16 Days Tanzania Birding: Eastern Arc and Northern Parks

Meet the guide at Kilimanjaro airport and transfer to Arusha, checking into Njiro Climax Hotel. Birding on the nearby Meru slopes introduces montane habitat, with possibilities such as Oriole Finch, Scarce Swift and Hartlaub’s Turaco. Dinner is included.

Travel with picnic lunches, stopping for birds on the way and in the acacia scrub near Kisangara. Sunbirds and Pringle’s Puffback are among the dry-country targets. After checking into Johnsons Villa in Same, visit South Pare for the localized South Pare White-eye and mountain forest birds. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included.

Bird near the Mkomazi area in the morning, looking for starlings, sunbirds and Tiny Cisticola. Return for breakfast before continuing to the West Usambaras, with stops for birds along the way. Stay at Muller’s Mountain Lodge, with all three meals included.

Search Magamba’s montane forest for Usambara Weaver, Usambara Akalat and Usambara Thrush. Bar-tailed Trogon, Oriole Finch and forest greenbuls add to the day’s possibilities. Overnight again at Muller’s Mountain Lodge; breakfast, lunch and dinner are provided.

Continue toward the East Usambaras, stopping to bird en route. Explore Zigi’s lowland forest around the lunch stop, looking for Usambara Hyliota, Banded Green Sunbird and Mombasa Woodpecker, and scan the river for Half-collared Kingfisher. Continue to Amani’s botanical garden and Amani Rest House. All three meals are included.

Spend two full days exploring Amani, using the extended stay to search different areas and revisit birds not yet seen. Amani Sunbird, Long-billed Forest Warbler and East Coast Batis are among the principal targets, with Fischer’s Turaco and Usambara Eagle-Owl among the possibilities. Both nights are at Amani Rest House, with breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Revisit Zigi Forest in the morning for additional lowland birding. Then make the journey back to Arusha, arriving in the evening and staying at Njiro Climax. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included.

Take picnic lunches into the park and explore its forest and wetland habitats. Search for trogons, cisticolas, weavers and waterbirds, with Kilimanjaro White-eye among the regional specialties. Return to Njiro Climax for the night; all three meals are included.

Travel from Arusha to Tarangire, focusing on Ashy Starling, Rufous-tailed Weaver and Yellow-collared Lovebird. Continue looking for other woodland and open-country birds during the day. A night drive searches for owls and nightjars. Stay at Tarangire Safari Lodge with breakfast, lunch and dinner provided.

Drive with picnic lunches and birding stops toward the Serengeti. Stop around Naabi Hill Gate at lunchtime before continuing through Vilima Saba into the central park. Watch for widowbirds and other birds along the changing route. Overnight at Serengeti Heritage Luxury Camp, with all meals included.

Spend a full day seeking birds such as Grey-breasted Spurfowl, Tanzania Red-billed Hornbill and Fischer’s Lovebird. Watch also for Grey-crested Helmetshrike, Black-headed Gonolek and birds of the open plains and woodland. Return to Serengeti Heritage Luxury Camp; all three meals are covered.

Travel to Ngorongoro for birding across its varied habitats. Search for weavers, widowbirds, cisticolas and waterbirds, with flamingos, teals and African Rail among the possibilities. Stay at Kankari Lodge, with breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Bird around Endoro in the Ngorongoro highlands, looking for Mbulu White-eye, Schalow’s Turaco, Lemon Dove and other forest birds. Return to the lodge for lunch, then continue to Arusha. Overnight at Njiro Climax with all three meals included.

Head north through Oldonyo Sambu, stopping for rocky-country birds such as Little Rock Thrush and Mocking Cliff Chat. Continue to the plains to search for Beesley’s Lark and other larks, sandgrouse and dry-country specialties. Return to Njiro Climax for the final night; breakfast, lunch and dinner are provided.

Use the final birding session for the arid habitats around Kudu Hills and Mererani. Search for Acacia Tit, Scaly Chatterer, White-headed Mousebird, social weavers and whydahs. Transfer afterward to Kilimanjaro International Airport. Breakfast and lunch are included; no overnight accommodation is scheduled.