8 Days Birding Safari in Tanzania (8 Days Tanzania Birding Safari)

Detailed day by day 8 Days Birding Safari in Tanzania itinerary 

Day 01: Arusha National Park

From Arusha, your driver guide will pick you up and transfer you to Arusha National Park to start your 8 Days Birding Safari in Tanzania. Although this National Park is popular for wildlife watching safaris, it boasts a large number of birdlife with up to 400 different bird species registered in the park. The most common in the park are waterfowls such as little grebes, eagles, pochards, hamerkop, red shark, geese, spirwinged goose, woodpecker, heron, and secretary birds among others.

You will explore the avian diversity in Arusha National Park with opportunities to also spot various wildlife species that call this National Park home. When it comes to time for lunch, you will drive to your lodge and check in. Have lunch at the lodge and embark on another birding experience in the park in the afternoon. This afternoon birding adventure in the park grants you opportunities to spot several bird species that you might have missed during your morning birding safari in the park. Later return to your lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.

Accommodation Options: Mount Meru Game Lodge

Meal Plan: Lunch & Dinner

 

Day 02: Explore the amazing Tarangire National Park

Following an early morning breakfast at your lodge, you will depart for Tarangire National Park for another thrilling birding experience in Tanzania. The journey from Arusha National Park to Tarangire National Park is about two hours and you will arrive in Tarangire and proceed directly for a birdwatching experience in the Park.

Tarangire is home to a resounding bird population of about 500 different bird species that can be spotted across various ecosystems ranging from acacia woodlands to swamps. Tarangire is known to host some Eurasian and North African migratory bird species especially during the wet season. You will  enjoy bird watching in Tarangire, spotting most birds with their breeding plumage, among the species you will encounter are the Yellow-collared Lovebird, African Fish eagle, lilac-breasted roller, Secretary bird, Southern Ground Hornbill, Yellow-billed stork, Superb starling, and the Grey-headed Kingfisher. Your experienced driver guide will drive you slowly to allow you spot several species. As the morning transforms into Afternoon, you will drive to your booked lodge and check-in. Have lunch and a short relaxation at the lodge before embarking on another thrilling birding experience in the park.

Accommodation Options: Mbali Mbali Tarangire River Camp

Meal Plan: Breakfast, lunch and Dinner

Day 03: Birding in Ngorongoro Conservation Area

Today you this birding safari in Tanzania will take you to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Wake up early in the morning and have breakfast at your lodge. After breakfast, your driver guide will transfer you to Ngorongoro Conservation Area for a birdwatching experience with your packed lunch boxes. Arrive in Ngorongoro and  proceed for a birdwatching experience.

Although the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and the Ngorongoro Crater are known for their large populations of lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos, and buffalos among others, there is also a large number of birdlife recorded in the Area. About 500 different bird species can be spotted in the area including; flamingos, ostriches, crowned cranes, vultures, eagles, Fischer’s lovebird, Verreaux’s eagle, and the Schalow’s turaco, and plothera of smaller bird species like weavers, starlings, and doves.

You will explore the Conservation area and later descend into the crater floor, visit the Lerai Forest to spot species like doves silvery-cheeked hornbill, yellow-throated sandgrouse, and the African paradise-flycatcher. You will be driven to your lodge for check-in and an overnight stay.

Accommodation Options: Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge

Meal Plan: Breakfast, lunch, and Dinner

Day 05&06: Birding in Serengeti National Park

On the fifth and sixth days of this 8 days birdwatching tour in Tanzania, you will explore the world renowned Serengeti National Park. Serengeti is famous for its unrivaled wildlife watching opportunities since it boasts large numbers of wildlife species including the famous African Big Five and the spectacular wildebeest Migration. Although most safaris here are most focused on wildlife watching, Serengeti offer a memorable bird watching experience in Tanzania.

Serengeti is home to over 400 different bird species that reside in various habitats with the park. The range of habitats for birdlife in Serengeti include; savanna grasslands, savannah woodlands, and swamps. There are several of the most though after species in the park including ostriches, Secretary bird, lilac-breasted roller, African fish eagle, Marabou storks, Grey crowned crane, helmet guineafowl, African finfoot, malachite kingfisher, Kori bustard, woodland kingfisher, Yellow-billed Oxpecker and the white-headed buffalo weaver among others.

You will experience Serengeti avian species while visiting several areas of the park such as the Seronera Valley, Grumeti River, Moru Kopjes, Lake Ndutu and Magadi, Lobo Valley, and the western Corrido among others. While exploring these areas, you will come across various bird species.

Accommodation Options: Melia Serengeti

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

 

Day 07: Exploring around Lake Victoria 

Today early in the morning after a hefty breakfast, you will drive to Lake Victoria region in Tanzania for a remarkable birding experience. Lake Victoria in Tanzania is a superb birding destination for avid birders. The diverse habitat offered by the lake itself, and its swamps provide refuge to a diverse number of birdlife including the African fish eagle, pied Kingfisher, Grey-crowned crane, Purple Heron, White-winged Tern, Yellow billed stork, African jacana, African Pygmy Kingfisher, malachite Kingfisher and several other water birds. You will adventure this area to spot different species.

After your first birding experience, drive to your hotel for lunch. After lunch and a short rest, embark on another thrilling birding experience around lake Victoria. After your adventure, return to your hotel for dinner and an overnight stay.

Accommodation Option: Malaika Beach Resort

Meal Plan: Breakfast, lunch and Dinner

Day 08: Fly back to Arusha & Departure

Today Marks the end of this 8 Days Birding safari in Tanzania. You will wake up at your hotel and have breakfast. After breakfast, your driver guide will transfer you to Mwanza for your booked flight back to Arusha. Lunch will be served at one of the fancy restaurants in Arusha. After lunch, you will say goodbye to Tanzania and your driver guide will transfer you to the airport for your outbound flight.

End of 8 Days Birding Safari in Tanzania