Discover Tanzania’s spectacular coastline on this 12 Days Coastal Tanzanian Endemics & Pelagic Birding Tour, a private birdwatching adventure designed for serious birders, wildlife photographers, and nature enthusiasts. This unique itinerary focuses on the country’s rich coastal ecosystems, ancient forests, mangrove wetlands, offshore islands, and the Indian Ocean, offering exceptional opportunities to observe endemic forest birds, seabirds, migratory species, and pelagic birds rarely seen on traditional safari routes.
Your journey begins in Dar es Salaam before exploring the world-renowned Pugu Hills Forest Reserve, Rondo Plateau, Lindi, Mikindani Bay, Mnazi Bay Marine Park, Pemba Island, and several coastal forests that are internationally recognized for their biodiversity. These habitats support numerous endemic and near-endemic bird species, making this one of East Africa’s finest coastal birding experiences.
Throughout the tour, you’ll search for remarkable species including the Pemba Scops Owl, Pemba Green Pigeon, Pemba White-eye, Southern Banded Snake Eagle, Mangrove Kingfisher, East Coast Akalat, Livingstone’s Turaco, African Broadbill, Palm-nut Vulture, Crab Plover, White-fronted Plover, Greater Sand Plover, Terek Sandpiper, and many colorful bee-eaters, hornbills, kingfishers, sunbirds, and forest specialists. Offshore pelagic excursions provide exciting opportunities to observe tropicbirds, shearwaters, petrels, skuas, frigatebirds, terns, boobies, and other seabirds that thrive in the warm waters of the Indian Ocean.
Accompanied by an experienced birding guide, this private safari combines guided forest walks, pelagic boat trips, coastal birdwatching, and comfortable accommodations throughout the journey. Whether you’re building your life list, photographing rare coastal birds, or exploring Tanzania’s unique marine and forest ecosystems, this tour offers an unforgettable birding experience.
Arrive at Julius Nyerere International Airport, where you will be warmly welcomed by your professional birding guide. Transfer to your hotel in Dar es Salaam and enjoy time to relax after your journey. In the evening, receive a comprehensive safari briefing covering the itinerary, target bird species, and upcoming pelagic excursions.
After breakfast, travel to Pugu Hills Forest Reserve, one of Tanzania’s oldest coastal forests. Spend the day walking through lush forest trails while searching for East Coast Akalat, African Broadbill, Livingstone’s Turaco, Narina Trogon, Green-headed Oriole, trumpeter hornbills, and numerous colorful forest birds. Butterflies and monkeys are also commonly seen.
Depart early and travel south along Tanzania’s scenic coastline toward Lindi. Along the journey, stop at productive birding sites, mangrove forests, and coastal wetlands where kingfishers, herons, storks, bee-eaters, and shorebirds are commonly observed. Arrive in Lindi in the evening.
Spend the day exploring the unique forests of the Rondo Plateau, one of Tanzania’s most important endemic bird habitats. Search for Rondo Green Barbet, Green-headed Oriole, Livingstone’s Flycatcher, forest robins, greenbuls, sunbirds, and several rare coastal forest species.
After breakfast, continue south to Mikindani Bay, enjoying birdwatching stops along the coastline. Explore mangroves, estuaries, and beaches while searching for waders, plovers, kingfishers, fish eagles, terns, gulls, and other coastal bird species.
Today, board a specially arranged boat for a full-day pelagic birding expedition on the Indian Ocean. Search for tropical seabirds including shearwaters, petrels, tropicbirds, frigatebirds, skuas, boobies, storm-petrels, and various species of terns. Dolphins, whales (seasonal), sea turtles, and flying fish may also be encountered during the excursion.
Spend the day exploring the beautiful Mnazi Bay Marine Park, combining coastal birdwatching with opportunities to observe coral reefs, mangrove forests, and marine wildlife. Search for Crab Plovers, reef herons, osprey, White-fronted Plovers, kingfishers, and numerous migratory shorebirds.
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight to Pemba Island. Upon arrival, begin exploring the island’s unique forests while searching for endemic bird species. Enjoy a relaxed afternoon birdwatching session before overnight at your island lodge.
Spend the day exploring different habitats across Pemba Island. Search for the island’s famous endemic birds, including the Pemba Green Pigeon, Pemba White-eye, and the elusive Pemba Scops Owl. Along the coastline, look for kingfishers, herons, bee-eaters, and various seabirds while enjoying spectacular views of the Indian Ocean.
Enjoy another rewarding day birdwatching in Pemba’s forests and coastal habitats. During the evening, join a guided night excursion to search for nocturnal species, including the endemic Pemba Scops Owl and other forest wildlife.
Fly back to Dar es Salaam and enjoy an afternoon birdwatching excursion at nearby wetlands or coastal habitats. This final birding session provides another opportunity to observe migratory shorebirds, waterbirds, and coastal raptors before your departure.
After breakfast, depending on your international flight schedule, enjoy some leisure time before transferring to Julius Nyerere International Airport for your onward journey. Your 12 Days Coastal Tanzanian Endemics & Pelagic Birding Tour concludes with unforgettable memories of Tanzania’s unique coastal forests, pelagic birdlife, endemic island species, and breathtaking Indian Ocean landscapes.
International flights (From/to home)
Tips (tipping is an expected, though not compulsory, component of any African safari. We are often asked for tipping guidelines and we recommend $20 USD for your Guide per person per day
Important information
Tanzania Visa:
In regard to visas in Tanzania- majority of clients can get a visa on arrival at the airport and the cost is $100 USD for Americans and $50 USD Europe countries, Asia and Canadians. The money must be paid in USD cash (no credit cards are accepted) and I always suggest bringing some passport photos in case they ask for them. The process is very simple and doesn’t take long.
However, you can apply for Tanzania visa online now please see the link http://www.immigration.go.tz/index.php/en/services/visa-information
Yellow Fever
Tanzania requires proof of yellow fever vaccination upon arrival if you are traveling from a country with risk of yellow fever and it is a requirement in some neighbouring countries including Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda etc. However, Tanzania no longer officially requires you to carry the certificate unless you are arriving from an infected area.
Insurance
As you may have gathered, going on a safari requires more preparation than most other types of travels. In order to book a package, some tour operators may require you to purchase travel insurance. We believe that it’s ‘better to be safe than sorry’ and highly recommend for you to purchase a policy – for your own protection, even if your tour operator doesn’t require you to do so.
We accept
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