Your 14-day bird-watching safari in Tanzania takes you to the northern region, where you will visit several famous birding locations. These include Ngorongoro Crater, Arusha National Park, Tarangire National Park, Lake Manyara National Park, Speke Bay near Lake Victoria, and other important birding sites.
Some of the key birds to look out for are the Black-headed Gonolek, Fischer’s Lovebird, Green-backed Woodpecker, Grey-backed Fiscal, Grey-breasted Spurfowl, Grey-crested Helmetshrike, Hildebrandt’s Starling, and Rufous-tailed Weaver.
Other birds you may see include Rüppell’s Vulture, Schalow’s Turaco, Usambiro Barbet, Verreaux’s Eagle, Red-capped Robin-chat, and Yellow-throated Sandgrouse.
Tanzania is one of the best destinations for bird watching. As of August 2019, 1,114 bird species had been recorded. Out of these, 30 are endemic to Tanzania, 44 are accidental species, and four were introduced by humans.
The country is home to more bird species than any other in Africa, ranking third overall and accounting for nearly 10% of the world’s bird population.
Bird watching in Tanzania can be done all year round, but the best time is from November to April. This is when many resident species breed, and migratory birds from Europe and North Africa arrive. It is also easier to spot birds in their bright breeding plumage during this period.
14-Day Tanzania Bird-Watching Safari Highlights
- Day 1: Transfer to Arusha National Park
- Day 2: Full-day birding in Arusha National Park
- Day 3: Transfer to Tarangire National Park
- Day 4: Full-day birding in Tarangire National Park
- Day 5: Transfer to Kirurumu Manyara Lodge
- Day 6: Birding at Lake Manyara National Park
- Day 7: Transfer from Manyara to Karatu – Gibbs Farm
- Day 8: Karatu to Ngorongoro Crater
- Day 9: Birding in Ngorongoro Crater
- Day 10: Ngorongoro to Serengeti National Park
- Day 11: Birding in Serengeti National Park
- Day 12: Transfer to Speke Bay
- Day 13: Bird watching at Lake Victoria
- Day 14: Speke Bay to Arusha
Detailed 14-Day Tanzania Bird-Watching Safari Itinerary
Day 1: Transfer to Arusha National Park
After a short introduction to your safari, depart for Arusha National Park with a picnic lunch for a full day of game viewing and bird watching.
The park has around 575 bird species, both resident and migratory. You may see grebes, eagles, spur-winged geese, pochards, herons, hammerkops, woodpeckers, and parrots.
Return to your lodge in the evening for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 2: Full-Day Birding in Arusha National Park
After an early breakfast, leave your lodge for a full-day walking and bird-watching tour in Arusha National Park.
You will look for birds such as the African Fish Eagle, Hartlaub’s Turaco, Peregrine Falcon, Bar-tailed Trogon, Bearded Vulture, Tawny Eagle, Narina Trogon, Scaly Francolin, and Verreaux’s Eagle.
You may also see zebras, baboons, giraffes, hippos, buffaloes, hyenas, elephants, and several antelope species. Return to your lodge in the evening for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 3: Transfer to Tarangire National Park
After breakfast, drive to Tarangire National Park for more game viewing and bird watching. The park has over 500 bird species.
Common species include the Ashy Starling, Red-bellied Parrot, Red-and-yellow Barbet, Speckle-fronted Weaver, and Tawny Eagle.
Day 4: Full-Day Birding in Tarangire National Park
Spend the entire day in Tarangire National Park. You may see birds such as the African Grey Flycatcher, Bare-faced Go-away Bird, Donaldson-Smith’s Nightjar, Vulturine Guineafowl, Great White Pelican, Rufous-tailed Weaver, Pink-breasted Lark, Von der Decken’s Hornbill, and Yellow-collared Lovebird.
You might also see animals like the oryx, gerenuk, buffalo, zebra, wildebeest, lion, hyena, and large pythons.
Day 5: Transfer to Kirurumu Manyara Lodge
After breakfast, drive to Lake Manyara for bird watching and arrive at your camp for lunch. In the evening, go birding around the area to look for species such as Yellow-necked Francolin, Greater and Lesser Flamingos, Helmeted Guineafowl, and White-faced Whistling Ducks.
Day 6: Birding at Lake Manyara National Park
After breakfast, enjoy a full day of birding in Lake Manyara National Park. Look out for Grey-crowned Cranes, Abdim’s Stork, African Fish Eagle, African Jacana, African Spoonbill, Hamerkop, Silvery-cheeked Hornbill, Pied Kingfisher, and Yellow-billed Stork.
You might also see elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, zebras, wildebeests, and hippos.
Day 7: Transfer from Manyara to Karatu – Gibbs Farm
After breakfast, head to Gibbs Farm and arrive in time for lunch. Later, take a guided walk through the forest to the waterfalls and Elephant Caves.
Over 200 bird species have been recorded here, including the African Hill Babbler, Moustached Tinkerbird, Cinnamon-chested Bee-eater, European Bee-eater, and Little Bee-eater.
Day 8: Karatu to Ngorongoro Crater
After breakfast, travel to Ngorongoro and arrive for lunch at Tortilis Camp. Later, descend into the crater for birding. You can expect to see ostriches, flamingos, and abdim’s storks.
Day 9: Birding in Ngorongoro Crater
After breakfast, spend the day birding on the crater floor. Look for species such as the African Spoonbill, Augur Buzzard, Greater Flamingo, Schalow’s Wheatear, Hartlaub’s Turaco, Scarlet-chested Sunbird, Kori Bustard, and Verreaux’s Eagle.
You may also see lions, zebras, elephants, buffaloes, rhinos, hippos, and wildebeests.
Day 10: Ngorongoro Crater to Serengeti National Park
After breakfast, drive through Olduvai Gorge on your way to Serengeti National Park. The park has more than 500 bird species, including ostriches, secretary birds, larks, raptors, and Kori Bustards.
Day 11: Birding in Serengeti National Park
After breakfast, spend the day birding and game viewing in Serengeti National Park. Look for Schalow’s Turaco, Rufous-tailed Weaver, Red-throated Tit, and Grey-crested Helmetshrike.
Day 12: Transfer to Speke Bay
After breakfast, drive through Serengeti to Speke Bay. On the way, you may spot lions, elephants, zebras, and giraffes.
Speke Bay lies on the southeastern shore of Lake Victoria. Here, look out for birds such as the Blue-cheeked Bee-eater, Slender-billed Weaver, Red-chested Sunbird, Verreaux’s Eagle-Owl, Black-headed Gonolek, African Openbill, and Swamp Flycatcher.
Day 13: Bird Watching at Lake Victoria
After breakfast, go canoeing along the shores of Lake Victoria to look for more species such as the African Jacana, Squacco Heron, Grey-crowned Crane, African Marsh Harrier, Pink-backed Pelican, Sacred Ibis, and Grey-headed Gull.
Later, take an evening bird walk around the lodge area to spot more birds, including the Red-chested Sunbird, Yellow-backed Weaver, and Swamp Flycatcher.
Day 14: Speke Bay to Arusha
After breakfast, depart for Arusha with a picnic lunch. Enjoy scenic views and optional stops along the way.
This marks the end of your 14-day Northern Tanzania Bird-Watching Safari, leaving you with unforgettable birding memories.
