Birding Day Trips in Tanzania – Arusha, Moshi, Dar es Salaam, Zanizibar
We offer a wide range of birding day tours in Tanzania. If you have a free day in Arusha, Zanzibar, or even the Pemba Islands, we’d be delighted to show you the incredible diversity of Tanzania’s birdlife and help you rack up a bird count you won’t believe is possible in just one day!
Each tour is led by our experienced local guides, who are passionate about birds and dedicated to conservation. We cater to individuals or small groups, ensuring a personalised experience while minimising our impact on the environment.
Join us for a day and discover why Tanzania is a must-visit birding destination!
Wild Tanzania: Arusha National Park
The day begins with a drive to Arusha National Park, conveniently located just a short distance from Arusha town. The park’s diverse habitats—grasslands, wetlands, and forest—offer superb opportunities for birding and wildlife viewing. Early highlights may include Lesser Flamingos, African Black Ducks, and Striated Herons in the open wetlands.
A guided walk through the highland forest reveals the rich birdlife of the area. Hartlaub’s Turaco, Cinnamon-chested Bee-eater, and Narina Trogon are frequently spotted here, along with Black-and-white Colobus Monkeys and Ochre Bush Squirrels.
The tour continues as we explore other sections of the park by vehicle. You may spot raptors like Crowned Eagles and Palm-nut Vultures soaring above, while mammals such as Maasai Giraffes, African Buffalos, and Bushbucks are often seen along the way. Wetlands and wooded areas offer the chance to observe additional bird species, including vibrant kingfishers and waterbirds.
Lunch is enjoyed at a scenic picnic spot within the park, surrounded by the serene sounds of nature. In the afternoon, we explore lakes and grasslands, where highlights may include Peter’s Twinspot, Brown-hooded Kingfisher, and Montane White-eye. Wildlife such as zebras and waterbucks are also commonly sighted in these areas.
The day concludes with a short walk to soak in the breathtaking scenery before returning to Arusha. On clear days, you might even catch a glimpse of Mt. Kilimanjaro in the distance. This unforgettable day of birding and wildlife observation showcases the incredible diversity of one of Tanzania’s most accessible national parks.
Full Day Price Includes:
- Pick-up and drop-off in Arusha
- Wild Birding Tour Leader
- Safari 4x4 Vehicle with a 'pop-up' roof!
- Entry fees
- Picnic lunch
- Birding scope
Wild Tanzania: Engikaret Lark Plains – Searching for Beesley’s Lark & Dryland Specialists
We’ll start the day early with a short drive to the Engikaret Lark Plains, the only known site for the critically endangered Beesley’s Lark. With fewer than 50 individuals remaining, this Tanzanian endemic is one of the rarest birds in the world.
As we explore the open plains on foot, we’ll also be on the lookout for Athi Short-toed Lark, Short-tailed Lark, Foxy Lark, and the striking Red-throated Tit. Raptors such as Pallid Harrier, Eastern Chanting Goshawk, and Lanner Falcon are often seen patrolling overhead, while Temminck’s Courser and Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse blend into the dry landscape.
To maximise our birding time, we’ll enjoy a picnic lunch. In the afternoon, we’ll explore nearby scrub and seasonal wetlands for species like Rosy-patched Bushshrike, Speckle-fronted Weaver, and White-headed Mousebird, Yellow-throated Sandgrouse, Spotted Thick-knee, and Buff-crested Bustard.
As the sun sets, we’ll take a final walk through the plains, listening for the calls of Dusky Nightjar and Slender-tailed Nightjar, before returning to Arusha.
Full Day Price Includes:
- Pick-up and drop-off in Arusha
- Wild Birding Tour Leader
- Safari 4x4 Vehicle with a 'pop-up' roof!
- Entry fees
- Picnic lunch
- Birding scope
Wild Tanzania: Mererani Maasai Steppe
We’ll start the day with a pickup from your accommodation in Arusha and drive towards the Mererani Maasai Steppe, located between Arusha and Lake Manyara. This area is known for its dry Acacia thorn bushland, with seasonal vernal pools appearing during the wet season, attracting a variety of bird species.
As we explore the steppe, we’ll focus on the bird species typical of the Somalia-Masai Region, such as the Golden-breasted Starling, Hunter’s Sunbird, Black-bellied Sunbird, and Tsavo Sunbird. We’ll also look for other species, including the White-headed Buffalo Weaver, Somali Bunting, and Eastern Yellow-billed Hornbill, as well as raptors like the Shikra and Eastern Pale Chanting Goshawk.
Throughout the day, we’ll visit prime birding locations and have plenty of time to observe the birds and their behaviours. After a day of birding, we’ll drive back to Arusha and drop you off at your accommodation.
Full Day Price Includes:
- Pick-up and drop-off in Arusha
- Wild Birding Tour Leader
- Safari 4x4 Vehicle with a 'pop-up' roof!
- Entry fees
- Picnic lunch
- Birding scope
Wild Tanzania: Zanzibar
The day begins with a visit to Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park, the only national park in Zanzibar. The park’s diverse habitats, including coastal forests, mangroves, and salt marshes, provide an excellent opportunity to explore the island’s rich birdlife. Early highlights may include Fischer’s Turaco, Cinnamon-chested Bee-eater, and Black-bellied Starling along the forest trails. Keep an eye out for the Zanzibar Red Colobus Monkey, an island endemic, and Syke’s Monkey as you walk through this unique ecosystem.
Next, the mangrove boardwalk offers the chance to spot species such as Mangrove Kingfisher and Dimorphic Egret. These birds thrive in the tidal wetlands, adding to the variety of sightings during the morning.
As the tour continues, we visit coastal lagoons and mudflats, where Crab-plovers and Greater Sand Plovers are often seen foraging along the shoreline. Nearby salt pans and rice fields provide further opportunities to see species like Yellow-throated Longclaw and Zanzibar Red Bishop, the latter particularly striking during the breeding season.
Lunch is enjoyed at a scenic picnic spot within or near the park, surrounded by the tranquillity of nature. This is a good time to review the morning’s sightings and take in the island’s natural beauty.
In the afternoon, we continue to explore more coastal habitats, including wetlands and open grasslands. Highlights may include African Paradise Flycatchers and Lilac-breasted Rollers, with occasional sightings of colourful sunbirds adding to the day’s diversity.
The tour ends with a relaxing drive back to your accommodation, offering more opportunities for incidental sightings en route. On clear days, the journey provides stunning views of the Indian Ocean, a fitting conclusion to a rewarding day of birding and wildlife observation in Zanzibar.
Full Day Price Includes:
- Pick-up and drop-off in at your hotel in Zanzibar
- Professional bird guide
- Vehicle
- Entry fees
- Picnic lunch
Wild Tanzania: Pemba Island
The day begins with an early morning visit to Ngezi Forest Reserve, located at the northern tip of Pemba Island. This unspoiled forest is the primary habitat for several of the island’s endemic bird species. As we walk through the lush trails, we’ll look for the Pemba Green Pigeon (Treron pembaensis), a vibrant species often perched in the canopy, and the Pemba Sunbird (Cinnyris pembae), with its striking iridescent plumage. The forest is also home to the charming Pemba White-eye (Zosterops vaughani), which flits actively in the foliage.
In addition to birds, Ngezi Forest is a haven for the Pemba Flying Fox, a large fruit bat endemic to the island and often seen roosting in the trees.
Mid-morning, we venture to the coastal mangroves and shores surrounding the reserve. These habitats provide an opportunity to see species such as the Mangrove Kingfisher (Halcyon senegaloides) and Crab-plover (Dromas ardeola). While not endemic, these birds are highlights of Pemba’s diverse ecosystems.
Lunch is enjoyed near Vumawimbi Beach, a serene spot where we can take a break and enjoy the ocean breeze while discussing the morning’s sightings.
The afternoon continues with exploration of clove plantations and open farmland, where endemic species such as the Pemba Sunbird and Pemba White-eye are often seen. These habitats are also frequented by species like the Black-bellied Starling (Notopholia corrusca) and the African Paradise Flycatcher (Terpsiphone viridis).
The day concludes with a visit to a known site for the Pemba Scops Owl (Otus pembaensis), one of the island’s most sought-after endemics. As the sun sets and the forest quietens, we’ll listen for its distinctive call and, with luck, catch a glimpse of this elusive nocturnal bird as it begins its evening activities.
The tour ends with a return to your accommodation, reflecting on the incredible diversity of Pemba’s birdlife:
- Pemba Green Pigeon (Treron pembaensis)
- Pemba Sunbird (Cinnyris pembae)
- Pemba White-eye (Zosterops vaughani)
- Pemba Scops Owl (Otus pembaensis)
- Pemba Flying Fox (Not a bird, but an important endemic species worth mentioning!).
Full Day Price Includes:
- Pick-up and drop-off at your hotel in Pemba
- Professional bird guide
- Vehicle
- Entry fees
- Picnic lunch
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Departure
Arusha, Zanzibar or Pemba Island -
Departure Time
6 AM -
Return Time
6 PM
