11-Day Tanzania Birding Adventure.
Overview
From crater lakes to endless plains, this carefully crafted birdwatching safari takes you through some of Tanzania’s most stunning and diverse ecosystems. Led by expert birding guides, you’ll journey through forests, wetlands, acacia woodlands, and open savannahs — spotting everything from colorful sunbirds and weavers to majestic raptors and endemic species. Ideal for both seasoned birders and nature lovers, this itinerary blends exceptional birding with comfortable lodges, scenic drives, and the opportunity to extend your journey to the tropical beaches of Zanzibar
Safari Itinerary
Upon landing at the airport, you'll be whisked away to your hotel, marking the start of your Tanzanian adventure. Here, you will meet your guide who will provide a comprehensive briefing on the incredible journey ahead. Afterward, take the time to rest or explore the vibrant city of Arusha, known as the gateway to Tanzania's world-renowned national parks. The hotel staff will be more than happy to recommend exciting activities and hidden gems around the area, ensuring you have a memorable first day in this beautiful country.
Meals: Not Included
Comfort Accommodation: Masailand Safari Lodge
Premium Accommodation: Ngaresero Lodge
Kick off your birding adventure with a visit to Lake Duluti, a serene crater lake encircled by lush forests that provide a perfect backdrop for an introduction to Tanzania's diverse avian life. As you follow the tranquil lakeside trail, keep an eye out for prominent species such as the majestic African Fish Eagle, the vibrant Giant Kingfisher, and various cormorants, weavers, and sunbirds. Enhance your experience with an optional canoeing excursion, allowing you to glide peacefully on the lake and observe birds from a unique vantage point. Midday, enjoy a delightful barbecue by the lakeshore, offering a chance to relax and savor local flavors amidst the natural beauty of your surroundings.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Comfort Accommodation: Masailand Safari Lodge
Premium Accommodation: Ngaresero Lodge
Dedicate your day to exploring Arusha National Park, a gem nestled at the base of Mount Meru. Traverse the lush landscapes from dense forest canopies to the open alpine environments near Momella Lakes. Be on the lookout for a variety of bird species, including the vibrant Hartlaub’s Turaco, elusive Bar-tailed Trogon, majestic African Crowned Eagle, and graceful flocks of flamingos. As you wander the forest trails, you might also encounter forest antelope and the acrobatic colobus monkeys. Enhance your connection with the park's natural beauty through a guided walking safari, providing a unique opportunity to engage in birding and wildlife tracking on foot. This immersive experience brings you up close with the ecosystem's intricacies and offers intimate encounters with its inhabitants.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Comfort Accommodation: Masailand Safari Lodge
Premium Accommodation: Ngaresero Lodge
Drive to Tarangire National Park, renowned for its dense populations of elephants and an impressive array of birdlife. The park’s riverine habitats and baobab forests attract Yellow-collared Lovebirds, Ashy Starlings, Red-bellied Parrots, and numerous raptors. Spend two full days exploring this bird-rich area, with chances to photograph birds against scenic backdrops of baobabs and acacia trees.
Meals: Full Board
Comfort Accommodation: Lake Barunge Tented Camp
Premium Accommodation: Maramboi Tented Lodge
Continue your journey to Lake Manyara, a compact park packed with biodiversity. The alkaline lake draws huge flocks of flamingos, pelicans, and storks, while the groundwater forest is home to hornbills, trogons, and African green pigeons. This is also one of the best spots for spotting the Silvery-cheeked Hornbill and the spectacular Verreaux’s Eagle.
Meals: Full Board
Comfort Accommodation: Karatu Simba Lodge
Premium Accommodation: Kitela Lodge
From Karatu, journey into the world-famous Serengeti National Park. Spend three unforgettable days exploring different regions of the park — from the Seronera River Valley to the open grasslands and kopjes. Birding highlights include Secretary Birds, Kori Bustards, Grey-breasted Spurfowls, Usambiro Barbets, and countless raptors. With over 500 bird species and incredible wildlife sightings, each day offers endless opportunities.
Meals: Full Board
Comfort Accommodation: Serenity Camps and Lodges
Premium Accommodation: Serengeti Luxury Retreat
Wake up call as early as 06:00 am, you will have a cup of hot coffee or African tea, then you will proceed for an early morning game drive, which will take until 09:30 am, when you will return for the main breakfast, this early morning game drive is very unique as you will be able to see the morning kill of the big five. After the breakfast we will proceed for the final game drive as you check out the Park and be transferred to Arusha.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Comfort Accommodation: Masailand Safari Lodge
Premium Accommodation: Ngaresero Lodge
This morning, depending on your schedule, you may opt to relax at the lodge or be transferred to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your flight home. Alternatively, extend your East African experience with a beach extension to Zanzibar for some coastal birding and pure relaxation.
Meals: Breakfast
MID-RANGE INCLUDES
- All Meals as per Itinerary
- Airport Transfers
- National Park Fees
- Private 4x4 safari Jeep with pop-up roof
- Professional English-speaking safari guide
- Government taxes and levies
- Soft Drinks & Wines/Beers
MID-RANGE EXCLUDES
- Travel Insurance
- International Flights
- Tipping
- Personal Equipments
- Visa fees
LUXURY INCLUDES
- All Meals as per Itinerary
- VIP airport pick-up and drop-off
- All national park and conservation area fees
- Private 4x4 safari Jeep with pop-up roof
- Professional English-speaking safari guide
- Government taxes and levies
- Soft Drinks & Wines/Beers
- Premium accommodation in high-end lodges or luxury tented camps
LUXURY EXCLUDES
- Travel Insurance
- International Flights
- Tipping
- Personal Equipments
- Visa fees
- Premium wines and spirits (unless specified)
FAQs
Birding in Tanzania is a year-round delight, but the best season is from November to April, when the country welcomes migratory species from Europe and Asia. During this period, many birds are in colorful breeding plumage, and the landscapes are lush and vibrant, offering the perfect backdrop for photography and observation. However, even outside this window, Tanzania’s resident bird population remains active and diverse, especially in forested and wetland areas.
Tanzania is one of Africa’s premier birding destinations, boasting over 1,100 recorded species. Depending on your itinerary length and locations visited, a well-planned birding safari can yield sightings of 300 to 500 species. From colorful bee-eaters and turacos to large eagles and elusive forest birds, the range is impressive—suitable for both checklist birders and photographers alike.
Yes! Our birding safaris are led by seasoned guides with specialized knowledge in ornithology. Whether it’s identifying birds by song, behavior, or plumage, our guides are equipped with field guides, checklists, and scopes to enhance your experience. For those who wish, we can arrange private safaris with ornithologist-level experts for in-depth educational experiences.
Absolutely. We can combine birdwatching with general wildlife viewing for mixed-interest groups, couples, or families. Our guides tailor the experience to balance both interests.
Yes, we do! All our birding safaris include a detailed bird checklist tailored to the specific regions you'll visit during the itinerary. This checklist covers a wide range of species — from common residents and migrants to localized endemics and rarities — and is categorized by habitat and location. Your expert birding guide will also assist you in recording sightings throughout the trip, making it easy to track your lifers and personal highlights. If you have specific target species, let us know in advance so we can do our best to maximize your chances of spotting them.
Absolutely. Whether you’re chasing lifers like the Shoebill, Silvery-cheeked Hornbill, or Uluguru Bushshrike, we can craft a fully personalized birding safari based on your target list. Just let us know your top species, and we’ll create a route that maximizes your chances while balancing comfort, photography, and adventure.
Absolutely. Birding safaris in Tanzania are designed to be inclusive, informative, and relaxed. Whether you're new to birdwatching or an experienced birder, our guides will match the pace to your comfort and curiosity. We offer gentle introductions to bird ID, plenty of time to observe, and detailed explanations to help you build confidence and enjoyment in the field.
Of course! We often design birding safaris that balance wildlife game viewing with birdwatching, so everyone enjoys the experience. For non-birders, there are breathtaking landscapes, cultural visits, and sightings of Africa’s iconic animals like lions, elephants, and giraffes. These blended itineraries make it easy for couples or families to travel together without compromising interests.
For a satisfying birding experience, we recommend a minimum of 7 to 12 days. This allows you to explore multiple habitats—from wetlands and woodlands to mountains and open plains. Serious birders may opt for 14+ days to target endemics and rare species. We can tailor the trip length based on your interests, availability, and birding goals.
A birding safari places greater emphasis on slow travel and attention to detail. Rather than rushing to spot the Big Five, birding safaris involve quiet observation, early morning starts, and time in more diverse microhabitats. However, you’ll still encounter abundant mammals—especially in parks like Serengeti and Tarangire—so it’s the best of both worlds for nature lovers.
Definitely! Tanzania is ideal for bird photography, with plenty of light, open landscapes, and cooperative species. Our guides understand how to position the vehicle and approach birds slowly to avoid disturbance. We also offer special photography safaris with private vehicles and optional photography coaching.
Giving Back Through Every Journey
At Tanzaniatrail, we believe that travel should create lasting memories and make a positive difference. That’s why 1% of every safari package you book goes directly back to local communities in Tanzania. We regularly visit and support orphanages and community centers, and our dream is to establish a dedicated children’s home under Tanzaniatrail’s care. When you travel with us, you’re not only exploring Tanzania’s beauty — you’re also helping provide education, food, and brighter futures for vulnerable children. Your adventure changes lives. Travel with purpose.