Wild Tanzania: Lake Victoria, Northern Parks & Usambara Mountains
Join us on this incredible birding trip through Tanzania, travelling to Lake Victoria via the Serengeti, visiting the world renowned Ngorongoro Crater, and concluding in the Usambara Mountains, home to a wealth of endemic species.
This beautiful tour of Tanzania has been designed for birders and wildlife enthusiasts to enjoy the best birding spots within 21 days. It allows you to not only see the famous northern parks of Tanzania but also experience the birding specials of Lake Victoria via Speke’s Bay, a simply beautiful birding destination on the shores of Africa’s largest lake. The trip then takes you south to the endemic-rich area of the Eastern Arc. You’ll start racking up a huge number of species at the beginning of the tour, and then begin adding many exciting endemic species towards the end. It nicely wraps up the best of Tanzania’s birding hotspots in a neat bow!
Number of days
21
Bird count:
400-500
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.
Speed:
Easy/Medium – this tour was designed to be impactful, gaining a large count of endemics by spending enough time at each location.
Difficulty:
Easy/Medium – plenty of on-foot birding but nothing overly strenuous. Walking boots are essential.
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: Lake Victoria, Northern Parks & Usambara Mountains costs £5,798 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.
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
- Bar-tailed Trogon
- Crowned Eagle
- Silvery-cheeked Hornbill
- African Black Duck
- Hartlaub’s Turaco
- Northern Double-collared Sunbird
- White-faced Whistling Duck
- Great White Egret
- African Hill Babbler
- White-cheeked Turaco
- Mountain Wagtail
- Purple-crested Turaco
- Red-tailed Ant-thrush
- Crested Guineafowl
- White-starred Robin
- 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
- Eastern Bronze-naped Pigeon
- Usambara Bush-shrike
- Kenrick’s Starling
- Pale Batis
- Red-capped Robin-chat
- Olive-headed Weaver
- Forest Buzzard
- Black-fronted Bush-shrike
- African Blue Flycatcher
- Short-tailed Warbler
- Kivuko Greenbul
- Purple-headed Starling
- Charming Sunbird
- Orange-breasted Bush-shrike
- Yellow-rumped Tinkerbird
Get in touch with Wild Birding Limited Newsletter to receive a FREE updated checklist of Tanzania
Contact Us.
-
Included
Airport TransfersBirding TelescopeFull board (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)Mineral WaterNational Park FeesOvernight In Top Safari LodgesProfessional Bird GuideProfessional DriverSafari VehicleUpdated Bird ChecklistWiFi
Our gallery
A few photos from our previous trips
Arrival in Arusha
Lark Plains and Meru Forest – targets include Beesley’s Lark and Broad-ringed White-eye
South Pare Mountains via Kisangara Acacia Scrub – look for South Pare White-eye and Paarensis Bar-throated Apalis
Magamba Forest, West Usambara Mountains – key species: Usambara Akalat, Usambara Thrush, Spot-throat, Red-capped Forest Warbler
Amani Nature Reserve, East Usambara Mountains – focus on Amani Sunbird, Long-billed Forest Warbler, Usambara Hyliota
Transfer to Morogoro with en-route birding stops
Uluguru Mountains – birding Bondwa Peak, Tegetero & Bunduki sections; target Uluguru Bushshrike, Loveridge’s Sunbird, White-winged Apalis
Ukaguru Mountains – key species include Rubeho Akalat, Rubeho Warbler, and Moreau’s Sunbird
Kilosa Road near Mikumi – good for Shelley’s Sunbird, Arnott’s Chat, Miombo Blue-eared Starling
Kilombero Swamp & Mang’ula Village – specials include Kilombero Cisticola, Kilombero Weaver, and Lesser Seedcracker
Udzungwa Mountains National Park – highlights include Rufous-winged Sunbird and Kenya Crested Guineafowl
Transfer to Mufindi Highlands – bird Mufindi Forest and Kipengere Range; target Iringa Akalat, Chapin’s Apalis
Morning birding in Mufindi, then transfer to Kisolanza (The Old Farm House)
Full day birding Kisolanza – notable species: Whyte’s Barbet, Spotted Ground Thrush, Montane Widowbird
Transfer to Dar es Salaam for international flight, with optional stop at Masunguru Dam for Ruvu Weaver and African Pygmy Duck
