TANZANIA BIRDING SAFARIS AND TOURS

Enjoy the most amazing birdwatching adventures across the African continent with our Tanzania birding safaris and tours. Beyond being a home to big populations of the Big Five, Tanzania is an outstanding birding nation hosting over 1,100 species of birds, including over 800+ residents, 200+ migratory birds, 29+ endemics, and over 45 near-endemic bird species found along soda lakes, rift valley lakes, eastern arc mountains, and several Tanzania national parks.

Some of the top birding hotspots in Tanzania include Serengeti National Park, Tarangire National Park, Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Lake Manyara NP, Eastern Arc Mountains, among others.

Keen birders on our Tanzania birding tours have plenty of chances to see stunning birds in their natural habitats, such as the African Finfoot, Usambara Alakat, Secretary Birds, Eagles, among many other avifauna.

November to April is the best time of the year for combining birding with big game sighting, offering chances to spot endemic bird species and animals like the Big Five.

Key Takeaways About Tanzania Birdwatching Safaris in East Africa

Tanzania is home to over 1,100+ bird species (recorded), including over 800+ residents, 200+ migratory birds, 29+ endemics, and over 45 near-endemic bird species.
The East African nation Tanzania has several premium birding hotspots and destinations such as the Serengeti, Tarangire, Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro Crater, Nyerere NPs, among many others.
Tanzania birding safaris are best done during the wet seasons in November and April when migrants from Asia and Europe arrive in the country’s parks and birding hotspots.
More information you need to know as you start planning Tanzania birding tours, such as tips for birding, accommodation, access, etc.

Here is a breakdown of everything you need to know to start planning your Tanzania birding tour!

Outstanding Tanzania Safari Destinations and Birding Hotspots

Tanzania has several important birding areas (IBAs) known to average around 80 in number, where you will find some of the most beautiful and rare birds, and these include the following.

Lake Natron (~2.5 million Lesser Flamingos)

Lake Natron is one of the best birding hotspots or destinations worth exploring during Tanzania birding safaris.

This shallow soda lake in the Eastern Rift Valley, close to the Kenyan border, is a critical breeding site for millions of lesser flamingos, making it one of the most important flamingo breeding grounds in the world.

The notable bird species found at Lake Natron include

Lesser Flamingos
The Spike-Heeled Lark
Buff Crested Bustard, Etc.

Serengeti National Park (A Grey Breasted Spurfowl Hub in Northern Tanzania)

Serengeti National Park is one of the best birding destinations worth visiting during Tanzania birding tours.

Though famous worldwide for the great wildebeest migration, Serengeti National Park in northern Tanzania is also known for hosting over 500 species of birds in different habitats, i.e., vast plains of grasslands, riverine areas, and woodlands, worth seeing on any birdwatching tour.

The stunning birds found in the Serengeti seen during Tanzania birding tours include

Kori Bustards
Rufous-Tailed Weavers
Martial Eagles
Grey-Crested Helmet Shrike
Endemic Grey-Breasted Spurfowl
Ostriches
Secretary Birds
Endemic Fischer’s Lovebird, among others.

Lake Manyara National Park (A Birding and Wildlife Haven)

Lake Manyara National Park is another of the top-rated birding destinations in Tanzania, worth visiting on birding tours.

Though world famous for the tree-climbing lions, Lake Manyara NP, found in the Great Rift Valley in northern Tanzania, is also renowned for being home to large flocks of flamingos, pelicans, and raptors along the soda lake, Manyara, and in the groundwater forests.

Other stunning avians to see in this northern Tanzania park, averaging close to 400 species, seen during Tanzania birding tours include

The African Fish Eagles
Verreaux’s Eagles
Ayres’s Hawk Eagles
Palm Nut Vultures
Bee Eaters
Herons
Hornbills
Pelicans, Etc.

Ruaha National Park

Ruaha National Park is another of the top-rated important birding areas in Tanzania, worth exploring during Tanzanian birdwatching trips.

With over 450+ avian species, Ruaha NP has some of the most specialized woodland bird species, barbets, sunbirds, and raptors in southern Tanzania.

Some of the notable birds found in Ruaha NP seen during Tanzania birding tours include

Southern Ground Hornbill
White-Browed Coucal
Dickinson’s Kestrel
Collared palm thrush
Yellow Collared Lovebird
Endemic Ashy Starling, etc.

Nyerere National Park

Another outstanding birding hotspot in the country is Nyerere National Park (formerly Selous Game Reserve) in southern Tanzania.

Nyerere National Park is home to over 400+ avians, including the miombo endemics and waterbirds along the Rufiji River and in the dense riverine forests.

Some of the birds to see in Nyerere NP on birding tours include

The Pels’ Fishing Owl
African Skimmer
White-fronted Bee-eater
African Finfoot, among many others.

Tarangire National Park

Tarangire National Park is another important birding area in Tanzania, worth visiting for fascinating birding tours.

Renowned for large elephant herds and big baobabs, Tarangire National Park in northern Tanzania is also home to over 550+ species of birds, including woodland birds, raptors, and lovebirds along the Tarangire River and in the acacia trees.

Some of the notable Tarangire rare and endemic birds seen on birding tours include

Yellow Collared Lovebirds
African Pygmy Falcon
Hoopoe
Ashy starling
Collared palm thrush
Northern Pied Babbler, etc.

Arusha National Park (An East African Birding Haven)

Another important birding area in Tanzania worth exploring on birdwatching expeditions in the country is Arusha National Park.

This Tanzanian national park, Arusha, with over 400+ avifauna, provides diverse habitats from Momela lakes to forests, ideal for viewing several bird species.

The special birds in Arush NP to see on birding tours include

The Narina Trogon
Pink Flamingos
Hartlaub’s Turaco
African wood owl
Endemic yellow collared lovebirds
African Finfoot, etc.

Ngorongoro Conservation Area and the Ngorongoro Crater Highlands

The Ngorongoro Conservation Area, home of the famous Ngorongoro Crater in northern Tanzania, is another of the best birding destinations worth exploring during Tanzania birding trips.

The NCA, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, offers a unique ecosystem supporting over 500+ avians, including flamingos along the soda lakes, montane species, and endemic species of birds.

Some of the bird highlights at NCA in northern Tanzania seen during birding tours include

Fischer’s lovebird (huge populations)
Yellow Billed Storks
Grey Crowned Cranes
Caspian Lapwings
African Paradise Flycatcher (Lerai Forest)
Pallid Harriers
African wood owl
Common Ostriches, among others

Eastern Arc Mountains and the Usambara Mountains (East Africa)

The Eastern Arc Mountains (Udzungwa, Uluguru, and Ukaguru Mountains) and the Usambara Mountains are some of the major birding destinations in Tanzania, with the rarest endemic bird species of this nation.

These mountain areas are crucial for spotting endemic species of birds, such as

The Usambara Alakat
Usambara Eagle Owl
Usambara Thrush
Usambara Weaver
Usambara Tailorbird
Uluguru Violet-Backed Sunbird
Uluguru Bush Shrike
Udzungwa Partridge
Sokoke Scops Owl
South Pare White Eye, etc.

Mount Kilimanjaro

Mount Kilimanjaro is one of the most unique birding hotspots in the country, worth exploring during Tanzania birding trips.

As the world’s tallest freestanding mountain, Mount Kilimanjaro has several habitats hosting over 170+ bird species from the lower slopes to regions above.

The bird highlights at Mount Kilimanjaro include

Abbott’s Starling
Lammergeier
Hill Chat
Scarlet Tufted Malachite Sunbird, etc.

Pemba Island

Pemba Island, on the northeastern side of Zanzibar, Tanzania, is another of the popular birding destinations worth visiting on birdwatching tours.

It is known for hosting over 300+ bird species in different habitats, i.e., mangroves, island forests (Ngezi), and farmlands, including four endemics, which make it a unique birding hotspot.

Some of the notable birds on Pemba Island include

Pemba Sunbird
Pemba White Eye
Pemba Green Pigeon
Pemba Scops Owl, among others.

Kilombero Floodplain

The Kilombero floodplain is another of the fascinating birding destinations where our birding safaris are done in Tanzania.

It is one of the largest wetlands on the African continent with rivers, marshes, and swamps hosting over 300+ avifauna.

Some of the renowned birds in the Kilombero floodplain include

Kilombero Weaver
Kilombero Cisticola
Iringa Akalat, etc.

Other Tanzania Birding Destinations (E.G., Lake Victoria)

Meru National Park
Mererani Maasai Steppe
Mkomazi National Park
South Pare Mountains
Mikumi NP
Kitulo Plateau National Park
Zanzibar
Lindi Coastal areas
Engikaret Lark Plains
Mafia Island
Rubondo Island National Park
Lake Victoria
Lake Eyasi
Lake Tanganyika, etc.

Tanzania Birdwatching Experience

The Tanzania birdwatching experience is a premium safari activity done during birding tours.

It involves joining guided tours to birding destinations to spot over 1,100 bird species in their natural environments and hotspots.

Guided game drives, nature walks, and Tanzania boat cruises are some of the activities or methods used to spot these bird species, especially during the optimal months from November to April and June to October.

Specialized birding guides lead the safari excursions to help identify for you the different avifauna (endemic, rare, resident, and migrant birds).

The guided birdwatching excursions are best done early in the morning to see the birds as they look for food or awaken in their nests.

The essential gear we strongly recommend using when bird spotting include high quality birding binoculars, a birding guide, a camera with long lenses, insect repellent, etc.

Beautiful Birds to See on A Tanzania Birding Tour

On a Tanzania birdwatching tour, you can expect to see over 1,100 beautiful bird species, including the endemic birds and range restricted birds

Some of the most popular birds include the Tanzanian red-billed hornbill, Udzungwa Forest Partridge, White-Tailed Cisticola, Beesley’s Lark, Fischer’s Lovebird, Usambara Bush Warbler, Banded Green Sunbird, Usambara Eagle Owl, Yellow Collared Lovebird, Ruvu Weaver, South Pare White Eye, Usambara Hyliota, Usambara Thrush, Broad-Ringed White Eye, White-Tailed Cisticola, etc.

Additionally, bird life in Tanzania also includes the tropical boubou, southern black and yellow-crowned bishop, eastern bronze-naped pigeon, African hoopoe, spotted eagle owl, African goshawk, Grey kestrel, golden-winged sunbird, lilac-breasted roller, black-bellied bustard, dark chanting goshawk, ashy starling, yellow-bellied greenbul.

Plus, the martial eagles, purple-crested turaco, grey-rumped swallow, collared palm thrush, cinnamon-chested bee-eaters, red-capped robin chat, white-browed robin chat, african wood owl, african wattled lapwing, african hawk eagle, african hill babbler, dusky turtle dove, blue-spotted wood dove, african pygmy kingfisher, black-chested snake eagle, endemic yellow-collared lovebird, and african olive pigeons.

Other bird species include Winifred’s Warbler, Rufous-Tailed Weaver, Uluguru Bushshrike, Usambara Akalat, Usambara Weaver, Pemba Green Pigeon, Pemba Scops Owl, Pemba Sunbird, Pemba White-Eye, Kiombero Weaver, Kilombero Cisticola, and Kipengere Seedeater.

Lastly, Loveridge’s Sunbird, Montane Tiny Greenbul, Moreau’s Sunbird, Melodious Cisticola, Grey-Breasted Spurfowl, Iringa Akalat, Rubeho Akalat, Uhehe Fiscal, Uluguru Mountain Greenbul, Yellow-Throated Mountain Greenbul, Tanganyika Masked Weaver, and Masked Lovebird.

Other Things to See on a Tanzania Birding Tour

Beyond the Tanzania bird life, bird enthusiasts can also see other unique highlights such as

The Big Five (African lions, African elephants, rhinos, African buffalo, and perhaps a leopard)
Other wildlife animals like the large mammals
Lakes and rivers
Unique Flora, e.g., the giant baobab trees and other tall trees
Dramatic landscapes, etc.

Other Tanzania Safari Experiences

Wildlife viewing to see other wildlife animals, e.g., plains zebras, African lions, African savanna elephants, rhinos, African buffalo, etc.
Guided bush walks along short grass plains
Cultural tours
Boat cruises
Chimpanzee Trekking
Tanzania photographic safaris, and many others

Tanzania Birding Rules and Regulations

For a safe and sustainable birding experience in Tanzania, we strongly encourage you to follow the following rules and regulations

Stay on designated trails
Respect animals’ right of way
Stay in the parks for designated hours, e.g., from 6:00 am to 6:00 pm
Do not make loud noises in the habitats
Avoid disturbing nesting birds
Ensure you get the required permits and authorizations

Tanzania Birdwatching Tips

For you to have a successful bird watching trip in Tanzania, consider some of these Tanzania safari travel tips.

Contract an experienced local birding guide to help you locate rare and elusive species
Use birding binoculars or scopes
Start birding early in the morning to see some of the rare birds
Combine different birding hotspots for variety eg the Serengeti with Ngorongoro Crater or the nearby Arusha National Park
Carry a birding guide, notebook, and camera
Join birding and wildlife viewing for amazing safaris

Booking And Planning Tanzania Birding Trips

To enjoy the best birding experience in Tanzania, we strongly encourage you to book and plan in advance for the tours using the guidelines below.

Choose birding trips that last between 3-5 days or are more tailored specifically to birding
Use local tour operators to book and plan your birding tour or birding and wildlife safari combos
Book tours in the wet season for maximized sightings of migratory and resident birds.
Combine birding with wildlife safaris to classic big game experiences in the Tanzanian national parks.
Consider a longer 10-day Tanzania birdwatching safari when you want to combine several habitats and wildlife areas.

Why Choose Birdwatching Tours in Tanzania?

Many keen birders often choose to go on a birding safari in Tanzania because of various reasons such as.

Endemic Species: Tanzania is home to several endemic species of birds not found anywhere else on earth that are worth looking at during birdwatching tours, such as the Uluguru Bush shrike, Rufous-tailed weaver, Udzungwa Forest Partridge, Usambara Eagle Owl, etc.
Combination with Wildlife Safaris: Tanzanian birding trips are also popular among visitors as they may be paired with wildlife safaris in the country for spotting a variety of fauna species.
Diverse Landscapes: Tanzania boasts a number of varied landscapes and ecosystems such as soda lakes, Great Rift Valley lakes, highlands, groundwater forests, Ngorongoro Crater, etc., harbouring diverse avifauna worth witnessing during a birdwatching tour.
Professional Birding Guides: Tanzania has some of the greatest experienced local bird guides who identify birds by colour, sounds, and mannerisms for amazing Tanzania birding experiences.
Easy Access to Birding Sites: All birding habitats and sites in Tanzania are accessed through access points with decent trails and roads.
Year-Round Birding Chances: Keen birders who choose our birdwatching tours in Tanzania have many chances of seeing the avifauna all year round in the dry and wet seasons.

Costs To Incur on Tanzania Birding Tours

The average costs to incur on a Tanzania birding and wildlife tour range from the entrance fees (USD 30-80), accommodation (USD 50-3,000+ for lodges like Tarangire safari lodge and other tented camps), birding guide (100-500), and transport (50-300), and they heavily depend on factors like the destination, season, and travel style, among other factors.

Best Time to Go for Tanzania Birding Safaris

The Tanzania birding tours can be done by birding enthusiasts all year round, though the most optimal time is during the wet months from November to April, when there is abundant food in birding hotspots, which attracts migratory birds from across central Asia and Europe.

It is important to note that the dry season from June to October is also okay if you want to combine birding with Tanzania wildlife safaris.

Getting To Tanzania East Africa

Tourists coming to Tanzania for a birding and wildlife tour have several transport means they can use, i.e. by air, water, land, or train. The easiest option we recommend is by air, which involves flying into Kilimanjaro International Airport or Julius Nyerere International Airport and, on arrival, chartering a domestic flight or using 4×4 road transfers to reach the desired birding destination. READ MORE!

Popular Tanzania Safari Lodges to Stay at When on Birding Tours

When on Tanzania birding trips, you are strongly encouraged to research where to stay and use good safari lodges, hotels, guesthouses, and tented camps close to birding hotspots, ranging from budget to midrange to luxury, such as Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge, Ngorongoro Crater Safari Lodge, Ndutu Safari Lodge, Ngare Sero Mountain Lodge**,** Speke Bay Lodge, Ngorongoro Manor, Tarangire Safari Lodge, etc. READ MORE!

Tanzania Birding Safari Checklist

We strongly encourage birdwatchers coming for Tanzania birding tours to bring or carry Tanzania safari necessities like birding binoculars, birding books & guides, a camera with a zoom lens, neutral-colored clothing, sunscreen, and a notebook, among others. READ MORE!

Reputable East African Tour Companies Offering the Best Tanzania Birding Tours

The East African birding tour companies offering some of the best Tanzania birding tours include

These East African birding operators often also offer combined birding and wildlife safari packages to enable you to see stunning bird life in Tanzania and other wildlife species such as plains zebra, African lions,

Answers to Tanzania Birding Safari FAQs

1. What Kinds of Birds Are in Tanzania?

Tanzania has over 1,100 endemic birds, savanna raptors, vibrant waterbirds, and range-restricted birds seen during most Tanzania birding and wildlife safaris.

2. What Are the Most Popular Regions with The Best Tanzania Birding Tours?

Tanzania features world-class birding and wildlife expeditions in important regions such as the Northern Tanzania Circuit, Southern Tanzania Circuit, Western Tanzania Circuit, and Eastern Arc Mountains, amongst others.

3. How Do I Get to Tanzania for Birding Tours in East Africa?

To go to Tanzania for East Africa birding and wildlife tours, fly into Kilimanjaro International Airport or Arusha Airport, which provide access to most of the birding hotspots and other places in northern Tanzania.

Don’t delay for all the fun; call or email us right away, and we will gladly assemble the best Tanzania Vacations birding tour package and itinerary for you to experience the incredible bird life of this East African country!