13 Days Northern Tanzania Birding Discovery

Arrival in Arusha. Birding at the nearby Meru Forest for endemic species including the Kilimanjaro white-eye, near-endemic Hunter's cisticola, East African endemic Hartlaub's turaco, and NE Africa endemic evergreen forest warbler and mountain buzzard.

Overnight at Njiro Climax Hotel

Depart early with picnic lunches, birding en route for the near-endemic Taveta weaver, and East African endemics such as Southern citril, Brown-breasted barbet, and Grey olive greenbul. Stop at Kisangara acacia scrub for NE Africa endemics including Tsavo sunbird, Pringle's puffback, Somali tit, Somali bunting, and Pink-breasted lark. Check-in at Johnson's Villa in Same Town. Afternoon birding in the South Pare Mountains for endemic species like South Pare white-eye, Usambara double-collared sunbird, and Zanzibar boubou.

Overnight at Johnson's Villa.

Morning birding at Kisangara and Mkomazi National Park for NE African endemics including Tiny cisticola, Fischer's and Golden-breasted starlings, Black-bellied sunbird, and Hunter's sunbird. Lunch stop and continue to the West Usambara Mountains, birding for Zanzibar red bishop and raptors.

Overnight at Muller's Mountain Lodge.

Full day birding in Magamba Forest for endemics like Usambara weaver, Usambara akalat, Usambara double-collared sunbird, and others. Other species include Usambara thrush, Usambara greenbul, Bar-tailed trogon, and African wood owl.

Overnight at Muller's Mountain Lodge.

Depart with picnic lunches, birding en route for species such as Eastern golden weaver and Coastal cisticola. Stop at Zigi lowland forest for notable endemics including Tanzania illadopsis, Usambara hyliota, and Banded green sunbird. Later birding along Zigi River for Half-collared kingfisher. Check-in at Amani Rest House (basic but clean with good food). Birding at Amani Botanical Garden.

Overnight at Amani Rest House.

Birding for near-endemic species like East coast batis, Amani sunbird, and Uluguru violet-backed sunbird.Other species include Usambara eagle owl, Cabanis's bunting, and Fischer’s turaco.

Overnight at Amani Rest House (3-night stay if guests are with you).

Morning birding in Zigi lowland forest to catch any missed species. Return drive to Arusha, arriving late evening.

Overnight at Njiro Climax Hotel

Early drive to Tarangire with birding for endemics like Rufous-tailed weaver, Ashy starling, and Emin's barbet. Birding for near-endemics like Hildebrandt's starling and Swahili sparrow.

Overnight at Kankari Lodge.

Picnic lunch and birding en route to Serengeti for endemic species like Hunter's and Lynne's cisticolas. Arrive at Nabi Hill Gate, birding the area after lunch. Continue to Central Serengeti for birding .

overnight at Serengeti Heritage Camp

Full day birding for endemic species such as Grey-breasted spurfowl, Tanzania red-billed hornbill, and Fischer’s lovebird.Other species include Freckled and Swamp nightjars, African scops owl, and Pearl-spotted owlet.

Overnight at Serengeti Heritage Camp.

Morning drive to Ngorongoro Crater for birding, focusing on species like Speke’s weaver, Abyssinian wheatear, and Northern ant-eater chat. Birding for Lesser and Greater flamingos, Brown Parisoma, and other notable species.

Overnight at Kankari Lodge

Birding for Brown-headed apalis, Grey-headed nigrita, and Eastern double-collared sunbird in the Ngorongoro Highlands. Return to lodge for lunch, then drive back to Arusha.

Overnight at Njiro Climax

Birding focused on Somali-Maasai arid zone species such as Northern brownbul, Acacia tit, and Black-capped social weaver. Late evening transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport for departure.