30-Day Ultimate Tanzania & Pemba Birding Expedition
Birding Expedition – 30-Day Ultimate Tanzania & Pemba Safari is an extraordinary, in-depth journey designed for serious birdwatchers seeking the most complete birding experience East Africa has to offer. This expertly guided expedition traverses Tanzania’s most diverse ecosystems, from savannahs and wetlands to ancient mountain forests and offshore islands.
The expedition begins in northern Tanzania, exploring Arusha National Park, the Mbulu Highlands, the Serengeti ecosystem, Ngorongoro Highlands, and Tarangire National Park. These regions combine classic game viewing with outstanding birding opportunities, offering chances to record near-endemics and savannah specialties alongside iconic African wildlife.
The journey continues through the Eastern Arc Mountains, including the West and East Usambara, Uluguru, Udzungwa, Ukaguru, and South Pare ranges globally recognized biodiversity hotspots.
30-Day Ultimate Tanzania & Pemba Birding Expedition
Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), you will be warmly welcomed by the Rioba Safaris team and transferred to your accommodation in the Arusha area. This day is reserved for rest and preparation for the exceptional birding adventure ahead.
Your birding safari begins with a full day in Arusha National Park, a scenic gem at the foothills of Mount Meru. Target species include Kilimanjaro White-eye, Taveta Weaver, Rufous-tailed Weaver, and the elusive Abbott’s Starling, alongside diverse montane birdlife.
We drive to the open Engikaret Plains, a key site for the critically endangered Beesley’s Lark. After focused birding, we continue to Babati, near the Mbulu Highlands, for overnight.
Explore the Nou Forest in the Mbulu Mountains, home to local endemics such as the Olive-flanked Robin-Chat (Mbulu Ground Robin) and Mbulu White-eye. Later, we transfer to Karatu for overnight.
Early departure to Serengeti National Park, entering via Naabi Hill Gate. Enjoy birding and game viewing through the southern Serengeti before reaching the central plains.
A full day of birding and wildlife viewing at sunrise and throughout the day. Target species include Grey-breasted Spurfowl, Fischer’s Lovebird, Grey-crested Helmetshrike, Usambiro Barbet, and Maasai Apalis, alongside chances to encounter the Big Five.
After breakfast, we depart toward the Ngorongoro Highlands, birding along the way for Hunter’s and Lynes’s Cisticolas, Jackson’s Widowbird, Eastern Double-collared Sunbird, and Moorland Chat. Overnight near Lake Manyara.
Birding in Tarangire National Park, famous for baobabs and dry-country specialists such as Ashy Starling, Yellow-collared Lovebird, Northern Pied Babbler, and Hildebrandt’s Starling. Overnight in Tarangire.
Morning birding and game drive in Tarangire, then return to Arusha in the late afternoon for overnight.
Drive south via Nyumba ya Mungu Reservoir, birding for arid-zone and acacia specialists including Acacia Tit, Black-throated Barbet, Golden-breasted Starling, Fischer’s Starling, Black-bellied Sunbird, and Pink-breasted Lark. Overnight in Same.
Morning birding near Mkomazi National Park gate, then continue to Magamba Forest in the West Usambara Mountains.
Full-day birding in Magamba Forest, targeting Usambara endemics such as Usambara Akalat, Usambara Weaver, Usambara Thrush, African Hill Babbler, and Usambara Double-collared Sunbird.
Morning birding in Magamba before transferring to Amani Nature Reserve in the East Usambara Mountains. Evening birding around the botanical gardens. Overnight at Amani Rest House.
Two full days dedicated to East Usambara endemics and forest specialties including Banded Green Sunbird, Usambara Hyliota, Fischer’s Turaco, Tanzanian Illadopsis, Sharpe’s Akalat, Green-headed Oriole, Usambara Eagle-Owl, and Long-billed Tailorbird.
Early morning birding in Amani before transferring to Morogoro town for overnight.
Explore the Tegetero section of the Uluguru Mountains, targeting Uluguru Bushshrike and Uluguru Violet-backed Sunbird.
Birding in the Bunduki Forest, focusing on Mrs. Moreau’s Warbler and Uluguru Mountain Greenbul.
Early birding to cover missed species, then transfer to Mikumi town for overnight.
Day excursion to the vast Kilombero Floodplain, home to Kilombero Weaver, Kilombero Cisticola, and White-tailed Cisticola. Optional stop at Hondo Hondo to search for Lesser Seedcracker.
Birding along the Kilosa Road for Hofmann’s Sunbird, Racket-tailed Roller, Cinnamon-breasted Tit, and Speckle-throated Woodpecker, then continue to Iringa.
Early departure to Udzungwa Scarp Forest, targeting Iringa Akalat and Rufous-winged Sunbird, plus Swynnerton’s Robin, White-winged Apalis, and Dapple-throat. Overnight in Iringa.
Additional birding day to secure missed target species.
Transfer to Udekwa, birding for Kipengere Seedeater and Udzungwa Forest Partridge, along with White-chested Alethe, Olive-flanked Robin-Chat (Grotei), and Yellow-throated Mountain Greenbul. Overnight camping.
Full-day birding around Udekwa. Camping overnight.
Return to Mikumi town for rest and overnight.
Early visit to the Ukaguru Mountains in search of Rubeho Warbler and Rubeho Akalat. Overnight in Gairo.
Transfer to Dar es Salaam, birding along the route.
Morning flight to Pemba Island. Begin birding immediately, targeting Pemba Sunbird, Pemba Green Pigeon, and Pemba White-eye. Evening visit to Ngezi Forest for Pemba Scops Owl.
Fly back to Dar es Salaam for international departure. Depending on flight time, enjoy bonus birding at Pugu Forest or Jangwani Salt Pans.
End of Rioba Safaris Birding Expedition
