27 Days Tanzania Ultimate Birding Expedition

Northern Tanzania and Eastern Arc Mountains

Targeting Endemic Species

Overview:

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!

Day To Day Itinerary

Day 1:

This day is set aside as arrival day. Upon your arrival at the airport, you will find our driver with a sign reading Charles Tours and you name on it before  taking a short drive to your hotel in Arusha

Day 2: Birding in Arusha National Park

Bird for the endemic such as Abroad-ringed white eye and the restricted range endemic Taveta weaver and near endemic Abbott’s starlings and other specials. Overnight in Arusha.

Day 3: Lark plain - Babati

Lark plains for the endemic Beasley’s lark and other dry county specials such as the near endemic Southern Grosbeak-Canary, Red-throated Tit and Athi short- toed lark, then later after  lunch drive to Babati near Mbulu mountains for hot dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Day 4: Birding in Mbulu – drive to Serengeti

Mbulu mountains-Early morning up the mountains for the endemic Mbulu ground robin and the near endemic Mbulu white eye.  Later in the mid-morning transfer to Serengeti via Ngorongoro, arriving late in the evening. Overnight tented safari lodge in central Serengeti.

Day 5: Birding in Serengeti

Full day in the Serengeti for the endemic such as Grey-breasted Spurfowl,
and Rufous-tailed Weaver, the near endemic Grey-crested Helmet-shrike
and Usambiro barbet.  We will also look for the highly sought out bird ,the Karamoja apalis which is endemic to East africa.
Overnight in Central Serengeti.

Day 6:Birding in Ngorongoro highland to Tarangire

We will leave the grassy plains of the mighty Serenge Np very early in the morning with picnic lunches on hand, making a stop at the ngorongoro highlands for the East African endemic Hunter’s and Singing cisticola, Jackson’s widowbird,
Eastern double collared sunbird and Schalow’s turaco and later onto Tarangire Np, Overnight at the lodge in Tarangire.  

Day 7: Morning birding in Tarangire – Arusha

Half day in Tarangire for the endemic Ashy starling, Yellow-collared Lovebird
and Emin’s barbet, the near endemic Northern pied babbler and East African endemic Hildebrandt’s starlings are fairly common here . After lunch, we will drive straight to Arusha for a well-prepared dinner and overnight at the lodge

Day 8: Birding at Nyumba ya Mungu – South Pare Mountains.

Drive to south pare mountains via Nyumba ya Mungu dam for Maasai arid zones specials such as Black-throated Barbet, Golden brested and Fischers starlings, Black bellied and Tsavo Sunbirds, Pink -breasted lark and Somali Golden-breasted Bunting.
We will have our picnic lunches and later on drive ito our hotel in Same town for check.  Early evening drive up the south pare mountains for the endemic south pare white eye and the distictive race parensis of Bar-throated Apalis and East coast boubou can also be seen up there. Overnight in Same town

Day 9: Mkomazi - Magamba

Morning birding near Mkomazi Np and transfer to Magamba forest in West Usambara mountains for great birding tour in the evening
Overnight at the lodge.

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.

Day 11: Morning birding in Magamba – East Usambara.

Morning birding in Magamba and transfer to Amani nature reserve in East Usambara mountains and bird the botanical garden late in the evening. Overnight at Amani rest House.

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 Long billed forest warbler. We will also look for the  near endemic Uluguru violet backed and Amani sunbirds and other good birds including Mombasa woodpecker, Fischer’s turaco, Plain backed sunbirds, Cabanis’s bunting, Krestchmer’s longbill and many many more-Overnight at Amani rest House

Day 14: Birding then drive to Morogoro

Early morning birding and transfer to morogoro for overnight at the hotel

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 White-winged and Chapins apalises, Bertram’s weaver and many more. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 16: Birding and drive to Mikumi

Birding if necessary then drive to Mikumi Kilosa road for the endemic Hoffman’s sunbird and other miombo specialities such as Miombo double-colared sunbird, black- eared seedeater, Yellow bellied hyliota and plenty more. Night at the hotel in Mikumi

Day 17: Transfer and birding in Udekwa- Camping Adventure

Transfer to Udekwa in Kilombero Nature Reserve near Udzungwa Np and bird around camp late in the evening. Camping overnight.

Day 18+19: Birding around Udekwa

We will bird fo the shy endemic udzungwa forest Patriadge and Rufous winged sunbird. Other birds include Usambara weaver and Nightjar, Sharpe’s akalat, Black lored, wing-snapping and churring cisticolas –
Overnights- Camping

Day 20 +21: Udekwa - Kisolonza

Kisolonza-Morning birding in udekwa and tranfer to kisolonza and bird in the evening for the endemic Uhehe fiscal and white lined Barbet and many more.  
Overnight at Old farm nouse

Day 22: Kisolonza to Mikumi-

Morning birding and then transfer to Mikumi for overnight at the hotel

Day 23:Kilombero flood plains in Ifakara-

We will drive to ifakara for the 3 endemics i.e kilombero weaver,kilombero and white tailed cistcola -Night at the hotel in Mikumi

Day 24:Uluguru mountains bunduki camp

Early morning drive to bunduki camp in the uluguru for what we might have missed in bondwa peak-Night in hotel at Morogoro.

Day 25:Tegetero & in uluguru mountains

We will go here specifically for the endemic Uluguru bushshrike, but also other endemics such as Loveridge sunbird, Uluguru greenbul and Winifred’s warbler are also call this place home. Night in Morogoro

Day 26: Ukaguru Mountains

Early morning transfer to Ukaguru mountains and start birding in the mid-morning for the endemic Moreau’s sunbird, Rubeho warbler, Rubeho akalat and yellow-throated mountain greenbul. Overnight at Gairo.

Day 27:

Transfer to Dar es Salaam for your flight back home.

OR Extension option

Day 28 +29:

2 nights in pemba for the endemic pemba white eye, pemba green pigeon,pemba scops owl and pemba Sunbird


Day 30: Transfer to airport for your International flight to the next destination.

Some Of Target Species

Arusha NPLark PlainsTarangireNgorongoro
Taveta Golden WeaverBeasley’s Lark (endemic)Yellow-collared LovebirdGolden-winged Sunbird
Hartlaub’s TuracoFischer’s Sparrow-LarkRufous-tailed WeaverSecretary Bird
Bar-tailed TrogonRosy-patched BushshrikeAshy StarlingKori Bustard
Broad-ringed White-EyeRed-capped LarkSilvery-cheeked HornbillTacazze Sunbird

Safari Included

Safari Excluded

What Makes This Safari Uniquely “You”

  • 450+ Species Possible: Target endemics like the Yellow-collared Lovebird and rarities like Beasley’s Lark.

  • Dual Focus: Birds and Big Five – lions, elephants, and leopards share the spotlight.

  • Exclusive Access: Private birding walks in Ngorongoro’s highlands (Endoro Trail).

  • Conservation-Driven: 5% of profits fund Lark Plains habitat conservation.

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