Tanzania Birding: Exceptional Guided Tanzania Birding Tours
Tanzania Birding: Guided Tanzania Birding Tours, Trip Reports And Checklist
Tanzania offers excellent birding opportunities, with tours focusing on diverse habitats like the Northern Circuit’s national parks (Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Tarangire) and the Eastern Arc Mountains, which are rich in endemic species. Tour lengths vary from short day trips to multi-week safaris, allowing birders to see iconic species like the Shoebill, lilac-breasted roller, and various endemics such as the Fischer’s Lovebird and Usambara Akalat.
Tanzania birding tours take us to these remarkable Tanzania safari destinations, each boasting a bird list in excess of a thousand species!
List of birds of Tanzania;
This is a list of the bird species recorded in Tanzania. The avifauna of Tanzania included a total of 1155 confirmed species as of September 2021. Of them, 29 are endemic, and four have been introduced by humans. One additional species is hypothetical as defined below; it and two proposed endemic species are not included in the counts. Unless otherwise noted, the list is that of Avibase.
This list’s taxonomic treatment (designation and sequence of orders, families and species) and nomenclature (English and scientific names) are those of The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World, 2022 edition.
The following tags highlight several categories of occurrence other than regular migrants and non-endemic residents. The notes of population status are from the Avibase Bird Checklists of the World.
Tanzania Birding Safaris
Participate on one of our Tanzania birding excursions to observe some of the most magnificent animals and attractions offered by The Bespoke African Safari Co. in East Africa. Tanzania is frequently linked to Serengeti National Park, a renowned locale for wildlife photographers, ornithologists, and nature enthusiasts. As it ought to be.
This location is among the premier sites for observing wildlife in Africa. Vividly hued avian species, cheetahs, lions, lesser felids (including servals and caracals), and the remaining megafauna that contribute to Africa’s esteemed reputation inhabit the vast grasslands and savannas of the Serengeti and the adjacent Maasai Mara in Kenya. One of the most peculiar sensations one might encounter is observing birds amidst the monsters. Additionally, there exists the significant wildebeest migration, sometimes referred to as the gnu migration.
The focal point of this natural marvel is the Serengeti. The Serengeti, renowned for its many avian species, is an exceptional destination to explore. Fischer’s Lovebirds are observed foraging on the ground, perching in acacia trees, communicating with one another, or gliding low over the grassland. A multitude of vibrantly coloured birds reside in East Africa, including Rosy-patched Bushshrikes and Superb Starlings.
East African endemics, such as the Red-throated Tit and the Grey-crested Helmetshrike, are uncommon and restricted to specific regions of the park. Large wildlife is not the sole attraction to engage you in the Serengeti or the adjacent Maasai Mara in Kenya.
Usambara Endemics Birding
Usambara Endemics Birding refers to birdwatching in the Usambara Mountains of northeastern Tanzania, a region known as a biodiversity hotspot with a high level of endemism, making it a prime destination for seeing unique bird species not found elsewhere, such as the Usambara Weaver, Usambara Eagle-Owl, and Usambara Akalat. Tours often visit protected areas like the Amani Nature Reserve and the forests of West Usambaras, offering excellent opportunities to find these endemic species within their specific forest habitats.
15 Days Tanzania Birding
A 15-day Tanzania birding trip typically focuses on the diverse habitats of the Northern Circuit, including the Lark Plains, Tarangire, Lake Manyara, Serengeti, and Ngorongoro Crater, to maximize encounters with sought-after species like Beasley’s Lark and various turacos and bustards. Some tours may also extend to the Usambara Mountains or Mkomazi National Park for different endemic species, while others might include a visit to the Zanzibar coast for a relaxing end to the adventure.
3 Weeks Tanzania Birding
A 3-week birding trip in Tanzania offers diverse habitats and numerous endemic species, focusing on the Northern Circuit (Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Tarangire) and the Eastern Arc Mountains (Usambara, Udzungwa) to see key sites like Lake Manyara, Mount Mkomazi, and Arusha. The itinerary covers varied landscapes, from savannas to montane forests, targeting species such as the Usambara Weaver, Rufous Sparrow, and Kilimanjaro White-eye.
Tanzania Birding Destinations
Top birding destinations in Tanzania include the Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, Lake Manyara, Tarangire, Ruaha, Selous (Nyerere National Park), the Usambara and Udzungwa Mountains, and areas around Lake Victoria. The best time for birdwatching is generally between November and April, though the dry season is better for combining birding with big game viewing. Many endemic and sought-after species like the Shoebill, African Grey Parrot, and Fischer’s Lovebird can be found, along with iconic birds like the Secretary Bird and Lilac-breasted Roller.
Southern Tanzania Birding
Southern Tanzania offers exceptional birding, especially in the Eastern Arc Mountains (Udzungwa, Uluguru, and Ukaguru Mountains) and lowland forests like Nyerere National Park, with unique and endemic species. Key destinations include Mikumi National Park, Ruaha National Park, and the Kilombero Valley, providing diverse habitats from woodlands to wetlands. The best time for birding is often from November to April, when migratory birds are present, though this can also be the wettest and hottest period.
Pemba Island Endemics
A Pemba Island endemics tour focuses on spotting four unique bird species – the Pemba Green Pigeon, Pemba Scops-Owl, Pemba Sunbird, and Pemba White-eye – along with the endemic Pemba Flying Fox. Other endemic or near-endemic species include the Pemba Flying Fox, Pemba Goshawk, and Parker’s Day Gecko. These species are found exclusively or largely on Pemba due to its geological isolation, with key habitats including the Ngezi Forest Reserve.
Tanzania Bird-watching Tours
Certain uniquely native avian species of Tanzania do not venture into Kenya. This indicates that you will encounter not just the standard East African avian species but also some that are endemic to Tanzania, such as the Ashy Starling and the Rufous-tailed Weaver.
The Serengeti hosts a diverse array of birds of prey, including owls, the Martial Eagle, the largest eagle in Africa, the acrobatic and vibrant Bateleur, and the Kori Bustard, the heaviest flying bird globally.
South of the primary tourist pathways in the magnificent Eastern Arc Mountains resides the bulk of Tanzania’s endemic species, together with range-restricted avifauna located in Malawi and northern Mozambique.
Our birding excursions in Tanzania, including the primary 19-day expedition, predominantly venture south, despite the fact that most nature enthusiasts and wildlife photographers prefer the north, where the tourism infrastructure is well advanced and a vast array of stunning species coexists with large game.
Numerous rare avian species in Tanzania inhabit the scenic highland forests located on the slopes of the splendid Eastern Arc Mountains.
They are more challenging to detect than the acacia woodland birds located in northern game regions such as Tarangire National Park and the Serengeti Plains, as they are characteristic of forest habitats.
Tanzania Birding Tours
The famous northern routes and the endemic-rich middle portions of Tanzania are often combined on our birding excursions of Tanzania. In addition to Zanzibar, we provide excursions to the far more remote Pemba Island, home to four species that are unique to Tanzania. Although our tours primarily focus on birds (though we do make stops to see other wildlife as well), we often arrange for birders to spend at least one night on the beautiful tropical island of Zanzibar—as a pre-trip or extension to our Tanzania tours—so they can stroll around Stone Town.
It would be remiss of us not to bring up Tanzania’s other world-renowned wildlife and birdwatching locations, many of which are located in the northern regions of the nation. Because of its proximity to Kilimanjaro International Airport—the entry point to Tanzania’s renowned wildlife sites—Arusha National Park sees a large influx of visitors upon their initial arrival to the nation. Spend some time in this convenient location, which is home to a wide variety of birds and mammals, before making your way to some of the world’s most famous landmarks, like the unparalleled Ngorongoro Crater/Ngorongoro Conservation Area and, of course, Africa’s tallest mountain, Mount Kilimanjaro. The vast plains below Kilimanjaro are teeming with species, and the mountain undoubtedly commands attention. Ascents of this mountain, whether partial or whole, will reward climbers with views of Scarlet-tufted Sunbirds eating on enormous lobelia flowers at an elevation of 5,895 meters (19,341 feet) above sea level.
In addition to being home to the Yellow-collared Lovebird, an endemic bird of Tanzania, and a number of other species of birds of interest to the country, Tarangire National Park is home to some stunning red elephants.
Lastly, but certainly not least, there is the Great Rift Valley, a famous landmark in East Africa that is also the habitat of massive flamingo flocks, both smaller and larger. One of the more well-known lakes in the Rift Valley that we frequently visit is Lake Manyara.
Therefore, come on out on one of our forthcoming birding trips to Tanzania! You’ll witness a plethora of East African endemic species, and if you sign up for our main 19-day tour, you’ll also get to view a slew of localized birds—some of which even make it into neighboring Mozambique—in the mountain forests of the Afromontane region. You will have to go on a more remote bird trip in Tanzania if you want to see all the endemics, which include some tough species like the once-almost-mythical Udzungwa Forest Partridge. If you would like us to plan a personalized trip of Tanzanian endemics or any other type of tour (such as a safari focusing on birds and cats, for example), please let us know. In addition to combining Tanzania and Kenya, we can also plan a birdwatching mega-tour if you’d like, which may include neighboring countries like Ethiopia or Uganda.
Check out our blog if you’re interested in learning when to visit Tanzania to see the most birds and animals. Lastly, we would be negligent if we didn’t mention that Tanzania is also home to the first sightings of the Miombo endemic birds, which are native to south-central Africa.
“In your face” are the birds of Tanzania. Much as in Kenya, you can observe a plethora of colorful and amazing bird species in their natural habitat, with stunning backdrops like the Serengeti plains, the Eastern Arc Mountains, or Ngorongoro Crater. See what we have to offer in terms of birding tours below, or get in touch to discuss tailor-made options.
