28-Day Tanzania Birding Expedition

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Overview

This itinerary is beautifully structured around Tanzania’s endemic hotspots:

Northern circuit diversity
Eastern Arc Mountain endemics
Coastal forest specialists
Kilombero floodplain rarities
Dry-country and steppe finish

It’s not just a birding trip—it’s a full ecological gradient journey across Tanzania.

Day by Day Itinerary

Day 1: Arusha National Park

Arrival and immediate immersion into montane forest and wetland habitats.
Focus species: forest specials, waterbirds, Hartlaub’s Turaco, Narina Trogon.

Day 2: Lark Plains & Lengijave

Dry-country birding across open plains.
Key target: Beesley’s Lark, along with chestnut-bellied sandgrouse and other arid species.

Day 3: Tarangire National Park

Savannah and baobab ecosystems.
Target: Ashy Starling, Yellow-collared Lovebird, Northern Pied Babbler.

Day 4: Lake Manyara National Park

Groundwater forest + alkaline lake system.
Focus: flamingos, pelicans, hornbills, and wetland diversity.

Day 5: Ngorongoro Conservation Area (Elephant Caves & Highlands)

Montane forest birding.
Key species: Mbulu White-eye, Schalow’s Turaco, montane specialists.

Day 6-9: Serengeti National Park

Extended stay across central and western Serengeti ecosystems.
Targets: Fischer’s Lovebird, Usambiro Barbet, Grey-breasted Spurfowl, raptors, and grassland species.

Day 10: Return to Arusha (via Nanja Dam)

Scenic drive with birding stop at Nanja Dam for waterbirds and migrants.

Day 11: Nyumba ya Mungu Dam

Wetland exploration.
Highlight: African Skimmer, terns, and shoreline species.

Day 12: Mkomazi National Park → Lushoto

Dry Acacia birding transitioning into Usambara Mountains.
Overnight in Lushoto.

Day 13 -15: Magamba Forest

Critical Eastern Arc endemic zone.
Targets:

Usambara Thrush
Usambara Weaver
Usambara Akalat
African Tailorbird

Day 16: Transfer to Amani Nature Reserve

Critical Eastern Arc endemic zone.
Targets:

Usambara Thrush
Usambara Weaver
Usambara Akalat
African Tailorbird

Day 16: Transfer to Amani Nature Reserve

Slow descent through varied habitats.
Possible sighting: Coastal Cisticola.

Day 17-19: Amani Nature Reserve

Lowland forest endemics.
Key targets:

Tanzania Illadopsis
Long-billed Forest Warbler
Usambara Hyliota

Day 20: Transfer to Mikumi National Park

En route birding with chance for Böhm’s Bee-eater.

Day 21: Mikumi National Park

Open savannah birding.
Targets: Stierling’s Wren-Warbler, Hofmann’s Sunbird.

Day 22: Kilombero Valley (Ifakara & Magombero Forest)

Wetland and floodplain specialists.
Targets:

Kilombero Weaver
Kilombero Cisticola
Pel’s Fishing Owl (Magombero Forest)

Day 23: Transfer to Gairo

Scenic drive into central Tanzania highlands.

Day 24: Ukaguru Mountains

Forest hike targeting the rare Rubeho Warbler.

Day 25: Transfer to Nou Forest

Travel day into remote montane habitat.

Day 26: Nou Forest → Arusha

Forest birding followed by return to Arusha.

Day 27: Arusha Local Birding Circuit

Sites include:

Lake Duluti
Ngarasero
Chama Forest

Excellent for forest edge and lake species.

Day 28: Maasai Steppe

Final day in dry-country habitat.
Targets: bustards, coursers, and steppe specialists before departure.

Included/Excluded

Accommodation in Arusha on arrival day.
Accommodation in Arusha after safari.
All entry fees in national parks as per itinerary
Arrival and departure airport transfers
3 meals a day while on Safari
All Accommodations in lodges on safari
Entry and transit fees in Ngorongoro
Ngorongoro Crater fee
First aid kit
Service of an English speaking driver-guide
Transport in 4x4 Land Cruiser with pop-up roof
Driver's Salary and allowances
Park fees for vehicle and driver
Game drives as per the Itinerary
Enough bottled water the whole safari
Government taxes

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