Discover the incredible diversity of Tanzania’s birdlife on this 18 Days East to Southern Tanzania Birding Safari, a private expedition designed for passionate birdwatchers, wildlife photographers, and nature enthusiasts. This carefully crafted journey takes you from the lush forests of Tanzania’s Eastern Arc Mountains to the vast wilderness of Southern Tanzania, exploring some of the country’s richest birding habitats and most spectacular national parks.
The safari visits renowned birding destinations, including the East Usambara Mountains, West Usambara Mountains, South Pare Mountains, Mkomazi National Park, Mikumi National Park, Udzungwa Mountains National Park, Kilombero Floodplain, Ruaha National Park, and the Mufindi Highlands. Along the way, you’ll experience ancient rainforests, miombo woodlands, wetlands, mountain forests, rivers, and open savannahs that support an extraordinary variety of bird species and wildlife.
Throughout the tour, you’ll search for Tanzania’s endemic and near-endemic birds, including the Usambara Akalat, Amani Sunbird, South Pare White-eye, Kilombero Weaver, Kilombero Cisticola, Livingstone’s Turaco, Pale-billed Hornbill, Miombo Blue-eared Starling, Yellow-collared Lovebird, African Broadbill, Green-headed Oriole, Fischer’s Turaco, and many other forest, wetland, and woodland specialists. In addition to birdwatching, enjoy exciting wildlife encounters with elephants, lions, leopards, buffaloes, giraffes, zebras, hippos, crocodiles, African wild dogs, and numerous antelope species.
Led by an experienced birding guide, this safari combines guided nature walks, game drives, scenic mountain landscapes, and comfortable accommodations, providing an unforgettable experience through Tanzania’s most important birding regions.
Arrive at Julius Nyerere International Airport, where you will be welcomed by your birding guide and transferred to your hotel. Relax after your flight and receive a detailed briefing about your upcoming birding adventure.
Accommodation: Hotel in Dar es Salaam
After breakfast, travel to the lush East Usambara Mountains. Upon arrival, enjoy an afternoon birdwatching walk through the forests surrounding Amani Nature Reserve, searching for colorful forest birds and endemic species.
Accommodation: Forest Lodge – Amani
Spend the day exploring Amani Nature Reserve, home to many of Tanzania’s rarest birds. Search for Amani Sunbird, Usambara Akalat, Green-headed Oriole, African Broadbill, Fischer’s Turaco, Trumpeter Hornbill, White-chested Alethe, and numerous forest specialists.
Accommodation: Forest Lodge – Amani
Travel through the scenic Tanga region to the West Usambara Mountains. Stop for birdwatching along the route before arriving at your mountain lodge. Enjoy an afternoon walk through nearby forest trails.
Accommodation: Mountain Lodge – Lushoto
Explore the beautiful montane forests of the West Usambara Mountains in search of Usambara Weaver, Black-fronted Bushshrike, Shelley’s Greenbul, African Tailorbird, forest robins, greenbuls, and colorful sunbirds.
Accommodation: Mountain Lodge – Lushoto
After breakfast, continue to the South Pare Mountains, one of Tanzania’s endemic birding hotspots. Enjoy birdwatching throughout the day while searching for the South Pare White-eye and other mountain species.
Accommodation: Lodge – Same
Travel to Mkomazi National Park, where dry-country bird species thrive. During an afternoon game drive, search for Yellow-collared Lovebirds, Secretary Birds, Kori Bustards, Hornbills, Ostriches, and numerous raptors while spotting elephants, giraffes, zebras, and antelope.
Accommodation: Safari Lodge – Mkomazi
Depart Mkomazi and travel south toward Mikumi National Park, enjoying birdwatching opportunities through changing landscapes before arriving at your safari lodge.
Accommodation: Safari Lodge – Mikumi
Spend the day exploring Mikumi’s open plains and Miombo woodlands. Search for Pale-billed Hornbill, Miombo Blue-eared Starling, Lilac-breasted Roller, Bateleur, Secretary Bird, African Fish Eagle, and numerous woodland birds while enjoying outstanding wildlife viewing.
Accommodation: Safari Lodge – Mikumi
Explore the surrounding Miombo forests, one of Southern Tanzania’s richest bird habitats. Search for Miombo Warbler, Livingstone’s Flycatcher, Whyte’s Barbet, Yellow-bellied Hyliota, and other regional specialties.
Accommodation: Safari Lodge – Mikumi
Travel to the spectacular Udzungwa Mountains National Park. Upon arrival, enjoy an afternoon forest walk while searching for endemic birds, butterflies, and primates unique to the Eastern Arc Mountains.
Accommodation: Forest Lodge – Udzungwa
Spend the day exploring tropical rainforest trails in search of Udzungwa Forest Partridge, Livingstone’s Turaco, Green-headed Oriole, African Broadbill, Narina Trogon, sunbirds, and other forest birds.
Accommodation: Forest Lodge – Udzungwa
Visit the internationally important Kilombero Floodplain, where you’ll search for Kilombero Weaver, Kilombero Cisticola, White-tailed Cisticola, Lesser Jacana, African Skimmer, and numerous wetland bird species.
Accommodation: Lodge – Kilombero Valley
Travel to the cool Mufindi Highlands, stopping for birdwatching along the route. Upon arrival, explore forests and tea estates while searching for highland bird species.
Accommodation: Mountain Lodge – Mufindi
Spend the day birdwatching through forests and grasslands. Search for Livingstone’s Turaco, Forest Double-collared Sunbird, Whyte’s Barbet, Njombe Cisticola, and many colorful woodland birds.
Accommodation: Mountain Lodge – Mufindi
Drive to Ruaha National Park, Tanzania’s largest national park. Enjoy birdwatching during the journey before an afternoon game drive through the park’s rugged landscapes.
Accommodation: Safari Lodge – Ruaha
Spend the day exploring Ruaha’s rivers, baobab woodlands, and open plains. Search for African Fish Eagles, Saddle-billed Storks, Hornbills, Bee-eaters, Kingfishers, Secretary Birds, vultures, and more than 570 recorded bird species while enjoying encounters with elephants, lions, leopards, buffaloes, and African wild dogs.
Accommodation: Safari Lodge – Ruaha
After breakfast, transfer to the local airstrip for your scheduled flight to Dar es Salaam. Upon arrival, connect with your international departure flight, marking the end of your 18 Days East to Southern Tanzania Birding Safari.
Leave Tanzania with unforgettable memories of its spectacular birdlife, ancient forests, pristine wetlands, incredible wildlife, and breathtaking natural 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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