27 days, private, starts in Arusha and ends in Dar es Salaam
27-day Tanzania birding expedition: northern Tanzania and the Eastern Arc Mountains
Northern Tanzania & the Eastern Arc Mountains
Join us on an unforgettable 27-day birding journey across Tanzania, where we’ll track down the country’s most elusive and endemic species. From lush mountain forests to open savannas, expect incredible birdwatching moments with species like the Udzungwa forest partridge, Usambara eagle-owl, Grey-breasted spurfowl, White-chested alethe, Usambara hyliota and many more.
Along the way, soak in breathtaking landscapes and encounter diverse wildlife. This is the ultimate adventure for passionate birders!
Birds and wildlife to look for
Udzungwa Forest Partridge
Usambara Eagle-owl
Grey-breasted Spurfowl
White-chested Alethe
Usambara Hyliota
Moreau’s Sunbird
Rubeho Warbler
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
Upon your arrival at the airport, you will find our driver holding up a sign reading Charles Tours and your name. Then you will take a short drive to your hotel in Arusha to relax after your long flight.
Overnight
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Day 2: Birding in Arusha National Park
You bird for endemics such as the Abroad-ringed white eye and the restricted range endemic the Taveta weaver and the near-endemic Abbott’s starlings and other species. You overnight in Arusha.
Overnight
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Day 3: Lark plain - Babati
You head to Lark plains for the endemic Beesley’s lark and other dry county specials, such as the near endemic Southern grosbeak-canary, Red-throated tit, and Athi short- toed lark, then after lunch, you drive to Babati near Mbulu mountains for a hot dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Overnight
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Day 4: Birding in Mbulu – drive to Serengeti
In the early morning, you head up the Mbullu mountains for the endemic Mbulu ground robin and the near-endemic Mbulu white eye. Later in the mid-morning, you transfer to the Serengeti via Ngorongoro, arriving late in the evening. We overnight in a tented safari lodge in central Serengeti.
Overnight
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Day 5: Birding in Serengeti
You spend your first full day in the Serengeti looking for endemics such as the Grey-breasted Spurfowl and the Rufous-tailed weaver, the near-endemic Grey-crested helmet-shrike, and the Usambiro barbet. We will also look for the highly sought out Karamoja apalis, which is endemic to East Africa.
You overnight in Central Serengeti.
Overnight
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Day 6:Birding in Ngorongoro highland to Tarangire
We leave the grassy plains of the mighty Serengeti National Park very early in the morning with picnic lunches on hand, making a stop at the Ngorongoro Highlands to look for the East African endemic Hunter’s and Singing cisticola, and Jackson’s widowbird, Eastern double-collared sunbird and Schalow’s turaco. Later we go on to Tarangire National Park and overnight at a lodge.
Overnight
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Day 7: Morning birding in Tarangire – Arusha
We spend a half day in Tarangire looking for the endemic Ashy starling, Yellow-collared lovebird, Emin’s barbet, the near-endemic Northern pied babbler, and the East African endemic Hildebrandt’s starling, which are fairly common here. After lunch, we drive straight to Arusha for a well-prepared dinner and overnight at the lodge
Overnight
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Day 8: Birding at Nyumba ya Mungu – South Pare Mountains.
We drive to the South Pare Mountains via the Nyumba ya Mungu Dam for the Maasai arid zones’ specials such as the Black-throated barbet, Golden-breasted and Fischer’s starlings, the Black-bellied and Tsavo sunbirds, Pink -breasted lark and the Somali golden-breasted bunting.
We stop for a picnic lunch and then drive on to our hotel in Same town for check-in. Then we take an early evening drive up the South Pare Mountains in search of the endemic South Pare white eye and the distinctive Race Parensis or the Bar-throated apalis. The East coast boubou can also be seen up there. We overnight in Same town
Overnight
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Day 9: Mkomazi - Magamba
Morning birding near Mkomazi Np and transfer to Magamba forest in West Usambara mountains for great birding tour in the eveningOvernight at the lodge.
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Day 10: Full day in Magamba forest
We will bird for the endemic Usamabara Double collared sunbird, Usambara weaver, Usambara thrush, Usambara Akalat and other specialities. Overnight at the lodge in Magamba.
Overnight
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Day 11: Morning birding in Magamba – East Usambara.
We spend the morning birding in Magamba and transfer to the Amani Nature Reserve in the East Usambara Mountains and bird in the botanical garden late into the evening. We overnight at the Amani Rest House.
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Day 12+13: Birding in East Usambara /Amani nature reserve.
We will bird for the endemic Banded green sunbird, Usambara hyliota, Usambara bluebill, Tanzanian illadopsis , Usambara eagle owl, and the Long-billed forest warbler. We will also look for the near–endemic Uluguru violet-backed and Amani sunbirds and other interesting birds, including the Mombasa woodpecker, Fischer’s turaco, Plain-backed sunbird, Cabanis’s bunting, Krestchmer’s longbill, and many many more. We overnight at the Amani Rest House
Overnight
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Day 14: Birding then drive to Morogoro
We begin birding early in the morning then transfer to Morogoro for an overnight at the hotel
Overnight
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Day 15:Uluguru mountains (Bondwa peak)
We will bird for the endemic Uluguru greenbul, Loveridge’s sunbird, Winifred’s warbler, the endemic Uluguru race of Bar-throated apalis, and other good birds such as the White-winged and Chapin’s apalis, Bertram’s weaver, and many more. We overnight at the hotel.
Overnight
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Day 16: Birding and drive to Mikumi
We do more birding, if necessary, then drive to Mikumi Kilosa Road for the endemic Hoffman’s sunbird and other Miombo specialties such as the Miombo double-collared sunbird, Black- eared seedeater, Yellow-bellied hyliota, and plenty more. We overnight at the hotel in Mikumi.
Overnight
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Day 17: Transfer and birding in Udekwa – Tented Forest Camp
We transfer to Udekwa in Kilombero Nature Reserve near Udzungwa National Park and bird around camp late into the evening, overnight in a tented forest camp.
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Day 18+19: Birding around Udekwa
We will bird for the shy endemic The Udzungwa forest partridge and the Rufous-winged sunbird. Other birds include the Usambara weaver and nightjar, Sharpe’s akalat, the Black-lored, wing-snapping and churring cisticolas .
We camp overnight.
Overnight
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Day 20 +21: Udekwa - Kisolonza
In Kisolonza, we will spend the morning birding in Udekwa and then tranfer to Kisolonza and bird in the evening for the endemic Uhehe fiscal and White-lined barbet, and many more species.
We overnight at The Old Farmhouse at Kisolanza.
Overnight
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Day 22: Kisolonza to Mikumi-
We spend the morning birding and then transfer to Mikumi for overnight at the hotel.
Overnight
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Day 23:Kilombero flood plains in Ifakara-
We will drive to Ifakara to look for the three endemics: the Kilombero weaver and the Kilombero and White-tailed Cistcola. We spend the night at the hotel in Mikumi.
Overnight
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Day 24:Uluguru mountains bunduki camp
We take an early morning drive to Bunduki Camp in Uluguru for what we might have missed at Bondwa Peak. We overnight at a hotel in Morogoro.
Overnight
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Day 25:Tegetero & in uluguru mountains
We will go here specifically to see the endemic Uluguru bushshrike but will also look for other endemics such as the Loveridge sunbird, Uluguru greenbul and Winifred’s warbler, which also call this place home. We overnight in Morogoro.
Overnight
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Day 26: Ukaguru Mountains
We make an early morning transfer to the Ukaguru Mountains and start birding in the mid-morning for the endemic Moreau’s sunbird, Rubeho warbler, Rubeho akalat ,and the Yellow-throated mountain greenbul. We overnight at Gairo.
Overnight
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Day 27: Transfer to Dar es Salaam for your flight back home
Transfer to Dar es Salaam for your flight back home.
Overnight
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Optional extension – Days 28–29: Pemba Island
We spent two nights birding in Pemba Island, focusing on its rare endemics: the Pemba White-eye, Pemba Green Pigeon, Pemba Scops Owl, Pemba Sunbird and other beautiful birds. A true paradise for bird lovers!
Day 30: Transfer to the airport for your international flight to your next destination.
Overnight
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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).
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.
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.
Northern parks, South Pare, Mkomazi & Usambara Mountains
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.
