An early departure takes you to Saadani, where coastal beaches meet open savannah. The Wami River is a magnet for birdlife, with species like the Mangrove Kingfisher, Broad-billed Roller, and African Fish Eagle. On the shoreline, waders such as Whimbrel, Sanderling, and the striking Crab Plover probe the sand for food. Saadani is unique in combining marine and terrestrial bird habitats, allowing you to observe both forest-edge species and coastal specialists in one setting. The afternoon birding drive offers additional possibilities, including Collared Pratincoles swooping over open fields, and evening calls from Palm-nut Vultures roosting near riverine forests.

Meals: Full Board

Comfort Accommodation: Kanga Camp

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Today is dedicated to deeper exploration of Saadani’s birding habitats. The thickets may reveal the jewel-like Purple-banded Sunbird and the vividly colored Zanzibar Red Bishop. Woodland edges are good for Böhm’s Bee-eater and Green Tinkerbird, while the Wami River broadens your checklist with African Skimmer, Little Egret, and the towering Goliath Heron. This mix of habitats—coastal scrub, savannah, wetlands, and mangroves—provides extraordinary diversity. Saadani also holds a variety of raptors, with Martial Eagle and Lizard Buzzard occasionally spotted circling above. The birdlife here provides a fascinating introduction to Tanzania’s coastal ornithology.

Meals: Full Board

Comfort Accommodation: Kanga Camp

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Traveling inland, the landscapes shift into open savannah as you arrive in Mikumi National Park. The Mkata floodplain is particularly rich in birdlife, reminiscent of the Serengeti but less crowded. Look for White-headed Vultures soaring, Dickinson’s Kestrel perched on acacia trees, and the colorful Lilac-breasted Roller displaying its aerobatic dives. Wetland pools draw African Openbills, while grasslands host Crowned Lapwing and Kori Bustard. Mikumi’s birding is enhanced by its mammal populations, as large herds of giraffes, zebras, and elephants also gather here, creating a lively ecosystem that attracts both predators and scavengers.

Meals: Full Board

Comfort Accommodation: Mantis Lodge & Camping

Premium Accommodation: Camp Bastian Mikumi

A full day of exploration reveals more of Mikumi’s avian residents. Raptors dominate the skies, from African Harrier-Hawk to Bateleur Eagles. The woodlands hold Shelley’s Sunbird and Mosque Swallow, while the floodplain wetlands produce sightings of Yellow-billed Stork, Glossy Ibis, and Jacanas walking delicately on floating vegetation. Grassland drives may reveal flocks of White-winged Widowbirds in breeding plumage. As dusk falls, nocturnal birding becomes rewarding, with species like the Fiery-necked Nightjar calling from the bush and occasionally flashing in car headlights during night drives.

Meals: Full Board

Comfort Accommodation: Mantis Lodge & Camping

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A short journey brings you to the Udzungwa Mountains, part of the ancient Eastern Arc range. Afternoon hikes to Sanje Waterfalls reveal rare forest birds. The forest is alive with sound, and key targets include the elusive Udzungwa Forest Partridge and Iringa Akalat. Rufous-winged Sunbirds dart among flowering trees, while Livingstone’s Turacos call with their distinctive growls from the canopy. Udzungwa is both scenic and ornithologically rich, offering a chance to spot endemics that cannot be found elsewhere in the world.

Meals: Full Board

Comfort Accommodation: Udzungwa Falls Lodge

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Birders spend a full day traversing Udzungwa’s trails, immersing in its biodiversity. Highlights include the Dapple-throat, a skulking endemic often found in dense undergrowth, and the spectacular African Broadbill displaying with its unique hovering song-flight. Trumpeter Hornbills are common canopy dwellers, while raptors like the Crowned Eagle may soar above. The Uluguru Violet-backed Sunbird, another regional specialty, adds to the checklist. Alongside birds, you may encounter rare primates such as the Sanje Mangabey and Red Colobus, deepening the forest experience.

Meals: Full Board

Comfort Accommodation: Udzungwa Falls Lodge

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Descending into the fertile Kilombero Valley, you enter one of Tanzania’s Important Bird Areas. The plains and swamps support large flocks of endemic and restricted-range species. Chief among these is the Kilombero Weaver, found only here. The Kilombero and White-tailed Cisticolas are also highly localized specialties. Wetlands attract Coppery-tailed Coucal, Squacco Heron, and African Jacana, while overhead White-faced Whistling Ducks fly in formation. This area offers superb opportunities to find rare and endemic species in an accessible lowland setting.

Meals: Full Board

Comfort Accommodation: Udzungwa Falls Lodge

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A second day allows thorough exploration of Kilombero’s diverse habitats. Early mornings in the papyrus swamps may bring the stunning Papyrus Gonolek, whose red breast flashes among reeds. Rufous-bellied Heron and White-backed Night Heron haunt the waterways, while Blue-breasted Bee-eaters add splashes of color. The richness of birdlife here makes it an unforgettable wetland experience, with cultural encounters in local villages offering a glimpse of life in the fertile valley. This area is particularly rewarding for birders seeking endemics and lifers.

Meals: Full Board

Comfort Accommodation: Udzungwa Falls Lodge

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The journey continues west to Ruaha, Tanzania’s largest and one of its most remote parks. Arriving by late afternoon, you’ll explore near the Great Ruaha River, where flocks of White-headed Buffalo-Weavers and Southern Ground Hornbills are often seen. The endemic Ashy Starling and Yellow-collared Lovebird are key targets, alongside Giant Kingfisher and Grey-headed Kingfisher along riverbanks. The landscapes, dotted with baobabs, give Ruaha a unique character, both scenically and ornithologically.

Meals: Full Board

Comfort Accommodation: Asanja Ruaha

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A full day reveals Ruaha’s immense diversity. The birdlife here includes woodland specialists such as Pale-billed Hornbill and Racket-tailed Roller. Open grasslands hold White-bellied Bustard, while riverine areas attract Black Herons using their canopy-feeding technique. The park’s raptor list is impressive, with Martial Eagle, Bateleur, and Tawny Eagle frequently spotted. Mammals add to the spectacle, with lions, kudu, and elephants sharing the landscapes, making Ruaha both a birding and classic safari destination.

Meals: Full Board

Comfort Accommodation: Asanja Ruaha

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Different habitats are explored, from escarpments to baobab valleys. The cliffs may reveal Böhm’s Spinetail, while open perches hold Dickinson’s Kestrels. Violet-crested Turacos brighten riverine trees, and Yellow-billed Oxpeckers are commonly seen on large mammals. As the day closes, night drives may produce Verreaux’s Eagle Owl with its deep hooting call. Each outing in Ruaha provides new opportunities, as the park is vast and habitats change quickly.

Meals: Full Board

Comfort Accommodation: Asanja Ruaha

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Today you transfer to Nyerere, either by scenic drive or bush flight. On arrival, a boat safari along the Rufiji River introduces the park’s rich waterbird life. African Skimmers patrol the river surface, while Malachite Kingfishers flash jewel-like colors along reedbeds. White-fronted Bee-eaters nest in sandy banks, and African Fish Eagles are often seen perched on overhanging branches. This watery introduction contrasts beautifully with the savannah habitats you’ve explored earlier.

Meals: Full Board

Comfort Accommodation: Rufuji River Camp

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Nyerere offers an immense variety of bird habitats. The morning drive may reveal Brown-headed Parrots, Yellow-throated Longclaw, and Crested Lark in miombo woodland. Later, you’ll explore lakes where Spur-winged Goose, Open-billed Storks, and even the elusive Pel’s Fishing Owl may be encountered. Afternoon boat safaris enhance the experience, offering close-up views of water-associated species. The abundance of birdlife here is complemented by frequent sightings of large mammals such as hippos and crocodiles, making for a dynamic and rewarding day.

Meals: Full Board

Comfort Accommodation: Rufuji River Camp

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The final morning provides a last birding opportunity along the Rufiji River or woodlands, perhaps adding Palm Swifts, Little Swifts, or Black Kites to your checklist. Afterward, transfer back to Dar es Salaam, either by flight or overland, where your journey concludes. Depending on your flight time, you may enjoy final glimpses of coastal bird species before departing, closing an epic safari that has traversed Tanzania’s most diverse birding landscapes.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch