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Plan my safari

10 days, private, starts and ends at Kilimanjaro Airport

10-day classic Northern Tanzania birding safari: endemics, dry-country specialities and the Serengeti

Arusha NP, Lark Plains, Tarangire, Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro, Serengeti & Mererani

Explore northern Tanzania’s finest birding habitats, from montane forest and dry-country plains to acacia woodland and the great savannahs. This 10-day safari combines targeted birding for regional endemics and specialities with exceptional African wildlife viewing, with a target of around 300 bird species.

Highlights include Beesley’s Lark, Fischer’s Lovebird, Yellow-collared Lovebird, Ashy Starling, Grey-crested Helmetshrike, Usambiro Barbet, Kilimanjaro White-eye, Hartlaub’s Turaco, Hunter’s Sunbird and Grey-breasted Spurfowl, among many more.

Some of the birds to look for

  • Beesley’s Lark
  • Fischer’s Lovebird
  • Yellow-collared Lovebird
  • Ashy Starling
  • Grey-crested Helmetshrike
  • Usambiro Barbet
  • Kilimanjaro White-eye
  • Hartlaub’s Turaco
  • Hunter’s Sunbird
  • Grey-breasted Spurfowl
  • Around 300 species on a typical trip
  • …and many more

Day-by-day itinerary

Times and drives are approximate. Your guide adjusts each day to the weather, the wildlife and you.

  1. Day 1: Arrival at Kilimanjaro Airport

    Day 1: Arrival at Kilimanjaro Airport

    Welcome to Tanzania. Your Charles Tours host meets you at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) and drives you to your lodge in Arusha, about an hour away.

    Overnight
    Lodge in Arusha
    Meals
    Dinner
    Travel
    About 1 hour from the airport

  2. Day 2: Full day in Arusha National Park

    Day 2: Full day in Arusha National Park

    We explore the montane forest and woodland of Arusha National Park for Hartlaub’s Turaco, White-starred Robin, Tacazze Sunbird, Red-fronted Parrot, and both Bar-tailed and Narina Trogons.

    Overnight
    Lodge in Arusha
    Meals
    Breakfast, packed lunch, dinner
    Travel
    About 45 minutes each way

  3. Day 3: Engikaret Lark Plains, then Tarangire

    Day 3: Engikaret Lark Plains, then Tarangire

    An early start for the Lark Plains at Engikaret and the range-restricted Beesley’s Lark, along with other dry-country specialities such as Southern Grosbeak-Canary, Red-throated Tit and Athi Short-toed Lark. In the afternoon we continue to Tarangire National Park.

    Overnight
    Lodge or tented camp in the Tarangire area
    Meals
    Breakfast, packed lunch, dinner
    Travel
    About 1.5 hours to the plains, then about 3 hours to Tarangire

  4. Day 4: Full day in Tarangire National Park

    Day 4: Full day in Tarangire National Park

    A full day among the baobabs and along the river, looking for Ashy Starling, Yellow-collared Lovebird, Emin’s Barbet, Hildebrandt’s Starling and Northern Pied Babbler, with Tarangire’s big elephant herds and other wildlife all around.

    Overnight
    Lodge or tented camp in the Tarangire area
    Meals
    Breakfast, lunch, dinner
    Travel
    Game drives within the park

  5. Day 5: Lake Manyara National Park, then Karatu

    Day 5: Lake Manyara National Park, then Karatu

    We bird the woodland, groundwater forest and lakeshore of Lake Manyara National Park for forest and savannah species, including Silvery-cheeked Hornbill, Narina Trogon, Southern Ground Hornbill, African Fish Eagle and Lilac-breasted Roller, to name a few. Then we drive up to Karatu.

    Overnight
    Lodge in Karatu
    Meals
    Breakfast, packed lunch, dinner
    Travel
    About 1.5 hours, plus birding in the park

  6. Day 6: Through the Ngorongoro highlands to the Serengeti

    Day 6: Through the Ngorongoro highlands to the Serengeti

    We cross the spectacular Ngorongoro highlands towards the Serengeti, with birding and wildlife stops along the way. Look out for Secretarybird, Tawny Eagle, Helmeted Guineafowl and other savannah species.

    Overnight
    Tented camp in the Serengeti
    Meals
    Breakfast, packed lunch, dinner
    Travel
    About 4 to 5 hours with birding and game stops

  7. Day 7: Full day in the central Serengeti

    Day 7: Full day in the central Serengeti

    A full day on the plains and in the woodland of the central Serengeti, looking for Grey-breasted Spurfowl, Rufous-tailed Weaver, Fischer’s Lovebird, Grey-crested Helmetshrike, Usambiro Barbet and Karamoja Apalis, alongside outstanding big-game viewing.

    Overnight
    Tented camp in the Serengeti
    Meals
    Breakfast, lunch, dinner
    Travel
    Game drives within the park

  8. Day 8: Serengeti to the Ngorongoro highlands and Karatu

    Day 8: Serengeti to the Ngorongoro highlands and Karatu

    After a morning’s birding we head back through the Ngorongoro highlands, targeting Hunter’s Cisticola, Jackson’s Widowbird, Eastern Double-collared Sunbird, Schalow’s Turaco and other highland birds before continuing to Karatu.

    Overnight
    Lodge in Karatu
    Meals
    Breakfast, packed lunch, dinner
    Travel
    About 5 to 6 hours with birding stops

  9. Day 9: Endoro Forest and the Elephant Caves, then Arusha

    Day 9: Endoro Forest and the Elephant Caves, then Arusha

    A guided forest walk on the Endoro and Elephant Cave trails in the Ngorongoro highlands. We search for Golden-winged Sunbird, Hartlaub’s Turaco, Silvery-cheeked Hornbill, Mountain Buzzard and White-browed Robin-Chat, among many others. Later we drive to Arusha.

    Overnight
    Lodge in Arusha
    Meals
    Breakfast, lunch, dinner
    Travel
    About 3 hours walking, then about 3 hours to Arusha

  10. Day 10: Mererani birding and departure

    Day 10: Mererani birding and departure

    We spend the morning in the Maasai–Somali biome around Mererani for dry-country specialities such as Grey-headed Silverbill, Tsavo Sunbird, Pink-breasted Lark, Golden-breasted Starling, Black-capped Social Weaver, Black-throated Barbet and Mouse-coloured Penduline Tit. Then we transfer you to Kilimanjaro International Airport in time for your flight.

    Overnight
    Day room until your flight
    Meals
    Breakfast, lunch
    Travel
    About 1 hour to the airport

What’s included

Included

  • Private 4x4 with pop-up roof, just for your group
  • Specialist bird guide throughout
  • All park, conservation, crater and forest reserve fees
  • Accommodation and meals as listed
  • Day room on the last day
  • Drinking water in the vehicle
  • Pick-up and drop-off at Kilimanjaro Airport (JRO)

Not included

  • International flights and visa
  • Travel insurance
  • Tips for your guide and lodge staff
  • Drinks at lodges
  • Optional extras such as a balloon flight

Price

We quote per person, based on your group size, season and accommodation level. Send an enquiry and you’ll have a full price within 24 hours.

Good to know before you book

Questions about this trip

Will a non-birding partner enjoy this trip?

Yes. The route takes in Tarangire, the Ngorongoro highlands and the central Serengeti, so there is plenty of big game alongside the birding.

What is the daily routine on a birding tour?

Most days start between 5:30 and 6:30, because the first hours after sunrise are the best time for birds and animals. We take packed lunches on long park days and return to the lodge in the late afternoon.

How fit do I need to be?

Most of the birding is done from the vehicle or on short, easy walks. The Endoro Forest trail is a gentle guided walk of about three hours, escorted by an armed ranger.

Can the itinerary be changed?

Yes. Every trip is private, so we can add days, swap sites or change the accommodation level.

How do I book and pay?

Send an enquiry and we’ll reply within 24 hours with a tailored itinerary and a full quote.

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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.

Send an enquiryWhatsApp +255 627 415 415