Wild Tanzania: Northern Birding Circuit
Discover the outstanding birdlife of northern Tanzania on this immersive 9-day birding safari. From the baobab-studded savannahs of Tarangire to the world-famous Ngorongoro Crater, and the endless plains of the Serengeti, this tour highlights the region’s rich bird diversity set against some of Africa’s most spectacular landscapes.
Designed for both seasoned birders and enthusiastic newcomers, this birding circuit of northern Tanzania offers opportunities to spot over 400 species, including sought-after endemics and the critically endangered Beesley’s Lark. As we traverse grasslands, woodlands, forests, and wetlands, we’ll not only encounter a stunning array of birdlife but also witness the grand spectacle of African wildlife.
Led by expert Lead Guide, this tour combines comfortable accommodations with carefully planned itineraries, ensuring an unforgettable birding safari experience. Join us as we explore the wild heart of East Africa, where every day brings new sightings and every landscape teems with localised birdlife.
Number of days
14
Bird count:
400-500
Best time of year:
Birding is fantastic all year round! However, 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.
Speed:
Slow/medium – this tour was designed to be impactful, yet allows enough time at each destination to ensure all target species are seen.
Difficulty:
Easy – plenty of on-foot birding but nothing overly strenuous.
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: Northern Birding Circuit Tour costs £4,300 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:
- Beesley’s Lark
- Athi Short-toed Lark
- Red-throated Tit
- Short-tailed Lark
- Ashy Starling
- Red-and-yellow Barbet
- Red-bellied Parrot
- Von der Decken’s Hornbill
- White-headed Buffalo-weaver
- Vulturine Guineafowl
- Yellow-collared Lovebird
- Bare-faced Go-away bird
- Donaldson Smith’s Nightjar
- Northern Pied Babbler
- Northern White-crowned Shrike
- Golden-winged Sunbird
- Tacazze Sunbird
- Eastern Double-collared Sunbird
- Purple-throated Cuckooshrike
- Grey Cuckooshrike
- Moustached Tinkerbird
- African Broadbill
- Sharpe’s Starling
- Klaas’s Cuckoo
- Crowned Eagle
- Pin-tailed Whydah
- Straw-tailed Whydah
- Hunter’s Cisticola
- Pectoral-patch Cisticola
- Lyne’s Cisticola
- Black-fronted Bush-Shrike
- Thick-billed Seedeater
- White-headed Barbet
- Schalow’s Turaco
- Shelley’s Francolin
- Grey Crowned Crane
- Fan-tailed Widowbird
- Yellow-throated Sandgrouse
- Kori Bustard
- Secretarybird
- Rosy-breasted Longclaw
- Grey-breasted Spurfowl
- Abyssinian Wheatear
- Rufous-tailed Weaver
- Grey-crested Helmetshrike
- White-crested Helmetshrike
- Meyer’s Parrot
- Yellow-throated Longclaw
- Zitting Cisticola
- Croaking Cisticola
- Desert Cisticola
- White-headed Sawwing
- Black Sawwing
- Paradise Whydah
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Contact Us.
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Departure
Kilimanjaro International Airport -
Included
Airport TransfersBirding TelescopeFull board (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)Handpicked Top AccommodationLed by our Professional Bird Guide & Tour LeaderMineral WaterNational Park FeesProfessional DriverUpdated Bird ChecklistVehicleWiFi
Our gallery
A few photos from our previous tours in Tanzania
Arusha National Park
Tarangire National Park
Tarangire National Park
Endoro Caves
Ngorongoro Crater
Serengeti
Serengeti
Serengeti/Departure to Arusha (birding along the way)
Lark Plains/Departure
