12-Day Ultimate Birding Safari Tanzania
12 Days / 11 Nights

12-Day Ultimate Birding Safari Tanzania

Over 500 Species - From Forests to Savannahs

12 Days2-6 PeopleEASY

Safari Overview

Tanzania is home to over 1,100 bird species! This comprehensive birding safari covers diverse habitats from montane forests to alkaline lakes, savannahs to coastal areas, targeting endemic species and rare migrants.

Safari Highlights

Over 500 species possible
Endemic and near-endemic species
Expert ornithologist guide
Diverse habitats coverage
Lake Manyara flamingos (thousands)
Serengeti raptors and vultures
Ngorongoro forest specials
Tarangire endemic Yellow-collared Lovebird
Detailed bird checklist provided

Day-by-Day Itinerary

1

Day 1: Arrival Arusha - Garden Birding

Arrive and transfer to lodge. Afternoon birding in hotel gardens. Target: Speckled Mousebird, Yellow-rumped Seedeater, Common Bulbul, various sunbirds.

Airport transferGarden birdingSpecies checklistBriefing
Meals: DLodge
2

Day 2: Arusha National Park - Forest Birds

Full day birding in varied habitats. Montane forest, savannah, and crater lakes. Target: Hartlaub's Turaco, Silvery-cheeked Hornbill, Narina Trogon, Bar-tailed Trogon.

Forest birding walkCrater lake birdingSavannah speciesColobus monkeys
Meals: B L DLodge
3

Day 3: Tarangire - Dry Country Specialists

Tarangire offers unique dry country species. Target: Yellow-collared Lovebird (endemic to Tanzania), Donaldson-Smith's Nightjar, Rufous-tailed Weaver, Pink-breasted Lark.

Dry acacia woodlandBaobab speciesTarangire River birdsRaptors
Meals: B L DLodge
4

Day 4: Lake Manyara - Waterbirds Spectacular

Thousands of flamingos! Also pelicans, storks, herons. Forest edge for hornbills. Target: Lesser Flamingo, Great White Pelican, Yellow-billed Stork, African Spoonbill.

Shoreline birdingFlamingo flocksForest edge speciesRaptor watch
Meals: B L DLodge
5

Day 5: Lake Manyara to Ngorongoro

Morning continuation at Manyara. Afternoon drive to Ngorongoro with birding stops. Highland forest species. Target: Mountain Greenbul, Bar-throated Apalis, Bronzy Sunbird.

Morning waterbirdsHighland forestCrater rim arrivalEvening birding
Meals: B L DLodge
6

Day 6: Ngorongoro Crater - Diverse Habitats

Full day in crater with incredible bird diversity. Grassland species, waterbirds, raptors. Target: Crowned Crane, Kori Bustard, Secretary Bird, Augur Buzzard.

Crater floor birdingSoda lake birdsGrassland speciesRaptor identification
Meals: B L DLodge
7

Day 7: Ngorongoro to Serengeti

Scenic drive to Serengeti with numerous birding stops. Olduvai area for larks and wheatears. Enter Serengeti plains with open country specialists.

Olduvai areaLark speciesOpen plains birdsSerengeti arrival
Meals: B L DLodge
8

Day 8: Central Serengeti - Raptors & Vultures

Excellent raptor diversity. Target: Martial Eagle, Tawny Eagle, Bateleur, six vulture species, Secretary Bird. Seronera River for kingfishers.

Raptor watchingVulture identificationRiver birdingGrassland species
Meals: B L DLodge
9

Day 9: Serengeti - Kopjes & Plains

Kopjes harbor special species. Rocky outcrops for Rock Hyrax and associated species. Target: Schalow's Wheatear, Red-throated Tit, Mocking Cliff Chat.

Kopje birdingRocky outcrop speciesPlains game birdingOstrich watching
Meals: B L DLodge
10

Day 10: Western Serengeti - Woodland Birds

Explore western corridor woodlands. Target: Grey-crested Helmet-shrike, Rufous-tailed Weaver, African Grey Hornbill, Woodland Kingfisher.

Woodland birdingGrumeti RiverAcacia speciesHornbill search
Meals: B L DCamp
11

Day 11: Final Serengeti Morning

Morning birding to catch any missed species. Focus on target birds and photography. Mid-morning start journey towards Arusha.

Final morning birdingTarget species searchPhoto opportunitiesScenic drive
Meals: B L DLodge
12

Day 12: Departure - Final List

Morning garden birding for any species missed. Final checklist review. Calculate total species count. Airport transfer.

Garden birdingChecklist reviewSpecies countAirport transfer
Meals: B L

What's Included

  • All airport transfers
  • All park fees
  • Expert ornithologist guide
  • Safari vehicle with open roof
  • Spotting scope provided
  • Bird checklist and field guide
  • Accommodation
  • All meals
  • Bottled water
  • Early morning birding walks

What's Excluded

  • International flights
  • Visa fees
  • Travel insurance
  • Binoculars (bring your own)
  • Camera equipment
  • Tips and gratuities
  • Personal expenses
  • Field guide books (available for purchase)

Book This Safari

or call us directly +255 689 522 205

Quick Facts

Duration12 Days
Group Size2-6
DifficultyEASY
Safari TypeBirding
AccommodationMid range

Best Months

NovemberDecemberJanuaryFebruaryMarchApril

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