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Private Birding Tours & Wildlife Safaris in Tanzania

Discover Tanzania’s extraordinary birds and iconic wildlife with expert local guides, tailor-made journeys and authentic safari experiences.

1,100+ bird speciesin Tanzania, including about 30 endemics found nowhere else
Private trips onlyyour own guide and vehicle; solo travellers welcome
5-star reviewson TripAdvisor and SafariBookings

About Charles Tours

Tanzania, Through a Deeper Lens

Tanzania is more than the Big Five. More than 1,100 bird species and some of Africa’s greatest wildlife live across its forests, lakes and plains. From our base in Arusha, we plan private birding tours and wildlife tours led by local guides who know this country well. Read our story.

Tanzania birding tours

From a two-day trip around Arusha to month-long expeditions chasing endemics in the Usambara and Udzungwa Mountains. Every one is led by a specialist bird guide.

Rosy-patched Bushshrike, seen on the 18-day Tanzania birding tour18days

18-Day Tanzania Birding Tour

Northern parks, South Pare, Mkomazi & Usambara Mountains

This 18-day Tanzania birding tour is a life-lister’s odyssey, traversing the avian-rich landscapes of Northern Tanzania and the biodiverse Eastern Arc Mountains.

Tanzania wildlife safaris

Tarangire’s elephants, the Serengeti’s cats and the Ngorongoro Crater. We offer lodge and luxury trips, all private.

Why birders and wildlife travellers book with us

Guides who bird by ear

Our Tanzanian bird guides recognise most species by call before they come into view, know every endemic’s territory, and keep your trip list for you.

A vehicle of your own

Every safari is private: your own 4x4 with a pop-up roof and charging points, and we stay with a sighting for as long as you like.

Based in Arusha

We are a local Tanzanian tour operator at Mineral Market on Nyerere Road, Arusha, so you deal directly with the people who run your safari.

Straight answers

Tell us your dates and wish list and we reply within 24 hours with a tailor-made itinerary and quote. If a bird is unlikely, we say so.

Tanzania Safari & Birding Destinations

From the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Crater to Ruaha, the chimpanzee forests of Gombe and the endemic-rich Usambara and Udzungwa Mountains, these are the national parks and birding hotspots we know best, each with its own wildlife, birds and best season.

When to go

Tanzania works all year. What changes is what you’ll see, including where the wildebeest migration is each month. Read our month-by-month birding guide.

What you wantJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Birding: migrants
Birding: residents
Big game viewing
Great Wildebeest Migration
Wildebeest calving (Ndutu)
Migration: Mara River crossings
Usambara forests
ExcellentGoodPossible, fewer visitors

Book Your Ultimate Birding Tour with Charles Tours

Tanzania has more than 1,100 bird species, from Hartlaub’s Turaco in the forests around Arusha to the Ashy Starling and Fischer’s Lovebird, found almost nowhere else. Our guides know the calls, the habitats and the best season for each one.

Tell us your dates and your target birds, and we’ll plan a private birding tour around them.

What recent guests say

Google reviews

Posted on Google Google
Rosa Pons profile picture
Rosa Pons
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
We explored the northern parks, observing wildlife and mammals. We photographed over 260 bird species. Excellent organization and extensive knowledge of birds and mammals on the part of the guides. Highly recommended. An unforgettable experience.
Posted on Google Google
Leon Spies profile picture
Leon Spies
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Big thanks to Amani and Charles Tours for the most epic, bucket-list birding trip! Everything from the pre-trip planning and communication to the comfortable vehicle to the accommodation went smoothly. The 14-day, dedicated birding trip, covered the Northern Circuit and Eastern Arc and involved some long, rewarding days. Amani was always professional and his attention to detail was spot on. Also need to mention our excellent birding guide, Abdul, who made sure we managed to get onto all our target birds and ticked nearly 500 species for the trip! The itinerary developed by Charles tours was spot on and optimized our available time and budget. I would highly recommend Charles Tours for any birding or wildlife tours in Tanzania.
Posted on Google Google
Santanu De profile picture
Santanu De
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
We are still completely under the spell of our 9-day trip to Tanzania. Calling it amazing would barely do it justice. Even now, I struggle to find the right words to describe just how wonderful it was. For those 9 days, we did not have to think about a single thing — where to stay, what to eat, where to go, or even where to buy water. Everything was taken care of. In short, it was one of the most relaxing and truly one of the best trips we have had so far. I also cannot say any more without mentioning the person who made this trip so seamless — Amani Charles. He was much more than just a travel company owner or tour guide. He took care of every little detail, often before we even had the chance to mention it. All we had to do was enjoy the safari drives, take photographs, and soak in the experience. We saw so many mammals, visited the breathtaking Ngorongoro Crater, explored three National Parks, and spent the whole trip surrounded by fun, laughter, and unforgettable moments. And the best part — we spotted more than 300 species of birds. A very special mention must also go to Novatus, the GenZ of our group. His ability to spot birds in places that looked like nothing more than stretches of grass was simply remarkable. So, if you are planning a birding or wildlife trip to Tanzania, Charles Tours is the company to choose. I am more than confident that you won't regret it.
Posted on Google Google
Koenke Loerders profile picture
Koenke Loerders
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Amazing tour guide!
Posted on Google Google
Mark B profile picture
Mark B
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Charles Tours organised a safari for the both of us across Northern Tanzania. From the moment we landed at Kilimanjaro airport to the time we returned to the airport 2 weeks later Amani and his team looked after us so well and ensured we had an exceptional experience. The Lodges and Camps we stayed at were outstanding with great attentive staff and excellent food options. All our transfers and pick ups were prompt using a Charles Tours vehicle which was clean and comfortable. The safari organised by Charles Tours was planned both for me (an avid birder) and my partner (non-birder) giving us both opportunities to view and photograph birds, mammals and other wildlife. The experience was mind-blowing with around 400 species of birds, the Big, Ugly and 3 out of 5 of the Little Five along with many unexpected and remarkable encounters with the wildlife. We organised a relaxing start to our trip in Arusha where we chilled for a couple of days at our first beautiful Lodge. Then our safari proper started in Arusha NP, around 45 minutes from Arusha. What an amazing place (don't miss this place) - Giraffes everywhere along with Zebras, Antelopes and Cape Buffalo, plus many bird species. The next day was mainly a birding day initially around the Engikaret Lark plains before transferring to our Lodge in Tarangire NP where we stayed for 2 days. Herds of elephants everywhere here, literally hundreds. My partner's camera never stopped clicking. Over the next days we visited Lake Manyara NP, Karatu, Ngorongoro Crater, Ndutu/Southern Serengeti, Central Serengeti before returning to Karatu and then back to Arusha. Our final full day was spent around Mirerani seeking out some of the special birds in that area. Throughout our safari we were accompanied by Amani and Abdul who ensured our wildlife sightings were maximised with their sharp eyes and hearing. How they spotted some of the distant animals from a moving vehicle still astounds me. Amani was also an exceptional driver throughout our safari sometimes traversing difficult terrain. He ensured our “African massage” on the corrugated tracks was as smooth as it could be. What made our safari so truly exceptional was the unexpected events we encountered. We had expected to see mainly sleeping and yawning animals. To witness the courtship and mating of two lions (conception), the birth of wildebeest on the plains in Ndutu and the baby taking its first breaths were truly stunning experiences. Then to see two adolescent giraffes practising neck sparring showed a little of the growing up phase of the animals. We saw the harsh brutality of the circle of life in Tarangire NP and the Ngorongoro crater. Firstly we came across a group of lionesses teaching their cubs how to feed from a fresh killed zebra followed by a hyena chasing down and catching a young wildebeest. Other hyenas appeared quickly to fight each other and feed off the poor creature. On the way out of the Serengeti, after only seeing a glimpse of a cheetah in long grass we had stunning views of seven cheetahs alongside the vehicle attempting to stalk nearby groups of gazelles I’m sure these experiences were maximised by Amani taking less travelled tracks around the NP’s as we were often the first or only vehicle to view these events. We thoroughly recommend booking a safari through Charles Tours. I'm sure you will not be disappointed.
Posted on Google Google
Andrew Schoeman profile picture
Andrew Schoeman
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
This is the second time my wife and I have travelled with Charles tours, this trip we did the 4 day birding tour around Arusha, everything was well arranged, Charles and his team were very responsive and flexible, the birding was really good, the trip total for the 4 days was 236 species with some amazing forest birds that we managed to find, see and Photograph, Thanks Charles for another amazing trip.
Posted on Google Google
Gjalt van der Hem profile picture
Gjalt van der Hem
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Charles gave a fantastic tour through the Arusha national park. He's very enthousiastic and has an incredible amount of knowledge about the wildlife. Would advice for sure : 10/10 adventure.
Posted on Google Google
Ken Endersen profile picture
Ken Endersen
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Exceptional Birding Safari with Charles Tours in Northern Tanzania I had the pleasure of joining a birding safari organized by Charles Tours for ten days in August, and it was truly an unforgettable experience. The itinerary included iconic locations such as the Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Arusha NP, and Tarangire. I was fortunate to see nearly all of the large mammals close up-missing only the elusive rhino but my trip was focused on Birds and boy did Amani and Abdul from Charles tours deliver. The birding aspect of the trip exceeded all expectations. I recorded 400 bird species and managed to photograph over 300 of them, thanks to the incredible expertise of my bird guide, Abdul. His deep knowledge of bird habitats and bird calls made every outing productive. 400 species in 10 days outside of migration is an exceptional total. Amani, who organized the trip, did a fantastic job with all the logistics. From accommodations and meals to park entries, everything was seamless, safe, and well thought out. There are hundreds of tour operators to choose from and we encountered many of them lost in the Serengeti so choose wisely. If you're a birder or nature enthusiast looking for a well-organized, rewarding safari experience in Tanzania, I highly recommend Charles Tours. Their team's professionalism, local expertise, and passion for wildlife made this trip one of the best I've ever taken.
Posted on Google Google
Jerrell Sablan profile picture
Jerrell Sablan
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
An absolutely incredible experience at the Ngorongoro Crater thanks to Charles Tours! This truly was a once-in-a-lifetime journey, made undoubtedly exceptional by our phenomenal host, Amani Charles. His knowledge of the crater, wildlife, and the local ecosystem was boundless - he shared so much fascinating information, making every sighting and every landscape feel even more profound. We weren’t just driven around, we truly experienced so many different areas of the crater, always finding the best spots and getting unparalleled views of the diverse wildlife. Amani’s passion was infectious, and his ability to spot animals that we would have otherwise missed was remarkable. This wasn’t just a tour; it was an immersive educational journey led by a true expert. In addition, we visited the Elephant Caves, Endoro waterfalls, the Archeological Museum, Shifting Sands, and the absolutely beautiful island of Zanzibar. If you’re planning a trip to Northern Tanzania, I highly recommend booking with Charles Tours! Asante Sana, Charles Tours, and especially Amani, for such a magical and unforgettable adventure!
Posted on Google Google
Michael Watson profile picture
Michael Watson
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
The Charles Tours staff was incredibly gracious and honest with us, and they were always there to help. Thanks to our driver and guide Joel, we had an amazing two-day safari tour and saw a lot of amazing new things. He painstakingly went into great detail about the animals, the environment, and the culture. The automobile was excellent, and the communication was excellent as well. These folks have my highest recommendation.

Tripadvisor reviews

Posted on Tripadvisor Tripadvisor
Maristela A profile picture
Maristela A
Tripadvisor star 1Tripadvisor star 2Tripadvisor star 3Tripadvisor star 4Tripadvisor star 5Verified
Amazing tour! My 2 day birding was far beyond my expectations. The professionalism, kindness and knowledge make the tour explendid. I strongly recommend!
Posted on Tripadvisor Tripadvisor
katharina H profile picture
katharina H
Tripadvisor star 1Tripadvisor star 2Tripadvisor star 3Tripadvisor star 4Tripadvisor star 5Verified
Insights into Tanzania's rich birdlife In July 26, we spent three weeks on a birding Safari in northern and eastern Tanzania with Charles Tours. The Trip was very well organized. We didn't have to worry about a thing and could fully concentrate on observing and photographing the diverse and and sometimes rare birdlife. Our guides Amani, Novatus and Martin were extremely knowledgeable and dedicated to showing us the best spots. During the drives we also gained insights into the daily lives of the people in Tanzania. We would wholeheartedly recommend this trip to any bird enthusiast.
Posted on Tripadvisor Tripadvisor
Rosa P profile picture
Rosa P
Tripadvisor star 1Tripadvisor star 2Tripadvisor star 3Tripadvisor star 4Tripadvisor star 5Verified
An unforgettable safari journey We explored the northern parks, observing wildlife and mammals. We photographed over 260 bird species. Excellent organization and extensive knowledge of birds and mammals on the part of the guides. Highly recommended. An unforgettable experience.
Posted on Tripadvisor Tripadvisor
Leons1979 profile picture
Leons1979
Tripadvisor star 1Tripadvisor star 2Tripadvisor star 3Tripadvisor star 4Tripadvisor star 5Verified
Ultimate Tanzania birding trip Big thanks to Amani and Charles Tours for the most epic, bucket-list birding trip! Everything from the pre-trip planning and communication to the comfortable vehicle to the accommodation went smoothly. The 14-day, dedicated birding trip, covered the Northern Circuit and Eastern Arc and involved some long, rewarding days. Amani was always professional and his attention to detail was spot on. Also need to mention our excellent birding guide, Abdul, who made sure we managed to get onto all our target birds and ticked nearly 500 species for the trip! The itinerary developed by Charles tours was spot on and optimized our available time and budget. I would highly recommend Charles Tours for any birding or wildlife tours in Tanzania.
Posted on Tripadvisor Tripadvisor
Teej profile picture
Teej
Tripadvisor star 1Tripadvisor star 2Tripadvisor star 3Tripadvisor star 4Tripadvisor star 5Verified
Absolutely amazing! Our 10-day safari through Tanzania was absolutely unforgettable, and a huge part of that was thanks to Amani and the Charles Tour Company. From the moment we arrived, everything was handled professionally, smoothly, and with genuine hospitality that made us feel welcomed and taken care of every single day. Our tour was private consisting of only my girlfriend and I. I don’t believe we could have gone any other way because Amani was truly an exceptional guide. His knowledge of the wildlife, local culture, and the parks themselves was incredible. He always seemed to know exactly where to go to give us the best possible experience, and because of him we were able to see an unbelievable amount of wildlife up close. Every game drive felt exciting and unique. He was patient, friendly, funny, and always made sure everyone was comfortable and enjoying themselves. What really stood out was how passionate Amani was about Tanzania and the safari experience. You could tell he genuinely loved what he does, and that energy made the trip even more special. Whether we were watching lions at sunrise, elephants crossing the road, stopping to learn new facts about a variety of extraordinary birds or enjoying the breathtaking landscapes of the Serengeti and Ngorongoro, he made every moment memorable. Charles Tour Company deserves enormous praise. The accommodations, transportation, scheduling, and overall organization were excellent from start to finish. Everything was punctual, stress-free, and thoughtfully planned. It allowed us to completely relax and enjoy the adventure without worrying about logistics. This safari exceeded every expectation we had. If you are considering a safari in Tanzania, I cannot recommend Amani and the Charles Tour Company highly enough. They delivered a once-in-a-lifetime experience that we will be talking about for years to come.
Posted on Tripadvisor Tripadvisor
Kers profile picture
Kers
Tripadvisor star 1Tripadvisor star 2Tripadvisor star 3Tripadvisor star 4Tripadvisor star 5Verified
The Experience of a Lifetime As someone who has traveled extensively, I can say without a doubt that my safari experience in Tanzania was the best experience of my life thus far — and I largely credit that to Amani and his team at Charles Tours. Throughout our 10-day safari, Charles Tours exceeded every expectation, going above and beyond in every aspect of the trip. From helping us plan the safari itinerary of our dreams, to tracking down the Big Five, to even keeping our cooler stocked with beer, every detail was thoughtfully taken care of. Our private safari took us through several national parks, waterfall hikes, coffee tours, tanzanite shops, and unforgettable experiences immersing ourselves in Maasai culture. Truly, anything we could have hoped for, Charles Tours provided. What sets Charles Tours apart is their incredible attention to detail and genuine hospitality. By the end of the trip, we didn’t just leave with unforgettable memories — we left feeling like we had made lifelong friends. Charles Tours is a 10/10 company, and I cannot recommend them enough to anyone considering a safari in Tanzania. Booking with them was one of the best decisions we’ve ever made.
Posted on Tripadvisor Tripadvisor
Santanu profile picture
Santanu
Tripadvisor star 1Tripadvisor star 2Tripadvisor star 3Tripadvisor star 4Tripadvisor star 5Verified
Nine Incredible Days in Tanzania We are still completely under the spell of our 9-day trip to Tanzania. Calling it amazing would barely do it justice. Even now, I struggle to find the right words to describe just how wonderful it was. For those 9 days, we did not have to think about a single thing — where to stay, what to eat, where to go, or even where to buy water. Everything was taken care of. In short, it was one of the most relaxing and truly one of the best trips we have had so far. I also cannot say any more without mentioning the person who made this trip so seamless — Amani Charles. He was much more than just a travel company owner or tour guide. He took care of every little detail, often before we even had the chance to mention it. All we had to do was enjoy the safari drives, take photographs, and soak in the experience. We saw so many mammals, visited the breathtaking Ngorongoro Crater, explored three National Parks, and spent the whole trip surrounded by fun, laughter, and unforgettable moments. And the best part — we spotted more than 300 species of birds. A very special mention must also go to Novatus, the GenZ of our group. His ability to spot birds in places that looked like nothing more than stretches of grass was simply remarkable. So, if you are planning a birding or wildlife trip to Tanzania, Charles Tours is the company to choose. I am more than confident that you won't regret it.
Posted on Tripadvisor Tripadvisor
Mark B profile picture
Mark B
Tripadvisor star 1Tripadvisor star 2Tripadvisor star 3Tripadvisor star 4Tripadvisor star 5Verified
Trip of a Lifetime!! Charles Tours organised a safari for the both of us across Northern Tanzania. From the moment we landed at Kilimanjaro airport to the time we returned to the airport 2 weeks later Amani and his team looked after us so well and ensured we had an exceptional experience. The Lodges and Camps we stayed at were outstanding with great attentive staff and excellent food options. All our transfers and pick ups were prompt using a Charles Tours vehicle which was clean and comfortable. The safari organised by Charles Tours was planned both for me (an avid birder) and my partner (non-birder) giving us both opportunities to view and photograph birds, mammals and other wildlife. The experience was mind-blowing with around 400 species of birds, the Big, Ugly and 3 out of 5 of the Little Five along with many unexpected and remarkable encounters with the wildlife. We organised a relaxing start to our trip in Arusha where we chilled for a couple of days at our first beautiful Lodge. Then our safari proper started in Arusha NP, around 45 minutes from Arusha. What an amazing place (don't miss this place) - Giraffes everywhere along with Zebras, Antelopes and Cape Buffalo, plus many bird species. The next day was mainly a birding day initially around the Engikaret Lark plains before transferring to our Lodge in Tarangire NP where we stayed for 2 days. Herds of elephants everywhere here, literally hundreds. My partner's camera never stopped clicking. Over the next days we visited Lake Manyara NP, Karatu, Ngorongoro Crater, Ndutu/Southern Serengeti, Central Serengeti before returning to Karatu and then back to Arusha. Our final full day was spent around Mirerani seeking out some of the special birds in that area. Throughout our safari we were accompanied by Amani and Abdul who ensured our wildlife sightings were maximised with their sharp eyes and hearing. How they spotted some of the distant animals from a moving vehicle still astounds me. Amani was also an exceptional driver throughout our safari sometimes traversing difficult terrain. He ensured our “African massage” on the corrugated tracks was as smooth as it could be. What made our safari so truly exceptional was the unexpected events we encountered. We had expected to see mainly sleeping and yawning animals. To witness the courtship and mating of two lions (conception), the birth of wildebeest on the plains in Ndutu and the baby taking its first breaths were truly stunning experiences. Then to see two adolescent giraffes practising neck sparring showed a little of the growing up phase of the animals. We saw the harsh brutality of the circle of life in Tarangire NP and the Ngorongoro crater. Firstly we came across a group of lionesses teaching their cubs how to feed from a fresh killed zebra followed by a hyena chasing down and catching a young wildebeest. Other hyenas appeared quickly to fight each other and feed off the poor creature. On the way out of the Serengeti, after only seeing a glimpse of a cheetah in long grass we had stunning views of seven cheetahs alongside the vehicle attempting to stalk nearby groups of gazelles I’m sure these experiences were maximised by Amani taking less travelled tracks around the NP’s as we were often the first or only vehicle to view these events. We thoroughly recommend booking a safari through Charles Tours. I'm sure you will not be disappointed.
Posted on Tripadvisor Tripadvisor
Andrew S profile picture
Andrew S
Tripadvisor star 1Tripadvisor star 2Tripadvisor star 3Tripadvisor star 4Tripadvisor star 5Verified
Great Birding trip With Charles Tours This is the second time my wife and I have travelled with Charles tours, this trip we did the 4 day birding tour around Arusha, everything was well arranged, Charles and his team were very responsive and flexible, the birding was really good, the trip total for the 4 days was 236 species with some amazing forest birds that we managed to find, see and Photograph, Thanks Charles for another amazing trip.
Posted on Tripadvisor Tripadvisor
Gjalt v profile picture
Gjalt v
Tripadvisor star 1Tripadvisor star 2Tripadvisor star 3Tripadvisor star 4Tripadvisor star 5Verified
Higly recommended! Amazing experience at a great price. When you contact him, the tour is tailored to your interests. A friend and I visited Arusha National Park, and Charles took the time to carefully observe the animals and share his extensive knowledge of wildlife, especially birds. Highly recommended!!

Live reviews, updated from Google and Tripadvisor. Read them in full on TripAdvisor or on SafariBookings.

From our safari blog

Practical guides from our team: seasons, endemics and what to pack.

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Charles Tours safari vehicle with guests on the plainsElephants in Tarangire National ParkHartlaub’s Turaco in Arusha National ParkGuests with their Charles Tours 4x4 in the forestGiraffes on the plains with Mount Meru behindWild chimpanzee in the forest at Gombe

Start planning your safari

Tell us your dates and the birds or animals you most want to see. We’ll reply within 24 hours with a route and a full quote.