18 Days Tanzania Birding Eastern Arc Mountains
TANZANIA BIRDING TOUR: ARRIVAL AT ARUSHA AIRPORT, MEET YOUR BIRD GUIDE AND TRANSFER TO A GOOD HOTEL
ANZANIA BIRDING TOUR: ARRIVAL AT ARUSHA AIRPORT, MEET YOUR BIRD GUIDE AND TRANSFER TO A GOOD HOTEL
Safari Activities
- Arrive at Arusha Airport.
- Meet and greet with your birding guide.
- Transfer from the airport to your hotel.
- Check in and settle into the hotel.
- Brief orientation about the birding tour and upcoming activities.
- Relax and overnight at the hotel in Arusha.
TANZANIA BIRDING TOUR: TRAVEL TO SOUTH PARE MOUNTAINS WITH BIRDS STOP AT NYUMBA YA MUNGU
Early this morning after breakfast, we will drive to South Pare Mountains, first stop will be in Nyumba Ya Mungu Plains, its brush country and its where we try Pink-breasted Lark, Scaly Chatterer, Pringle´s Puffback, White-headed Mousebird, Zanzibar Sombre Greenbul, Pygmy Batis, African Bare-eyed Thrush, Red-fronted Warbler, Tsavo Purple-banded Sunbird, Black-necked Weaver, Southern Grosbeak Canary and Somali Bunting.
After our successful stop here, we will head up the South Pare Mountains later today and look for the endemic South Pare White-eye, along with Hartlaub's Turaco, Black-fronted Bushshrike, Singing Cisticola, Black-headed & Bar-throated Apalis, African Hill Babbler, Evergreen forest Warbler, Placid Greenbul, Usambara Double-Collared Sunbird, Green-winged Pytilia, and Tsavo Sunbird amongst others.
Safari Activities
- Breakfast
- Drive to South Pare Mountains
- Bird watching at Nyumba Ya Mungu Plains
- Explore the brush-country habitat
- Drive up into the South Pare Mountains
- Mountain and forest bird watching
- Search for endemic and specialty bird species
- Explore the South Pare mountain/forest habitats
Meals
Breakfast · Lunch · Dinner
TANZANIA BIRDS: BIRDING MKOMANZI AREA LATER TRANSFER AND BIRD WEST USAMBARA MOUNTAINS
First thing this morning we will head to a small woodland just outside Mkomazi National Park, where we will search for species such as Black-throated & D`Arnaud´s Barbets, Eastern Black-headed Batis, Grey Wren-Warbler, Tsavo, Black-bellied & Hunter´s Sunbirds, Fischer´s Starling, Straw-tailed Whydah and more. Once we've finished here we will head to the West Usambara Mountains where we should arrive in time for a late afternoon birding session and possibilities include Blue-capped Cordon-bleu, Cliff Chat, Grey-Olive Greenbul and East Coast Boubou amongst others.
Safari Activities
- Morning birdwatching in the woodland near Mkomazi National Park
- Search for and identify bird species
- Travel to the West Usambara Mountains
- Late-afternoon birdwatching in the mountains
- Arrival and settling in at the destination
Meals
Breakfast · Lunch · Dinner
BIRDING TANZANIA: WEST USAMBARA MOUNTAINS - MAGAMBA FOREST
What an exciting day we have in store with a full day birding Tanzania in the West Usambara Mountains at Magamba Forest. Major targets for us include Usambara Double-Collared Sunbird, Usambara Akalat, Usambara Weaver, Montane Tiny Greenbul, Usambara Thrush, Red-capped Forest Warbler, Füllebon’s Black Boubou, , Spot-throat, Montane Tiny & Eastern Mountain Greenbul, Usambara Weaver and at dusk we will try for Usambara Nightjar.
There's plenty of other birds of Tanzania, like; Crowned Eagle, Mountain Buzzard, Ayres's Hawk-Eagle, Olive & Eastern Bronze-naped Pigeons, Lemon Dove, Barred Long-tailed Cuckoo, Hartlaub's Turaco, Bar-tailed Trogon, Green Barbet, Forest Batis, Grey Cuckooshrike, Black-fronted Bushshrike, White-chested Alethe.
Safari Activities
- Full-day birding in Magamba Forest in Tanzania’s West Usambara Mountains.
- Search for Usambara endemic and montane bird species, including Usambara Double-collared Sunbird, Usambara Akalat, Usambara Weaver, Usambara Thrush, Red-capped Forest Warbler, and Fülleborn’s Black Boubou.
- Look for other forest birds such as Hartlaub’s Turaco, Bar-tailed Trogon, Forest Batis, Green Barbet, White-chested Alethe, and Grey Cuckooshrike.
- Watch for raptors and pigeons, including Crowned Eagle, Mountain Buzzard, Ayres’s Hawk-Eagle, Olive Pigeon, and Eastern Bronze-naped Pigeon.
- Dusk birding/nightbird search for the elusive Usambara Nightjar.
- Enjoy the montane forest scenery and diverse birdlife of the West Usambara Mountains.
Meals
Breakfast · Lunch · Dinner
BIRDS OF TANZANIA TOUR: MAGAMBA FOREST, EAST USAMBARAS AND AMANI
We will have another morning Tanzania birding on our incredible 18 Days Tanzania Birding Eastern Arc Mountains adventure in the fabulous West Usambaras at Magamba Forest to mop up some of the trickier species we still need - like Eastern Golden Weaver in the lower areas. Then we will drive to Amani Nature Reserve in the East Usambara Mountains, swinging by an area to try for Coastal Cisticola and Zanzibar Red Bishop. After a bit of a climb our second main stop of the journey will put us in a good area for species such as Fischer’s Turaco, Mombasa Woodpecker, Green-headed Oriole, Pale Batis, Eastern Nicator, Green Tinkerbird, Fischer’s Greenbul, Black-headed Apalis, Lowland Tiny Greenbul,
Once we get at our camp site the birding could be fast and there promises to be many new species for us. Over these next couple of days we will search for Banded Green Sunbird, Amani Sunbird, Red-tailed Ant-Thrush, Shelley´s Greenbul, Green-headed Oriole, Usambara Eagle-Owl, Southern-banded Snake Eagle, Fischer´s Turaco, Green-backed Woodpecker, Usambara Hyliota, Tanzania Illadopsis, Southern Yellow White-eye, Moustached Tinkerbird, and Black-bellied Starling. We will also visit Kwamkoro Tea Plantations for 3 special birds: Kretschmer´s Longbill, Long-billed Forest Warbler, and Sharpe´s Akalat.
Safari Activities
- Morning birding at Magamba Forest in the West Usambara Mountains, targeting remaining species such as the Eastern Golden Weaver.
- Drive to Amani Nature Reserve in the East Usambara Mountains.
- Birding en route, with stops to look for Coastal Cisticola and Zanzibar Red Bishop.
- Afternoon birding around Amani, targeting species including Fischer’s Turaco, Mombasa Woodpecker, Green-headed Oriole, Pale Batis, Eastern Nicator, Green Tinkerbird, Fischer’s Greenbul, and Black-headed Apalis.
- Arrival and birding around the campsite, with opportunities for several East Usambara specialties such as Amani Sunbird, Banded Green Sunbird, Red-tailed Ant-Thrush, Shelley’s Greenbul, Usambara Eagle-Owl, Fischer’s Turaco, Usambara Hyliota, Tanzania Illadopsis, and Black-bellied Starling.
- Visit to Kwamkoro Tea Plantations to search for Kretschmer’s Longbill, Long-billed Forest Warbler, and Sharpe’s Akalat.
Accommodation
Amani Nature Reserve
Meals
Breakfast · Lunch · Dinner
ARC MOUNTAINS BIRDNG TOUR: ULUGURU MOUNTAINS BIRDING TOUR
The first target of the day is the patchily distributed Böhms Bee-eater, before setting out on the long drive to Morogoro, (stopping for Brown-breasted Barbet around the town), the gateway to the spectacular Uluguru Mountains Birding (2600m), and our base near the village of Tegetero, but the last part of the drive is on a very bad road so progress will be slow. Once we have arrived we will meet our porters, site and start walking to the campsite, which is around a one and a half hour undulating walk but not too difficult. Once we are settled in to our campsite then the birding begin!
Our main target will be the mega-rare Uluguru Bushshrike, a species only found in the Uluguru Mountains. But it's a tough species and will take a lot of searching. Other special species in these mountains include Livingstone's Turaco, the endemic Loveridge’s Sunbird, Bertram’s Weaver, Sharpe’s Akalat, Fraser's Eagle-Owl, Dark Batis, Uluguru & Shelley’s Greenbul, Orange Ground-Thrush, Spot-throat, White-winged & Chapin’s Apalis, Striped Pipit and more.
This area and over the next few days could give us some 'so-called' padders to bump up our list such as African Hawk-Eagle, Mottled & African Black Swifts, Cape Robin-Chat, White-eyed Slaty-Flycatcher, Angola Swallow, Trilling Cisticola, Mountain Wagtail, Mountain Thrush and Yellow Bishop to name just a few. 2 nights at campsite.
Safari Activities
- Early morning birding targeting the Böhms Bee-eater.
- Long drive to Morogoro, with a birding stop around town for Brown-breasted Barbet.
- Continue to Tegetero, the gateway to the Uluguru Mountains.
- Meet the porters and begin the approximately 1.5-hour walk to the campsite.
- Settle into the mountain campsite.
- Begin afternoon/evening birding around the campsite and Uluguru Mountains.
- Main target: Uluguru Bushshrike, an endemic and highly sought-after species.
- Search for other Uluguru Mountain specialties and endemic birds, including Livingstone’s Turaco, Loveridge’s Sunbird, Sharpe’s Akalat, Dark Batis, Uluguru Greenbul, Orange Ground-Thrush and Spot-throat.
- Overnight at the campsite — first of 2 nights.
Meals
Breakfast · Lunch · Dinner
TANZANIA ENDEMIC BIRDS EASTERN ARC AT TEGTERO, LATER ADD BUNDUKI (ULUGURU MOUNTAINS BIRDING)
There's still going to be new birds to find before we pack up the camp and start walking back to where we left our vehicles. Then we will drive to the village of Bunduki on the other side of the mountain and camp again for a night.
Safari Activities
- Morning birding and exploration
- Pack up camp and hike back to the vehicles
- Drive to Bunduki Village
- Set up camp and overnight in Bunduki
Meals
Breakfast · Lunch · Dinner
Eastern Arc Endemic Bird Species: BUNDUKI - ULUGURU MOUNTAINS BIRDING TOUR.
We have an exciting morning's birding in the Bunduki area of Uluguru Nature Reserve. It's a reasonably tough hike to get to the best patch of forest, which gives us options to look for Winifred’s Warbler, Olive-flanked Gound-Robin, Uluguru Greenbul, Chapin’s Apalis, Dark Batis, Loveridge’s Sunbird, Livingstone's Turaco and Bertram's Weaver amongst others.
Safari Activities
- Morning birding in Bunduki, Uluguru Nature Reserve
- Hike through the forest to key birding areas
- Search for Uluguru and other forest bird species
- Bird photography and nature exploration
Accommodation
Tanswis Lodge, Mikumi
Meals
Breakfast · Lunch · Dinner
Eastern Arc Endemic Bird Species: BUNDUKI - ULUGURU MOUNTAINS BIRDING TOUR.
We have an exciting morning's birding in the Bunduki area of Uluguru Nature Reserve. It's a reasonably tough hike to get to the best patch of forest, which gives us options to look for Winifred’s Warbler, Olive-flanked Gound-Robin, Uluguru Greenbul, Chapin’s Apalis, Dark Batis, Loveridge’s Sunbird, Livingstone's Turaco and Bertram's Weaver amongst others.
Safari Activities
- Morning birding in Bunduki, Uluguru Nature Reserve
- Hike through the forest to key birding areas
- Search for Uluguru and other forest bird species
- Bird photography and nature exploration
Accommodation
Tanswis Lodge, Mikumi
Meals
Breakfast · Lunch · Dinner
Birdwatching Tour Tanzania Eastern Arc: BIRDING MIOMBO WOODLANDS Tanzania
We have a full morning's birding before driving to the very nice Hondo Hondo Camp for the evening try for the Pel’s Fishing-Owl. Targets today include some great birds such as Speckle-throated Woodpecker, Collared Palm Thrush, Hofmann’s Sunbird, Pale Batis, Cinnamon-breasted Tit, Stierling’s Wren Warbler, Eastern Black-headed Batis, Yellow-bellied Hyliota, Livingstone’s Flycatcher, Long-tailed Fiscal, Miombo Starling and Magpie Mannikin.
Safari Activities
- Full morning birding in the area, targeting a variety of woodland and forest bird species.
- Search for key bird species, including Speckle-throated Woodpecker, Collared Palm Thrush, Hofmann’s Sunbird, Pale Batis, Cinnamon-breasted Tit, and Stierling’s Wren Warbler.
- Continue birding for additional targets such as Eastern Black-headed Batis, Yellow-bellied Hyliota, Livingstone’s Flycatcher, Long-tailed Fiscal, Miombo Starling, and Magpie Mannikin.
- Drive to Hondo Hondo Camp for the evening.
- Evening birding session at/around the camp, with a special attempt to spot the Pel’s Fishing-Owl.
Accommodation
Hondo Hondo Camp
Meals
Breakfast · Lunch · Dinner
TANZANIA BIRDING TOUR: BIRDING AT KILOMBERO VALLEY
This morning we will embark on Guided Birding Tanzania Eastern Arc and explore the flood plain of the Kilombero River to look for the recently described Kilombero Weaver. In this unique area there's also the mega rare White-tailed Cisticola and Kilombero Cisticola, both of which have yet to be formerly described. And who knows what else is to be discovered in this remote area.
Udzungwa Forest Tented Camp
Other open country and marsh dwellers present include Great White Pelican, Reed Cormorant, several species of heron & egret, Hamerkop, Spur-winged Goose, Black Crake, White-backed & White-headed Vultures, Brown Snake-Eagle, Bateleur, White-crowned & African Wattled Lapwings, Three-banded Plover, African Skimmer, Coppery-tailed Coucal, White-fronted & Little Bee-eaters, Lilac-breasted Roller, Grey-rumped Swallow, Arrow-marked Babbler, Marsh Tchagra, Siffling Cisticola, Red-winged Warbler, Zanzibar Red Bishop and Zebra Waxbill amongst others. We will then return to Hondo Hondo for some easy afternoon birding and will also try to find the stunning Pel’s Fishing-Owl and Lesser Seedcracker.
Safari Activities
- Guided birding in the Kilombero River floodplain in search of the Kilombero Weaver.
- Search for rare and potentially undescribed species, including White-tailed Cisticola and Kilombero Cisticola.
- Open-country and marsh birding, targeting pelicans, herons, egrets, lapwings, bee-eaters, cormorants, and other wetland species.
- Return to Hondo Hondo for relaxed afternoon birding.
- Search for the Pel’s Fishing-Owl and Lesser Seedcracker.
- Overnight at Udzungwa Forest Tented Camp.
Accommodation
Udzungwa Forest Tented Camp.
Meals
Breakfast · Lunch · Dinner
TANZANIA BIRDING TOUR: TRAVEL FROM HONDO HONDO TO UKAGURU MOUNTAINS
Today is flexible depending on what species we wish to target. But it's going to be a long drive today to reach our next campsite.
Safari Activities
- Flexible birding based on target species
- Morning birding and wildlife spotting
- Long-distance drive to the next campsite
- En-route birding and scenic stops where opportunities arise
- Arrival and settling into the next campsite
Meals
Breakfast · Lunch · Dinner
TANZANIA BIRDING TOUR: UKAGURU MOUNTAINS.
Two very special birds bring us to the seldom-visited Ukaguru Mountains: Rubeho Akalat and Rubeho Warbler. The akalat is highly localised in the understory of primary and secondary montane forest in a narrow range along the Rubeho and Ukaguru (and possibly Uluguru) mountains escarpment between 1800 and 2200 meters. And the rare warbler is only found in the Ukaguru Mountains. Whilst here we could also find Chapin’s Apalis, Moreau´s Sunbird, Yellow-throated Greenbul, Dark Batis and Red-faced Crimsonwing.
Safari Activities
- Travel into the Ukaguru Mountains for specialised montane forest birding.
- Search for the Rubeho Akalat, a highly localised forest-understory species.
- Search for the Rubeho Warbler, endemic to the Ukaguru Mountains.
- Explore primary and secondary montane forests at elevations of approximately 1,800–2,200 metres.
- Look for other key species including Chapin’s Apalis, Moreau’s Sunbird, Yellow-throated Greenbul, Dark Batis, and Red-faced Crimsonwing.
- Enjoy birding in the seldom-visited Ukaguru Mountains and surrounding escarpment habitats.
Accommodation
Morogoro Hotel
Meals
Breakfast · Lunch · Dinner
TANZANIA BIRDING TOUR: TRAVEL TO BABATI TOWN HOPING FOR NOU FOREST BIRDNG THE NEXT DAY.
Today, we will travel to Babati Town, enjoying birding opportunities and scenic views along the way. Upon arrival, we will check in and settle into our accommodation, allowing time to rest and prepare for the following day’s birding excursion in Nou Forest.
Safari Activities
- Travel to Babati Town.
- Enjoy birding and wildlife viewing along the way where opportunities arise.
- Arrive in Babati Town and check in at the accommodation.
- Rest and prepare for NOU Forest birding the following day.
Accommodation
Asmorein Hotel.
Meals
Breakfast · Lunch · Dinner
Montane Forest Birds Tanzania: WHOLE DAY BIRDNG AT NOU FOREST.
Here, you will set out to look for the Mbulu white-eye, Mbulu robin-chat, bar-throated Apalis, Schalow’s Turaco, orange ground thrush, the beautiful Oriole Finch, Eastern double-collared sunbird, and many more.
Safari Activities
- Birding excursion targeting Albertine Rift and montane bird species.
- Search for Mbulu White-eye and Mbulu Robin-Chat.
- Look for Bar-throated Apalis and Schalow’s Turaco.
- Spot the Orange Ground Thrush and Oriole Finch.
- Search for the Eastern Double-collared Sunbird and other forest bird species.
- Enjoy scenic forest and nature exploration while birding.
Accommodation
Asmorein Hotel
Meals
Breakfast · Lunch · Dinner
Tanzania Birding Safari: TRAVEL BACK TO ARUSHA FOR YOUR RETURN FLIGHT
Travel back to Arusha after completing your Tanzania birding safari, enjoying the scenic landscapes and opportunities for en-route birding along the way. Upon arrival in Arusha, transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your return flight home, marking the end of your birding adventure in Tanzania.
Safari Activities
- Travel back to Arusha after completing the birding safari.
- Enjoy en-route birding and scenic views along the journey.
- Arrive in Arusha and transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport.
- Depart Tanzania for your return flight home.
Included
- Park entrance fees
- All activities (Unless labeled as optional)
- All accommodation (Unless listed as upgrade)
- A professional driver/bird guide
- All transportation with a 4X4 customized safari car with a pop-up.
- All Taxes/VAT
- Roundtrip airport transfer
- Meals
- Drinking water (On all days)
Not Included
- International flights (From/to you home)
- Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour
- Tips
- Personal items (Souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.)