20 Days Birding Safari in Tanzania

Upon arrival at the Airport, you will be warmly welcomed and meet up by our staff for a meet and greet followed by drive to your hotel.

Immediately after an early morning breakfast at about 07:30am, you will be transfered to Mikumi National Park (6hrs driving) with enroute hot lunch at Morogoro center, half day bird watching and game drive at Mikumi National Park before proceeding to the lodge in the evening. More than 400 bird species have been recorded in Mikumi National Park, with various colorful common residents as the yellow-throated long, lilac-breasted roller, and bateleur eagle joined by maltitudes of European migrants during the rainy season. Hippos are the best attraction of the double of pools situated 5km north of the main gate of the park, supported by various species of water-birds.

Today, after breakfast at about 07:30am, you will head to Uluguru Mountain, and hike the Mountain for the search of endemic and other species of bird. Rare bird species such as Ploceus bertrandi occur in damp valleys adjacent to the forest-edge, while Schoutedenapus myoptilus and Apus barbatus feed inside the forest and normally nest within the Forest Reserves. At the waterfalls you can easily encounter the Onychognathus tenuirostris and in the open savanna you will be amused by the reeling song of Cisticola woosnami. Falco biarmicus nests among the many cliff-faces and Falco peregrinus may also nest, but is seemingly uncommon. Falco fasciinucha can occasionally be seen around. This is the only locality at which Nectarinia loveridgei and Malaconotus alius occur. With more than two endemic species and numerous endemic race such as Sheppardia sharpei, Andropadus tephrolaemus, Phylloscopus umbrovirens, Orthotomus metopias and Apalis thoracica.

Early in the morning after breakfast, you will be picked by your guide from the lodge and drive towards Ukaguru with packed lunch for full day endemic search and other species of bird. Later in the afternoon return to the lodge for an overnight stay. These Ukaguru Mountains are a raised fold plateau that lie in the reward side of the taller Uluguru Mountains, 40 km away to the south-east. Onychognathus tenuirostris and Ploceus bertrandi both can easily be seen as well as the Falco fasciinucha. The highland and the grassland is the northern limit of Cisticola nigriloris and hosts a population of Saxicola torquata, often taken as an endemic race Saxicola torquata promiscua. All recent fieldwork has been placed in only two major areas of Mamiwa-Kisara North Forest Reserve. The extreme end of these montane forests are important birding areas for the migrant Sylvia borin and Sylvia atricapilla, Phylloscopus trochilus.

Today, after breakfast at the lodge, you will be picked and transfer to East Udzungwa and Kilombero Plain with picnic parked lunch. Later in the evening you will be transferred back to the lodge for an overnight. Among that walking trails in the forest include the more challenging two-night Mwanihana Trail leads to the high plateau, with its panoramic views over the surrounding sugar plantations, before ascending to Mwanihana peak, the second-highest point in the range. Apart from the vegetation and terrain, ornithologists are attracted to Udzungwa for numerous bird species embracing over 400 species, from the lovely and readily-located green-headed oriole to more than a dozen secretive Eastern African endemics. Four bird species are unsual to Udzungwa, among which the forest partridge, first encounted in 1991 and more closely related to an Asian genus than to any other African fowl.

Today morning after breakfast at the lodge at about 07:30am you will be picked by the guide and go for guided nature walk for bird viewing and hiking Mt Udzungwa for forest birds and endemic primates. While in the forest, look out for birds of interest like Circaetus fasciolatus that is resident at low densities in low altitude forest at the foot of the east-facing escarpment. In the forest interior Swynnertonia swynnertoni is rare between 1,000–1,200 m, Modulatrix orostruthus occurs above 1,300 m, and Apalis chariessa is uncommon. Bathmocercus winifredae is locally frequent in forest undergrowth at 1,300–1,700 m. Three species of threatened sunbird occur, with Anthreptes rubritorques uncommon in forest interior above 850 m, Nectarinia rufipennis fairly common in forest at 600–1,700 m, and Nectarinia moreaui relatively common.

This morning after an early breakfast, you will be picked up and driven with a packed lunch to Amani Nature Forest Reserve, which is 375 kilometers away. For the remainder of the afternoon, explore the area's best birds before heading to the lodge to rest.

The entire day will be spent searching for uncommon species of birds in the nearby forest reserve. A leisurely breakfast is followed by a full day of nature tours and bird watching at East Usambara and the Amani Nature Forest Reserve.

After a leisurely breakfast at the lodge, your guide will pick you up and drive you to West Usambara for birdwatching and nature walks. Dinner and overnight stay at the lodge Usambara Mountains The Usambara Mountains are a part of the ancient Eastern Arc chain, which extends in a broken crescent from the Taita Hills in southern Kenya down to Morogoro and the southern highlands. They are located in the northeastern region of Tanzania. The rocks that formed them may be as old as 600 million years, and they are thought to be at least 100 million years old. There are many different types of plants and wildlife supported by the diverse natural vegetation of submontane forest in the mountain ranges, much of which is endemic and for which the area is renowned both nationally and internationally. With over 350 species identified, the East Usambaras are particularly well-known for their birdlife. The Usambaras are a haven for birdwatchers. Numerous and various species can be seen, and experts consider the Usambaras to be one of Africa's top bird-watching regions. More than 2000 plant species, of which roughly 25% are endemic, can be found in the Eastern Arc Mountains, along with many other endemic plant and animal species. 50 of the 276 kinds of trees are indigenous! Due to the damp environment and proximity to the sea (approximately 40 km), the East Usambara highlands have a remarkable amount of unique species. Only in the East Usambaras can one find 16 different tree species. The Eastern forests Usambaras have many rare species in all groups of animals, except mammals. High level of endemism is found amongst molluscs, amphibians and reptiles. The East Usambaras have been compared to Galapagos Islands with regard to diversity of endemic species.

After breakfast today, a guide will pick you up and take you to the highlands for a full day of bird watching at West Usambara. Within Shume-Magambo Forest Reserve, Apus barbatus breed on rock overhangs, while the regionally widespread Caprimulgus poliocephalus guttifer inhabits forest edges. At Magambo, the uncommon Cinnyricinclus sharpii is frequently spotted in the canopy.

You will leave this morning after breakfast for a half-day birding excursion to West Usambara with a packed lunch. Drive to the Southern Pare Mountains later in the day. In the lodge, for dinner and the night. (BLD) Pare Mountains The Pare Mountains are also a part of the renowned Eastern Arc range in north-eastern Tanzania. This area is incredibly rewarding for birders seeking endemic species to the area as well as passionate hikers looking for off-the-beaten-path trekking trails. In addition to their natural resources, the Pare tribe lives in the Pare Mountains as farmers and herders who have mostly maintained their traditional way of life. A trip via the Pare Mountains passes through nearby towns and lovely woodlands in addition to offers the chance to explore a less visited part of the country. In comparison to Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Meru, the steep, crystalline ridges and summits of the Eastern Arc region are significantly older and belong to a different geological structure. The current ranges started to take shape some 100 million years ago, and 25 million years ago, at the beginning of the Miocene Epoch, they reached their present state. The southern Pare Mountains are located in Kilimanjaro Region, 150 kilometers south of Moshi. The mountains appear to be a desolate and barren region from the surrounding plains, but as you begin to ascend the slopes, one of Africa's most unique vistas is unveiled for your eyes The Chome Forest Reserve, a dense tropical forest with numerous rare trees and flora, is located on top of the mountains. You can easily spend an entire day strolling through the forest in the park without running into anyone, which gives you a feeling of seclusion. The nearby communities are among the most remote in Northern Tanzania, and the locals have maintained their distinctive Pare culture for centuries. From one village to the next, there are a number of winding, narrow footpaths that can be used for community walks to visit and learn more about the local ways of life.

After breakfast, your guide will pick you up for a full day of bird watching in the Southern Pare Mountains with picnic lunches. You can take your time and look around here. About 150 km south of Moshi lie the southern Pare Mountains. The mountains appear to be a desolate and barren region from the surrounding plains, but as you begin to ascend the slopes, one of Africa's most unique vistas is unveiled for your eyes. The Chome Forest Reserve, a dense tropical forest with numerous rare trees and flora, is located on top of the mountains. You can easily spend an entire day strolling through the forest in the park without running into anyone, which gives you a feeling of seclusion.

After breakfast at the resort this morning at 7:30am, your driving guide will pick you up and bring you to Mkomazi National Park. Bring a lunch, as you'll go on a walking safari with an armed ranger and end the day with a wildlife drive and bird watching. You will travel to Moshi (120km, 2 hours) later in the day to spend the night there. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel (BLD) Mkomazi National Park Mkomazi is also an Arc Mountain Ranges, which are situated beneath the lush slopes of the magnificent Usambara and Pare ranges and are watched over by Kilimanjaro, Africa's most recognizable snow-capped summit. The social African wild dog and the critically endangered black rhino, both of which were successfully reintroduced in the 1990s, are protected at Mkomazi. You will be rewarded by the wildlife to explore vast herds of giraffe, eland, hartebeest, zebra, buffalo, and elephant in addition to the picturesque grandeur of the park. Wild dogs, who are roving by nature, can be spotted virtually anywhere in the park, while black rhinos are confined to a walled sanctuary, guaranteeing their protection for the benefit of present and future generations. The fringe-eared oryx, with its long, sweeping horns, and the attractive spiral-horned lesser kudu are two other dry-country specialized species that are uncommon elsewhere in Tanzania. With more than 450 bird species recorded, the park is a great place for birdwatchers. Among them are dry-country endemics like the cobalt-chested vulturine guinea-fowl, other large ground birds like the ostrich, kori bustard, secretary bird, and ground hornbill, as well as some migratory species like the Eurasian roller.

After breakfast at the lodge today, you will be picked up and driven the 65 kilometers (1 hour) to Arusha National Park with a packed lunch. Dinner and Overnight: Arusha Coffee Lodge/Arusha Serena Hotel (B) Arusha National Park This is the closest national park to Arusha town, northern Tanzania's safari capital, which you can easily explore whether you are in Arusha for a business trip or want an extension for your safari to other destinations. Later in the afternoon, you will go exploring the park on foot on your walking safari with an armed ranger before traveling to Arusha town. The Mt. Meru ash cone, summit, Momela Lakes, Ngurdoto Crater, and the rich highland forests that cover its lower slopes are all included in the tiny national park. While visiting the park, you can go for wildlife viewing around the Momela Lakes at a leisurely and tranquil pace. Many people also pause as they walk through the forest to look for groups of endangered colubus monkeys playing in the trees. A common activity for visitors to Arusha National Park is to take an adventure excursion inside the park while they climb Mt. Meru or enjoy the numerous paths that crisscross its lower slopes. A three-day journey to the summit of the crater is one of the various hiking alternatives; it is a more sedate—and some would argue more difficult—alternative to the iconic peak of adjacent Mount Kilimanjaro. The trails to rivers and waterfalls on the lower slopes provide for a tranquil day trip. The attractions and delights of Arusha National Park include ancient fig tree forests, crystal clear rivers pouring from mountain streams, and the opportunity to see colobus monkeys. A lake in the park supports a wide variety of migratory and resident ducks, as well as shaggy waterbucks that show off their massive lyre-shaped horns on the water's edge. Between herds of grazing zebras, giraffes glide across the grassy hills, while pairs of wide-eyed dik-dik dart into the underbrush like hares on spindly legs.

You will be picked up from the resort this morning after breakfast and taken to the neighboring Arusha Airport for your domestic flight to Tarangire airstrip, where you will be met and driven to Elewana Tarangire Treetops with a game drive en route. Dinner and Overnight: Elewana Tarangire Treetops (BLD) Elewana Tarangire Treetops is located in Randilen, a private Wildlife Management Area (WMA) on the border of the Tarangire National Park, Tanzania. After lunch, you will depart for an evening game drive in the park. Then, you will return to the lodge for the night. A baobab tree that is 1,000 years old has its distinctive feature concentrated around a main lodge. The lodge's 20 rooms are all perched above the ground, providing views of the tops of the marula and baobab trees in the area. Each Treetops Room features an exotic double shower en suite bathroom and one of the largest bedrooms of any camp or lodge in East Africa, measuring 65 square meters in size. With home furnishings that radiate warmth and show a dedication to regional craftsmanship. Quench your thirst at the lodge's restaurant or have a lantern-lit meal in a traditional Boma while listening to Maasai chants. You can even eat by candlelight poolside while watching a variety of wildlife come to the lodge's water hole to drink. While here, add to your safari experience with a variety of activities available. To learn more about the ways of life, go on a game drive, a night game drive, a guided nature walk in the park, or a community walk into the masai culture. Tarangire National Park The Tarangire River, which runs through the park, inspired the name of the area. The vast wide grass plains of southern Maasailand are located around 120 km to the southwest and south of this location. Numerous animals can be found in this enormous area, including some of Africa's largest elephant herds. Visitors will be able to witness threatened and endangered species in this park, including ebony trees, pythons, cheetahs, elephants, andnWild dogs from Africa, smaller and larger Kudus, Beisa Oryx, Gerenuk, and others. With more types of birds documented in Tarangire than in the renowned Serengeti, the park is a birder's paradise and home to over 550 different species. Agapornis personatus, Cosmopsarus unicolor, and Histurgops ruficauda, three Tanzanian endemics, have sizable populations in the park, and Agapornis fischeri, a fourth, is a frequent visitor. Watch out for birds of interest that have reasonably high populations of the native and endangered Anthus caffer in East Africa.

You will be taken to the adjacent airfield after breakfast at the resort this morning in order to take a quick fly into the Serengeti National Park. After being greeted, you will be driven to your lodge and taken on a game drive in the evening. Dinner and Accommodations: &Beyond Grumeti Serengeti Tented Camp/Elewana Serengeti Migration Tented Camp/Serengeti Pioneer Camp (BLD) &Beyond Grumeti Serengeti Tented Camp is located on the banks of a tributary of the Grumeti River, in an area with few lodges that allows you to explore more freely away from the crowds. Ten tent suites are available at the camp, each with a private veranda that overlooks the riverfront and is shaded.This is the ideal place to while away an afternoon thanks to the large day beds. The interiors combine hues of wildebeest grey with accents of natural stone and bone, and stone shower towers are open to the sun and stars. Relax and unwind on the spacious decks are perfect for enjoying sundowners overlooking the river and the camp’s rim-flow swimming pool provides a view of the seasonal hippo pools below. Serengeti National Park The Serengeti hosts the second largest terrestrial mammal migration in the world, which helps secure it as one of the Seven Natural Wonders of Africa, and as one of the ten natural travel wonders of the world. The Serengeti is one of the greatest areas to see prides in their natural habitat and is known for having a huge lion population. In addition to various game reserves, the area is home to Tanzania's Serengeti National Park. There are around 500 bird species and 70 large animal species. These various ecosystems, which include riverine forests, marshes, kopjes, grasslands, and woodlands, contribute to the high diversity. Buffalos, gazelles, zebras, and blue wildebeests are a few of the frequently encountered large creatures in the area.

A morning and an afternoon game drive will take up your entire time in the area. You can choose to go on a guided nature walk or ride in a hot air balloon across the Serengeti plains to view the wildlife in any of the places. Enormous lion prides, hyena clans, large herds of local plains animals, and black-and-white colobus monkeys, which are unique to the Serengeti, can all be seen during game drives from the camp. A unique aspect of the avifauna is the presence of three Tanzanian endemic species, two of which, Francolinus rufopictus and Histurgops ruficauda, are not thought to be threatened internationally. Locally widespread in mature Acacia forest, where Parus fringillinus is also prevalent, is Agapornis fischeri. On the lower slopes of the Varichoro Hills and in the Acacia robusta woods along the Duma river, flocks of Prionops poliolophus have been observed. In an environment with a high concentration of Acacia drepanolobium, Apalis karamojae can be found.

After breakfast at the camp this morning, you will be driven to a local airfield to catch a scheduled flight to Manyara Airstrip, where you will be met by a representative of our company who will drive you to &BEYOND Ngorongoro Crater Lodge. Dinner and Accommodations: &Beyond Ngorongoro Crater Lodge / The Manor at Ngorongoro (BLD) The lodge has 30 rooms that are decorated with an African flair and is divided into three camps. There are grass roofs and banana leaf ceilings that offer a private and intimate atmosphere.Each camp features a separate sitting space, eating area, and butler who offers friendly, attentive service. The surroundings are really breathtaking, with vistas that constantly change as clouds swirl over the enormous wildlife crater below. Everything has been carefully selected to excite the senses and enhance the breathtaking vistas of the gorgeous surroundings. You can choose from a variety of activities, such as game drives on the crater floor, walks around the lodge grounds, banquets on the bottom of the crater, and day trips to the nearby Olduvai Gorge and Shifting Sands. Ngorongoro Crater The Ngorongoro Crater, frequently referred to as "Africa's Eden" and the "8th Natural Wonder of the World," is unquestionably the location that you should not miss on your next African safari into Tanzania. The larger region, known as the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, contains the eponymous Olduvai Gorge in addition to vast stretches of highland plains, scrub, and forests that total about 8,300 square kilometers. That location is special and intriguing since only indigenous tribes, like the Masaai, are permitted to reside there. It is a protected region. The ancient caldera, which is about three million years old, protects one of the most stunning wildlife refuges on earth. The Conservation Area's distinctive and lovely scenery is created by the alkaline soda lakes Lake Ndutu and Lake Masek, both of which are home to abundant wildlife populations. Within its perimeter, threatened black rhinos are protected, enormous elephants with long trunks roam the woodlands, male lions prowl the plains, and flamingos swarm the soda lakes. This bowl of abundance is home to an estimated 25 000 large species, including about 6 000 wildebeest, 16 critically endangered black rhinos, and about 70 lions. Leopards are mostly found in the breathtaking Lerai Forest, whereas cheetah frequently enter and exit the Crater. Big numbers of water birds can be found in several wetlands, including Lakes Lagaja (also known as Ndutu) and Masek at the western end of Olduvai Gorge and a lake in the Empakai Crater that has a large population of Phoenicopterus minor during certain times of the year. Additionally, the Anas capensis and Oxyura maccoa, two now-rare species in East Africa, have crucial habitats near this lake. Despite the lack of regular counts, Lake Makat is significant for Phoenicopterus minor and Phoenicopterus ruber. Gorigor, a freshwater marsh on the eastern side of the crater floor, is home to numerous rare wetland species and a heronry, including at least Threskiornis aethiopicus and Ardeola ralloides.

We'll get an early start on this day, leaving at 6:00 am to drive down to the Ngorongoro Crater, where we'll spend the entire day watching birds and going on a wildlife drive. The meals can also be prepared and served as bush dinners. You'll head back to the lodge for dinner and the night later in the evening.

This morning after breakfast at the lodge, you will be driven to Manyara Airstrip for a short flight to Arusha for your international flight back home.