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. From the Serengeti’s golden plains to the misty forests of Amani, this expedition targets 30+ endemic and near-endemic species, including the elusive Usambara hyliota, Long-billed forest warbler, and Mbulu ground robin. Designed for serious birders, this journey blends rare sightings, dramatic ecosystems, and cultural immersion, all while supporting conservation in fragile habitats like Lark Plains and the Usambara Mountains.
Birds and wildlife to look for
- Usambara Hyliota
- Long-billed Forest Warbler
- Mbulu Ground Robin
- Beesley’s Lark
- Mbulu White-eye
- South Pare White-eye
Day-by-day itinerary
Times and drives are approximate. Your guide adjusts each day to the weather, the wildlife and you.
Day 1: Arrival in Arusha – Gateway to the Wild
You touch down at Kilimanjaro Airport, where a Charles Tours guide welcomes you with a warm “Karibu!” (welcome). They transfer you to your Arusha lodge, where the silhouette of Mount Meru hints at the adventures ahead.
Day 2: Arusha NP – Montane Forest Jewels
You begin in Arusha National Park, where moss-draped forests host the Broad-ringed white-eye and Hartlaub’s turaco. You scan Momella Lakes for African fish eagles and Taveta golden weavers weaving their nests. As dusk falls, you return to Arusha, your checklist glowing with montane treasures.
Day 3: Birding in Lark Plains
At dawn, you drive to Lark Plains, Tanzania’s only home to the critically endangered Beesley’s lark. You watch Fischer’s sparrow larks perform aerial dances and spot Capped wheatears on termite mounds. After lunch, you travel to Babati, where the Mbulu Mountains rise like ancient sentinels.
Day 4: Mbulu Mountains – Robin of the Highlands
You trek the Mbulu Mountains, looking for the endemic Mbulu ground robin, a skulking gem in scrubby undergrowth. Then you listen for the Mbulu white-eye’s chatter and spot Eastern double-collared sunbirds sipping nectar before descending to Karatu, where a farm-fresh meal and Ngorongoro vistas await.
Days 5-6: Serengeti – Savannas & Endemics
You journey to the Serengeti, where endless plains host Grey-breasted spurfowl and Rufous-tailed weavers. Then you track the Karamoja apalis in acacia woodlands and watch cheetahs sprint after Thomson’s gazelles. Nights at a tented camp bring lion roars and star-strewn skies.
Day 7: Ngorongoro Highlands – Sunbirds & Turacos
Here you bird the Ngorongoro Highlands for Schalow’s turaco and Jackson’s widowbirds displaying jet-black plumage. Then you descend to Karatu, where a crackling fireplace and Swahili-inspired dishes await.
Days 8-9: Tarangire – Giants & Endemics
In Tarangire, baobabs tower over elephant herds. Here, you see Yellow-collared lovebirds darting through palm groves and Ashy starlings flocking near waterholes. Don’t miss Hildebrandt’s starlings or Northern pied babblers in nearby acacia thickets.
Day 10: Return to Arusha – Farewell to Tarangire
Morning birding reveals Silvery-cheeked hornbills and Bateleurs soaring overhead. Then you return to Arusha, swapping stories of elephants and endemics, over a sundowner.
Day 11: South Pare Mountains – White-Eye Quest
You drive to the South Pare Mountains, hunting the endemic South Pare white-eye in misty forests. Then you scan thornscrub for Golden-breasted starlings and Pink-breasted larks before overnighting in the town of Same.
Day 12: Mkomazi NP – Arid Zone Specials
Here, you explore Mkomazi National Park’s arid edges for Black-bellied sunbirds and Eastern black-headed batis. Then you transfer to Magamba Forest, where the Usambara Mountains’ avian treasures await.
Days 13-14: Magamba Forest – Usambara Mountain Magic
You trek the Magamba Forest in search of the Usambara akalat and Spot-throat, their calls echoing through ancient trees. At dusk, listen for the haunting Usambara eagle-owl – a ghostly presence in the canopy.
Days 15-16: Amani Nature Reserve – Rainforest Rarities
In the East Usambaras, you track the Long-billed forest warbler – a skulking endemic – and marvel at Amani sunbirds sipping nectar. Night walks may reveal the Usambara eagle-owl’s glowing eyes.
Day 17: Return to Arusha – Final Birding Stops
You bird en route to Arusha, scanning wetlands for African skimmers and gorgeous sunbirds, Great white Pelicans, Pink-backed pelicans, Goliath Herons, African openbill storks, Palm-nut vultures, ospreys, Martial eagles, Taita fiscals, Pink-breasted larks, Grey-headed silverbills, Chestnut-banded Plovers, African Pygmy Geese, and many more great birds.
You toast your journey’s end with a farewell dinner under Mount Meru’s shadow.
Day 18: Departure – Carry the Wild Home
Transfer to Kilimanjaro Airport, your camera brimming with feathered memories – from Beesley’s Lark to Usambara Hyliota.
What’s included
Included
- Park entry fees for national reserves (Serengeti, Ngorongoro, etc.).
- Guided game drives with experienced drivers/guides.
- Accommodation (lodges, tented camps, or safari tents).
- Meals (often full-board: breakfast, lunch, dinner).
- Transportation (4x4 safari vehicle between parks).
Not included
- International flights and visas.
- Travel insurance (medical/evacuation coverage).
- Tips for guides, drivers, or camp staff.
- Optional activities (hot-air balloon rides, cultural village visits).
- Personal expenses (souvenirs, alcohol, laundry).
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. There’s nothing to pay until you confirm.
Good to know before you book
- Getting here: fly into Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), about an hour from Arusha. We meet you at arrivals. Read arriving in Arusha.
- Visa: most visitors need one. Apply only through the Tanzania Immigration official e-Visa portal.
- Health: see a travel clinic about vaccines and malaria prevention at least a month before you go. The CDC Travelers’ Health: Tanzania page is a useful starting point.
- Park fees: included in our price. They’re set by Tanzania National Parks (TANAPA) and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority.
- What to pack: see our packing list, and tipping and etiquette.
- Everything else: our travel information page covers money, weather, plugs and more.
Questions about this trip
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 busiest for birds. We usually take a picnic lunch in the field and bird again in the late afternoon. Forest days can involve steep, slippery trails, so we set the pace with you.
Can the itinerary be changed?
Yes. Every trip is private, so we can add days, swap sites, change the accommodation level or slow the pace. Tell us your target species and we’ll send a revised plan and price.
What vehicle will we use?
A 4x4 safari vehicle with a pop-up roof for viewing and photography, charging points and a window seat for everyone. The vehicle and guide are yours alone for the whole trip.
How do I book and pay?
Send an enquiry and we’ll reply within 24 hours with a tailored itinerary and a full quote. Once you’re happy, we take a deposit to confirm, with the balance due before you travel. We’ll give you the exact terms in writing.
What if I have dietary needs?
Just tell us. Lodges and our camp cooks regularly cater for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, halal and other diets.
