19 days, private, starts and ends at Kilimanjaro Airport
19-day birding and wildlife safari: northern Tanzania’s parks and the Eastern Arc Mountains
Arusha NP, Tarangire, Ngorongoro, Serengeti, South Pare & Usambara
This 19-day private tour covers the best birding, wildlife and forest areas of northern and northeastern Tanzania: Arusha National Park, the Engikaret lark plains, the Mbulu Mountains, Tarangire, Lake Manyara, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, the Serengeti, the South Pare and Usambara Mountains of the Eastern Arc, and the dry country around Nyumba ya Mungu and Mererani. The focus is on regional specialities and endemic birds, with plenty of time for some of the highest concentrations of wildlife found anywhere on the planet.
Target birds include Fischer’s Lovebird, Singing Bush Lark, Grey Wren-Warbler, Fawn-coloured Lark, African Bare-eyed Thrush, Grey-breasted Spurfowl, Coqui Francolin, Usambiro Barbet, Beesley’s Lark, Ashy Starling, Hildebrandt’s Starling and Hartlaub’s Turaco. On the wildlife side, expect a good chance of elephant, zebra, buffalo, wildebeest, eland, lion, leopard, cheetah, hyena, black rhino and giraffe.
Some of the birds to look for
Fischer’s Lovebird
Beesley’s Lark
Grey-breasted Spurfowl
Usambiro Barbet
Ashy Starling
Hildebrandt’s Starling
Hartlaub’s Turaco
Mbulu White-eye
South Pare White-eye
Usambara Weaver
Banded Green Sunbird
Black rhino and the Big Five
…and many more
Day-by-day itinerary
Times and drives are approximate. Your guide adjusts each day to the weather, the wildlife and you.
Day 1: Arrival at Kilimanjaro Airport
Welcome to Tanzania. Your Charles Tours driver meets you at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) with a sign showing your name. After a short introduction, it’s about an hour’s drive to your lodge in Arusha.
Overnight
Lodge in Arusha (such as Silent Lodge)
Meals
Bed and breakfast
Travel
About 1 hour from the airport
Day 2: Full day in Arusha National Park
After breakfast we head out with packed lunches for a full day of birding and wildlife in Arusha National Park. Targets include White-starred Robin, Hartlaub’s Turaco, Tacazze Sunbird and Red-fronted Parrot, with Bar-tailed and Narina Trogons later in the day. We return to the lodge in the late afternoon.
Overnight
Lodge in Arusha (such as Silent Lodge)
Meals
Breakfast, packed lunch, dinner
Travel
About 45 minutes each way
Day 3: Engikaret lark plains, then on to Babati
A morning on the Engikaret lark plains for the endemic Beesley’s Lark and other dry-country specials such as the near-endemic Southern Grosbeak-Canary, Red-throated Tit and Short-tailed Lark. In the afternoon we drive south to Babati.
Overnight
Hotel in Babati
Meals
Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Travel
About 1.5 hours to the plains, then about 2.5 hours to Babati
Day 4: Mbulu Mountains, then Tarangire
An early breakfast and a drive into the Mbulu Mountains for the endemic Mbulu Ground Robin, the near-endemic Mbulu White-eye and other forest birds. Expect a moderate hike of about three hours. We then drive to Tarangire National Park, where the endemic Ashy Starling, Yellow-collared Lovebird and Emin’s Barbet, the near-endemic Northern Pied Babbler and Hildebrandt’s Starling are all fairly common.
Overnight
Mid-range safari lodge in Tarangire (such as Tarangire Sopa Lodge)
Meals
Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Travel
About 1.5 hours to the Mbulu Mountains, then about 2 hours to Tarangire
Day 5: Full day in Tarangire National Park
A full day of birding and game viewing in Tarangire, home to more than 450 bird species, large elephant herds and classic baobab savannah. We look again for Ashy Starling, Yellow-collared Lovebird, Emin’s Barbet, Northern Pied Babbler and Hildebrandt’s Starling, alongside the park’s big mammals.
Overnight
Mid-range safari lodge in Tarangire (such as Tarangire Sopa Lodge)
Meals
Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Travel
Full-day game drive
Day 6: Lake Manyara National Park
Birding in Lake Manyara National Park, at the foot of the Rift Valley escarpment. Targets include African Fish Eagle, Silvery-cheeked and Crowned Hornbills, Narina Trogon and Sulphur-breasted Bushshrike. We finish at our lodge near Karatu.
Overnight
Mid-range lodge near Karatu (such as Farm of Dreams Lodge)
Meals
Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Travel
About 1.5 hours, then game drive, then about 45 minutes to Karatu
Day 7: Ngorongoro Crater rim and floor
Birding along the forested rim of the Ngorongoro Crater, then down to the crater floor for flamingos, raptors and the Big Five. Birds on target include Hunter’s Cisticola, Jackson’s Widowbird, Eastern Double-collared Sunbird and Schalow’s Turaco. In the late afternoon we climb out and return to Karatu.
Overnight
Mid-range lodge near Karatu (such as Farm of Dreams Lodge)
Meals
Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Travel
About 1 hour to the crater, full day in the crater
Days 8–9: Southern and central Serengeti
We drive into the Serengeti, stopping in good bush along the way. In the southern Serengeti we look for the endemic Grey-breasted Spurfowl and Rufous-tailed Weaver, the near-endemic Grey-crested Helmetshrike, Tanzanian Red-billed Hornbill, Karamoja Apalis and Usambiro Barbet. Two nights in the central Serengeti give time for the big cats and the great herds.
Overnight
Tented safari camp in central Serengeti (such as Baobab Central Serengeti Camp)
Meals
Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Travel
About 4 hours to the Serengeti, then game drives
Day 10: Serengeti to the Ngorongoro highlands and crater rim
An early start from the Serengeti with packed lunches, stopping in the Ngorongoro highlands for Hunter’s Cisticola, Eastern Double-collared Sunbird and Schalow’s Turaco. After lunch we continue birding along the Ngorongoro Crater rim, then check in at our lodge in Karatu in the late afternoon.
Overnight
Mid-range lodge near Karatu (such as Farm of Dreams Lodge)
Meals
Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Travel
About 4 to 5 hours, with birding stops
Day 11: Endoro forest trail, then Arusha
After breakfast we take a short drive to the Endoro entry point for a morning in the forest along the Endoro trail, looking for Grey-capped Warbler, African Hill Babbler, Eastern Crested Guineafowl, Dusky Turtle Dove and more. In the afternoon we drive to Arusha and check in at the hotel.
Overnight
Hotel in Arusha
Meals
Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Travel
Short drive to Endoro, then about 2.5 hours to Arusha
Day 12: To Same and the South Pare Mountains
After breakfast, we drive from Arusha to Same, a small town near Mkomazi National Park. After lunch at the hotel, we head up into the South Pare Mountains for the endemic South Pare White-eye, the distinctive local race of Bar-throated Apalis, East Coast Boubou and other forest birds.
Overnight
Hotel in Same (such as Villa Miamba)
Meals
Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Travel
About 3 hours to Same, then a short drive into the mountains
Day 13: Mkomazi, then Magamba Forest, West Usambara
Morning birding near Mkomazi National Park, then a transfer into the West Usambara Mountains. We spend the late afternoon in Magamba Forest looking for endemics and other specialities.
Overnight
Mountain lodge in West Usambara (such as Mullers Mountain Lodge)
Meals
Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Travel
About 2.5 to 3 hours
Day 14: Full day in Magamba Forest
A full day in Magamba Forest for the endemic Usambara Double-collared Sunbird, Usambara Weaver, Usambara Thrush, Montane Tiny Greenbul, Usambara Akalat and other specialities.
Overnight
Mountain lodge in West Usambara (such as Mullers Mountain Lodge)
Meals
Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Travel
Short drives between forest sites
Day 15: Across to Amani, East Usambara
After breakfast we transfer to Amani Nature Reserve in the East Usambara Mountains, birding along the way and in the Amani botanical garden late in the day.
Overnight
Amani Rest House
Meals
Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Travel
About 3 to 4 hours, with birding stops
Day 16: Full day in Amani Nature Reserve
A full day in Amani for the endemic Banded Green Sunbird, Usambara Hyliota, Usambara Bluebill, Tanzanian Illadopsis and Long-billed Forest Warbler, the near-endemic Uluguru Violet-backed and Amani Sunbirds, and African Wood Owl on a night walk. Other birds include Mombasa Woodpecker, Fischer’s and Lowland Tiny Greenbuls, Fischer’s Turaco, Plain-backed Sunbird, Cabanis’s Bunting and Kretschmer’s Longbill.
Overnight
Amani Rest House
Meals
Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Travel
Short drives and forest walks
Day 17: Amani and Zigi lowland forest, back to Same
Morning birding around Amani and in the Zigi lowland forest, then the drive back to Same, sampling good bush along the way.
Overnight
Hotel in Same (such as Villa Miamba)
Meals
Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Travel
About 4 hours, with birding stops
Day 18: Nyumba ya Mungu dam and the dry country
A day at Nyumba ya Mungu dam for Maasai arid-zone specials such as Acacia Tit, Black-throated Barbet, Golden-breasted and Fischer’s Starlings, Black-bellied and Tsavo Sunbirds, Pink-breasted Lark and Somali Bunting, with a packed lunch in the field. Later we drive to our lodge near Kilimanjaro Airport.
Overnight
Lodge near Kilimanjaro Airport (such as KIA Lodge)
Meals
Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Travel
About 1 hour to the dam, then about 2.5 hours to the airport area
Day 19: Mererani and departure
A final half day of birding at Mererani, a few kilometres south of Kilimanjaro Airport, in the Maasai and Somali biome. Targets include Grey-headed Silverbill, Tsavo and Hunter’s Sunbirds, Eastern Violet-backed Sunbird, Pink-breasted Lark, White-headed Mousebird, Golden-breasted Starling, Black-capped Social Weaver, Northern Crombec, Black-throated Barbet, Scaly Chatterer, Pygmy Batis, Mouse-coloured Penduline Tit and Pringle’s Puffback. We return to the lodge for a day room and rest before your transfer to the airport.
Overnight
End of trip (day room at the lodge)
Meals
Breakfast, lunch
Travel
About 30 minutes each way
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
Getting here: Fly into Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), about an hour from Arusha. We meet you at arrivals. Read arriving in Arusha.
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.
Yes. The first ten days cover the same parks as a classic wildlife safari, including Tarangire, Ngorongoro and the 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 easy. The Mbulu Mountains involve a moderate hike of about three hours, and some forest trails in the Usambaras are steep and can be muddy after rain.
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.
Northern parks, South Pare, Mkomazi & Usambara Mountains
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