This expedition has been carefully crafted for keen birders who want the best birding areas of Tanzania’s southern highlands. With a professional, experienced bird guide and a private 4×4, you explore the Mbulu Highlands, the Ukaguru, Udzungwa and Uluguru Mountains, Ruaha National Park, Kisolanza, the Kilosa miombo woodland, Mikumi National Park, the Kilombero swamps, Nyerere National Park and the Pugu Hills.
The tour starts at Kilimanjaro International Airport and ends in Dar es Salaam. An optional two-day extension to Pemba Island can be added at the end.
Some of the birds to look for
Uluguru Bush-shrike
Rubeho Akalat and Rubeho Warbler
Mbulu White-eye
Loveridge’s Sunbird
Kilombero Weaver and Kilombero Cisticola
Tanzanian Red-billed Hornbill
Böhm’s Bee-eater
Fülleborn’s Longclaw
Miombo woodland specials
Big game in Ruaha, Mikumi and Nyerere
…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 and transfer to Arusha
Your guide meets you at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), subject to your flight schedule, and drives you to your hotel in Arusha for dinner and overnight.
Overnight
Hotel in Arusha
Meals
Travel
Day 2: Arusha to Babati and the Mbulu Highlands
After breakfast we drive to the small town of Babati, check in at the hotel and have a hot lunch. In the late afternoon we head into the Mbulu Highlands to look for Mbulu White-eye, Mbulu Robin-Chat (Olive-flanked Ground Robin), Brown-backed Woodpecker and many other beautiful birds.
Dinner and overnight at a hotel in Babati (confirmed at the time of booking).
Overnight
Hotel in Babati
Meals
Travel
Day 3: Babati to the Ukaguru Mountains
After an early breakfast we leave Babati and the Mbulu area for Morogoro and the Ukaguru Mountains. There are good chances of birds along the way, such as Baglafecht Weaver, Familiar Chat, Cinnamon-breasted Bunting and Rock Kestrel.
In the evening we check in at a basic guest house in Gairo, ready for a great day of forest birding tomorrow.
Overnight
Guest house in Gairo
Meals
Travel
Day 4: Birding in the Ukaguru Mountains
A half day of birding in the Ukaguru Mountains. Target birds include Rubeho Akalat, Rubeho Warbler, Chapin’s Apalis, Moreau’s Sunbird, Yellow-throated Greenbul, Red-faced Crimsonwing, Oriole Finch, Uhehe Fiscal, Black-lored Cisticola, Striped Pipit, Olive-flanked Robin-Chat and Southern Fiscal.
In the late afternoon we drive back to the guest house for a relaxed evening.
Overnight
Guest house in Gairo
Meals
Travel
Day 5: Ukaguru Mountains to Iringa
After breakfast we check out and drive to Iringa town, birding along the way.
Dinner and overnight at a hotel in Iringa.
Overnight
Hotel in Iringa
Meals
Travel
Day 6: Kilolo, Ibofwe and the Uluti Udzungwa Escarpment
A full day birding around Kilolo, Ibofwe and the Udzungwa Escarpment, looking for White-chested Alethe, Orange Ground Thrush, Olive Bee-eater, Churring Cisticola, Kipengere Seedeater and many more.
Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Iringa.
Overnight
Hotel in Iringa
Meals
Travel
Day 7: Iringa to Ruaha National Park
After a relaxed breakfast we drive to Ruaha National Park for two full days of birding and game viewing. Target birds include Tanzanian Red-billed Hornbill, Hildebrandt’s Spurfowl, Verreaux’s Eagle-Owl, Mocking Cliff Chat, Red-necked Falcon, African Scops Owl, Senegal Coucal, Black Coucal, Thrush Nightingale, Miombo Wren-Warbler and Tabora Cisticola.
Overnight
Lodge or camp inside Ruaha National Park
Meals
Travel
Day 8: Birding and wildlife in Ruaha National Park
A full day exploring Ruaha’s varied landscapes, with remarkable birdlife and excellent sightings of elephant, lion, giraffe and other iconic African wildlife.
Overnight
Lodge or camp inside Ruaha National Park
Meals
Travel
Day 9: Ruaha to Kisolanza Old Farm
After breakfast we leave the park and drive to Kisolanza Old Farm, birding on the way and stopping for lunch en route.
In the late afternoon we bird the swamp around Kisolanza. Target birds: Western Miombo Sunbird, Reichard’s Seedeater, Fülleborn’s Longclaw, Miombo Wren-Warbler and Brown-headed Apalis. Other good birds include Whyte’s Barbet, Montane Widowbird, Fawn-breasted Waxbill, Piping Cisticola, Long-tailed Cisticola and Lesser Jacana.
Overnight
Kisolanza Farm House
Meals
Travel
Day 10: Birding around Kisolanza and Kiponzelo
A full day birding around the Kiponzelo farm areas and the Kisolanza swamps.
Overnight
Kisolanza Farm House
Meals
Travel
Day 11: Kisolanza to the Kilosa miombo woodland and Mikumi
After breakfast we drive to the Kilosa miombo woodland along the main road. Target birds: Speckle-throated Woodpecker, Stierling’s Woodpecker, Collared Palm Thrush, Hofmann’s Sunbird, Pale Batis, Cinnamon-breasted Tit, Stierling’s Wren-Warbler, Piping Cisticola, Eastern Black-headed Batis, Yellow-bellied Hyliota, Livingstone’s Flycatcher, Long-tailed Fiscal, Miombo Starling and many more.
Overnight
Lodge near Mikumi National Park
Meals
Travel
Day 12: Birding and wildlife in Mikumi National Park
A full day of birding and game viewing in the heart of Mikumi National Park, looking for Broad-billed Roller, Purple-crested Turaco, Retz’s Helmetshrike, Eastern Nicator and Arnot’s Chat, to name a few.
In the evening we leave the park and return to the lodge for dinner and overnight.
Overnight
Lodge near Mikumi National Park
Meals
Travel
Day 13: Miombo woodland, Kilombero and Udzungwa
More miombo birding if needed, then we drive to the small town of Mang’ula near the Udzungwa entry gate for a hot lunch. In the afternoon we bird around the Kilombero swamps for Kilombero Weaver, Kilombero Cisticola, Parasitic Weaver, Sedge Warbler, Allen’s Gallinule and others.
Overnight
Hotel near Udzungwa Mountains National Park
Meals
Travel
Day 14: Udzungwa Mountains to Morogoro
A morning birding in Udzungwa Mountains National Park, looking for Sharpe’s Akalat, Rufous-winged Sunbird, Eastern Crested Guineafowl, Livingstone’s Turaco, Livingstone’s Flycatcher, Bearded Scrub Robin, Green Malkoha and many more.
In the afternoon we drive to Morogoro, check in at the hotel and enjoy dinner and overnight.
Overnight
Hotel in Morogoro
Meals
Travel
Day 15: Uluguru Mountains, Bunduki side
A wonderful day birding the Bunduki side of the Uluguru Mountains, looking for Böhm’s Bee-eater, Uluguru Bush-shrike, Loveridge’s Sunbird, Bertram’s Weaver, Sharpe’s Akalat, Shelley’s Greenbul, Spot-throat, White-winged Apalis and Chapin’s Apalis. We also look for Uhehe Fiscal on the same range.
Overnight
Hotel in Morogoro
Meals
Travel
Day 16: Uluguru Mountains, Open Gap side
A full day birding the Uluguru Mountains again, this time from the Open Gap side, looking for Livingstone’s Turaco, Bar-tailed Trogon, Waller’s Starling, Loveridge’s Sunbird and other beautiful birds.
Overnight
Hotel in Morogoro
Meals
Travel
Day 17: Morogoro to Nyerere National Park
After breakfast we leave Morogoro and travel to Nyerere National Park via Matambwe Gate, with afternoon birding in this wonderful park. In the evening we check in at a lodge or tented camp near Mtemere Gate.
Overnight
Lodge or tented camp near Mtemere Gate
Meals
Travel
Day 18: Birding and wildlife in Nyerere National Park
A full day of birding and wildlife viewing in Nyerere National Park. Birds on the list include White-fronted Bee-eater, Crested Barbet, Eastern Olivaceous Warbler, Black-bellied Starling, Broad-billed Roller and many more.
Overnight
Lodge or tented camp near Mtemere Gate
Meals
Travel
Day 19: Nyerere to the Pugu Hills
We drive to the Pugu Hills, southwest of Dar es Salaam. Very good birds here include Tiny Greenbul, Yellow-rumped Tinkerbird, Yellow-bellied Greenbul, Four-coloured Bushshrike, Dark-backed Weaver, Mouse-coloured Sunbird, Red-throated Twinspot, Bearded Scrub Robin and Zanzibar Boubou. Later we drive to the hotel near the Pugu Hills for dinner and overnight.
Overnight
Hotel near the Pugu Hills
Meals
Travel
Day 20: Final birding in Pugu Forest and departure
After breakfast we enjoy a final birding session in Pugu Forest, revisiting key spots for any special species we may have missed. We return to the hotel for a hot lunch and a relaxing afternoon, then transfer to the airport in Dar es Salaam for your onward flight.
Optional extension: Days 21–22 birding on Pemba Island, then on Day 23 fly out from Dar es Salaam or take a domestic flight to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your connection.
Overnight
Meals
Travel
What’s included
Included
Private 4x4 with pop-up roof, just for your group
Specialist bird guide throughout
All park, conservation and forest reserve fees
Accommodation and meals as listed
Drinking water in the vehicle
Pick-up at Kilimanjaro Airport (JRO) and drop-off at Dar es Salaam airport (DAR)
Not included
International flights and visa
Travel insurance
Tips for your guide and lodge staff
Drinks at lodges
Optional Pemba Island extension
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.
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.
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