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Plan my safari

12 days, private, starts and ends at Kilimanjaro Airport

12-day Northern Tanzania birding safari: montane forest, lark plains, baobab country and the Serengeti

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

This 12-day Northern Tanzania birding safari moves through a wide range of habitats, from the montane forests of Arusha National Park and the open Lark Plains to Tarangire’s baobab woodlands, Lake Manyara, the Ngorongoro Highlands, the Serengeti plains and Endoro Forest.

Designed for keen birders, it gives you time to find the sought-after Tanzanian specialities, including Beesley’s Lark, Yellow-collared Lovebird, Ashy Starling, Grey-breasted Spurfowl, turacos and colourful sunbirds, alongside a rich mix of forest and savannah birds and some of Africa’s finest wildlife viewing.

Some of the birds to look for

  • Beesley’s Lark
  • Yellow-collared Lovebird
  • Ashy Starling
  • Grey-breasted Spurfowl
  • Kilimanjaro White-eye
  • Hartlaub’s Turaco
  • Schalow’s Turaco
  • Rufous-tailed Weaver
  • Jackson’s Widowbird
  • Hildebrandt’s Starling
  • …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

    Karibu – welcome to Tanzania. Your Charles Tours guide meets you at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) and drives you to your lodge in Arusha, about an hour away, with Mount Meru as the backdrop. The rest of the day is yours to rest before the birding begins.

    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 spend the day in Arusha National Park, working the montane forest, open woodland and the Momella Lakes. Forest targets include Kilimanjaro White-eye and Hartlaub’s Turaco, while the lakes and woodland add African Fish Eagle, Taveta Golden Weaver and a good selection of waterbirds. It’s a rewarding first look at northern Tanzania’s birdlife.

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

  3. Day 3: Birding the Lark Plains

    Day 3: Birding the Lark Plains

    An early start takes us to the Lark Plains at Engikaret, the main stronghold of the critically endangered Beesley’s Lark. Alongside this highly sought-after speciality we look for Fischer’s Sparrow-Lark, Capped Wheatear and other open-country birds. We return to Arusha in the late afternoon.

    Overnight
    Lodge in Arusha
    Meals
    Breakfast, packed lunch, dinner
    Travel
    About 1.5 hours each way

  4. Days 4–5: Tarangire National Park

    Days 4–5: Tarangire National Park

    Two full days in Tarangire National Park, known for its giant baobabs, big elephant herds and excellent birding. We search the different habitats for Yellow-collared Lovebird, Ashy Starling, Hildebrandt’s Starling and Northern Pied Babbler, plus a strong supporting cast of raptors and savannah species, combining focused birding with superb wildlife viewing.

    Overnight
    Lodge or tented camp in the Tarangire area
    Meals
    Breakfast, lunch, dinner
    Travel
    About 2.5 hours from Arusha on day 4

  5. Day 6: Lake Manyara National Park, then Karatu

    Day 6: Lake Manyara National Park, then Karatu

    We explore Lake Manyara National Park, from the groundwater forest and woodland to the open shoreline. Expect forest birds, hornbills, raptors and waterbirds in a compact, varied park. In the late afternoon we drive up to our lodge in Karatu.

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

  6. Day 7: Ngorongoro highlands and the crater floor

    Day 7: Ngorongoro highlands and the crater floor

    We start in the Ngorongoro highlands, looking for Schalow’s Turaco, colourful sunbirds and Jackson’s Widowbird, at its best when the males are in breeding plumage. Then we descend into the Ngorongoro Crater for a mix of birding and outstanding wildlife viewing, before climbing out in the late afternoon and returning to Karatu.

    Overnight
    Lodge in Karatu
    Meals
    Breakfast, packed lunch, dinner
    Travel
    A full day in the conservation area

  7. Days 8–9: Serengeti National Park

    Days 8–9: Serengeti National Park

    We travel to the Serengeti for two days of birding across its grasslands, acacia woodland and kopjes. Targets include Grey-breasted Spurfowl, Rufous-tailed Weaver and other savannah specialities, and there are good chances of lion, cheetah and the other big animals the park is famous for. Evenings at the tented camp bring the sounds of the African night.

    Overnight
    Tented camp in the Serengeti
    Meals
    Breakfast, lunch, dinner
    Travel
    About 4 hours to the central Serengeti on day 8, with birding stops

  8. Day 10: Serengeti to Karatu

    Day 10: Serengeti to Karatu

    After breakfast we leave the Serengeti, birding along the way, especially across the southern plains and through the Ngorongoro area. The changing habitats bring a fresh set of savannah and highland species. We reach our lodge in Karatu in the late afternoon.

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

  9. Day 11: Endoro Forest and the Elephant Caves, then Arusha

    Day 11: Endoro Forest and the Elephant Caves, then Arusha

    A guided walk through Endoro Forest on the trails towards the Elephant Caves, focusing on montane forest birds and highland specialities such as Schalow’s Turaco, Eastern Double-collared Sunbird and African Broadbill. After lunch we drive back to Arusha.

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

  10. Day 12: Lake Duluti and departure

    Day 12: Lake Duluti and departure

    Depending on your flight time, enjoy a final morning of birding around Lake Duluti, a rewarding spot for woodland, forest-edge and waterbirds. Then we transfer you to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your flight home.

    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. Tarangire, the Ngorongoro Crater and the Serengeti are the heart of any classic Tanzania safari, 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