Tanzania Premium Birding Safari

20 Days | Spotlight on

East Africa’s most iconic species

This premium birding safari is designed for serious birders, wildlife photographers, and naturalists seeking Tanzania’s rarest endemic and near-endemic bird species. The journey explores a diverse ecosystem covering wetlands, volcanic highlands, coastal forests, and savannahs; each offering distinctive birdlife and scenery. Guided by award‑winning professionals, enjoy patient observation, photography, insightful interpretation, seamless logistics, and personalized attention throughout.

Featured Destinations

Dar es Salaam → Pemba Island → Uluguru & Ukaguru Mountains → Kilombero

Valley & East Udzungwa → Mikumi Miombo Woodlands → Amani Nature Reserve

→ West Usambara Mountains → South Pare Mountains → Arusha → Tarangire

National Park → Serengeti National Park → Kilimanjaro International Airport

(Departure)

Best time to travel:

December to February: This is the absolute peak migration window, bringing the highest concentration of migratory species into the country. June to October: Maximum visibility of birds in dry season. While there are fewer total species, the thinning bush makes it incredibly easy to spot resident birds and local African migrants.

Safari Pricing: USD 5,450 Per person on a sharing basis.

Itinerary Details

Days 1-2: Dar es Salaam & Pemba Island

Welcome to Tanzania! Start your journey in this vibrant coastal city where warm hospitality meets the Indian Ocean breeze. Upon arriving at Julius Nyerere International Airport

On Day 1, you will be warmly met and transferred to your airport hotel to relax for the night. The next morning, take a quick domestic flight from Dar es Salaam to Zanzibar. Upon arrival in Zanzibar, you will board a boat heading out to the lush paradise of Pemba Island. After arrival and check-in at the Pemba Paradise lodge, settle into your room before heading out for an exciting evening birding session to spot nocturnal species.

On Day 2, wake up to the sounds of nature and enjoy breakfast at the lodge. Today features a full-day birding experience across Pemba Island to track down target endemics like the Pemba Sunbird and Pemba White-eye. Explore the dense forests and coastal fringes with your guide, stopping for a picnic lunch in the field, before returning to the hotel in the late afternoon for dinner and a restful night.

Unique Bird Species: Pemba Green Pigeon, Pemba White-eye, Pemba Sunbird, Pemba Scops Owl, Pemba Flycatcher.

Accommodation: Slip way Hotel & Pemba Paradise

Meal Plan: Full board

Days 3-5: Uluguru & Ukaguru Mountains

Enjoy an early breakfast before catching a boat back to Zanzibar and flying back to Dar es Salaam. Upon arrival in Dar es Salaam, stop for a delicious local lunch before starting the scenic drive westward toward Morogoro. Reach your destination in the late afternoon, check in at the hotel and enjoy dinner as you prepare for the mountains tomorrow.

On Day 4-5, after an early breakfast, pack your gear and drive up into the Uluguru Mountains. These are ancient mountain forests belonging to the globally important Eastern Arc Mountains ecosystem and search for ultra-rare endemics hidden deep within the lush, mist-covered montane canopy, spend a full day hiking through pristine forest trails searchingfor the birds. Enjoy a packed lunch in the forest, then head back down the mountain to your hotel for dinner and overnight rest.

Unique Bird Species: Uluguru Bush shrike, Loveridge’s Sunbird, Uluguru Violet-backed

Sunbird, Ukaguru Greenbul.

Accommodation: Morogoro Arc Hotel

Meal Plan: Full board

Days 6-7: Kilombero Valley & East Udzungwa

After breakfast, check out of your hotel and drive south through changing landscapes toward the Kilombero Valley. Discover a vast floodplain wilderness where Africa’s largest wetland system meets rising mountain walls, and spot highly specialized wetland species that are found nowhere else on the planet. Arrive at the valley in the afternoon, check in at the Hotel, and head right out for an evening birding session along the riverbanks to spot localized weavers. Return to the hotel for dinner and sleep.

Day 7, wake up early for breakfast before embarking on a morning boat safari across the Kilombero floodplain to search for the Kilombero Weaver and Kilombero Cisticola. Return to the hotel for a hot lunch and a brief rest. In the afternoon, explore the lowland forests of East Udzungwa before returning to the hotel for dinner.

Unique Bird Species: Kilombero Weaver, Kilombero Cisticola, Rufous-winged Sunbird, Udzungwa Forest Partridge.

Accommodation: Twiga Hotel

Meal Plan: Full board

Day 8: Mikumi Miombo Woodlands

After an early breakfast, check out and drive north into the specialized Miombo woodlands surrounding Mikumi. It is a classic African woodland characterized by beautiful, sprawling Miombo trees and target specialized woodland birds feeding in the canopy and open bush tracks. Upon arrival enjoy a picnic lunch, enjoy some bird sighting the drive to the cozy Cottages to check in, enjoy dinner, and share stories of the day’s sightings.

Unique Bird Species: Miombo Tit, Böhm’s Flycatcher, Shelley’s Sunbird.

Accommodation: Tan Swiss Cottages

Meal Plan: Full board

Days 9-11: Amani Nature Reserve

Enjoy breakfast at your cottage, check out, and begin the drive toward the ancient Usambara region. Arrive at the remote Amani Nature Reserve in the afternoon, check in at the rest house, and take a relaxed evening walk around the grounds to spot your first rainforest species. Dinner is served at the rest house.

On Day 10, after breakfast, spend a magnificent full day exploring the shady trails of Amani. Look out for rare endemics species. Take lunch back at the rest house or pack it for the trail, then continue birding until dusk before heading back for dinner.

On Day 11, fuel up with breakfast before another day of deep-forest exploration. Focus on tracking down understory specialists like the East Coast Akalat and Tiny Greenbul. Return to the rest house for lunch, enjoy a relaxed afternoon birding session nearby, and gather for dinner in the evening.

Unique Bird Species: Amani Sunbird, East Coast Akalat, Tiny Greenbul, Fischer’s Turaco.

Accommodation: Amani Rest House

Meal Plan: Full board

Days 12-13: West Usambara Mountains

After breakfast, check out of Amani and drive up into the breathtaking West Usambara Mountains. These are famous for dramatic viewpoints and cool mountain air, and tracking of critically endangered species that rely entirely on these mountain peaks. Arrive in time for lunch and check-in at the Lodge. Spend the afternoon birding along the forest edges then head back to the lodge for a warm dinner by the fire.

On Day 13, enjoy breakfast before a full-day excursion into the pristine Shume-Magamba forest. Search for the Usambara Akalat and Long-billed Tailorbird while taking in the alpinescenery. Enjoy a picnic lunch in the wild, and head back to the lodge in the late afternoon for dinner and overnight stay.

Unique Bird Species: Usambara Weaver, Usambara Akalat, Long-billed Tailorbird, Mrs. Moreau’s Warbler.

Accommodation: Mullers Mountain Lodge

Meal Plan: FULL-board

Days 14-15: South Pare Mountains

Following breakfast, check out and drive north toward the remote South Pare Mountains. Here you will Discover a hidden, off-the-beaten-path range untouched by major tourist crowds, add highly localized endemics to your list in remote, misty montane forests. Arrive at the base of the mountains, check in at the Motel, and enjoy lunch. Head out for an afternoon birding trek on the mountain slopes before returning to the motel for dinner.

On Day 15, eat an early breakfast and take a 4×4 drive up into the high montane forests. Spend the day searching exclusively for the rare South Pare White-eye and Stripe-cheeked Greenbul. Have lunch in the field, then wind down the mountain back to the motel for dinner and sleep.

Unique Bird Species: South Pare White-eye, Stripe-cheeked Greenbul, Eastern Mountain Greenbul.

Accommodation: Elephant Motel

Meal Plan: Full-board

Day 16: Arusha & Beesley's Lark Plains

After breakfast, check out and drive toward Arusha town. A you drive along be sure to sport the rarest Larks’ species. Upon arrival at your cozy house check in, unpack, and enjoy dinner. Arusha is the gate way to the northern circuit and host Africa’s rarest birds, enjoy the dramatic backdrop of Mount Meru as you explore the surrounding acacia scrub, and relax in a charming accommodation tucked away in a quiet suburb of Arusha.

Unique Bird Species: Beesley’s Lark, Short-tailed Lark, Fischer’s Sparrow-Lark.

Accommodation: Korona Villa House

Meal Plan: Full board

Day 17: Tarangire National Park

After an early breakfast, check out and drive into Tarangire National Park for a thrilling game and birding drive. Enter a land of giant baobab trees and massive herds of elephants roaming the riverbanks, experience exceptional dry-country birding with vibrant lovebirds and starlings everywhere. Have a picnic lunchbox inside the park and unwind at a beautiful country lodge nestled in the lush farming highlands of Karatu.

Unique Bird Species: Yellow-collared Lovebird, Ashy Starling, Rufous-tailed Weaver.

Accommodation: Country Lodge Karatu

Meal Plan: Full board

Days 18-19: Serengeti National Park

Eat breakfast, check out, Carry your lunch boxes and drive through the Ngorongoro Conservation Area into the vast Serengeti National Park. Behold the endless plains of the world’s most iconic wildlife sanctuary, witness an incredible diversity of birds and predators sharing the golden savanna. Enjoy birding and wildlife viewing along the way, arrive to Camp in the evening, check in, and relax for the rest of the day.

On Day 19, wake up at dawn for coffee and an early morning game drive when predators are most active. Return to camp for a hot breakfast, then head out with a packed lunch for a full day exploring different Serengeti habitats. Track majestic Secretary Birds and Martial Eagles before returning to camp for your final safari dinner

Unique Bird Species: Secretary Bird, Martial Eagle, Grey-breasted Spurfowl, Schalow’s Turaco.

Accommodation: Medium Tented Camp

Meal Plan: Full board

Day 20: Departure Serengeti to Arusha

Reflect on an incredible 20-day journey through Tanzania’s most exclusive natural wonders, catch final glimpses of East African birds as you enjoy a stress-free departure to Seronera Airstrip for a flight back to Arusha town. You will be transferred to the hotel for a farewell lunch and some last-minute souvenir shopping (optional). In the afternoon, you will be transferred smoothly directly to Kilimanjaro International Airport to check in for your international flight home.

Unique Bird Species: Final birding opportunities.

Accommodation: None

Meal Plan: Breakfast& Lunch

Safari Includes:

All meals and accommodation as specified in the day-to-day Plan

Professional private safari guiding by an expert birder guide

Safari 4 x 4 cruiser

Scheduled domestic light aircraft flights

All airport, airstrip, and road transfers specified in the program

All national park entries

Gourmet farewell lunch

Unlimited chilled mineral water during all vehicle operations

Safari Excludes:

International airline tickets and home country destination departure taxes

Comprehensive personal travel, medical, and emergency evacuation insurance

Mandatory entry tourist visa fees for the United Republic of Tanzania

Tips, discretionary staff gratuities, and recognition fees for guides and camp crew

Personal specialized photography equipment, lenses, and camera bodies

Important Safari Reminder

To ensure an unforgettable and comfortable journey through Tanzania’s diverse ecosystems,

guests are reminded to pack essential safari gear.

Please ensure you bring high-quality binoculars for crisp bird views,

sturdy broken-in hiking boots for mountain forest treks,

a wide-brimmed hat, sun protection, and a lightweight jacket for cool mountain

mornings.

Keeping your binoculars and camera gear easily accessible during all transfers will

guarantee you never miss a rare sighting.

Thank you for choosing Sauti Africa Safaris as your trusted travel partner in Tanzania!

 

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