The top 5 birding destinations include Serengeti national park, Tarangire national park, Lake Manyara national park, Arusha national park, and Ngorongoro conservation area. Birding safaris in Tanzania give you a lifetime and memorable experience as you walk through different birding destinations where you will spot colorful bird species.
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival day
On day one, arrive at Iringa Airport (IRI) and you will be picked up by your guides. And you will drive direct to Ruaha National park.
Day 2, 3, & 4 Full day bird watching in Ruaha
Ruaha National Park is Tanzania's least accessible park and is poorly visited as result it is totally untouched and remains one of the most exciting game reserves (almost as large as the Serengeti) in Tanzania. We do include Ruaha National park on many of our off-track safaris. Ruaha is exciting and regarded as a birdwatcher's paradise as there are 350 species of bird that are not found in northern Tanzania and as the river runs through spectacular gorges and majestic trees it is especially appealing to photographers. The new Ruaha Red-billed ( Tanzania Redbilled ) Hornbill, another one of the Tanzanian endemics is localized in Ruaha.
Day 5, Ruaha to Masumbo
Arriving at Masumbo lodge you will have a rest and prepare yourself for the next day's safari spend your overnight stay at Masumbo Lodge in Iringa.
Day 6: Masumbo to Uluti
After an early breakfast, you will drive through the beautiful Iringa mountains. bird-watching en route. On arrival, you will meet the village chairman and you will stop to have lunch and offload your camping gear. You will do a registration while the porters are arranging the loads. When you finish, you will start hiking to the forest for about two hours while birding en route. You will reach the camp to find it already set. Enjoy a nice shower, have dinner, and after that, you will do your bird shortlist. You will stay overnight at Uluti Forest Camp.
Day 7: Full-day bird watching in Uluti Forest
Uluti Forest is one of the best forests for bird watching in Tanzania. The usual birds that are seen there are the Dappled Mountain robin, spot-throat, African tailorbird, White-winged Apalis, Pale-breasted illaponsis, Iringa, and Sharpe's akalat, Swynnerton's robin, Roufous-winged and Mountain sunbird, and many other forest birds. You will stay overnight at Uluti Forest Campsite.
Day 8: Uluti to Masumbo
After breakfast, you will take off and drive through a couple of hills with beautiful landscapes while birding en route. You will have lunch on the way and you will reach Iringa town later in the evening. Overnight stay at Masumbo Camp.
Day 9: Masumbo to Udekwa
On day five, wake up in the early morning, have breakfast, and you will leave for Udekwa which is about a three-hour drive. On our arrival, we will do registration. In the meantime, the porters will be loading the camping gear and go ahead of you to set up the camp and the forest. The hike to the camp is almost two hours and you will find everything ready. After a hot shower, sit for dinner and shortlist the birds that you have to see that day. Overnight stay at Udekwa Juu Special Campsite.
Day 10 & 11: Full day in Udekwa Forest
After breakfast, you will hike more to the interior part of the forest. Birds to be seen there include the Uduzungwa Forest partridge, Moreau's sunbird, Kipengere seedeater, and many other forest birds. On day 11 you will do a full-time in nature surrounded by beautiful and attractive birds singing nice songs from birds. You are free to take photos as much as space you have in your camera. You will look for more species like Sharpe's akalat, sunbirds, African grass owls, and many more. You will stay overnight at Udekwa Juu Special Campsite.
Day 12: Udekwa to Kilombero
After breakfast, pack your belongings, close your camp, and go down to the village to officially sign out. Then, you will depart to Kilombero. It will be quite a long day with about six hours of driving but there will be lots of beautiful landscapes to see on the way. Stops for bird watching and taking photos as we drive to Kilombero. You will arrive late in the day. Overnight stay at Hondo Hondo Lodge.
Day 13 & 14 Full-day in Kilombero
Today you will experience bird watching on the lowland side. That side is absolutely amazing. Get prepared to take enough photos of birds and landscapes. You will see birds like Winifridae, Uluguru greenbul, and Loveridge's sunbird, to mention but a few. On Day 14: you will do Full-day bird watching in East Kilombero. On this east side of Kilombero expect to see the Uluguru bushshrike, Bertram's weaver, and many other species. Overnight stay at Hondo Hondo lodge.
Day 15: Kilombero to Gairo
After hot coffee and African bites pack your things and drive to Gairo. It is a long drive, you will arrive there late. Upon arrival, you will have a rest. Overnight stay at Gairo Lodge.
Day 16: Full day in Gairo
After organic breakfast, we will drive to the mountains for full-day bird watching. In this place, you will see birds like Rubeho akalat, Rebeho warblers, masked weavers, and Kenrick's starlings. Overnight stay at Gairo Lodge.
Day 17: Gairo to Amani Nature Reserve
Collect your properties get your breakfast and depart to Lushoto. Near the lodge, you will be staying there trees are about 28-31 meters tall, the place is filled with oxygen and there are wonderful and amazing songs from different birds. Overnight stay at Emmau Hill Lodge.
Day 18 & 19: Full day in Amani Nature Reserve
Today you will walk early in the morning for morning bird watching and come back for breakfast then you will continue with bird-watching activities in the daytime with packed lunch. The birds to be seen are the Usambara eagle-owl, and Green-headed oriole, to mention but a few. On day 19th you will continue enjoying bird watching in Amani. There will be lots of bush silence and you can explore more areas for more birds like the Usambara Hyliota, Long-billed tailorbird, and Kretschmer's long bill. Overnight stay at Emmau Hill Lodge.
Day 20: Amani Nature Reserve to Lushoto
After a hot breakfast, we will drive to Lushoto. This place has very nice landscapes and the people of this area are good. Overnight stay at Mullas Lodge.
Day 21: Full day in Lushoto
Today prepare to explore Lushoto to see its beauty. The bird species include Steppe buzzard, Gymnogene, Kenrick's stalling, Gordon Bleu, Usambara weaver, Brown-breasted barbet, Hartlaub's turaco, White-chested leather, African hobby, Eastern Double-collared sunbird, Usambara akalat. You will stay overnight at Mullas Lodge.
Day 22: Lushoto to Upare
After breakfast, we will drive to Upare. It will take us a seven-hour drive; you will reach the place at 05:00 or 06:00 p.m. After a nice hot shower, dinner, and shot rest, we will shortly discuss the next day's activities before we say goodnight to each other. Overnight stay at the Elephant Motel.
Day 23: Full-day in Upare
After breakfast get out and go bird watching in the Upare area expect to see, Pare white eye,?Black-fronted bushrike, Bar-tailed drongo, Cinnamon-branken warbler, and many other beautiful birds. Overnight stay at the Elephant Motel.
Day 24: Upare to Arusha via Nyumba ya Mungu
After early breakfast drive to Arusha via Nyumba ya Mungu. Expect to see birds like Brown parrots, ?Green-tinker birds, lovebirds, speckled mousebirds, Black smiths, plovers, Fiscal shrikes, go-away birds, Crested vulturine, and wooded vultures. Then, you will drive to Arusha. You will stay overnight at Green Mountain Lodge/ Momella Wildlife Lodge.
Day 25: Green Mountain Lodge to Arusha National park
Depart after breakfast to Arusha National Park, take a walk in the forest surrounding Mount Meru, escorted by an armed ranger, and make a visit to Momela lakes in search of water birds. Some of the interesting species are Hartlaub's turaco, Silvery cheeked hornbill, White starred robin, Montane white eye, Waller's starling, White-fronted bee-eater, Tropical boubou, Crowned eagle, Mountain buzzard, Maccoa duck, Little grebe, Greater cormorant, Grey heron, Little Egret, White-eared barbet, Narina's trogon. Dinner and overnight stay will be at Momella Wildlife Lodge.
Day 26 & 27, Momella Wildlife Lodge to Lake Manyara
After breakfast, your driver guide will be waiting for you at 7 am and will brief you before today's safari begins. Visit the lake by car and take a walking safari on the Rift Valley Escarpment. Lake Manyara National Park lies at the foot of the Great Rift Valley and is only 330 square km with most of its surface underwater. The park's interest lies in its diversity of habitats: Groundwater, forest, acacia woodland, and the alkaline lake, and is famous for the tree-climbing habits of its lions. The park's bird list covers 380 species. Amongst interesting species you may see: Lilac-breasted roller, Rough breasted roller, European bee-eater, Dusky turtle dove, Palm-nut vulture, Egyptian vulture, Spur-winged plover, Madagascar pratincole, Chestnut banded plover, Purple crested Turaco, Taita fiscal, Southern black flycatcher, Silvery cheeked hornbill, Red bill hornbill, Grey hornbill, Ground hornbill, Crested guinea fowl, Black-winged stilt, African spoonbill, Egyptian goose. Ping-backed pelican, cattle egret, yellow-red billed stock, and Marabou stork. Accommodation at Lake Manyara Serena.
Day 28 Lake Manyara to Arusha
This will be our last day; we will drive you to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO). Or any other place depending on your choice.
Inclusion
- All airport transfers in Tanzania.- English-speaking driver guide.- All applicable Game Park entrance fees.- Accommodation on Full Board Basis.- Enough drinking water while on safari.- Scheduled road transfers as specified in the itinerary.- Scheduled domestic flights as specified in the itinerary.- Half-board accommodation on arrival and departure days.- Transport on excellent 4×4 safari vehicle.- Driver’s Salary, allowances, and park fees for vehicle and driver.- Game drives as per Itinerary.- Ngorongoro crater fee (200 USD per vehicle).- Masai Boma Visit in Ngorongoro.- Government taxes.- Lunch box while you are on safari.
Exclusions
-Tips and gratuities to camp staff and driver–guide (s).- Alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks.- Laundry services.- Visa, Travel Insurance, and International flight.- All items of a personal nature i.e. phone, laundry, Internet, etc.- Departure tax. Tanzania Kenya 14 days.- Extra at lodges. Tanzania Kenya 14 days.- Travel Insurance.- Drinks and dining room tips.- Any optional or additional activities.- And all not listed above.
