17 Days Tanzania Birding Tour

Our Southern Tanzania Birding and Wildlife Tour begins in Dar-es-Salaam, with accommodation in the Mbezi area, about 20 kilometers north of the city center. This peaceful location, close to the beach, offers a relaxing start and a surprisingly good introduction to Tanzanian birdlife.

If time permits, we will enjoy an evening birdwatching walk along the beach, where the coastal habitats host a mix of waterbirds and bush species. Afterward, return to the hotel for dinner and an overnight stay.

Target Birds:

• Red-eyed Dove

• Tawny-flanked Prinia

• Spotted Morning Thrush

• Yellow Bishop

• Gull-billed Tern

• Little Egret

• Brown-breasted Barbet

The coastal lagoons and open waters of Dar-es-Salaam provide a spectacular introduction to Southern Tanzania birding. Because the coastal climate is hot and humid, birding is most productive in the early morning hours and late afternoon, when bird activity peaks.

We begin the day with a pelagic boat ride from Mbezi Beach, lasting two to four hours, depending on weather and birding conditions. This outing is especially rewarding for spotting seabirds, shorebirds, and migrants, with opportunities to photograph them at close range.

Notable Bird Species:

• Shorebirds & Waders: Black-bellied Plover, Common Ringed Plover, Whimbrel, Sanderling, Water Thick-knee, Lesser & Greater Sandplovers

• Terns: Lesser Crested, Gull-billed, Sandwich, Caspian, Common, White-cheeked, Roseate, Saunders’, Bridled, and Sooty Terns

• Gulls & Seabirds: Sooty Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Heuglin’s Gull, Common Black-headed Gull, Masked Booby, Cape Gannet, Greater Frigatebird

After the morning session, we return to the hotel for lunch and relaxation before an optional late afternoon bird walk along the beach to catch more coastal species as temperatures drop.

      Sooty Gull

After an early breakfast, we depart Dar-es-Salaam for Saadani National Park, making a productive stopover at Pande Game Reserve, a dry coastal forest renowned for its bird diversity. Along the way, we pass through several swampy areas that provide excellent opportunities for birding, adding variety to the morning’s checklist.

We then continue toward Bagamoyo, whose evocative name translates to “bury my heart” in Swahili. Bagamoyo is Tanzania’s oldest town and the seventh World Heritage Site, known for its deep historical and cultural significance. A short cultural interlude here enriches the safari experience before proceeding to Saadani.

Upon arrival at Saadani National Park, we begin birding in this unique ecosystem — the only park in East Africa where the Indian Ocean meets classic savannah. Expect a superb mix of forest, coastal, and wetland species, alongside iconic African wildlife.

Notable Bird Species in Saadani National Park

• Forest & Woodland Birds: Yellow-streaked Greenbul, Little Greenbul, Tiny Greenbul, Northern Brownbul, Eastern Nicator, Eastern Black-headed Batis, Black-headed Apalis

• Savannah & Open Country Birds: Sokoke Pipit, Bush Pipit, Golden Pipit, Black-bellied Starling, Chestnut-fronted Helmetshrike, African Golden Oriole, African Golden Weaver, Zanzibar Red Bishop, Collared Palm Thrush

• Raptors: Bateleur, Lizard Buzzard, Fasciated Snake-eagle, Ayre’s Hawk-eagle

• Coastal & Shorebirds: Whimbrel, Saunders’ Tern, Mangrove Kingfisher, Fischer’s Turaco, Great Sandplover, Bar-tailed Godwit, Lesser Sandplover

Evening birding around the park provides excellent light for photography before settling in for dinner and overnight stay at a lodge within or near Saadani.

After an early breakfast, we continue our Southern Tanzania Birding Tour with a full day exploring the unique habitats of Saadani National Park. The park is exceptional, as it is the only place in East Africa where the savannah meets the Indian Ocean, creating a rare blend of ecosystems.

Habitats & Wildlife:
Saadani National Park offers an extraordinary mix of marine and terrestrial habitats. Its vegetation ranges from mangrove forests along the winding Wami River, to palm-dotted plains, black cotton soils, coral reefs, and stretches of coastal savannah. This variety supports both spectacular birdlife and diverse wildlife. Birding is excellent all year round, with rewarding sightings at every turn.

The park also hosts an impressive array of mammals, including Sable Antelope, Waterbuck, Hartebeest, Reedbuck, Wildebeest, Cape Buffalo, and Maasai Giraffe. Warthogs, baboons, and Black-and-white Colobus Monkeys are common, while elephants, lions, and leopards are present but more elusive.

Birding Activities:

• Game Drive Birding – Scanning open grasslands and woodlands for Saadani’s specialties.

• Boat Ride on the Wami River – An excellent opportunity for waterbirds, kingfishers, and raptors.

• Salt Pan Birding – Prime habitat for waders and terns.

Notable Bird Species in Saadani:

• Waders & Waterbirds: Red-necked Phalarope, Terek Sandpiper, Water Thick-knee, Whimbrel, Common Ringed Plover

• Terns & Coastal Birds: Saunders’ Tern, Gull-billed Tern, Caspian Tern

• Forest & Woodland Birds: Eastern Nicator, Black-headed Apalis, Collared Palm Thrush, Yellow-streaked Greenbul

• Raptors & Open Country Birds: Bateleur, Lizard Buzzard, Chestnut-fronted Helmetshrike, Black-bellied Starling

In the evening, we return to camp or lodge for dinner and overnight stay, with the Indian Ocean breeze as a backdrop.

After breakfast, we bid farewell to Saadani National Park and begin our journey towards Mikumi National Park. The drive is scenic, with several productive wetland and swamp stopovers along the Wami and Ruvu Rivers, both of which are important birding areas.

En-route Birding Highlights:

• Ruvu Weaver – A highly localized and sought-after species, often found in wetlands along the Ruvu River.

• Zanzibar Red Bishop – Males in dazzling breeding plumage often display on reed tops.

• White-throated Bee-eater – Seen perching elegantly on roadside bushes.

• White-browed Coucal – Often heard calling from dense thickets.

• Dickinson’s Kestrel – A special sight if spotted roosting atop palm trees.

We arrive in Mikumi National Park later in the afternoon. Unlike most other reserves, Mikumi allows guided walking safaris (accompanied by armed and trained rangers), offering a thrilling opportunity to explore its landscapes on foot. This is particularly exciting given the park’s healthy populations of lions, leopards, elephants, giraffes, and buffaloes.

Birding & Wildlife in Mikumi:
Mikumi is sometimes called the “little Serengeti” due to its vast plains teeming with wildlife. Birdwatchers can expect a rich mix of savannah and wetland birds, alongside an abundance of large mammals. The park’s open habitats also provide excellent opportunities for photography.

Another unforgettable day awaits! After an early morning breakfast, we set off for a full-day birdwatching tour in Mikumi National Park, one of Tanzania’s most rewarding birding and wildlife destinations.

The park’s astonishing scenery is characterized by sweeping Miombo woodlands, open plains, and rolling hills, creating a variety of habitats that host a dazzling mix of birds and mammals.

Target Birding Highlights of Mikumi National Park:

• Miombo Woodland Specialists: Pale-billed Hornbill, Shelley’s Sunbird, Miombo Rock Thrush, Rufous-bellied Tit, Arnot’s Chat, Green-backed Woodpecker, Reichenow’s Woodpecker, and Greencap Eremomela.

• Savannah & Plains Birds: Red-necked Francolin, Senegal Lapwing, Mosque Swallow, Yellow-billed Oxpecker, and Small Buttonquail.

• Striking and Iconic Species: Southern Ground Hornbill, Racket-tailed Roller, Southern Cordon-bleu, Southern Fiscal, Collared Palm Thrush, and Livingstone Turaco.

• Raptors and Predators: Dickinson’s Kestrel, Fasciated Snake-Eagle, and Sooty Falcon.

• Finches and Songbirds: Jameson’s Firefinch, Orange-winged Pytilia, Broad-tailed Paradise Whydah, Yellow-fronted Canary, Black-throated Canary, and Southern Yellow White-eye.

With more than 400 bird species recorded, Mikumi offers endless surprises for birders, alongside excellent encounters with elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, zebras, lions, and leopards.

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After an early breakfast, we leave Mikumi and embark on a long but rewarding drive to Ruaha National Park. The route passes through beautiful countryside, villages, and rolling hills, with sections of gravel road adding to the sense of adventure. The changing scenery makes the journey itself an enjoyable part of the safari.

Ruaha National Park is one of Tanzania’s largest and most remote wildernesses, offering a truly off-the-beaten-track experience. The park is famed for its raw beauty and its incredible density of predators — with approximately 10% of the world’s lion population found here. The Ruaha River, which meanders through the park, serves as a permanent water source, attracting lions, leopards, wild dogs, jackals, and herds of elephants and antelopes.

Birding Highlights of Ruaha National Park:

• Raptors & Nocturnal Birds: Pel’s Fishing Owl, Bat Hawk, Square-tailed Nightjar, White-backed Night Heron, Dwarf Bittern.

• Endemics & Specialties: Ruaha Chat (a localized specialty), Tanzania Red-billed Hornbill, Miombo Wren Warbler, Ashy Starling, Tabora Cisticola, Wailing Cisticola.

• Woodland & Savannah Birds: Shelley’s Francolin, Golden-tailed Woodpecker, Bennett’s Woodpecker, Blue-spotted Woodpecker, Familiar Chat, African Spotted Creeper.

• Colorful Species: Purple-crested Turaco, Western Violet-backed Sunbird, Western Miombo Sunbird, Marsh Tchagra, Golden-backed Weaver, Tanganyika Masked Weaver.

• Others of Note: White-rumped Shrike, Swahili Sparrow, Angola Swallow, Brown-headed Apalis, Coppery-tailed Coucal, African Reed Warbler, Reichard’s Seedeater, Southern Citril, Bronze-winged Courser.

With its mixture of Baobab-studded landscapes, rolling hills, and Miombo woodland, Ruaha is a paradise for birders, photographers, and wildlife enthusiasts alike.

Birding in Ruaha National Park is exceedingly captivating and highly rewarding. This vast park was first established in 1910 as a Game Reserve and later gazetted as a National Park in 1964. Covering an impressive 20,226 square kilometers, Ruaha is Tanzania’s largest national park and the second-largest in Africa. Its name is derived from the Great Ruaha River, which flows along the southeastern border and serves as the lifeline of the park. Originating from the northern slopes of the Poroto and Kipengere Mountains, this river provides permanent water, making it the focus of much of the game-viewing and birding activity.

The vegetation mosaic of Ruaha is equally fascinating: semi-arid bushland transitions into acacia savannah and stretches of Miombo woodland, creating a diversity of habitats for both birds and wildlife. The landscapes are dotted with ancient Baobab trees, rocky kopjes, and wide plains, offering stunning photographic opportunities.

Notable Birdlife in Ruaha National Park

• Miombo woodland specialties: Miombo Grey Tit, Racket-tailed Roller, Miombo Scrub Robin, Pearl-breasted Swallow, Streaky-breasted Flufftail.

• Riverine & wetland birds: Pel’s Fishing Owl, Dwarf Bittern, White-backed Night Heron.

• Woodland & bush birds: Shelley’s Francolin, Ruaha Chat (a park specialty), African Spotted Creeper, Tabora Cisticola, Wailing Cisticola.

• Colorful highlights: Purple-crested Turaco, Western Violet-backed Sunbird, Golden-backed Weaver, Racket-tailed Roller.

• Raptors & nocturnals: Bat Hawk, Square-tailed Nightjar, Bronze-winged Courser.

Ruaha’s enormous bird list (over 570 species recorded), combined with its unparalleled density of large predators, makes it a premier birding and wildlife destination in East Africa. Every game drive here holds the promise of rare birds alongside thrilling big-game encounters.

Ruaha National Park is one of Tanzania’s true birding paradises, boasting more than 571 recorded bird species. Many are resident, while others are migrants from within Africa and as far afield as Europe and Asia. This rich diversity makes Ruaha an unmissable destination for ornithologists and photographers.

The park is also believed to have the highest concentration of African Elephants of any national park in East Africa. During the dry season, these gentle giants congregate along the sandy riverbeds of the Great Ruaha River, often digging for water with their trunks and forefeet — a spectacle unique to Ruaha.

Beyond elephants, Ruaha is famed for its populations of magnificent antelopes such as the Greater Kudu, Sable, and Roan, which are more easily seen here than in most other parks. The Miombo woodlands provide excellent cover for these large antelope species, while also serving as prime habitat for birding.

The park also plays a crucial role as a sanctuary for the endangered African Wild Dog, with packs roaming its vast wilderness. Predators are abundant — Ruaha holds around 10% of the world’s lion population, alongside healthy numbers of leopards, cheetahs, and spotted hyenas. Other mammals frequently encountered include giraffes, zebras, elands, impalas, bat-eared foxes, and jackals, ensuring that every game drive combines world-class birding with thrilling wildlife encounters.

With its vast size, unique ecosystems, and blend of birds and wildlife, Ruaha is one of the crown jewels of Southern Tanzania.

After the excitement of Ruaha National Park, we depart eastward on a long but scenic drive to the Udzungwa Mountains, arriving in the late evening at Hondo Hondo Forest Camp. Nestled at the base of the Udzungwa escarpment, this eco-lodge is an ideal base for exploring the forest. The campgrounds themselves are flourishing with birds, and excellent views of the forest canopy often reveal primates such as the endemic Udzungwa Red Colobus and the rare Sanje Crested Mangabey

The Udzungwa Mountains form the southernmost, largest, and most diverse of the 13 isolated ranges that make up Africa’s Eastern Arc chain. These “African Galápagos” are globally renowned for their extraordinary levels of endemism. Much of the mountain slopes remain forested, transitioning from Miombo woodland at the lower elevations to lush montane rainforest higher up — all protected within Udzungwa Mountains National Park.

Birds of the Udzungwa Forest include a spectacular mix of Eastern Arc endemics, forest specialists, and localized species. Target highlights are:

• Uluguru Violet-backed Sunbird

• Pel’s Fishing Owl

• Magpie Mannikin

• African Wood Owl

• Half-collared Kingfisher

• Livingstone’s Turaco

• African Barred Owlet

• White-eared Barbet

• Green-backed Woodpecker

• Black-and-white Shrike-flycatcher

• Bar-throated Apalis

• Forest Weaver

• Green Malkoha

• Kretschmer’s Longbill

• Red-capped Robin-Chat

• Rufous-winged Sunbird

• Uhehe Fiscal (localized endemic)

• Nyasa Seedcracker

• Olive-flanked Robin-Chat

• Churring Cisticola

• Yellow-throated Woodland Warbler

Additional specialties like Olive Woodpecker, Pallid Honeyguide, Wailing Cisticola, Mottled Spinetail, and Böhm’s Spinetail make the Udzungwa birding experience even more remarkable.

This combination of Eastern Arc endemics, montane forest birding, and rare primates makes Udzungwa a true highlight of the Southern Tanzania birding circuit.

After breakfast, we continue with our Southern Tanzania birdwatching tour by embarking on a 6-kilometer hike to the spectacular Sanje Waterfalls. Along the trail, we will be searching for localized endemics such as the dazzling Rufous-winged Sunbird, a true jewel of these forests.

The Udzungwa Mountain Range is recognized as the second most biodiverse in Africa, boasting remarkably high levels of endemism — over 25% of its plant species occur nowhere else. Despite its relatively recent establishment as a national park in 1992, Udzungwa still protects more than 2,000 square kilometers of continuous closed-canopy forest, stretching from just 200 meters above sea level to peaks above 2,000 meters.

This makes Udzungwa the crown jewel of the Eastern Arc Mountains, a globally renowned biodiversity hotspot where new species of birds, reptiles, and plants are still being described.

Birdlife is exceptional, with over 400 recorded species, including globally important endemics. Two of its star species — the elusive Udzungwa Forest Partridge (discovered in 1991) and the striking Rufous-winged Sunbird — cement the park’s must-visit status for serious birders. Other forest highlights include Dappled Mountain Robin, Uluguru Violet-backed Sunbird, and Forest Weaver.

Beyond the birds, Udzungwa is equally famous for its endemic primates, including the Iringa Red Colobus and the critically endangered Kipunji Monkey, both of which may be encountered along the forest trails.

The Sanje Waterfalls, cascading 170 meters through pristine forest, provide a dramatic backdrop to this day’s birding and a refreshing highlight after the rewarding hike.

After breakfast, we drive southeast to Ifakara town and the Kilombero Valley Floodplains, a designated Ramsar site of international importance that spans 7,967 square kilometers. This vast floodplain was once part of the ancient Luangwa drainage system in Zambia, and today it remains one of Tanzania’s most productive wetland ecosystems.

Birding here is particularly special because the floodplain is home to three recently described Tanzanian endemics:

• Kilombero Weaver

• Kilombero Cisticola

• White-tailed Cisticola

These species are found nowhere else in the world, making the Kilombero Valley a must-visit site for serious birders.

Other notable species we will be searching for include Coppery-tailed Coucal, African Pygmy Kingfisher, Taveta Golden Weaver, African Firefinch, Red-necked Falcon, Great Reed Warbler, Black-winged Bishop, Bertram’s Weaver, Black Coucal, Fülleborn’s Boubou, Lesser Seedcracker, Red-winged Prinia, Black-tailed Waxbill, Southern Brown-throated Weaver, Magpie Mannikin, Denham’s Bustard, Fülleborn’s Longclaw, Allen’s Gallinule, Swamp Nightjar, and the striking Zebra Waxbill.

Birding in the floodplains will be done primarily by dug-out canoe along the Kilombero River, allowing us to access the wetlands quietly and enjoy both the birdlife and the spectacular scenery. The canoe experience provides not only excellent photographic opportunities but also the chance to encounter a variety of wetland mammals and reptiles that thrive in this dynamic ecosystem

After an early morning breakfast, we continue our Southern Tanzania birding adventure with a long scenic drive to Nyerere National Park (formerly the Selous Game Reserve). The route takes us through Morogoro to Kisaki, a small town on the western edge of this vast wilderness. Along the way, we pass the shoulders of the Uluguru Mountains, an Eastern Arc range famous for its unique birdlife and endemics.

• Trilling Cisticola

• Uluguru Mountain Greenbul

• Yellow-throated Greenbul

• Loveridge’s Sunbird

• Mrs. Moreau’s Warbler (a highly localized Eastern Arc endemic)

• Uluguru Violet-backed Sunbird

• White-winged Apalis

• Chapin’s Apalis

These encounters will add a taste of Eastern Arc endemism before we descend toward the vast savannahs, woodlands, and wetlands of Nyerere National Park, one of Africa’s largest protected areas and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Nyerere National Park is a wild and unspoiled expanse in Southern Tanzania, boasting an alluring mix of abundant wildlife and diverse landscapes. On this day, we shall drive through the park to the eastern side near Mtemere Gate, making birding and game-viewing stops along the way.

The park is vast, hot, and rugged, and visitors should be aware that tsetse flies are common in certain areas, and their bites can be quite nasty. Birdwatching will be carried out primarily while driving along the main road, with occasional off-road detours into the bush in search of special species.

With over 400 bird species recorded, Nyerere is a rewarding destination for birders, offering a good chance to encounter both widespread savanna birds and localized specialties, along with raptors and wetland species around the Rufiji River system.

Birds to look for in Nyerere National Park; Bohm’s Bee-eater, Pearl-spotted Owlet, White-headed Lapwing, African Cuckoo-Hawk, Crested, Black-collared, and Brown-breasted Barbets, Golden-tailed Woodpecker, Miombo Blue-eared Starling, African Firefinch, Grey Go-away-bird, Green Malkoha, Brown-necked Parrot, Bearded Scrub Robin, Pale-billed Hornbill, Swallow-tailed Bee-eater, Terrestrial Brownbul, Rufous-tailed Rock Thrush, Pennant-winged Nightjar

Nyerere’s mosaic of riverine forests, lakes, swamps, miombo woodlands, and open plains creates an exceptional birding destination. More than 440 bird species have been recorded here, with several sought-after specials for both photographers and keen listers.

Key Species to Look For:

• River & Wetland Birds: African Skimmer, White-backed Night Heron, Giant Kingfisher, Spur-winged Lapwing, African Jacana, Goliath Heron, African Fish Eagle, Bohm’s Bee-eater.

• Woodland & Savannah Birds: Southern Ground Hornbill, White-fronted Bee-eater, Yellow-collared Lovebird, Dickinson’s Kestrel, Broad-billed Roller, Racket-tailed Roller, Purple-banded Sunbird.

• Raptors & Night Birds: Bat Hawk, Pel’s Fishing Owl, African Barred Owlet, Square-tailed Nightjar, Verreaux’s Eagle-Owl.

• Miombo & Specials: Pale-billed Hornbill, Miombo Wren Warbler, Red-throated Twinspot, Yellow-throated Longclaw, Green-backed Woodpecker.

With the combination of boat, walk, and vehicle safaris, birders can cover a wide range of habitats in Nyerere, ensuring rewarding sightings throughout their stay.

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Zanzibar Red Bishop

The Nyerere National Park is home to more than 400 bird species, making it one of the richest birding destinations in southern Tanzania. In the morning, we shall explore the area around Mtemere Gate, where the diverse habitats of woodland, grassland, and riverine forest provide excellent birding. Species expected include Horus Swift, Brown-headed Parrot, Tanzania Red-billed Hornbill, Senegal Lapwing, African Hawk-Eagle, Bateleur, Southern Cordon bleu, Yellow-fronted Canary, Crimson-rumped Waxbill, Purple-banded Sunbird, Retz’s Helmetshrike, Green Woodhoopoe, Temminck’s Courser, Striped Kingfisher, Silvery-cheeked Hornbill, and Brown Snake Eagle.

Later in the afternoon, we shall enjoy a boat ride along the mighty Rufiji River, one of the most rewarding birding experiences in East Africa. Along the sandy banks, we will be treated to flocks of White-fronted Bee-eaters nesting in their hundreds. The river also hosts specials such as African Skimmer, Malagasy Pond Heron, Giant Kingfisher, Woolly-necked Stork, while a couple of African Fish Eagles are often heard calling from the tall riverine trees — their distinctive yodeling cry described as “the sound of Africa.”

This morning, after breakfast, we shall check out of the camp and drive back to Dar es Salaam, where the main Southern Tanzania birding tour will come to an end. For guests with more time, there is the option to extend the adventure with a short birding extension to Pemba Island, a tropical paradise that offers its own unique endemics and specialties.

Pemba Island Birding Extension

Located about 50 kilometers off the Tanzanian coast, Pemba Island is a lush, tropical island paradise known not only for its pristine beaches and spice farms but also for its remarkable birdlife. The island is home to four true endemics found nowhere else in the world:

• Pemba Scops-Owl

• Pemba Green Pigeon

• Pemba White-eye

• Pemba Sunbird

In addition to these specialties, Pemba offers excellent opportunities to see a variety of coastal and migratory species. Crab Plover can often be encountered along the sandy shores, while the surrounding mangroves host Mangrove Kingfisher. Seabird enthusiasts may be rewarded with sightings of White-cheeked Tern and the localized Saunders’s Tern. Other exciting species include Dickinson’s Kestrel and a diversity of common East African birds.

Whether as a relaxing conclusion to your Southern Tanzania birding tour or a dedicated birding add-on, Pemba Island offers the perfect blend of endemics, coastal specialties, and island charm.