About Charles Tours

A dedicated Tanzanian team specialising in tailor-made birding and wildlife safaris, guided by local expertise and a passion for nature.

Guests watching wildlife from a Charles Tours safari vehicle

Our story

Passion for Birds, Wildlife and Tanzania

At Charles Tours, we are more than a Tanzanian tour company. We are a small team of passionate professionals and experienced bird guides who know Tanzania inside and out.

We started in Arusha, Northern Tanzania, with a simple idea: the best trips are planned by the same people who guide them. The person answering your first email knows the birds, habitat, roads, and the lodges, because they are out there most weeks of the year. Over time, our most rewarding trips, for our guests and for us, were the ones built around birds and wildlife. So that is what we specialize in: birding tours and wildlife safaris across Tanzania.

Why choose us

Why Choose Charles Tours?

Our guides are Tanzanian and grew up with these landscapes. Our bird guides find most birds by ear and know where birds live, and our wildlife guides know where each lion pride and leopard territory is depending on the season.

Whether you are an avid birder, a nature lover, or planning your first safari, we tailor every trip around you. Every safari is private, with your own 4×4 vehicle with a pop-up roof, a window seat for each guest, and a guide who is yours for the whole trip.

We plan every safari with care and honesty, providing realistic birding expectations and practical routes while minimising unnecessary driving time.

Plan my safari

African elephant walking through dry grass, Tanzania

Tailor-made safaris
Private itineraries planned around your dates and wish list.
Specialist guides
Tanzanian bird and wildlife guides who know every call and territory.
Responsible tourism
Local site guides, park rules and an environmental education programme.
Trusted and reviewed
Five-star reviews on Tripadvisor, Google and SafariBookings.

How we work

Based in Arusha, Northern Tanzania, we specialise in birding and wildlife safaris, combining expert local knowledge with extensive field experience.

Our guides

Our bird guides train their ears on local calls for years before leading a trip on their own. Guests often mention them by name in reviews, and we think that says a lot.

Our vehicles

Enjoy your own private 4x4 Land Cruiser, equipped with a pop-up roof, fridge, charging points and birding essentials. With a dedicated expert guide, your safari is always private.

How booking works

Send us an enquiry and receive a tailored itinerary and detailed quote within 24 hours. Your safari is confirmed upon receipt of your deposit. See our booking terms.

Insured for Your Peace of Mind

At Charles Tours, your confidence and peace of mind matter. We maintain Tour and Operators Liability Insurance with Sanlam Allianz General Insurance Tanzania Limited, with a liability limit of TZS 519,200,000 per event and per insurance period, subject to the policy’s terms and conditions.

We are committed to providing professional and responsible birding and wildlife safari experiences in Tanzania, with your confidence and peace of mind at the heart of our service.

Golden-breasted Starling on a branch, Tanzania

Our commitment

Travel That Makes a Positive Impact

Our birding and wildlife safaris support conservation, local communities and responsible tourism. Through our Environmental Education Program, we help young people and communities appreciate and protect Tanzania’s remarkable birdlife and wildlife.

We pay our team fair wages and promote responsible wildlife viewing by keeping a respectful distance.

Our commitment

About Charles Tours: your questions answered

Who we are, what we do and what we don’t. Anything else, just ask.

Is Charles Tours a birding specialist?

Yes. Charles Tours is an Arusha-based company that focuses only on birding tours and wildlife safaris in Tanzania. Every trip is private and tailor-made, from a two-day birding trip around Arusha to 39-day expeditions for Tanzania’s endemic birds.

Do you offer Kilimanjaro climbs, cultural tours or Zanzibar beach holidays?

No. We no longer run Kilimanjaro climbs, cultural tours or Zanzibar holidays. Our work is birding and wildlife safaris. If you would like a few days on Zanzibar after your safari, we can arrange a short beach extension on request.

What vehicles do you use?

We use our own 4x4 safari vehicles, set up for both birding and wildlife viewing: a pop-up roof, a window seat for every guest, a fridge, charging points and birding essentials. Your vehicle and guide are yours alone for the whole trip.

Who are your guides?

Our guides are Tanzanian and grew up with these landscapes. On birding trips you travel with a specialist bird guide who finds most birds by ear, keeps the daily checklist and knows where the region’s endemics live.

Where do you run birding tours?

Across Tanzania: the northern parks and the Lark Plains near Arusha, the Usambara and other Eastern Arc Mountains, southern Tanzania, Lake Victoria and Pemba Island. See our guide to Tanzania’s endemic birds.

Are you insured and part of the birding community?

Yes. We are members of the American Birding Association, and we hold Tour and Operators Liability Insurance with Sanlam Allianz General Insurance Tanzania Limited.

How does booking work?

Send us an enquiry and you will receive a tailored itinerary and a detailed quote within 24 hours. Your safari is confirmed when we receive your deposit.

What Our Guests Say

Read authentic reviews from our guests on Google and Tripadvisor, showcasing their experiences with Charles Tours.

Google reviews

    
 
 
       Posted on Google  
   
   Rosa Pons 
 
 
 
 Trustindex 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  
   
   Leon Spies 
 
 
 
 Trustindex 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  
   
   Santanu De 
 
 
 
 Trustindex 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  
   
   Koenke Loerders 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Amazing tour guide!
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Mark B 
 
 
 
 Trustindex 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  
   
   Andrew Schoeman 
 
 
 
 Trustindex 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  
   
   Gjalt van der Hem 
 
 
 
 Trustindex 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  
   
   Ken Endersen 
 
 
 
 Trustindex 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  
   
   Jerrell Sablan 
 
 
 
 Trustindex 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  
   
   Michael Watson 
 
 
 
 Trustindex 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  
   
   Maristela A 
 
 
 
 Verified 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  
   
   katharina H 
 
 
 
 Verified 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  
   
   Rosa P 
 
 
 
 Verified 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  
   
   Leons1979 
 
 
 
 Verified 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  
   
   Teej 
 
 
 
 Verified 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  
   
   Kers 
 
 
 
 Verified 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  
   
   Santanu 
 
 
 
 Verified 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  
   
   Mark B 
 
 
 
 Verified 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  
   
   Andrew S 
 
 
 
 Verified 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  
   
   Gjalt v 
 
 
 
 Verified 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!!

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Charles Tours safari vehicle with guests on the plains

Hartlaub’s Turaco in Arusha National Park

Guests with their Charles Tours 4x4 in the forest

Giraffes on the plains with Mount Meru behind

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Short clips from the parks

Lions on the crater floor, turacos in the canopy and our guides at work, in under a minute each.

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We are proudly listed on leading safari platforms, where you can compare our safari packages, read verified reviews and book with confidence. We are also proud members of the American Birding Association.

SafariGoView our profile and safaris →SafariBookingsView our profile and reviews →American Birding AssociationProud member of the ABA →

Start planning your safari

Let’s plan a safari around your interests. Share your travel dates, number of people, the ages of any children travelling, and the birds or wildlife you hope to see. We’ll get back to you within 24 hours with a personalised itinerary and a detailed quote.

Send an enquiry WhatsApp +255 627 415 415