Wild Birding | Wild Tanzania: Comprehensive Birding Circuit

Wild Tanzania: Comprehensive Birding Circuit

per person

Join us on this comprehensive birding tour across Tanzania, which has been designed for you to see the country’s rich avifauna and endemic species. Expect a huge count of bird species, with plenty of megafauna along the way.

Tanzania is a top destination for bird enthusiasts, ranking just behind the DRC with one of Africa’s most diverse bird populations. The country is home to 1,155 distinct bird species, including 800 residents and 200 migratory visitors. Additionally, Tanzania hosts 29 endemic species found nowhere else on Earth, along with 53 near-endemics shared with neighbouring countries.

This comprehensive birding tour through Tanzania showcases this by visiting a wide range of habitats, ecosystems and landscapes.

Bird species highlights:

Golden-breasted Starling
Hunter’s Sunbird
Black-bellied Sunbird
Tsavo Sunbird
South Pare White-eye
Usambara Double-collared Sunbird
Bar-throated Apalis
Hunter’s Cisticola
Purple-banded Sunbird
East Coast Boubou
Usambara Eagle-owl
Usambara Hyliota
Usambara Thrush
Usambara Weaver
Usambara Akalat
Usambara Greenbul
Pemba Green Pigeon
Pemba Scops Owl

Usambara Tailorbird
Sokoke Scops Owl
Long-billed Tailorbird
Amani Sunbird
Taveta Golden-Weaver
Spot-throat
Dapple-throat
Ayres’s Hawk-eagle
Southern Banded Snake Eagle
Purple-banded Sunbird
Amani Sunbird
Uluguru Violet-backed Sunbird
Green Barbet
Spotted Eagle-owl
Half-collared Kingfisher
Gorgeous Bushshrike
Pemba Sunbird
Pemba White-eye

Number of days

Bird count:

500-600

Best time of year:

Although generally birding is fantastic all yeah round, the prime birding season in Tanzania falls during the short rains of November and early December. This period highlights most species in vibrant breeding plumage, featuring captivating display behaviours of whydahs, widowbirds, and bishops. Additionally, it’s when numerous migrants make their presence felt, so the count will be high.

*It is worth noting that trekking paths in the Usambara Mountains become quite muddy during the rainy season which contradicts the above. So, if your focus is entirely on endemics, then the optimal period to visit is from June to October, following the rains when it is much dryer.

Pace:

Medium – this tour was designed to be impactful, gaining a large count of endemics within a brief time.

Difficulty:

Easy/Medium – plenty of on-foot birding but nothing overly strenuous. Walking boots are essential.

Sustainability:

At Wild Birding, our goal is to ensure that every birding holiday we create contributes positively to bird conservation efforts and local communities. Our determination to promote sustainable travel led us to become founding members of Tourism Declares Climate Emergency. As part of this commitment, we have established the world’s pioneering carbon scoring and offsetting framework for tailor-made holidays. Feel free to request us to carbon score your individual trip!

Price:

Our tailor-made birding tours are custom-designed for each client, making standard pricing difficult. Costs vary based on factors like accommodation, group size, duration, and specific locations. For a personalised quote that matches your taste and budget, please contact us with your requirements.

As an example, this Wild Tanzania: Comprehensive Birding Tour costs £9,798 per person, based on a group of 6 individuals staying in top-end mid-range safari lodges with shared twin rooms.

For our Set Departure Birding Tours, with fixed prices, please click the button below.

Tour Leader:

Issac is an avid birder, sound recorder, bird photographer, and field guide with a rich background in ornithology. Over the years, he has actively engaged in various citizen science projects, lending his expertise to bird mapping, nest watch programs, waterbird counts, and bird exploration expeditions. His insights have not only shaped co-authored semi-scientific papers but have also established him as a respected authority in the field.

In addition to his roles as a dedicated bird enthusiast, Issac played a pivotal role in founding the Tanzania Birders Community and the Kilusu Bird Club. These organisations have successfully united bird lovers across Tanzania, creating a collaborative space for participation in large-scale mapping projects. Issac introduced the innovative use of the Ebird app within the community, enhancing data collection efficiency and fostering widespread data sharing among members.

Issac’s passion for avifauna extends to his expertise as a bird sound recordist. His comprehensive collection of over 2300 bird sounds, meticulously cataloged on http://www.xeno-canto.org, stands as a testament to his dedication and keen ear. Many of these recordings have been instrumental in the development of cutting-edge birding applications, captivating birding enthusiasts globally.

Contributing to http://www.orniverse.com, Issac expertly describes and guides individuals through the breathtaking birding sites of Kenya and Tanzania. With nine years of invaluable experience as a field guide, he has led numerous successful birding tours, showcasing the expansive natural landscapes and diverse avian species found across Kenya and Tanzania. Issac’s knowledge, passion, and eagerness to share his expertise have made him a sought-after guide for those embarking on immersive birding experiences.

In summary, Issac is a dedicated bird enthusiast, versatile bird sound recordist, knowledgeable field guide, and accomplished bird photographer. His unwavering love for avian life and commitment to furthering citizen science significantly contribute to the understanding and conservation of birds in East Africa and beyond.

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27 Days

Tanzania

Departure

Kilimanjaro International Airport
Included

Airport Transfers

Birding Telescope

Full board (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)

Mineral Water

National Park Fees

Overnight In Top Safari Lodges

Professional Bird Guide

Professional Driver

Safari Vehicle

Updated Bird Checklist

WiFi