South Africa Birding Tours

The tour met all my expectations. We were provided with an expert bird guide who did his utmost to find all likely bird species for us. It was organised and run to perfection. I also liked the fact that equal weight was given to LBJs.

Zach did his utmost to find all likely species. He was knowledgeable about the best places to look for the target species. I would recommend him to other birders.

This was a fantastic tour and I finished it up seeing almost 145 lifers in three days, including perfect views of the Cape Rockjumper and Cape Sugarbird. Guide Zach Simpson was fantastic. He has an amazing ability to hear the birds and to help everyone on the tour spot them. I hope to go on another African tour with him again in the future.

Incredible maturity from a young man. He was absolutely fantastic in his ability to hear and identify birds. Zach was patient with everyone and enthusiastic. A couple of the members of the tour were not birders and were difficult to deal with at times, but Zach did a nice job with them.

The Limpopo birding tour was a wonderful experience. Over 9 days we experienced several different habitats and microclimates, grasslands, forests, nature reserves , mountains and saw over 300 different species. Much of the birding was on foot and a reasonable level of fitness and stamina was required, although no extreme walking. The accommodations and food were simple but sufficient.
Tour leader Zach was exceptional, both in his guiding and his handling of all the other components of the trip. He was really fun, pleasant and interacted well with the diverse group. This was also enhanced by two local guides in the different areas, who added their intimate knowledge to find specific species in their areas. The distances travelled were not excessive and the whole trip was well organised and planned. Thank you for a memorable time. Would highly recommend .

I cannot rate Zach highly enough. For someone so young, firstly his bird knowledge , ability to recognise and locate birds was incredible. He was patient with all of us, and always took account of people's wishes and needs. He also handled everything else (driving, adapting itineraries as necessary, liaison with accommodations, dealing with the clients (one was very challenging)) incredibly well. Zach was great fun, courteous, had exceptional people skills and I would love to travel with him again. Highly recommend.

A completely superb, comprehensive tour with the excellent Dylan Vasapolli. Comfortable vehicle and accommodations. Stunning scenery and plenty of birds and mammals. Over 540 bird species and a total clean-up of all the possible targets – even some flufftails! Highly recommended.

The Best of Cape Town and Beyond is a wonderful introduction to South Africa birding. You will experience diverse, interesting, and spectacular habitats where you will find many bird species and an incredible variety of plants.

During our trip, we were able to see 237 species including many endemics. The entire trip was great, with wonderful scenery, lodging and food. Although we were disappointed that the pelagic trip was cancelled due to weather, we certainly could understand! As an alternative, Cape Point and Cape of Good Hope were spectacular. Tankwa Karoo area was very interesting. The landscape was austere, but the bird and animal life was abundant.

There were so many highlights, but having Dylan as our guide and the caring and patient way he led the tour with such expertise on the bird life was really a pleasure to experience. It's funny to write, but drinking coffee and enjoying "eet-sum-mor" shortbread biscuits in Dullstroom with Yellow-breasted Pipits and African Snipe flying by was a standout experience. Of course, Kruger was amazing. Ending at Zenzele is a tremendous way to close out the tour. The pelagic boat was a little small for my liking…but I'm not that great out in the ocean so that's really on me!

Dylan's knowledge and expertise on the birds and wildlife of South Africa was amazing, but even more importantly he connected well with the tour group and exuded patience and graciousness throughout. Tucson Audubon is fortunate to have partnered with Birding Ecotours on this experience to South Africa.

This tour is obviously geared towards a fairly knowledgeable birder. I admit that I did not adequately prepare for this trip. But Dylan and his assistant, Luke Safford, worked tremendously hard to help us identify and see as many of the South African birds and wildlife as possible on the trip. Both these guys were extremely knowledgeable and, more importantly, un-endingly patient with those of us that had not taken the "birding" aspect of the trip that seriously and came on the trip with the idea of just having a good time and seeing whatever wildlife was offered. Dylan's professionalism, knowledge, patience, work ethic, and just plain old sense of humor made the whole trip a wonderful time. He did a GREAT job.

I have been fortunate to have been on many birding tours, and this was undoubtedly the best. The depth of experience, knowledge and birding skill of our guide Dylan Vasapolli was absolutely outstanding; and combined with his enthusiasm and kindness to every group member it made for a wonderful tour. The group size was small, which had many benefits. The depth of Birding Ecotour's experience in Africa shone through in the choice of birding locations, meals and lodgings. These were usually quiet and less travelled, but excellent and filled with character, with a full compliment of birds and other animals nearby. We often felt as if we had these magical places to ourselves. The birds were overwhelming at times, and the bird list organization by family was helpful as we got great looks at all the target endemics – take a look at the bird list!

The most memorable moment was sunset at Nasemani dam; the red African sun was setting in the wide open horizon, and many of the animals and birds came to the water for a quiet final drink of the day. It was magical. Other memorable moments were the resounding dawn choruses, looking for the fluff tail, sitting by the pond at Zenzele Lodge and watching the birds construct nests. I think it's interesting as an enthusiastic lister that my most memorable moments were not ticking a particular bird, but the opportunity to quietly appreciate being a part of their lives. That incomparable experience took a lot of effort, organizing and experience to share with us, and I am very appreciative to Dylan and Birding Ecotours for it.

Our guide, Dominic Rollinson, was exceptional in every way. Of course, he had an unbelievable knowledge of where and how to find the birds. Additionally, he was a real pleasure to be with. He was happy to answer any question and his knowledge of South Africa really enhanced our experience. The itinerary was thoughtfully planned and we were able to see a huge variety of birds. The accommodations he chose were comfortable and interesting and the food was consistently delicious. We can't say enough good things about Dom and the trip!

We chose the 2-day Tankwa Karoo birding trip and had an incredible time. I think we saw just short of 90 different species over the 2 days, including many new species for our bird book, which would have taken us years to find without Dom. It was an incredible experience and Dom’s ability to find birds just by their call is something to marvel at.

I just wanted to email and say how much I enjoyed the day yesterday in and around Suikerbosrand – Dylan was a fantastic guide, unbelievably knowledgeable, very helpful (and patient!) and good company. We saw much more than I expected, and the flufftail was the icing on the cake! I would go out of my way to recommend you guys and Dylan in particular – thanks again for a thoroughly enjoyable day. I will be in touch when I return to South Africa – even if just to set eyes on that pesky grass owl. . .!

My sister and I used one of our 2 and a half days in Cape Town to do a birding tour of the Peninsula including the Cape of Good Hope. I had great communication with our guide, Dom, before the tour and he picked us up right on time at our hotel. It was an excellent day. Dom is very knowledgeable and good company. It turned out he was at Magee Marsh in Ohio the same time I was this year! The weather was glorious and we got to see lots of SA endemics plus a Humpback Whale and a lifer sewage pond! I would recommend Birding Ecotours and Dom Rollinson to anyone birding in South Africa.

Dylan Vasapolli is extremely knowledgeable about birding and photography, but it’s his enthusiasm for the subject that is wonderful to experience. He has been birding for many years, and still, he has such a love for birding and the environment, which is very infectious. I was extremely lucky to have him as my guide.