27 Days Tanzania Ultimate Birding Expedition Northern Tanzania and Eastern Arc Mountains Targeting Endemic Species Overview: Join us on an unforgettable 27-day
Endemics & Hidden Gems of Northern & Eastern Arc Mountains
This 18-day Tanzania birding safari 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Morning birding reveals Silvery-cheeked hornbills and Bateleurs soaring overhead. Then you return to Arusha, swapping stories of elephants and endemics, over a sundowner.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Transfer to Kilimanjaro Airport, your camera brimming with feathered memories – from Beesley’s Lark to Usambara Hyliota.
| Mererani | Arusha NP | Lark Plains |
|---|---|---|
| Grey-headed Silverbill | Taveta Golden Weaver | Beasley’s Lark (endemic) |
| Tsavo Sunbird | Hartlaub’s Turaco | Fischer’s Sparrow-Lark |
| Golden-breasted Starling | Bar-tailed Trogon | Red-capped Lark |
| Pringle’s Puffback | Broad-ringed White-Eye | Rosy-patched Bushshrike |
| Black-capped Social Weaver | African Moustached Warbler | Grey-capped Social Weaver |
Endemics Galore: Target Beasley’s Lark, South Pare White-eye, Usambara Eagle-Owl, and more.
Diverse Habitats: Explore savannahs, montane forests, wetlands, and the Somali biome.
Small-Group Expertise: Max 4 guests with guides trained by the Tanzania Bird Atlas Project.
Conservation Impact: 5% of profits fund habitat protection in Lark Plains and Usambara forests.
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At Charles Tours, we are more than just a Tanzanian tour company—we are a team of passionate professionals and experienced guides who know our country Tanzania inside and out. Based in Arusha in northern Tanzania, we specialize in memorable birdwatching safaris, wildlife adventures, Kilimanjaro trekking, and Zanzibar beach vacations, offering you an authentic and immersive experience in one of Africa’s most breathtaking destinations.
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