meet almost any budget. He put our entire trip together including flights, hotels, dinner reservations, wine tours, white shark dives, etc. He knows where to stay and makes sure that your rooms are the best – facing the ocean or vineyards. He knows fantastic restaurants big and small tucked away and on main thoroughfares. Also, he’s accessible even while you are in country – we called him several times to ask for recommendations. As I… Read more “Perfect Honeymoon Trip”

    Wes, New York
    South Africa

    Best Travel Experience Ever

    I relive that trip in my mind almost daily – it was the best travel experience I’ve ever had. Thank you for all you did to make it perfect. Your local knowledge of the people and places definitely were a plus – you couldn’t have picked more excellent guides, trackers or lodges. I must also add that you’re washing and folding my dirty clothes when we were in Cape Town was service above and beyond the call of duty!

    Cecile, Virginia
    Namibia, South Africa

    The Perfect Itinerary

    I went to South Africa in December 2008 with three friends and truly had the trip of a lifetime. The country is absolutely beautiful and there are so many amazing things to do from safari to whale watching to fine dining in Cape Town. Southern Sky Adventures planned the perfect itinerary that allowed us to take advantage of all South Africa has to offer but still stayed within our budget.

    Lizzie, Georgia
    Cape Town, South Africa

    Worry-Free Group Experience

    Our fall trip to Africa included 11 wonderful and diverse individuals for four venues, over a two week period. How can this many people enjoy themselves so much for this extended period of time? The answer is Richard Pace! You worked diligently to anticipate our every need, and continued to work even as we slept. Few have ever experienced a worry-free vacation such as this one and today, I am one of those few. Your services allowed us to experience all and more that Africa has to offer, and none of the challenges. Thank you Richard, you earned this one!

    Louise, Georgia
    South Africa, Zambia

    A different view of South Africa

    I had been looking forward to a trip to South Africa for many years, knowing how special it would be. It was all that and more because of Richard Pace and Southern Sky Adventures. His choice of accommodations, destinations and tours were perfect. Everywhere we went was superb and each destination showed a different view of South Africa. Every detail had been seen to and throughout the trip we were met with great hospitality, great attitudes and once in a lifetime experiences.”

    Susan, North Carolina
    Cape Town, Johannesburg, South Africa

    An Incredible Time

    Southern Sky Adventures did a great job helping us to plan our trip to Africa. They covered all of the details—everything from flights and accommodations to safari essentials to in-country cell phone service to restaurant and activity recommendations. Richard even managed to make suggestions on how four women should not over pack…though we did not listen to those! We had an incredible time—I’m ready to go back!

    Susan, New York
    Botswana, Mozambique, South Africa, Zambia

    Once-in-a-lifetime Safari

    Thanks for helping us put together such an amazing girl’s trip to South Africa. We couldn’t have asked for a more well-planned adventure. Your guidance, itinerary recommendations, and hard work in arranging the details definitely helped to make this “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity” a truly incredible experience for all. Between the 4 of us, I think we have over a thousand pictures! I know it’ll be hard to narrow down, but hopefully I can find a few good ones to send your way. I also want to thank you for being so highly accessible throughout the entire 2 weeks. Needless to say, it was comforting to know you were only a phone call (or email) away if we needed anything. You don’t come by this level of service that often. Hopefully I’ll get to revisit Africa again someday. If so, I will definitely look to you to… Read more “Once-in-a-lifetime Safari”

    Shirley, Georgia
    Cape Town, Johannesburg, South Africa

    An Unforgettable Vacation

    Please use our name as a reference. We had a great experience and an unforgettable vacation. Everything you planned for us was flawless. Date Travelled: 01 Jul 2017 – 07 Jul 2017 Accommodation: Yellow Aloe Guest House Destinations: Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, South Africa

    Laurie, New York
    Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, South Africa, Yellow Aloe Guest House

    Timbavati Private Nature Reserve

     

    Travel Style: Safari, Specialty Travel, Big 5, Volunteer work, Veterinary trips

     

    Accompanied throughout the safari by a wildlife veterinarian, this hands on African Vet Safari gives guests the chance to learn more about Africa’s wildlife in a unique way, incorporating modern day conservation and the need for hands on wildlife management.

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    Mokoya Lodge

     

    Type: Lodge

    Location: South Africa

     

    Accompanied throughout the safari by a wildlife veterinarian, this hands on African Vet Safari gives guests the chance to learn more about Africa’s wildlife in a unique way, incorporating modern day conservation and the need for hands on wildlife management.

    This safari takes guests behind the scenes, affording…

     

     

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    Cape Town

     

    Travel Style: Specialty Travel, School Travel, Luxury Travel, Beach experience, Golf safaris, Wildflower tours

     

    Accompanied throughout the safari by a wildlife veterinarian, this hands on African Vet Safari gives guests the chance to learn more about Africa’s wildlife in a unique way, incorporating modern day conservation and the need for hands on wildlife management.

    This safari takes guests behind the scenes, affording…

     

     

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    Magaliesberg Mountains

     

    Travel Style: Adventure, Volunteer work, Veterinary trips

     

    Accompanied throughout the safari by a wildlife veterinarian, this hands on African Vet Safari gives guests the chance to learn more about Africa’s wildlife in a unique way, incorporating modern day conservation and the need for hands on wildlife management.

    This safari takes guests behind the scenes, affording…

     

     

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