14-Day Eastern Arc and Northern Tanzania Birding Safari with Wings Explorers Tours
A 14-day private Tanzania birding itinerary linking Arusha, Tarangire, Ngorongoro, Serengeti, the Usambara Mountains, Amani Nature Reserve and Mkomazi.
About this tour
This partner-supplied 14-day Tanzania birding itinerary is designed for birders who want to combine the endemic-rich Eastern Arc Mountains with the classic northern Tanzania circuit.
The route starts around Arusha and its nearby wetlands, then moves through Arusha National Park, Tarangire, Ngorongoro, Serengeti, the West and East Usambara Mountains, Amani Nature Reserve and Mkomazi National Park.
Aminiel describes the journey as a high-diversity birding route with the potential for 500-700+ species depending on season, weather and field effort. Final route details, Day 10 logistics, price, inclusions, accommodation and group size should be confirmed by Aminiel before any booking is treated as final.
Birds you can spot
Podica senegalensis
target
Heliornis fulica
target
Terpsiphone viridis
target
Terpsiphone mutata
target
Buteo augur
target
Apalis thoracica
target
Apalis chariessa
target
Terathopius ecaudatus
target
Stephanoaetus coronatus
target
Buteogallus coronatus
target
Agapornis fischeri
target
Tauraco fischeri
target
Balearica regulorum
target
Pternistis rufopictus
target
Tauraco hartlaubi
target
Anabathmis hartlaubii
target
Ardeotis kori
target
Phoeniconaias minor
target
Coracias caudatus
target
Polemaetus bellicosus
target
Buteo oreophilus
target
Apaloderma narina
target
Dryoscopus pringlii
target
Tauraco schalowi
target
Sagittarius serpentarius
target
Sheppardia sharpei
target
Circaetus fasciolatus
target
Modulatrix stictigula
target
Nectarinia tacazze
target
Cinnyris usambaricus
target
Cinnyris venustus
target
Tockus deckeni
target
Acryllium vulturinum
target
Crinifer leucogaster
target
Dinemellia dinemelli
target
Itinerary ▼
Arrive in Arusha and begin with relaxed birding around the lodge. If arrival time allows, visit nearby wetlands for species such as Taveta Golden Weaver, Silvery-cheeked Hornbill, Variable Sunbird and African Paradise Flycatcher.
Bird Arusha National Park's montane forest, Momella Lakes and grasslands. Partner-listed targets include Hartlaub's Turaco, Narina Trogon, Cinnamon-chested Bee-eater, Crowned Eagle, possible African Finfoot and flamingos on Momella Lakes.
Explore Tarangire for dry-country birds and raptors. Highlights from the partner's itinerary include Yellow-collared Lovebird, Ashy Starling, Northern Pied Babbler, Kori Bustard, Secretarybird, Bateleur and White-bellied Go-away-bird.
Spend the day birding forest and crater-rim habitats in the Ngorongoro Highlands. Target species noted by Aminiel include Schalow's Turaco, Mountain Buzzard, Brown Woodland Warbler, Tacazze Sunbird and Golden-winged Sunbird.
Descend into Ngorongoro Crater for crater-floor birding and wildlife. Partner-listed highlights include Grey Crowned Crane, Kori Bustard, Rufous-tailed Weaver, Augur Buzzard and seasonal Lesser Flamingo.
Begin the Serengeti section, described by Aminiel as one of the greatest savanna birding destinations. Search for Secretarybird, Martial Eagle, Kori Bustard, Fischer's Lovebird, Grey-breasted Spurfowl, Rufous-tailed Weaver, White-headed Buffalo Weaver and Lilac-breasted Roller.
Continue through Serengeti habitats with time for raptors, plains species, weavers, rollers and dry-country specialities. Final route, camp location and daily distance should be confirmed by Aminiel for the travel season.
Drive toward Lushoto in the West Usambara Mountains, with afternoon birding if time allows. Target species noted in the partner itinerary include Usambara Weaver, Usambara Double-collared Sunbird, Bar-throated Apalis and Spot-throat.
Full-day montane forest birding in the West Usambaras. Specials listed by Aminiel include Usambara Akalat, Sharpe's Akalat, White-chested Alethe, African Broadbill and Southern Banded Snake Eagle.
The partner's email skips a numbered Day 10, so this review draft uses the day as a transition toward the East Usambara / Amani area with en-route birding. Aminiel should confirm the exact drive plan, forest stop and accommodation for this day.
Bird Amani Nature Reserve, one of East Africa's premier forest birding areas. Top targets in the partner itinerary include Amani Sunbird, Long-billed Forest Warbler, Usambara Weaver, Banded Green Sunbird, East Coast Akalat, Fischer's Turaco, Green Barbet and Kretschmer's Longbill.
Continue the Amani forest section, allowing more time for Eastern Arc targets, mixed forest flocks, sunbirds, akalats, turacos and forest edge species. Exact trails and target priorities should be set around season and recent sightings.
Visit Mkomazi National Park for dry-country specialists. Target birds listed by Aminiel include Friedmann's Lark, Vulturine Guineafowl, Somali Ostrich, Von der Decken's Hornbill, Black-faced Sandgrouse and Pringle's Puffback.
Return toward Kilimanjaro International Airport, with morning birding en route before departure if flight timing allows.
Locations & map
- Arusha - Arusha Region Tanzania (Arrival city, lodge birding and nearby wetlands.)
- Arusha National Park - Arusha Region Tanzania (Montane forest, Momella Lakes, grassland and Mt. Meru habitats.)
- Tarangire National Park - Manyara Region Tanzania (Dry-country birding, raptors, baobab woodland and savanna.)
- Ngorongoro Highlands and Crater - Arusha Region Tanzania (Highland forest, crater rim, crater grassland and soda-lake birding.)
- Serengeti National Park - Mara / Arusha Tanzania (Savanna birding, plains, raptors and classic northern Tanzania wildlife.)
- Lushoto and West Usambara Mountains - Tanga Region Tanzania (Eastern Arc montane forest and endemic-rich mountain birding.)
- Amani Nature Reserve - Tanga Region Tanzania (East Usambara forest birding and Eastern Arc specialities.)
- Mkomazi National Park - Kilimanjaro / Tanga Tanzania (Dry-country birding, semi-arid savanna and northern Tanzanian specialities.)
Availability & pricing
Availability: Available on request · Season: Custom private birding safari; November-April for resident birds, Palearctic migrants and breeding plumage, or June-Octo
Price: Price on request
Included
- Private guiding and route planning to confirm - Final guide, vehicle, park fees, accommodation and meal inclusions should be confirmed by Aminiel.
- Birding support across northern Tanzania and Eastern Arc forest sites - Exact field time, trails and daily route to confirm.
Not included
- International flights, visas and travel insurance
- Accommodation, meals, park fees, domestic transfers and optional activities unless included in final quote - Confirm final inclusions before booking.
- Personal expenses, tips and items not listed in the confirmed quotation
Transport & stays
- Private safari vehicle / custom ground transport Vehicle type, road-transfer days and luggage limits to confirm with Aminiel for the selected itinerary. | Meet: Arusha or Kilimanjaro International Airport | Pickup: Airport, Arusha lodge or agreed northern Tanzania meeting point to confirm.
Accommodations
- Lodges, camps and forest-area accommodation to confirm (days 1-14) To confirm Accommodation level and rooming basis to confirm with Aminiel.
Policies & FAQ
Is the itinerary final?
This is a partner-supplied review draft. Aminiel should confirm the final Day 10 plan, route order, accommodation, transport and daily logistics before booking.
Are prices available?
The source email did not include a price. BirdWatch will ask Aminiel to confirm the current quote, currency, inclusions, group size and payment terms after enquiry.
How do enquiries work?
Use the BirdWatch enquiry form. BirdWatch will forward your request to Wings Explorers Tours / Aminiel Ndamu so the current itinerary, price and availability can be confirmed.