15-Day Tanzania Birding: Usambara Mountains to Serengeti
Explore South Pare, Magamba and Amani forests before Tarangire, Serengeti and Ngorongoro on a 15-day birding journey through Tanzania.
About this tour
From the South Pare slopes to the forests of the Usambaras, this fifteen-day circuit gives Tanzania’s mountain birds a substantial place alongside the northern safari parks. The journey begins and ends around Arusha and Kilimanjaro International Airport. Its first week moves through dry scrub, thornbush and two contrasting Usambara forest areas before the route turns back toward Tarangire, Serengeti and Ngorongoro.
Kisangara and the South Pare Mountains introduce the change from dry-country species to localized forest birds. Mkomazi adds a full day in semi-arid savannah. Two nights in the West Usambaras allow both an introductory walk and a full Magamba Forest outing, with Usambara Weaver among the birds to seek. Amani provides a different forest setting in the East Usambaras, including opportunities for Amani Sunbird and other restricted-range species.
After the return drive to Arusha, the emphasis broadens to park birding and wildlife. Arusha National Park combines wooded slopes and lakes; Tarangire adds baobabs and woodland birds. The Serengeti stage includes an arrival drive and a full day on the plains, followed by a descent into Ngorongoro Crater. Forest birding at Endoro and a final outing near Mererani bring additional habitat contrasts before departure.
The route uses mid-range lodges, a forest rest house and a tented camp. Arrival-day breakfast, full-board meals on days two to fourteen, and breakfast and lunch on departure day follow the itinerary. Longer transfer days are broken by birding stops where possible. Mountain trails and vehicle-based park outings form complementary parts of the experience; birds and mammals remain dependent on conditions and cannot be guaranteed.
Planning a wider trip? Read our birdwatching guide to Tanzania.
Guides
Itinerary
Day 1
Arrival in Arusha
A driver-guide meets you at Kilimanjaro International Airport for the transfer to Arusha. If your flight leaves time, explore the hotel garden for an introduction to local birds; otherwise settle in and rest. Overnight: Njiro Climax. Meals: breakfast.
Day 2
Kisangara scrub and South Pare forests
Leave Arusha after an early breakfast, watching the dry acacia country around Kisangara for sunbirds, woodpeckers and cordonbleus. Continue into the South Pare Mountains, where forest birding focuses on the localized South Pare White-eye. Overnight: Johnson's Villa. Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Day 3
Mkomazi birding day
Explore Mkomazi's thornbush and semi-arid savannah for the full day. Batises, larks, spurfowl and hornbills share these habitats with mammals including giraffe, eland and oryx. Overnight: Johnson's Villa. Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Day 4
Kisiwani Road to Magamba
Carry picnic lunches for the journey toward the West Usambaras, stopping to watch birds along Kisiwani Road. An afternoon outing follows a lower trail in Magamba Forest, searching for forest birds such as Spot-throat and Usambara Greenbul. Overnight: Muller's Mountain Lodge. Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Day 5
West Usambara forest search
Dedicate the day to Magamba's montane forest and its restricted-range birds. Usambara Weaver, Usambara Akalat and Usambara Thrush are among the possibilities, with quiet undergrowth and mixed flocks both worth watching. Overnight: Muller's Mountain Lodge. Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Day 6
East Usambara transfer and Amani
Travel to the East Usambaras through cultivated land, patches of forest and the habitats below the mountains. Lunch at Amani precedes an outing into the forest for Usambara Hyliota, Green Tinkerbird and other birds of this warmer setting. Overnight: Amani Rest House. Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Day 7
Amani forest trails
Walk Amani's trails, ridges and streamside forest, listening for birds concealed in dense vegetation. Amani Sunbird and Banded Green Sunbird are possible highlights, while mixed flocks may bring smaller forest species into view. Overnight: Amani Rest House. Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Day 8
Birding drive back to Arusha
Return from Amani toward Arusha with breaks in wetland, woodland and open-country habitats. The journey occupies much of the day, with arrival at the hotel in the late afternoon or evening. Overnight: Njiro Climax. Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Day 9
Arusha National Park habitats
Explore a combination of forest, lakes and Mount Meru's lower slopes. Look for weavers, starlings and barbets, with giraffe, bushbuck and colobus monkeys possible during the outing. Overnight: Njiro Climax. Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Day 10
Tarangire birds and wildlife
Head to Tarangire for birding and game viewing among baobabs and open woodland. Search for Ashy Starling and Yellow-collared Lovebird before continuing to Karatu for the night. Overnight: Kankari Lodge, Karatu. Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Day 11
Across the highlands to Serengeti
Travel from Karatu toward the Serengeti, using roadside stops to inspect grassland and rocky habitats for birds. An evening drive introduces the plains before the overnight stay in camp. Overnight: Tukaone Serengeti Camp. Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Day 12
Serengeti plains birding
Spend the day looking for open-country birds, including Grey-breasted Spurfowl and Fischer's Lovebird. Game viewing accompanies the birding, with opportunities for large mammals across the plains. Overnight: Tukaone Serengeti Camp. Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Day 13
Ngorongoro Crater outing
Descend to the crater floor for waterbirds, grassland species and wildlife. African Spoonbill, Grey Crowned Crane and Kori Bustard are possible highlights before the return to Karatu. Overnight: Kankari Lodge, Karatu. Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Day 14
Endoro Forest and Arusha
Begin with forest birding near Karatu, looking for turacos, apalises, doves and greenbuls. Later, return to Arusha for the final overnight stay. Overnight: Njiro Climax. Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Day 15
Mererani dryland birds and departure
Explore the Maasai Steppe around Mererani for dry-country birds such as Black-capped Social Weaver and Pringle's Puffback. Continue to Kilimanjaro International Airport in the afternoon for departure. Meals: breakfast and lunch.
Locations & map
- Arusha - Tanzania
- South Pare Mountains - Tanzania
- Mkomazi National Park - Tanzania
- Magamba Forest - Tanzania
- Amani Nature Reserve - Tanzania
- Arusha National Park - Tanzania
- Tarangire National Park - Tanzania
- Karatu - Tanzania
- Serengeti National Park - Tanzania
- Ngorongoro Crater - Tanzania
- Endoro Forest - Tanzania
- Mererani - Tanzania
Availability & pricing
Availability: Available on request
Price: Price on request
Included
- Entry fees for non-resident visitors at the listed parks
- Listed activities and ground transport, excluding optional upgrades
- Accommodation specified for the safari
- Meals described in the itinerary
- Arrival and departure airport transfers
- Professional birding driver-guide
- Tour taxes
- Local beer, wine, soft drinks and mineral water during the safari
- Round-the-clock operator support
Not included
- International flights
- Extra nights before or after the safari
- Gratuities; suggested amount USD 10 per person per day for guide and crew
- Personal purchases, travel insurance and visa fees
- Later government increases in taxes or park charges
Send inquiry
Ask about this tour before booking. Your preferred date is optional and availability will be confirmed after your inquiry.